check engine FORD EXPLORER 2018 Owners Manual

Cargo Nets
......................................................241
Luggage Covers ...........................................
242
Roof Racks and Load Carriers ................
242
Load Limit ......................................................
243
Towing
Towing a Trailer ...........................................
249
Trailer Sway Control ..................................
250
Recommended Towing Weights ..........
250
Essential Towing Checks .........................
252
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels - 2.3L EcoBoost™ .....................................
254
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels - 3.5L Duratec/3.5L Ecoboost™ ..........
255
Driving Hints
Breaking-In ....................................................
257
Economical Driving .....................................
257
Driving Through Water ..............................
258
Floor Mats .....................................................
258
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance ................................
260
Hazard Flashers ...........................................
261
Fuel Shutoff ...................................................
261
Jump Starting the Vehicle .......................
262
Post-Crash Alert System .........................
264
Transporting the Vehicle .........................
264
Customer Assistance
Getting the Services You Need .............
266
In California (U.S. Only) ............................
267
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line Program (U.S. Only) ....................
268
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only) ......................
269
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and Canada .......................................................
269
Ordering Additional Owner's Literature ........................................................................\
..
271 Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Only)
........................................................................\
..
271
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada Only) ........................................................................\
..
271
Fuses
Fuse Specification Chart ..........................
273
Changing a Fuse ..........................................
282
Maintenance
General Information ..................................
284
Opening and Closing the Hood .............
284
Under Hood Overview - 2.3L EcoBoost™ ........................................................................\
285
Under Hood Overview - 3.5L Duratec ........................................................................\
286
Under Hood Overview - 3.5L Ecoboost™ ........................................................................\
287
Engine Oil Dipstick - 2.3L EcoBoost™ ........................................................................\
288
Engine Oil Dipstick - 3.5L Duratec/3.5L Ecoboost™ ...............................................
289
Engine Oil Check .........................................
289
Oil Change Indicator Reset .....................
290
Engine Coolant Check ...............................
291
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check - 2.3L EcoBoost™ .....................................
295
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check - 3.5L Duratec/3.5L Ecoboost™ .........
295
Brake Fluid Check .......................................
297
Power Steering Fluid Check ...................
298
Washer Fluid Check ...................................
298
Changing the 12V Battery ........................
298
Checking the Wiper Blades ....................
300
Changing the Wiper Blades ...................
300
Adjusting the Headlamps ........................
301
Removing a Headlamp ............................
303
Changing a Bulb .........................................
303
Bulb Specification Chart .........................
306
Changing the Engine Air Filter ...............
308
4
Explorer (TUB) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201711, Fourth-Printing Table of Contents

Brake system
Cabin air filter
Check fuel cap
Child safety door lock or unlock
Child seat lower anchor
Child seat tether anchor
Cruise control
Do not open when hot
Engine air filter
Engine coolant
Engine coolant temperature
Engine oil
Explosive gas
Fan warning
Fasten seatbelt Flammable
Front airbag
Front fog lamps
Fuel pump reset
Fuse compartment
Hazard flashers
Heated rear window
Windshield defrosting system
Interior luggage compartment
release
Jack
Keep out of reach of children
Lighting control
Low tire pressure warning
Maintain correct fluid level
Note operating instructions
8
Explorer (TUB) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201711, Fourth-Printing IntroductionE270480 E71340 E71880 E231160 E67017 E161353

Car Finder
Press the button twice within
three seconds. The horn sounds
and the direction indicators
flash. We recommend you use this method
to locate your vehicle, rather than using
the panic alarm.
Sounding the Panic Alarm
Note: The panic alarm only operates when
the ignition is off. Press the button to sound the
panic alarm. Press the button
again or switch the ignition on to
turn it off.
Remote Start (If Equipped) WARNING:
To avoid exhaust fumes,
do not use remote start if your vehicle is
parked indoors or in areas that are not well
ventilated.
Note: Do not use remote start if your fuel
level is low. The remote start button is on the
remote control.
This feature allows you to start your
vehicle from the outside. Your remote
control has an extended operating range.
If your vehicle has automatic climate
control, you can configure it to operate
when you remote start your vehicle.
See
Climate Control (page 133). A manual
climate control system runs at the setting
it was set to when you switched your
vehicle off. Many states and provinces have
restrictions for the use of remote start.
Check your local and state or provincial
laws for specific requirements regarding
remote start systems.
The system does not work if:
•
The ignition is on.
• The anti-theft alarm triggers.
• You disable the feature.
• The hood is open.
• The transmission is not in park (P).
• The battery voltage is below the
minimum operating voltage.
• The service engine soon light is on.
Remote Control Feedback (If
Equipped)
An LED on the remote control provides
status feedback of remote start or stop
commands. Status
LED
Remote startsuccessful
Solid green
Remote stopsuccessful
Solid red
Request failed or
status not received
Blinking red
Status incomplete
Blinking green
Remote Starting Your Vehicle
Note: You must press each button within
three seconds of each other. If you do not
follow this sequence, your vehicle does not
start remotely, the direction indicators do
not flash twice and the horn does not sound.
57
Explorer (TUB) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201711, Fourth-Printing Keys and Remote ControlsE138623 E138624 E138625

4.
A confirmation message appears in the
display after you finish programming
your MyKey. The programmed
restrictions apply when you key off,
open and close driver door and restart
your vehicle with the programmed key
or transmitter.
Note: Make sure you label the programmed
MyKey so you can distinguish it from the
admin keys.
You can also program the optional MyKey
settings.
Programming or Changing
Configurable Settings
Use the information display to program or
change your optional MyKey settings.
1. Switch the ignition on using the key or the transmitter you want to program.
2. Access the main menu in the information display and then scroll
through the menus to change the
settings of your MyKey. See
Information Displays (page 105).
3. Follow the instructions in the display.
4. A confirmation message appears in the
display after you finish programming
your MyKey. The programmed
restrictions apply when you key off,
open and close the driver door and
restart your vehicle with the
programmed key or transmitter.
Note: You can clear or change your MyKey
settings at any time during the same key
cycle as you created the MyKey. If you
switch the engine off, you must use an
admin key to change or clear your optional
MyKey settings. CLEARING ALL MYKEYS
When you clear your MyKeys, you remove
all restrictions and return all MyKeys to
their original admin key status at once. To
clear all MyKeys of all MyKey settings, use
the information display.
1. Switch the ignition on using an admin
key.
2. Access the main menu in the information display and then scroll
through the menus to begin clearing
your MyKey programming. See
Information Displays
(page 105).
3. Follow the instructions in the display.
4. A confirmation message appears in the
display after you finish clearing your
MyKeys.
Note: When you clear your MyKeys, you
remove all restrictions and return all MyKeys
to their original admin key status. You
cannot remove the MyKey restrictions
individually.
CHECKING MYKEY SYSTEM
STATUS
You can find information about your
programmed MyKeys by using the
information display. See
Information
Displays (page 105).
MyKey Distance
Tracks the distance when drivers use a
MyKey. The only way to delete the
accumulated distance is by using an admin
key to clear all MyKeys. If the distance does
not accumulate as expected, then the
intended user is not using the MyKey, or an
admin key user recently cleared and then
recreated a MyKey.
61
Explorer (TUB) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201711, Fourth-Printing MyKey
™

Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
Shows the temperature of the engine
coolant. At normal operating temperature,
the needle remains in the center section.
If the needle enters the red section, the
engine is overheating. Stop the engine,
switch the ignition off and determine the
cause once the engine has cooled down.
Note:
Do not restart the engine until the
cause of the overheating has been resolved. WARNING: Do not remove the
coolant reservoir cap when the cooling
system is hot. Wait 10 minutes for the
cooling system to cool down. Cover the
coolant reservoir cap with a thick cloth to
prevent the possibility of scalding and
slowly remove the cap. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in personal
injury.
Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge indicates about how much
fuel is in the fuel tank.
The arrow adjacent to the fuel pump
symbol indicates on which side of your
vehicle the fuel filler door is located.
Note: The fuel gauge may vary slightly
when your vehicle is moving or on a slope.
Low Fuel Reminder
A low fuel level reminder displays and
sounds when the distance to empty
reaches
75 mi (120 km) to empty for
MyKey, and at 50 mi (80 km), 25 mi
(40 km), 10 mi (20 km) and 0 mi (0 km)
for all vehicle keys.
Note: The low fuel reminder can appear at
different fuel gauge positions depending on
fuel economy conditions. This variation is
normal. WARNING LAMPS AND
INDICATORS
The following warning lamps and
indicators alert you to a vehicle condition
that may become serious. Some lamps
illuminate when you start your vehicle to
make sure they work. If any lamps remain
on after starting your vehicle, refer to the
respective system warning lamp for further
information.
Note:
Some warning indicators appear in
the information display and function the
same as a warning lamp, but do not display
when you start your vehicle.
Adaptive Cruise Control
(If Equipped) The speed control system
indicator light changes color to
indicate what mode the system
is in. See Using Adaptive Cruise Control
(page
221).
On (white light): Illuminates when you
switch on the adaptive cruise control
system. Turns off when the speed control
system is turned off.
Engaged (green light): Illuminates when
you engage the adaptive cruise control
system. Turns off when you disengage the
speed control system.
Anti-Lock Braking System If it illuminates when you are
driving, this indicates a
malfunction. You continue to
have the normal braking system (without
ABS) unless the brake system warning
lamp is also illuminated. Have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
100
Explorer (TUB) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201711, Fourth-Printing Instrument ClusterE144524

Automatic High Beam Control (If
Equipped) It illuminates when this feature
is on. See
Automatic High
Beam Control (page 86).
Battery If it illuminates while driving, it
indicates a malfunction. Switch
off all unnecessary electrical
equipment and have the system checked
by an authorized dealer immediately.
Blind Spot Monitor
(If Equipped) It illuminates when you switch
this feature off or in conjunction
with a message. See Blind Spot
Information System
(page 232).
Brake System It illuminates when you engage
the parking brake with the
ignition on.
If it illuminates when you are driving, check
that the parking brake is not engaged. If
the parking brake is not engaged, this
indicates low brake fluid level or a brake
system malfunction. Have the system
checked immediately by an authorized
dealer. WARNING: Driving your vehicle with
the warning lamp on is dangerous. A
significant decrease in braking
performance may occur. It may take you
longer to stop your vehicle. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Driving extended distances with the
parking brake engaged can cause brake
failure and the risk of personal injury. Cruise Control
(If Equipped) It illuminates when you switch
this feature on.
Direction Indicator Illuminates when you switch on
the left or right direction
indicator or the hazard warning
flasher. If the indicators stay on or flash
faster, check for a burned out bulb. See
Changing a Bulb
(page 303).
Door Ajar Displays when the ignition is on
and any door is not completely
closed.
Engine Coolant Temperature Illuminates when the engine
coolant temperature is high.
Stop the vehicle as soon as
possible, switch off the engine and let cool.
See
Engine Coolant Check (page 291).
Engine Oil If it illuminates with the engine
running or when you are driving,
this indicates a malfunction.
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to
do so and switch the engine off. Check the
engine oil level. See
Engine Oil Check
(page 289).
Note: Do not resume your journey if it
illuminates despite the level being correct.
Have the system checked by an authorized
dealer immediately.
101
Explorer (TUB) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201711, Fourth-Printing Instrument Cluster E151262 E144522 E71340

Fasten Safety Belt
It illuminates and a chime
sounds to remind you to fasten
your safety belt. See Seatbelt
Reminder (page 40).
Front Airbag If it fails to illuminate when you
start your vehicle, continues to
flash or remains on, it indicates
a malfunction. Have the system checked
by an authorized dealer.
Front Fog Lamps
(If Equipped) Lights when you switch the front
fog lamps on.
Heads Up Display
(If Equipped) A red beam of lights illuminates
on the windshield in certain
instances when using adaptive
cruise control and/or the collision warning
system. It also illuminates momentarily
when you start your vehicle to make sure
the display works.
High Beam It illuminates when you switch
the high beam headlamps on. It
flashes when you use the
headlamp flasher.
Hood Ajar Displays when the ignition is on
and the hood is not completely
closed.
Lane Keeping Aid
(If Equipped) Lights when the lane keeping
system is activated. Liftgate Ajar Lights when the liftgate is not
completely closed.
Low Fuel Level It illuminates when the fuel level
is low or the fuel tank is nearly
empty. Refuel as soon as
possible.
Low Tire Pressure Warning It illuminates when your tire
pressure is low. If the lamp
remains on with the engine
running or when driving, check your tire
pressure as soon as possible.
It also illuminates momentarily when you
switch the ignition on to confirm the lamp
is functional. If it does not illuminate when
you switch the ignition on, or begins to
flash at any time, have the system checked
by an authorized dealer.
Low Washer Fluid It illuminates when the
windshield washer fluid is low.
Parking Lamps It illuminates when you switch
the parking lamps on.
Powertrain Fault Illuminates when the system
detects a powertrain or an 4WD
fault. Contact an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
102
Explorer (TUB) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201711, Fourth-Printing Instrument ClusterE71880 E67017 E156133 E159324 E144813 E162453 E132353

Service Engine Soon
If it illuminates when the engine
is running this indicates a
malfunction. The On Board
Diagnostics system has detected a
malfunction of the vehicle emission control
system.
If it flashes, engine misfire may be
occurring. Increased exhaust gas
temperatures could damage the catalytic
converter or other vehicle components.
Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy
acceleration and deceleration) and have
your vehicle immediately serviced.
It illuminates when you switch the ignition
on prior to engine start to check the bulb
and to indicate whether your vehicle is
ready for Inspection and Maintenance
(I/M) testing.
Normally, it illuminates until the engine is
cranked and automatically turns off if no
malfunctions are present. However, if after
15 seconds it flashes eight times, this
indicates that your vehicle is not ready for
Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) testing.
See Catalytic Converter (page 184).
Stability Control It flashes when the system is
active. If it remains illuminated
or does not illuminate when you
switch the ignition on, this indicates a
malfunction. During a malfunction the
system switches off. Have the system
checked by an authorized dealer
immediately. See
Using Stability
Control (page 201).
Stability Control Off It illuminates when you switch
the system off. It goes out when
you switch the system back on
or when you switch the ignition off. See
Using Stability Control
(page 201). Transmission Tow/Haul
(If Equipped) Illuminates when you activate
the tow/haul feature. If the light
flashes steadily, have the system
serviced immediately. Damage to the
transmission could occur. See
Automatic
Transmission (page 187).
AUDIBLE WARNINGS AND
INDICATORS
Key in Ignition Warning Chime
(If
Equipped)
Sounds when you open the driver's door
and you have left the key in the ignition.
Engine On Warning Chime
A warning chime will sound when any door
is opened if the vehicle exceeds a relatively
low speed.
Keyless Warning Alert
(If Equipped)
Sounds the horn twice when you exit the
vehicle and the keyless vehicle is in RUN,
indicating the vehicle is still on.
Headlamps On Warning Chime
Sounds when you remove the key from the
ignition and open the driver's door and you
have left the headlamps or parking lamps
on.
Parking Brake On Warning Chime
Sounds when you have left the parking
brake on and drive your vehicle. If the
warning chime remains on after you have
released the parking brake, have the
system checked by your authorized dealer
immediately.
103
Explorer (TUB) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201711, Fourth-Printing Instrument Cluster E138639 E130458 E161509

Brake System
Action
Message
The brake fluid level is low. Check the brake system immedi-ately. See Brake Fluid Check (page 297).
Brake Fluid Level LOW
The brake system needs servicing. Stop the vehicle in a safeplace. Contact an authorized dealer.
Check Brake System
The parking brake is set, the engine is running and you drive
your vehicle more than 3 mph (5 km/h). If the warning stays
on after you release the parking brake, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Park Brake Engaged
Doors and Locks Action
Message
The driver door is not completely closed.
Driver Door Ajar
The passenger door is not completely closed.
Passenger Door Ajar
The rear left door is not completely closed.
Rear Left Door Ajar
The rear right door is not completely closed.
Rear Right Door Ajar
The liftgate is not completely closed.
Liftgate Ajar
The hood is not completely closed.
Hood Ajar
The system has disabled the door switches.
Switches Inhibited
Security Mode
The factory keypad code displays in the information display
after the system resets the keypad. See Passive Anti-Theft System
(page 74).
Factory Keypad Code
XXXXX
Driver Alert Action
Message
Stop and rest as soon as it is safe to do so.
Driver Alert Warning Rest
Now
Take a rest soon.
Driver Alert Warning Rest
Suggested
123
Explorer (TUB) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201711, Fourth-Printing Information Displays

Electronic Stability Control
Action
Message
The system detects a malfunction due to a blocked sensor.
ESC Service required
Displays the traction control system status.
ESC Off
Displays the traction control system status.
ESC On
Engine Action
Message
Displays when the engine temperature is too high. Stop yourvehicle in a safe place and allow the engine to cool. If the
problem persists, contact an authorized dealer. See Engine Coolant Check (page 291).
High Engine Temper-
ature Stop Safely
Engine service is required. Contact an authorized dealer.
Engine Fault Service
Now
Check the engine oil level. See Engine Oil Check (page 289).
Engine Oil Level Low
Check Level
Fuel Action
Message
An early reminder of a low fuel condition.
Fuel Level LOW
The fuel fill inlet may not be properly closed.
Check Fuel Fill Inlet
Hill Descent Control Action
Message
Displays when you deactivate hill descent control mode.
Hill Descent Control OFF
Displays when hill descent speed exceeds 20 mph (32 km/h).
For Hill Descent Reduce
Speed
Displays when hill descent control mode requires you to shift the transmission into gear.
For Hill Descent Select
Gear
Displays when the hill control mode requires you to resume control.
Hill Descent Driver
Resume Control
124
Explorer (TUB) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201711, Fourth-Printing Information Displays