lights FORD EXPLORER 2020 User Guide

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoid
drive wheel spin and loss of traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the system
applies the brakes to individual wheels
and, when needed, reduces engine power
at the same time. If the wheels spin when
accelerating on slippery or loose surfaces,
the system reduces engine power in order
to increase traction.
USING TRACTION CONTROL
WARNING: The stability and
traction control light illuminates steadily
if the system detects a failure. Make sure
you did not manually disable the traction
control system using the information
display controls or the switch. If the
stability control and traction control light
is still illuminating steadily, have the
system serviced by an authorized dealer
immediately. Operating your vehicle with
the traction control disabled could lead
to an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death.
The system automatically turns on each
time you switch the ignition on.
If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow,
switching traction control off may be
beneficial as this allows the wheels to spin.
Note: When you switch traction control off,
stability control remains fully active.
Switching the System Off
When you switch the system off or on, a
message appears in the information
display showing system status.
You can switch the system off by using the
switch. Using a Switch
(If Equipped)
Use the traction control switch on the
center console near the shifter to switch
the system off or on. The traction control switch.
System Indicator Lights and
Messages The stability and traction control
light:
• Temporarily illuminates on engine
start-up.
• Flashes when a driving condition
activates either of the systems.
• Illuminates if a problem occurs in either
of the systems. The stability and traction control
off light temporarily illuminates
on engine start-up and stays on
when you switch the traction control
system off.
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The radar sensor is in the lower grille.
Note:
You cannot see the sensor. It is
behind a fascia panel.
Note: Keep the front of your vehicle free of
dirt, metal badges or objects. Vehicle front
protectors, aftermarket lights, additional
paint or plastic coatings could also degrade
sensor performance.
A message displays if something obstructs
the camera or the sensor. When something
blocks the sensor, the system cannot
detect a vehicle ahead and does not
function. See Adaptive Cruise Control
– Information Messages (page 256).
The radar sensor has a limited field of view.
It may not detect vehicles at all or detect
a vehicle later than expected in some
situations. The lead vehicle image does
not illuminate if the system does not
detect a vehicle in front of you. Detection issues can occur:
When driving on a different line
than the vehicle in front.
A
With vehicles that edge into your
lane. The system can only detect
these vehicles once they move
fully into your lane.
B
There may be issues with the
detection of vehicles in front
when driving into and coming out
of a bend or curve in the road.
C
In these cases, the system may brake late
or unexpectedly.
If something hits the front end of your
vehicle or damage occurs, the
radar-sensing zone may change. This could
cause missed or false vehicle detection.
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(If Equipped)E307892 E71621

The design of the system is to detect
vehicles that could have entered the blind
spot zone. The detection area is on both
sides of your vehicle, extending rearward
from the exterior mirrors to approximately
13 ft (4 m) beyond the rear bumper. The
detection area extends to approximately
59 ft (18 m)
beyond the rear bumper when
the vehicle speed is greater than 30 mph
(48 km/h) to alert you of faster
approaching vehicles.
Note: The system does not prevent contact
with other vehicles. It does not detect
parked vehicles, pedestrians, animals or
other infrastructures.
Using the Blind Spot Information
System
Vehicles with Automatic Transmission
The system turns on when all of the
following occur:
• You start your vehicle.
• You shift into drive (D).
• The vehicle speed is greater than
6 mph (10 km/h)
.
Note: The system does not operate in park
(P) or reverse (R).
Vehicles with Manual Transmission
The system turns on when all of the
following occur:
• You start your vehicle.
• The vehicle speed is greater than
6 mph (10 km/h)
.
Note: The system does not operate in
reverse (R). System Lights and Messages
When the system detects a vehicle, an
alert indicator illuminates in the exterior
mirror on the side the approaching vehicle
is coming from. If you turn the direction
indicator on for that side of your vehicle,
the alert indicator flashes.
Note:
The system may not alert you if a
vehicle quickly passes through the detection
zone.
Blocked Sensors The sensors are behind the rear bumper
on both sides of your vehicle.
Note:
Keep the sensors free from snow, ice
and large accumulations of dirt.
Note: Do not cover the sensors with bumper
stickers, repair compound or other objects.
Note: Blocked sensors could affect system
performance.
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ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•
Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km).
• Consult your local motor vehicle laws
for towing a trailer.
• See the instructions included with
towing accessories for the proper
installation and adjustment
specifications.
• Service your vehicle more frequently if
you tow a trailer.
See Scheduled
Maintenance (page 487).
• If you use a rental trailer, follow the
instructions the rental agency gives
you.
You can find information on load
specification terms found on the tire label
and Safety Compliance label as well as
instructions on calculating your vehicle's
load in the Load Carrying chapter.
See
Load Limit (page 283).
Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your vehicle load
when calculating the total vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the
total trailer weight is on the tongue.
A weight distributing hitch is not required
for your vehicle.
Safety Chains
Note: Do not attach safety chains to the
bumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the
hook retainers of your vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer
’s safety chains, cross
them under the trailer tongue and allow
enough slack for turning tight corners. Do
not allow the chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes WARNING:
Do not connect a
trailer's hydraulic brake system directly
to your vehicle's brake system. Your
vehicle may not have enough braking
power and your chances of having a
collision greatly increase.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you
install them properly and adjust them to
the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and federal
regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.
Safe control of towed vehicles requires
separate functioning brake systems for
vehicles and trailers weighing more than
1,500 lb (680 kg)
when loaded.
Trailer Lamps WARNING:
Never connect any
trailer lamp wiring to the vehicle's tail
lamp wiring; this may damage the
electrical system resulting in fire. Contact
your authorized dealer as soon as
possible for assistance in proper trailer
tow wiring installation. Additional
electrical equipment may be required.
Most towed vehicles require trailer lamps.
Make sure all running lights, brake lights,
direction indicators and hazard flashers
are working.
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When driving through standing water, drive
very slowly and do not stop your vehicle.
Your brake performance and traction may
be limited. After driving through water and
as soon as it is safe to do so:
•
Lightly press the brake pedal to dry the
brakes and to check that they work.
• Check that the horn works.
• Check that the exterior lights work.
• Turn the steering wheel to check that
the steering power assist works.
FLOOR MATS WARNING: Use a floor mat
designed to fit the footwell of your
vehicle that does not obstruct the pedal
area. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in the loss of control of your
vehicle, personal injury or death. WARNING:
Pedals that cannot
move freely can cause loss of vehicle
control and increase the risk of serious
personal injury. WARNING:
Secure the floor mat
to both retention devices so that it
cannot slip out of position and interfere
with the pedals. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, personal injury or
death. WARNING: Do not place additional
floor mats or any other covering on top
of the original floor mats. This could
result in the floor mat interfering with the
operation of the pedals. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, personal injury or
death. WARNING:
Always make sure that
objects cannot fall into the driver foot
well while your vehicle is moving. Objects
that are loose can become trapped
under the pedals causing a loss of
vehicle control. To install the floor mats, position the floor
mat eyelet over the retention post and
press down to lock in position.
To remove the floor mat, reverse the
installation procedure.
Note:
Regularly check the floor mats to
make sure they are secure.
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Note:
If you only disconnect the negative
battery cable terminal, make sure it is
isolated or placed away from the battery
terminal to avoid unintended connection or
arcing.
If you replace the battery make sure it
matches the electrical requirements of
your vehicle.
If you disconnect or replace the battery
and your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, it must relearn its adaptive
strategy. Because of this, the transmission
may shift firmly when first driven. This is
normal operation while the transmission
fully updates its operation to optimum
shift feel.
Battery Management System (If
Equipped)
The battery management system monitors
battery conditions and takes actions to
extend battery life. If excessive battery
drain is detected, the system temporarily
disables some electrical systems to
protect the battery.
Systems included are:
• Heated rear window.
• Heated seats.
• Climate control.
• Heated steering wheel.
• Audio unit.
• Navigation system.
A message may appear in the information
displays to alert you that battery
protection actions are active. These
messages are only for notification that an
action is taking place, and not intended to
indicate an electrical problem or that the
battery requires replacement. After battery replacement, or in some
cases after charging the battery with an
external charger, the battery management
system requires eight hours of vehicle sleep
time to relearn the battery state of charge.
During this time your vehicle must remain
fully locked with the ignition switched off.
Note:
Prior to relearning the battery state
of charge, the battery management system
may temporarily disable some electrical
systems.
Electrical Accessory Installation
To make sure the battery management
system works correctly, do not connect an
electrical device ground connection
directly to the battery negative post. This
can cause inaccurate measurements of
the battery condition and potential
incorrect system operation.
Note: If you add electrical accessories or
components to the vehicle, it may adversely
affect battery performance and durability.
This may also affect the performance of
other electrical systems in the vehicle.
Remove and Reinstall the Battery
To disconnect or remove the battery, do
the following:
1. Apply the parking brake and switch the
ignition off.
2. Switch all electrical equipment off, for
example lights and radio.
3. Wait a minimum of two minutes before
disconnecting the battery.
Note: The engine management system has
a power hold function and remains powered
for a period of time after you switch the
ignition off. This is to allow diagnostic and
adaptive tables to be stored. Disconnecting
the battery without waiting can cause
damage not covered by the vehicle
Warranty.
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Check Every Month
Engine oil level.
Function of all interior and exterior lights.
Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure. Windshield washer fluid level.
Holes and slots in the tail pipe to make sure they are functional and clear of debris. Check Every Six Months
Battery connections. Clean if necessary.
Body and door drain holes for obstructions. Clean if necessary. Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength.
Door weatherstrips for wear. Lubricate if necessary.
Hinges, latches and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if necessary. Parking brake for proper operation.
Seatbelts and seat latches for wear and function.
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag and seatbelt) for operation.
Washer spray and wiper operation. Clean or replace blades as necessary.
Multi-Point Inspection
In order to keep your vehicle running right,
it is important to have the systems on your
vehicle checked regularly. This can help
identify potential issues and prevent major
problems. We recommend having the
following multi-point inspection performed
at every scheduled maintenance interval
to help make sure your vehicle keeps
running great.
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Electronic Stability Control - ST Model
........................................................................\
..... 226
Using Summer Tires...................................368
Using Traction Control...............................224 Switching the System Off............................... 224
System Indicator Lights and Messages......................................................... 224
Using a Switch.................................................... 224
Using Voice Recognition...........................440 Apps....................................................................... 445
Automatic Blower Motor Speed Reduction........................................................ 446
Climate.................................................................. 442
Entertainment..................................................... 441
General................................................................. 440
Navigation............................................................ 444
Phone..................................................................... 443
SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link................... 445
Voice Settings..................................................... 446
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only)........................309
V
Vehicle Care...................................................345 General Information......................................... 345
Vehicle Certification Label
.......................393
Vehicle Identification Number................393
Vehicle Storage............................................350 Body....................................................................... 350
Brakes...................................................................... 351
Cooling system.................................................... 351
Disconnecting Your 12 Volt Battery..............351
Engine..................................................................... 351
Fuel system........................................................... 351
General.................................................................. 350
Miscellaneous...................................................... 351
Plugging in Your HYBRID................................. 351
Removing Vehicle From Storage.................. 352
Tires........................................................................\
. 351
Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot................................429
Ventilation See: Climate Control.......................................... 137
VIN See: Vehicle Identification Number............393
Voice Control
...................................................82 W
Warning Lamps and Indicators
...............107
Adaptive Cruise Control................................... 107
Anti-Lock Braking System............................... 107
Auto Hold Active................................................. 107
Auto Hold Unavailable..................................... 108
Automatic High Beam Control...................... 107
Auto Start-stop.................................................. 108
Battery.................................................................... 108
Blind Spot Monitor............................................ 108
Brake System Warning Lamp........................ 108
Cruise Control...................................................... 108
Direction Indicator............................................. 108
Door Ajar................................................................ 108
Electric Park Brake............................................. 108
Engine Oil.............................................................. 109
Engine or Motor Coolant Temperature................................................... 109
Fasten Rear Seatbelt........................................ 109
Fasten Seatbelt.................................................. 109
Front Airbag......................................................... 109
Front Fog Lamps................................................ 109
High Beam............................................................ 109
Hill Descent.......................................................... 109
Hood Ajar.............................................................. 109
Lamps On............................................................. 109
Liftgate Ajar.......................................................... 109
Low Beam Warning........................................... 109
Low Fuel Level..................................................... 109
Low Tire Pressure Warning.............................. 110
Low Washer Fluid................................................ 110
Powertrain Fault.................................................. 110
Ready to Drive....................................................... 110
Service Engine Soon........................................... 110
Stability Control................................................... 110
Stability Control Off........................................... 110
Stop Safely Now.................................................. 110
Washer Fluid Check
.....................................341
Washers See: Cleaning the Exterior.............................. 346
See: Wipers and Washers................................. 85
Waxing.............................................................347
What Is 911 Assist...........................................55
What Is Adaptive Cruise Control With Lane Centering..........................................246
What Is Automatic High Beam Control............................................................95
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