FORD EXPLORER 2021 Owners Manual

WHAT IS HILL DESCENT
CONTROL
WARNING: Hill descent control
cannot control descent in all surface
conditions and circumstances, such as
ice or extremely steep grades. Hill
descent control is a driver assist system
and cannot substitute for good judgment
by the driver. Failure to do so may result
in loss of vehicle control, crash or serious
injury. WARNING:
The system does not
replace the parking brake. When you
leave your vehicle, always apply the
parking brake and shift the transmission
into park (P) for automatic transmission
or first gear for manual transmission.
Note: The system does not function below
3 mph (5 km/h)
.
Hill descent control allows the driver to set
and maintain vehicle speed while
descending steep slopes in various surface
conditions.
The system can maintain vehicle speeds
on downhill slopes between
3– 20 mph
(5– 32 km/h). Above 20 mph (32 km/h),
the system remains on but the descent
speed cannot be set or maintained.
The system requires a cool down interval
after a period of sustained use. The
amount of time that the system can
remain active before cooling varies with
conditions. The system provides a warning
in the message center and a tone sounds
when the system is about to disengage for
cooling. At this time, manually apply the
brakes as needed to maintain descent
speed. SWITCHING HILL DESCENT
CONTROL ON AND OFF Press the button on the center
console. A light illuminates in the
control and a tone sounds when
the system is active.
SETTING THE HILL DESCENT
SPEED WARNING:
The system does not
replace the parking brake. When you
leave your vehicle, always apply the
parking brake and shift the transmission
into park (P) for automatic transmission
or first gear for manual transmission. WARNING:
The system does not
control speed in low traction conditions
or extremely steep slopes. The system
is designed to be an aid and does not
relieve you of your responsibility to drive
with due care and attention. Failure to
follow this instruction could result in
personal injury.
To increase the descent speed, press the
accelerator pedal until you reach the speed
you prefer.
To decrease the descent speed, press the
brake pedal until you reach the speed you
prefer.
When you reach the speed you prefer,
either by accelerating or decelerating,
remove your feet from the pedals. The
system maintains the chosen vehicle
speed.
228
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Hill Descent Control
(If Equipped)

HILL DESCENT CONTROL
INDICATOR
Illuminates when you switch hill
descent control on.
229
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Hill Descent Control (If Equipped)

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNING: To help avoid personal
injury, always use caution when in
reverse (R) and when using the sensing
system. WARNING:
The system may not
detect objects with surfaces that absorb
reflection. Always drive with due care
and attention. Failure to take care may
result in a crash. WARNING: Traffic control systems,
inclement weather, air brakes, external
motors and fans may affect the correct
operation of the sensing system. This
may cause reduced performance or false
alerts. WARNING:
The system may not
detect small or moving objects,
particularly those close to the ground.
Note: If your vehicle has MyKey ™, the
sensing system cannot be switched off
when a MyKey ™ is present.
See Principle
of Operation (page 64).
Note: Keep the sensors on the bumper or
fascia free from snow, ice and large
accumulations of dirt. If the sensors are
covered, the system ’s accuracy can be
affected. Do not clean the sensors with
sharp objects.
Note: If your vehicle sustains damage to
the bumper or fascia, leaving it misaligned
or bent, the sensing zone may be altered
causing inaccurate measurement of
obstacles or false alerts. Note:
Certain add-on devices installed
around the bumper or fascia may create
false alerts. For example, large trailer
hitches, bike or surfboard racks, license plate
brackets, bumper covers or any other device
that may block the normal detection zone
of the system. Remove the add-on device
to prevent false alerts.
Note: When you connect a trailer to your
vehicle, the rear parking aid may detect the
trailer and therefore provide an alert. Disable
the rear parking aid when you connect a
trailer to prevent the alert.
The sensing system warns the driver of
obstacles within a certain range of your
vehicle. The system turns on automatically
whenever you switch the ignition on.
You can switch the system off through the
touchscreen, information display or from
the pop-up message that appears once
you shift the transmission into reverse (R).
If your vehicle has a parking aid button, you
can switch the system off by pressing the
button.
If a fault is present in the system, a warning
message appears in the information
display. See Information Messages
(page 121).
REAR PARKING AID WARNING:
The system may not
detect objects with surfaces that absorb
reflection. Always drive with due care
and attention. Failure to take care may
result in a crash. WARNING:
The system may not
detect small or moving objects,
particularly those close to the ground.
230
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Parking Aids

WARNING: To help avoid personal
injury, always use caution when in
reverse (R) and when using the sensing
system. WARNING:
The parking aid system
can only assist you to detect objects
when your vehicle is moving at parking
speeds. To help avoid personal injury you
must take care when using the parking
aid system.
Note: Keep the sensors free from snow, ice
and large accumulations of dirt.
Note: Do not cover up the sensors.
Note: Do not clean the sensors with sharp
objects.
Note: If your vehicle sustains damage
leaving the sensors misaligned, this may
cause inaccurate measurements or false
alerts.
Note: Some accessories, for example large
trailer hitches or bike or surfboard racks can
cause reduced performance or false alerts.
The sensors are on the rear bumper.
The sensors are active when the
transmission is in reverse (R) and the
vehicle speed is less than 3 mph (5 km/h).
When the parking aid system sounds a
tone, the audio system may reduce the set
volume.
A warning tone sounds when your vehicle
approaches an object. As your vehicle
moves closer to an object, the rate of the
tone increases. The warning tone
continuously sounds when an object is 12 in
(30 cm)
or less from the center of the rear
bumper.
Note: There is a decreased coverage area
at the outer corners. The sensor coverage area is up to
70 in
(180 cm) from the rear bumper.
If the system detects a fault, a warning
message appears in the information
display.
The system detects large objects when
you shift into reverse (R) and any of the
following occur:
• Your vehicle is moving backward at low
speed.
• Your vehicle is stationary but an object
is approaching the rear of your vehicle
at low speed.
• Your vehicle is moving backward at low
speed and an object is moving toward
your vehicle, for example another
vehicle at low speed.
If your vehicle remains stationary for two
seconds the audible warning turns off. If
your vehicle moves backward the tone
sounds again.
Note: If the detected object is 12 in (30 cm)
or less from the rear bumper, the audible
warning does not turn off.
231
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Parking AidsE130178

Object Distance Indicator (If Equipped)
The system provides object distance
indication through the information display.
•
As the distance to the object
decreases, the indicator blocks
illuminate and move toward the vehicle
icon.
• If the system does not detect an object,
the distance indicator blocks are gray.
When you shift into reverse (R), the system
provides audible warnings and visual
indication when your vehicle is moving and
the detected object is moving toward your
vehicle. When you stop your vehicle, the
audible warnings stop after two seconds.
Visual indication remains on when the
transmission is in reverse (R). FRONT PARKING AID (IF EQUIPPED) WARNING: The system may not
detect objects with surfaces that absorb
reflection. Always drive with due care
and attention. Failure to take care may
result in a crash. WARNING:
The system may not
detect small or moving objects,
particularly those close to the ground. WARNING:
To help avoid personal
injury, always use caution when in
reverse (R) and when using the sensing
system. WARNING:
The parking aid system
can only assist you to detect objects
when your vehicle is moving at parking
speeds. To help avoid personal injury you
must take care when using the parking
aid system.
Note: Keep the sensors free from snow, ice
and large accumulations of dirt.
Note: Do not cover up the sensors.
Note: Do not clean the sensors with sharp
objects.
Note: If your vehicle sustains damage
leaving the sensors misaligned, this may
cause inaccurate measurements or false
alerts.
Note: Some accessories, for example large
trailer hitches or bike or surfboard racks can
cause reduced performance or false alerts.
The sensors are on the front bumper.
The sensors are active when the
transmission is in any position other than
park (P). When the parking aid system
sounds a tone, the audio system may
reduce the set volume.
232
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Parking AidsE190459

A warning tone sounds when your vehicle
approaches an object. As your vehicle
moves closer to an object, the rate of the
tone increases. The warning tone
continuously sounds when an object is 12 in
(30 cm) or less from the front bumper.
Note: There is a decreased coverage area
at the outer corners.
The system turns off when the vehicle
speed reaches
5 mph (8 km/h). The sensor coverage area is up to
28 in
(70 cm) from the center of the bumper.
If the transmission is in reverse (R), the
system detects objects when your vehicle
is moving at low speed or an object is
moving toward your vehicle, for example
another vehicle at low speed. When you
stop your vehicle, the audible warning turns
off after two seconds.
If the transmission is in any forward gear,
the system provides audible warnings
when your vehicle is moving and an object
is within the detection area. When you stop
your vehicle, the audible warning turns off
after two seconds and the visual warning
turns off after four seconds.
If the system detects a fault, a warning
message appears in the information
display. Object Distance Indicator (If Equipped)
The system provides object distance
indication through the information display.
•
As the distance to the object
decreases, the indicator blocks
illuminate and move toward the vehicle
icon.
• If there is no object detected, the
distance indicator blocks are gray.
When you shift into any forward gear, the
system provides audible warnings and
visual indication when your vehicle is
moving at a speed of approximately 5 mph
(8 km/h)
or below and the system detects
an object within the detection zone. When
you stop your vehicle, the audible warnings
stop after two seconds and visual
indication stops after four seconds.
Note: If the detected object is 12 in (30 cm)
or less from your vehicle, visual indication
remains on.
233
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Parking AidsE187330 E190459

When you shift into neutral (N), the system
only provides visual indication if your
vehicle is moving at a speed of
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) or below,
for example, your vehicle is moving on a
slope, and the system detects an object
moving toward your vehicle. When you
stop your vehicle, visual indication stops
after four seconds.
SIDE SENSING SYSTEM
(IF
EQUIPPED) WARNING:
The system may not
detect objects with surfaces that absorb
reflection. Always drive with due care
and attention. Failure to take care may
result in a crash. WARNING:
The system may not
detect small or moving objects,
particularly those close to the ground. WARNING:
To help avoid personal
injury, always use caution when in
reverse (R) and when using the sensing
system. WARNING:
The parking aid system
can only assist you to detect objects
when your vehicle is moving at parking
speeds. To help avoid personal injury you
must take care when using the parking
aid system.
The system uses the front and rear
outermost parking aid sensors to detect
objects that are near to the sides of your
vehicle. The system displays them on a
virtual map in the information display as
your vehicle moves past them.
The sensors are on the front and rear
bumpers. Note:
Keep the sensors free from snow, ice
and large accumulations of dirt.
Note: Do not cover up the sensors.
Note: Do not clean the sensors with sharp
objects.
Note: If your vehicle sustains damage
leaving the sensors misaligned, this may
cause inaccurate measurements or false
alerts.
The system may not function if:
• You switch the ignition on, off and back
on within a few seconds.
• Your vehicle remains stationary for over
two minutes.
• The anti-lock brake system activates.
• The traction control system activates.
Note: If you switch traction control off, the
side sensing system also turns off.
Note: Some accessories, for example large
trailer hitches or bike or surfboard racks can
cause reduced performance or false alerts.
To reinitialize the system, you may have to
drive your vehicle approximately
10 ft
(3 m). The sensor coverage area is up to
24 in
(60 cm) from the side of your vehicle.
234
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Parking AidsE190458

When the system detects an object within
the coverage area and the driving path of
your vehicle, an audible warning sounds.
As your vehicle moves closer to the object,
the rate of the tone increases.
Note:
The system does not detect an object
that is moving toward the side of your
vehicle, for example another vehicle moving
at low speed, if it does not pass a front or
rear sensor.
Object Distance Indicator (If Equipped) The system provides object distance
indication through the information display.
•
As the distance to the object
decreases, the indicator blocks
illuminate and move toward the vehicle
icon.
• If there is no object detected, the
distance indicator blocks are gray. When you shift into reverse (R), the system
provides audible warnings and a visual
indication when detected objects are
within 24 in (60 cm) and are inside the
driving path of your vehicle. When you stop
your vehicle, the audible warnings turn off
after two seconds.
When you shift into any forward gear, the
system provides audible warnings and a
visual indication when your vehicle is
moving at a speed of approximately 5 mph
(8 km/h)
or below and the system detects
an object within the detection zone. When
you stop your vehicle, the audible warnings
turn off after two seconds and the visual
indication turns off after four seconds.
When you shift into neutral (N), the system
only provides a visual indication if your
vehicle is moving at a speed of
approximately
5 mph (8 km/h) or below.
For example, your vehicle is moving on a
slope, and the system detects an object
moving toward your vehicle. When you
stop your vehicle, the visual indication
turns off after four seconds.
If the system is not available, the side
distance indicator blocks do not display.
ACTIVE PARK ASSIST
(IF
EQUIPPED) WARNING:
You must remain in
your vehicle when the system turns on.
At all times, you are responsible for
controlling your vehicle, supervising the
system and intervening, if required.
Failure to take care may result in the loss
of control of your vehicle, serious
personal injury or death. WARNING:
The sensors may not
detect objects in heavy rain or other
conditions that cause interference.
235
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Parking AidsE190459

WARNING: You are responsible for
controlling your vehicle at all times. The
system is designed to be an aid and does
not relieve you of your responsibility to
drive with due care and attention. Failure
to follow this instruction could result in
the loss of control of your vehicle,
personal injury or death.
The system assists parking into and out of
parking spaces. It uses sensors to detect
parking spaces. The system then steers,
accelerates, brakes and shifts gear as
required to maneuver into or out of a
parking space.
Using Active Park Assist The parking button is near the
transmission selector on the
center console.
Press the parking button to bring up full
screen notifications. Press either the
parking button or the soft keys on the
display screen to switch between Parallel
Park In, Perpendicular Park In or Parallel
Park Out parking modes.
Driving into a Parking Space
Note: When parking perpendicularly, the
system backs your vehicle into parking
spaces.
1. Press the active park assist button.
Note: The system does not recognize
parking space lines and centers your vehicle
between objects.
Note: The system detects other vehicles
and curbs to find a parking space.
Note: The system searches for parallel
parking spaces on the passenger side. Press
the active park assist button again to make
the system search for perpendicular spaces. 2. Use the direction indicator lever to
search for a parking space on the driver
or passenger side of your vehicle.
3. Drive your vehicle approximately 3 ft
(1 m) away from and parallel to the
other parked vehicles when searching
for a parking space.
Note: A tone sounds and a message
appears in the information display when
active park assist finds a suitable parking
space.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal.
5. Release the steering wheel and shift into neutral (N).
6. Press and hold the active park assist button.
7. Release the brake pedal to allow the vehicle to park.
Note: When parallel parking between
objects, the system parks closer to the
object in front of your vehicle to allow easier
access to your luggage compartment.
Note: When perpendicular parking, the
system aligns the front end of your vehicle
with the object next to it.
Note: When perpendicular parking, if the
system detects only one object, it allows
enough distance to open the door on either
side.
Note: You can slow down your vehicle at
any time by pressing the brake pedal.
Note: When parking is complete the vehicle
shifts into park (P).
Leaving a Parking Space
The system assists leaving only parallel
parking spaces.
1. Press the active park assist button.
2. Use the direction indicator lever to choose the direction to leave.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal.
236
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Parking AidsE146186

4. Release the steering wheel and shift
into neutral (N).
5. Release the parking brake.
6. Press and hold the active park assist button.
7. Release the brake pedal to allow the vehicle to move.
Note: You can slow down your vehicle at
any time by pressing the brake pedal.
Note: After the system drives your vehicle
to a position where you can exit the parking
space in a forward movement, a message
appears instructing you to take full control
of your vehicle. Canceling Active Park Assist
To cancel parking assistance at any time,
shift out of neutral (N).
Note:
If you turn the steering wheel or open
the driver door the parking assistance also
cancels.
Pausing Active Park Assist
To pause parking assistance at any time,
release the active park assist button.
The vehicle stops moving until you press
and hold the active park assist button
again.
Note: If you open the passenger or rear
doors the parking assistance also pauses.
Active Park Assist Troubleshooting Possible Cause
Symptom
The system is unable to detect a vehicle, curb or object
to park next to, or in-between. This could occur because
of sensors not operating correctly, not enough room
for your vehicle, or the traction control is off.
The system does not correctly
operate.
You may have switched traction control off.
The system does not search for
a parking space.
The transmission is in reverse (R). Your vehicle must
be moving forward to be able to detect a parking space.
There could be blockage on the sensors. For example,
snow, ice or large accumulations of dirt. Blocked
sensors can affect how the system functions.
The system does not offer a
parking space.
The sensors in the front or rear bumper could be
damaged.
There is not enough room in the parking space for your
vehicle to safely park.
There is not enough space for the parking maneuver on
the opposite side of the parking space.
The parking space is more than 5 ft (1.5 m) or less than
2 ft (0.5 m) away.
237
Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Parking Aids