FORD EXPLORER 2023 Owners Manual

Once through water, always try the brakes.Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle aseffectively as dry brakes. Drying can beimproved by moving your vehicle slowlywhile applying light pressure on the brakepedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehiclespeed or direction when you are driving inmud. Even 4WD vehicles can lose tractionin slick mud. As when you are driving oversand, apply the accelerator slowly andavoid spinning your wheels. If the vehicledoes slide, steer in the direction of the slideuntil you regain control of the vehicle.
After driving through mud, clean off residuestuck to rotating driveshafts and tires.Excess mud stuck on tires and rotatingdriveshafts causes an imbalance thatcould damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational programdesigned to increase public awareness ofland-use regulations and responsibilitiesin our nations wilderness areas. Ford MotorCompany joins the U.S. Forest Service andthe Bureau of Land Management inencouraging you to help preserve ournational forest and other public and privatelands by “treading lightly.”
Driving on Hilly or Sloping Terrain
Although natural obstacles could make itnecessary to travel diagonally up or downa hill or steep incline, you should alwaystry to drive straight up or straight down.
Note: Avoid driving crosswise or turning onsteep slopes or hills. A danger lies in losingtraction, slipping sideways and possiblyrolling over. Whenever driving on a hill,determine beforehand the route you willuse. Do not drive over the crest of a hillwithout seeing what conditions are on theother side. Do not drive in reverse over a hillwithout the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, startin a lower gear rather than downshifting toa lower gear from a higher gear once theascent has started. This reduces strain onthe engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to turn aroundbecause you might roll over. It is better toback down to a safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels toclimb the hill. Too much power can causethe tires to slip, spin or lose traction,resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you woulduse to climb up the hill to avoid excessivebrake application and brake overheating.Do not descend in neutral; instead,disengage overdrive or manually shift to alower gear. When descending a steep hill,avoid sudden hard braking as you couldlose control. The front wheels have to beturning in order to steer the vehicle.
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Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, thereforeapply the brakes steadily. Do not “pump”the brakes.
Driving on Snow and Ice
WARNING: If you are driving inslippery conditions that require tirechains or cables, then it is critical thatyou drive cautiously. Keep speeds down,allow for longer stopping distances andavoid aggressive steering to reduce thechances of a loss of vehicle controlwhich can lead to serious injury or death.If the rear end of your vehicle slides whilecornering, steer in the direction of theslide until you regain control of yourvehicle.
Note:Excessive tire slippage can causedriveline damage.
4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WDvehicles in snow and ice but can skid likeany other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving onsnowy or icy roads, turn the steering wheelin the direction of the slide until you regaincontrol.
Avoid sudden applications of power andquick changes of direction on snow andice. Apply the accelerator slowly andsteadily when starting from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a4WD vehicle could accelerate better thana two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice,it will not stop any faster, because as inother vehicles, braking occurs at all fourwheels. Do not become overconfident asto road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distancebetween you and other vehicles forstopping. Drive slower than usual andconsider using one of the lower gears. Inemergency stopping situations, apply thebrake steadily. Since your vehicle comeswith a four wheel (ABS), do not “pump”the brakes. See Hints on Driving WithAnti-Lock Brakes (page 211).
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems onyour vehicle have been designed andtested to provide predictable performancewhether loaded or empty and durable loadcarrying capability. For this reason, westrongly recommend that you do not makemodifications such as adding or removingparts (such as lowering kits or stabilizerbars) or by using replacement parts notequivalent to the original factoryequipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raisethe center of gravity can make it more likelythe vehicle will rollover as a result of a lossof control. We strongly recommend thatcaution be used with any vehicle equippedwith a high load or device (such as ladderor luggage racks).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properlycould void the warranty, increase yourrepair cost, reduce vehicle performanceand operational capabilities and adverselyaffect driver and passenger safety.Frequent inspection of vehicle chassiscomponents is recommended if the vehicleis subjected to off-highway usage.
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LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
(IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction onslippery surfaces, particularly when onewheel is on a poor traction surface. Undernormal conditions, the limited-slip axlefunctions like a standard rear axle. The axlemay exhibit a slight noise or vibrationduring tight turns with low vehicle speed.This is normal behavior and indicates theaxle is working.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Note: Occasional brake noise is normal. Ifa metal-to-metal, continuous grinding orcontinuous squeal sound is present, thebrake linings may be worn. Have your vehiclechecked. If the vehicle has continuousvibration or shudder in the steering wheelwhile braking, have your vehicle checked.
Note: Brake dust may accumulate on thewheels, even under normal drivingconditions. Some dust is inevitable as thebrakes wear and does not contribute tobrake noise. Wet brakes result in reducedbraking efficiency. Gently press the brakepedal a few times when driving from a carwash or standing water to dry the brakes.
See Cleaning the Wheels (page 344).
Brake Over Accelerator
In the event the accelerator pedalbecomes stuck or entrapped, apply steadyand firm pressure to the brake pedal toslow the vehicle and reduce engine power.If you experience this condition, apply thebrakes and bring your vehicle to a safestop. Switch the engine off, move thetransmission to park (P) and apply theparking brake. Inspect the acceleratorpedal and the area around it for any itemsor debris that may be obstructing itsmovement. If none are found and thecondition persists, have your vehiclechecked. If your vehicle has to be towed,we recommend that you contact aprofessional towing service.
Emergency Brake Assist
Emergency brake assist detects when youbrake heavily by measuring the rate atwhich you press the brake pedal. Itprovides maximum braking efficiency aslong as you press the pedal. Emergencybrake assist can reduce stopping distancesin critical situations.
Anti-lock Brake System
This system helps you maintain steeringcontrol during emergency stops by keepingthe brakes from locking.
This lamp illuminatesmomentarily when you switchthe ignition on to confirm thelamp is functional.
If the warning lamp does not illuminateduring start up, remains on or flashes, thesystem may be disabled. Have the systemchecked. If the anti-lock brake system isdisabled, normal braking is still operational.
See Warning Lamps and Indicators(page 105).
Note:Indicators vary depending on region.
This lamp illuminatesmomentarily when you switchthe ignition on to confirm thelamp is functional. If it does notilluminate when you switch theignition on, or if it begins to flashat any time except the time during applyingor releasing the parking brake, have thesystem checked.
Regenerative Braking System
This feature simulates the engine brakingof an internal combustion engine andassist the standard brake system whilerecovering some of the energy of motionand storing it in the battery to improve fueleconomy. The standard brake system isdesigned to fully stop the car ifregenerative braking is not available.During regenerative braking, the motor isspun as a generator to create electricalcurrent. This recharges the battery andslows the vehicle. Once the acceleratorpedal is released, the motor changes froman energy user to an energy producer.
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When you release the accelerator pedal orpress the brake pedal, the brake controllerautomatically detects the amount ofdeceleration requested and optimizes howmuch of the deceleration will be producedby regenerative braking. The remainingportion is generated by standard frictionbraking. When the battery is almost fullycharged, the amount of regenerativebraking is limited to avoid overcharging,and the requested deceleration isproduced by standard friction brakingalone.
Regenerative braking does not take theplace of the standard friction brakes; it onlyassists them. Regenerative braking isdesigned to interact with the anti-lockbrake system. Regenerative brakingdisables when the anti-lock brake systemis activated or the battery is fully charged.
HINTS ON DRIVING WITH
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
The anti-lock brake system does noteliminate the risks when:
•You drive too closely to the vehicle infront of you.
•Your vehicle is hydroplaning.
•You take corners too fast.
•The road surface is poor.
Note: If the system activates, the brakepedal could pulse and may travel further.Maintain pressure on the brake pedal. Youmay also hear a noise from the system. Thisis normal.
ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE
WARNING: Apply the parking brakeand shift into park (P) before leavingyour vehicle.
WARNING: If you drive extendeddistances with the parking brake applied,you could cause damage to the brakesystem.
WARNING: The electric parkingbrake does not operate if the vehiclebattery has run out of charge.
Your vehicle has an electric parking brake.You operate it with a switch instead of alever. The switch is on the center consoleor to the left-hand side of the steeringwheel, on the lower part of the instrumentpanel.
Note:The electric parking brake makesnoises during operation. This is normal.
Applying the Electric ParkingBrake
Pull the switch up.
The red warning lamp flashesduring operation and illuminateswhen the parking brake isapplied.
Note:It remains illuminated for a shortperiod of time after you switch the ignitionoff.
If it continues to flash or does notilluminate, the system has malfunctioned.Have your vehicle checked as soon aspossible.
Note:You can apply the electric parkingbrake when the ignition is off.
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Note:If you shift your vehicle into park (P)on a slope and the transmission cannotsecurely hold the vehicle, the electric parkingbrake automatically applies. SeeTransmission (page 197).
Applying the Electric Parking Brake inan Emergency
Note:Do not apply the electric parkingbrake when your vehicle is moving, exceptin an emergency. If you repeatedly use theelectric parking brake to slow or stop yourvehicle, you could cause damage to thebrake system.
You can use the electric parking brake toslow or stop your vehicle in an emergency.
Pull the switch up and hold it.
The red warning lampilluminates, a tone sounds andthe stoplamps turn on.
The electric parking brake continues toslow your vehicle down unless you releasethe switch.
Manually Releasing the ElectricParking Brake
Switch the ignition on.
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Push the switch down.
The red warning lamp turns off.
If it remains illuminated or flashes, thesystem has malfunctioned. Have yourvehicle checked as soon as possible.
Pulling Away on a Hill When Towing aTrailer
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Pull the switch up and hold it.
Shift into gear.
Press the accelerator pedal until the enginehas developed sufficient torque to preventyour vehicle from rolling down the hill.
Release the switch and pullaway in a normal manner.
Automatically Releasing theElectric Parking Brake
Close the driver door.
Shift into gear.
Press the accelerator pedal and pull awayin a normal manner.
The red warning lamp turns off.
If it remains illuminated or flashes, theelectric parking brake has not released.Manually release the parking brake.
Releasing the Electric ParkingBrake if the Vehicle Battery isRunning Out of Charge
Connect a booster battery to the vehiclebattery to release the electric parking brakeif the vehicle battery is running out ofcharge. See Jump Starting the Vehicle(page 293).
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HILL START ASSIST
WARNING: The system does notreplace the parking brake. When youleave your vehicle, always apply theparking brake.
WARNING: You must remain inyour vehicle when the system turns on.At all times, you are responsible forcontrolling your vehicle, supervising thesystem and intervening, if required.Failure to take care may result in the lossof control of your vehicle, seriouspersonal injury or death.
WARNING: The system will turnoff if a malfunction is apparent or if yourev the engine excessively. Failure to takecare may result in the loss of control ofyour vehicle, serious personal injury ordeath.
The system makes it easier to pull awaywhen your vehicle is on a slope without theneed to use the parking brake.
When the system is active, your vehicleremains stationary on the slope for two tothree seconds after you release the brakepedal. This allows time to move your footfrom the brake to the accelerator pedal.The system releases the brakesautomatically once the engine hasdeveloped sufficient torque to prevent yourvehicle from rolling down the slope. Thisis an advantage when pulling away on aslope, for example from a car park ramp,traffic lights or when reversing uphill intoa parking space.
The system activates on any slope thatcauses your vehicle to roll.
Note:There is no warning light to indicatethe system is either on or off.
Using Hill Start Assist
1.Press the brake pedal to bring yourvehicle to a complete standstill. Keepthe brake pedal pressed and shift intofirst gear when facing uphill or reverse(R) when facing downhill.
2.If the sensors detect that your vehicleis on a slope, the system activatesautomatically.
3.When you remove your foot from thebrake pedal, your vehicle remains onthe slope without rolling away forabout two to three seconds. This holdtime automatically extends if you arein the process of driving off.
4.Drive off in the normal manner. Thesystem releases the brakesautomatically.
Note:When you remove your foot from thebrake pedal and press the pedal again whenthe system is active, you will experiencesignificantly reduced brake pedal travel. Thisis normal.
Switching the System On and Off
Vehicles with Manual Transmission
You can switch this feature on or off in theinformation display. The systemremembers the last setting when you startyour vehicle.
Vehicles with Automatic Transmission
You cannot turn the system on or off.When you switch the ignition on, thesystem automatically turns on.
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AUTO HOLD
WARNING: The system does notreplace the parking brake. When youleave your vehicle, always apply theparking brake.
WARNING: You must remain inyour vehicle when the system turns on.At all times, you are responsible forcontrolling your vehicle, supervising thesystem and intervening, if required.Failure to take care may result in the lossof control of your vehicle, seriouspersonal injury or death.
WARNING: The system turns off ifthere is a malfunction.
The system is designed to apply the brakesto hold your vehicle at a standstill after youstop your vehicle and release the brakepedal. This could be beneficial in certainsituations, for example when waiting on ahill or in traffic.
Switching Auto Hold On and Off
Press the button on the centerconsole. The button illuminateswhen you switch the system on.
Note:You can only switch the system onafter you close the driver door, and start theengine.
Note:The system remembers the lastsetting when you start your vehicle.
Make sure you switch the system off beforetowing with your vehicle or before using anautomatic car wash.
Using Auto Hold
1.Use the brakes to bring your vehicle toa complete stop. The auto hold activeindicator illuminates in the informationdisplay.
2.Release the brake pedal. The systemholds your vehicle at a standstill. Theauto hold active indicator remainsilluminated in the information display.
Note:The system only activates if youapply enough brake pressure. If your vehicleis on a steep slope, you might need to pressthe brake pedal harder before the systemactivates.
Note:Under certain conditions, the systemcould apply the electric parking brake. Thebrake system warning lamp illuminates. Theelectric parking brake releases when youpress the accelerator pedal. See ElectricParking Brake (page 211).
Note:If auto-start-stop turns off theengine, auto hold remains active.
Note:The system deactivates if you shiftinto reverse (R) and press the brake pedal.
3.Pull away in the normal manner. Thesystem releases the brakes and theauto hold active indicator turns off.
Auto Hold Indicator
The auto hold indicator illuminates in theinformation display when the system is onand is either active or unavailable.
Illuminates when the system isactive. Your vehicle remainsstationary after you release thebrake pedal.
Illuminates when the system ison but unavailable to hold yourvehicle at a standstill.
The system could be unavailable when anyof the following occur:
•During an active park assist maneuver.
•Your vehicle is in stay in neutral mode.
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•The driver door is open.
•You shift into reverse (R) before thesystem is active.
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WHAT IS REVERSE BRAKING
ASSIST
Reverse braking assist is designed toreduce impact damage or assist in avoidinga collision while in reverse (R). Usingsensors on the rear of the vehicle, it candetect a possible collision and apply thebrakes. If full braking occurs, the systemattempts to stop the vehicle a safedistance from the obstacle.
REVERSE BRAKING ASSIST
PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: You are responsible forcontrolling your vehicle at all times. Thesystem is designed to be an aid and doesnot relieve you of your responsibility todrive with due care and attention. Failureto follow this instruction could result inthe loss of control of your vehicle,personal injury or death.
WARNING: To help avoid personalinjury, always use caution when inreverse (R) and when using the sensingsystem.
WARNING: The system may notoperate properly during severe weatherconditions, for example snow, ice, heavyrain and spray. Always drive with duecare and attention. Failure to take caremay result in a crash.
WARNING: Traffic control systems,fluorescent lamps, inclement weather,air brakes, external motors and fans mayaffect the correct operation of thesensing system. This may cause reducedperformance or false alerts.
WARNING: Some situations andobjects prevent hazard detection. Forexample low or direct sunlight, inclementweather, unconventional vehicle types,and pedestrians. Apply the brakes whennecessary. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in the loss ofcontrol of your vehicle, personal injury ordeath.
WARNING: Do not use the systemwith accessories that extend beyond thefront or rear of your vehicle, for examplea trailer hitch or bike rack. The system isnot able to make corrections for theadditional length of the accessories.
The system only applies the brakes for ashort period of time when an event occurs.Act as soon as you notice the brakes applyto remain in control of the vehicle. If youdo not intervene the vehicle may start tomove again.
Note:Certain add-on devices around thebumper or fascia may create false alerts.For example, large trailer hitches, bicycle orsurfboard racks, license plate brackets,bumper covers or any other device that mayblock the normal detection zone of thesystem. Remove the add-on device toprevent false alerts.
Note:The system does not react to smallor moving objects, particularly those closeto the ground.
Note:The system does not operate duringhard acceleration or steering.
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