FORD EXPLORER 2023 Owners Manual

Note:If your vehicle sustains damage tothe bumper or fascia leaving it misalignedor bent, it could alter the sensing zonecausing inaccurate measurement ofobstacles or false alerts.
Note:Vehicle loading and suspensionchanges can impact the angle of the sensorsand may change the normal detection zoneof the system resulting in inaccuratemeasurement of obstacles or false alerts.
Note:When you connect a trailer, thesystem may detect the trailer and providean alert, or the system turns off. If thesystem does not turn off, manually switchthe system off after you connect the trailer.
Note:You may experience reduced systemperformance on road surfaces that limitdeceleration. For example, roads with ice,loose gravel, mud or sand.
SWITCHING REVERSE
BRAKING ASSIST ON AND OFF
You can switch the system on or offthrough the touchscreen. See Settings(page 458).
Note:The system is unavailable when rearparking aid or cross traffic alert is off.
OVERRIDING REVERSE
BRAKING ASSIST
There could be instances whenunexpected or unwanted braking occurs.Firmly pressing the accelerator pedal orswitching the feature off overrides thesystem.
REVERSE BRAKING ASSIST
INDICATORS
If the system determines that a collisionwith an obstacle may occur, full brakingmay apply.
A message and warningindicator appear when thesystem applies the brakes.
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REVERSE BRAKING ASSIST – TROUBLESHOOTING
REVERSE BRAKING ASSIST – INFORMATION MESSAGES
DescriptionMessage
Displays when the system applies thebrakes and remains on for a few seconds.Reverse Brake Assist
Make sure that all doors, liftgate or tailgateand hood are closed. Drive the vehicle on astraight road for a short period. Make surethe parking aids and cross traffic alertsystems are on. If the message remains on,have the system checked as soon aspossible.
Reverse Brake Assist Not Available SeeManual
Displays when a system error has occurred.Have your vehicle checked as soon aspossible.
Reverse Brake Assist Fault
Displays when reverse brake assist is off.Reverse Brake Assist Off
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REVERSE BRAKING ASSIST –FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is reverse braking assist unavailable?
•Make sure you switch the system on.See Switching Reverse BrakingAssist On and Off (page 217).
•Make sure that the liftgate, hood andall doors are closed.
•Make sure the cross traffic alert systemis on. See Cross Traffic Alert (page263).
•Make sure the rear parking aid systemis on. See Rear Parking Aid (page 225).
•Make sure traction control is on. SeeUsing Traction Control (page 220).
•The vehicle has sustained a rear endimpact. Have the sensors checked forproper coverage and operation.
•An ABS, traction control or stabilitycontrol event may have occurred. Thesystem resumes operation when theevent is complete.
•Make sure the rear view camera and360 degree camera are not dirty orobstructed. If it is dirty, clean thecamera. See Rear View Camera(page 234). See 360 Degree Camera(page 237). If the message still appearsafter cleaning the camera, wait a shorttime and the message should clear. Ifthe message does not clear, have thesystem checked.
•Make sure the sensors are not blockedor faulted. See Cross Traffic Alert(page 263). See Rear Parking Aid(page 225).
•You recently had your vehicle serviced,or the battery disconnected. Drive yourvehicle a short distance to resumesystem operation.
•The system does not function whenyou connect a trailer. Operationresumes when you disconnect thetrailer.
Note:If the answers to why the system isunavailable do not assist in returning reversebraking assist to available, have the systemchecked as soon as possible.
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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoiddrive wheel spin and loss of traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the systemapplies the brakes to individual wheelsand, when needed, reduces engine powerat the same time. If the wheels spin whenaccelerating on slippery or loose surfaces,the system reduces engine power in orderto increase traction.
USING TRACTION CONTROL
WARNING: Operating your vehiclewith the traction control disabled couldlead to an increased risk of loss of vehiclecontrol, vehicle rollover, personal injuryand death.
The system automatically turns on eachtime you switch the ignition on.
If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow,switching traction control off may bebeneficial 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, amessage appears in the informationdisplay showing system status.
You can switch the system off by using theswitch.
Using a Switch (If Equipped)
Use the traction control switch on thecenter console near the shifter to switchthe system off or on.
The traction control switch.
System Indicator Lights andMessages
The stability and traction controllight:
•Temporarily illuminates on enginestart-up.
•Flashes when a driving conditionactivates either of the systems.
•Illuminates if a problem occurs in eitherof the systems.
The stability and traction controloff light temporarily illuminateson engine start-up and stays onwhen you switch the traction controlsystem off.
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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNING: Vehicle modificationsinvolving braking system, aftermarketroof racks, suspension, steering system,tire construction and wheel and tire sizemay change the handling characteristicsof your vehicle and may adversely affectthe performance of the electronicstability control system. In addition,installing any stereo loudspeakers mayinterfere with and adversely affect theelectronic stability control system. Installany aftermarket stereo loudspeaker asfar as possible from the front centerconsole, the tunnel, and the front seatsin order to minimize the risk of interferingwith the electronic stability controlsensors. Reducing the effectiveness ofthe electronic stability control systemcould lead to an increased risk of loss ofvehicle control, vehicle rollover, personalinjury and death.
WARNING: Remember that evenadvanced technology cannot defy thelaws of physics. It’s always possible tolose control of a vehicle due toinappropriate driver input for theconditions. Aggressive driving on anyroad condition can cause you to losecontrol of your vehicle increasing the riskof personal injury or property damage.Activation of the electronic stabilitycontrol system is an indication that atleast some of the tires have exceededtheir ability to grip the road; this couldreduce the operator’s ability to controlthe vehicle potentially resulting in a lossof vehicle control, vehicle rollover,personal injury and death. If yourelectronic stability control systemactivates, SLOW DOWN.
The system automatically turns on eachtime you switch the ignition on.
If a driving condition activates either thestability control or the traction controlsystem you may experience the followingconditions:
•The stability and traction control lightflashes.
•Your vehicle slows down.
•Reduced engine power.
•A vibration in the brake pedal.
•The brake pedal is stiffer than usual.
•If the driving condition is severe andyour foot is not on the brake, the brakepedal may move as the systemsapplies higher brake forces.
The stability control system has severalfeatures built into it to help you maintaincontrol of your vehicle:
Electronic Stability Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto prevent skids or lateral slides byapplying brakes to one or more of thewheels individually and, if necessary,reducing engine power.
Roll Stability Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto prevent rollovers by detecting yourvehicle’s roll motion and the rate at whichit changes by applying the brakes to oneor more wheels individually.
Curve Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto follow the road when cornering severelyor avoiding objects in the roadway. CurveControl operates by reducing engine powerand, if necessary, applying brakes to oneor more of the wheels individually.
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Traction Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto maintain traction of the wheels bydetecting and controlling wheel spin. SeeUsing Traction Control (page 220).
Vehicle without stability controlskidding off its intended route.A
Vehicle with stability controlmaintaining control on a slipperysurface.
B
USING STABILITY CONTROL
Electronic Stability Control - BaseModel
The system automatically turns on eachtime you switch the ignition on.
You cannot switch the stability control androll stability control systems off, but whenyou shift into reverse (R), the systemsdeactivate.
You can switch the traction control systemoff or on. See Using Traction Control(page 220).
Electronic Stability Control - STModel
The system turns on each timeyou switch the ignition on. Youcan switch off the tractioncontrol portion of the systemindependently. See Using TractionControl (page 220).
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ESC Features for ST model
Traction ControlSystemElectronicStability ControlStability ControlOff LightModeButton Func-tions
EnabledEnabledOn during bulbcheckDefault - Trac-tion Control Onand NormalAdvanceTrac
Default at start-up
DisabledEnabledOnTraction ControlOffButtonmomentarilypressed - singlepress
DisabledDisabledOnAdvanceTracOffButton pressedand held for fiveseconds
EnabledEnabledOffReturn toDefaultButton pressedwhen in Trac-tion Control Offor AdvanceTracOff
Note:Do not use the AdvanceTrac Offsetting on public roadways.
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WHAT IS HILL DESCENT
CONTROL
WARNING: Hill descent controlcannot control descent in all surfaceconditions and circumstances, such asice or extremely steep grades. Hilldescent control is a driver assist systemand cannot substitute for good judgmentby the driver. Failure to do so may resultin loss of vehicle control, crash or seriousinjury.
WARNING: The system does notreplace the parking brake. When youleave your vehicle, always apply theparking brake.
Note:The system does not function below3 mph (5 km/h).
Hill descent control allows the driver to setand maintain vehicle speed whiledescending steep slopes in various surfaceconditions.
The system can maintain vehicle speedson downhill slopes between 3–20 mph(5–32 km/h). Above 20 mph (32 km/h),the system remains on but the descentspeed cannot be set or maintained.
The system requires a cool down intervalafter a period of sustained use. Theamount of time that the system canremain active before cooling varies withconditions. The system provides a warningin the message center and a tone soundswhen the system is about to disengage forcooling. At this time, manually apply thebrakes as needed to maintain descentspeed.
SWITCHING HILL DESCENT
CONTROL ON AND OFF
Press the button on the centerconsole. A light illuminates in thecontrol and a tone sounds whenthe system is active.
SETTING THE HILL DESCENT
SPEED
WARNING: The system does notreplace the parking brake. When youleave your vehicle, always apply theparking brake.
WARNING: The system does notcontrol speed in low traction conditionsor extremely steep slopes. The systemis designed to be an aid and does notrelieve you of your responsibility to drivewith due care and attention. Failure tofollow this instruction could result inpersonal injury.
To increase the descent speed, press theaccelerator pedal until you reach the speedyou prefer.
To decrease the descent speed, press thebrake pedal until you reach the speed youprefer.
When you reach the speed you prefer,either by accelerating or decelerating,remove your feet from the pedals. Thesystem maintains the chosen vehiclespeed.
HILL DESCENT CONTROL
INDICATOR
Illuminates when you switch hilldescent control on.
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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNING: To help avoid personalinjury, always use caution when inreverse (R) and when using the sensingsystem.
WARNING: The system may notdetect objects with surfaces that absorbreflection. Always drive with due careand attention. Failure to take care mayresult in a crash.
WARNING: Traffic control systems,inclement weather, air brakes, externalmotors and fans may affect the correctoperation of the sensing system. Thismay cause reduced performance or falsealerts.
WARNING: The system may notdetect small or moving objects,particularly those close to the ground.
Note:If your vehicle has MyKey™, thesensing system cannot be switched offwhen a MyKey™ is present. See Principleof Operation (page 64).
Note:Keep the sensors on the bumper orfascia free from snow, ice and largeaccumulations of dirt. If the sensors arecovered, the system’s accuracy can beaffected. Do not clean the sensors withsharp objects.
Note:If your vehicle sustains damage tothe bumper or fascia, leaving it misalignedor bent, the sensing zone may be alteredcausing inaccurate measurement ofobstacles or false alerts.
Note:Certain add-on devices installedaround the bumper or fascia may createfalse alerts. For example, large trailerhitches, bike or surfboard racks, license platebrackets, bumper covers or any other devicethat may block the normal detection zoneof the system. Remove the add-on deviceto prevent false alerts.
Note:When you connect a trailer to yourvehicle, the rear parking aid may detect thetrailer and therefore provide an alert. Disablethe rear parking aid when you connect atrailer to prevent the alert.
The sensing system warns the driver ofobstacles within a certain range of yourvehicle. The system turns on automaticallywhenever you switch the ignition on.
You can switch the system off through thetouchscreen, information display or fromthe pop-up message that appears onceyou shift the transmission into reverse (R).If your vehicle has a parking aid button, youcan switch the system off by pressing thebutton.
If a fault is present in the system, a warningmessage appears in the informationdisplay. See Information Messages(page 119).
REAR PARKING AID
WARNING: The system may notdetect objects with surfaces that absorbreflection. Always drive with due careand attention. Failure to take care mayresult in a crash.
WARNING: The system may notdetect small or moving objects,particularly those close to the ground.
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WARNING: To help avoid personalinjury, always use caution when inreverse (R) and when using the sensingsystem.
WARNING: The parking aid systemcan only assist you to detect objectswhen your vehicle is moving at parkingspeeds. To help avoid personal injury youmust take care when using the parkingaid system.
Note:Keep the sensors free from snow, iceand large accumulations of dirt.
Note:Do not cover up the sensors.
Note:Do not clean the sensors with sharpobjects.
Note:If your vehicle sustains damageleaving the sensors misaligned, this maycause inaccurate measurements or falsealerts.
Note:Some accessories, for example largetrailer hitches or bike or surfboard racks, cancause reduced performance or false alerts.
The sensors are on the rear bumper.
The sensors are active when thetransmission is in reverse (R) and thevehicle speed is less than 5 mph (8 km/h).When the parking aid system sounds atone, the audio system may reduce the setvolume.
A warning tone sounds when your vehicleapproaches an object. As your vehiclemoves closer to an object, the rate of thetone increases. The warning tonecontinuously sounds when an object is 12 in(30 cm) or less from the center of the rearbumper.
Note:There is a decreased coverage areaat 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 warningmessage appears in the informationdisplay.
The system detects large objects whenyou shift into reverse (R) and any of thefollowing occur:
•Your vehicle is moving backward at lowspeed.
•Your vehicle is stationary, but an objectis approaching the rear of your vehicleat low speed.
•Your vehicle is moving backward at lowspeed and an object is moving towardyour vehicle, for example anothervehicle, at low speed.
If your vehicle remains stationary for twoseconds, the audible warning turns off. Ifyour vehicle moves backward, the tonesounds again.
Note:If the detected object is 12 in (30 cm)or less from the rear bumper, the audiblewarning does not turn off.
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