2009 FORD EXPLORER trailer

Locks and Security 154
Keys 154
Locks 154
Anti-theft system 160
Seating and Safety Restraints 170
Seating 170
Safety restraints 188
Airbags 204
Child restraints 219
Tires, Wheels and Loading 238
Tire information 240
Tire inflation 242
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 255
Vehicle loading 260
Trailer towing 267
Recreational towing 273
Driving 274
Starting 274
Brakes 279
Traction Control™/AdvanceTrac
282
Transmission operation 289
Reverse sensing system 296
Roadside Emergencies 310
Getting roadside assistance 310
Hazard flasher switch 311
Fuel pump shut-off switch 312
Fuses and relays 313
Changing tires 321
Wheel lug nut torque 330
Jump starting 331
Wrecker towing 337
Table of Contents
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2009 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste, cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
CALIFORNIA Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING:Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and
certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known
to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
PERCHLORATE MATERIAL
Certain components of this vehicle such as airbag modules, seat belt
pretensioners, and button cell batteries may contain Perchlorate Material
– Special handling may apply for service or vehicle end of life disposal.
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle at least 1,000 miles (1,600 km) before towing a
trailer. For more detailed information about towing a trailer, refer to
Trailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
2009 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Introduction
5

•Autounlock
•Park Aid (if equipped)
•Trailer sway control
•Oil Life Reset and Start Value
•Compass display
•Compass zone adjustment
•Compass calibration adjustment
Briefly press the SELECT/RESET control switch to scroll through the
SETUP MENU display sequence. If the SELECT/RESET control switch is
not pressed within four seconds, the message center returns to the Info
Menu.
AWD lock (4.6L engine vehicles only)
Select this function from the SETUP MENU to display the AWD locked
function.
1. Press the SELECT/RESET control
for the current display mode.
2. Press and hold the
SELECT/RESET control within four
seconds to turn the AWD system to
the LOCKED mode.
3. Press the SELECT/RESET control switch for the next SETUP MENU
item or wait for more than four seconds to return to the INFO MENU.
Note:When the AWD system is in the LOCKED mode, the 4X4 indicator
will be illuminated.
System check
Press and hold the SELECT/RESET
control switch to select SYSTEM
CHECK when “SYSTEM CHECK
HOLD RESET” is displayed in the
message center. Selecting this
function from the SETUP MENU
causes the message center to cycle through each of the systems being
monitored. For each of the monitored systems, the message center will
indicate either an OK message or a warning message for two seconds.
Pressing the SELECT/RESET control switch cycles the message center
through each of the systems being monitored.
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Reverse Sensing System (Park Aid) (if equipped)
This feature sounds a warning tone to warn the driver of obstacles near
the rear bumper, and functions only when R (Reverse) gear is selected.
1. To disable/enable the reverse
sensing system feature with the
vehicle in P (Park), select this
function from the SETUP MENU or
put the vehicle in R (Reverse).
2. Press and hold the
SELECT/RESET control switch to turn the park aid ON or OFF.
3. Press the SELECT/RESET control switch for the next SETUP MENU
item or wait for more than four seconds to return to the INFO MENU.
Trailer sway control
This feature uses the electronic stability control to mitigate trailer sway,
1. To disable/enable the trailer sway
feature, select this function from the
SETUP menu for the current display
mode.
2. Press and hold the
SELECT/RESET control to turn the trailer sway ON or OFF.
Oil Life Reset and Start Value
To reset the oil monitoring system to 100% after each oil change
(approximately 7,500 miles [12,000 km] or six months) perform the
following:
1. Select “HOLD RESET IF NEW
OIL” from the SETUP MENU.
2. Press and hold the
SELECT/RESET control switch for
more than two seconds. Oil life is
set to 100% and “OIL LIFE SET TO
100%” is displayed.
Note:To change oil life 100% miles value from 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
or six months to another value, proceed to Step 3.
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Warning display Status
Door ajar Warning cannot be reset
Fuel level low Warning returns after 10 minutes
Park brake engaged
Check brake system
Check park aid (if equipped) Warning returns only after the ignition
key is turned from off to on.
Brake fluid level low
Washer fluid level low
Oil change required
Oil life change soon
Liftgate/glass ajar Warning returns after the condition
has cleared then reoccurs within the
same ignition on-off cycle. Remove objects near pass seat
Check fuel fill inlet (if
equipped)
Check charging system
Low tire pressure
Tire pressure monitor fault
Tire pressure sensor fault
Trailer sway, reduce speed Temporary alert
For 4x4 low stop vehicle (if
equipped)
For 4x4 low shift to N (if
equipped)
To exit 4x4 low stop vehicle (if
equipped)
To exit 4x4 low shift to N (if
equipped)
DOOR AJAR— Displayed when a door is not completely closed.
REMOVE OBJECTS NEAR PASS SEAT— Displayed when objects
are by the passenger seat. After the objects are moved away from the
seat, if the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
SERVICE RSC NOW— Displayed when the RSC system is not
operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
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BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW— Indicates the brake fluid level is low
and the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake
fluidin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
WASHER FLUID LEVEL LOW— Indicates the washer fluid reservoir
is less than one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluidin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
OIL LIFE CHANGE SOON— Displayed when the engine oil life
reaches 5% or less of the Oil Life Start Value.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED— Displayed when the engine oil life
remaining is 0%. An oil change is required whenever indicated by the
message center and according to the recommended maintenance
schedule. USE ONLY RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
LIFTGATE / GLASS AJAR— Displayed when the liftgate or the
liftgate glass is not completely closed.
TRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEED— Displayed when your trailer
starts to sway when towing. Refer toTrailer sway controlin the
Drivingchapter for more information.
FOR 4X4 LOW STOP VEHICLE(if equipped)— Displayed when 4X4
LOW is selected while the vehicle is moving. For more information, refer
toUsing the Control Trac 4WD systemin theDrivingchapter.
FOR 4X4 LOW SHIFT TO N(if equipped)— Displayed when 4X4
LOW is selected and the vehicle is stopped. For more information, refer
toUsing the Control Trac 4WD systemin theDrivingchapter.
TO EXIT 4X4 LOW STOP VEHICLE(if equipped)— Displayed when
2WD is selected while the vehicle is operating in 4X4 LOW. For more
information, refer toUsing the Control Trac 4WD systemin the
Drivingchapter.
TO EXIT 4X4 LOW SHIFT TO N(if equipped)— Displayed when
2WD is selected while the vehicle has been stopped in 4X4 LOW. For
more information, refer toUsing the Control Trac 4WD systemin the
Drivingchapter.
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•Easy Entry/Exit Seat (if equipped)
•Park Aid (if equipped)
•Trailer sway control
•Compass display
•Compass zone adjustment
•Compass calibration adjustment
•Oil Life Reset and Start Value
AWD lock (4.6L engine vehicles only)
Select this function from the SETUP MENU to display the AWD locked
function.
1. To disable/enable the AWD
feature, select this function from the
SETUP MENU.
2. Press the RESET control to select
the AUTO or LOCKED mode.
3. Press the RESET control for the
next SETUP MENU item or wait for
more than four seconds to return to
the INFO menu.
Note:When the AWD system is in the LOCKED mode, the 4X4 indicator
will be illuminated.
System check
Selecting this function from the
SETUP MENU causes the message
center to cycle through each of the
systems being monitored. For each
of the monitored systems, the
message center will indicate either
an OK message or a warning
message for two seconds.
Pressing the RESET control cycles the message center through each of
the systems being monitored.
The sequence of the system check report and how it appears in the
message center is as follows:
1. OIL LIFE
2. CHARGING SYSTEM
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1. To disable/enable the reverse
sensing system feature with the
vehicle in P (Park), select this
function from the SETUP MENU or
put the vehicle in R (Reverse).
2. Press the RESET control to turn
the park aid ON or OFF.
3. Press the RESET control for the
next SETUP MENU item or wait for more than four seconds to return to
the INFO menu.
Trailer sway control
This feature uses the electronic stability control to mitigate trailer sway,
1. To disable/enable the trailer sway
feature, select this function from the
SETUP menu for the current display
mode.
2. Press the RESET control to turn
the trailer sway ON or OFF.
Compass display (if equipped)
The compass reading may be affected when you drive near large
buildings, bridges, power lines and powerful broadcast antenna. Magnetic
or metallic objects placed in, on or near the vehicle may also affect
compass accuracy.
Usually, when something affects the compass readings, the compass will
correct itself after a few days of operating your vehicle in normal
conditions. If the compass still appears to be inaccurate, a manual
calibration may be necessary. Refer toCompass zone/calibration
adjustment.
Most geographic areas (zones) have a magnetic north compass point that
varies slightly from the northerly direction on maps. This variation is four
degrees between adjacent zones and will become noticeable as the
vehicle crosses multiple zones. A correct zone setting will eliminate this
error. Refer toCompass zone or calibration adjustment.
Note:Compass zone and calibration adjustments can be entered by
using the INFO and SETUP MENU controls or using the reset button on
top of the compass sensor mounted behind the mirror.
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