2011 FORD EXPLORER traction control

11.Maximum Load:Indicates the maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire. Refer to the Safety Compliance
Certification Label, which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the
driver’s door, for the correct tire pressure for your vehicle.
12.Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
•Treadwear:The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1
12) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
•Traction:The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. The grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
•Temperature:The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
13.Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure:Indicates the tire
manufacturers’ maximum permissible pressure and/or the pressure at
which the maximum load can be carried by the tire. This pressure is
normally higher than the manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation
pressure which can be found on the Safety Compliance Certification
Label or Tire Label which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the
driver’s door. The cold inflation pressure should never be set lower than
the recommended pressure on the vehicle label.
The tire suppliers may have additional markings, notes or warnings such
as standard load, radial tubeless, etc.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
247
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

SNOW TIRES AND CABLES
WARNING:Snow tires must be the same size, load index, speed
rating as those originally provided by Ford. Use of any tire or
wheel not recommended by Ford can affect the safety and
performance of your vehicle, which could result in an increased risk of
loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
Additionally, the use of non-recommended tires and wheels could
cause steering, suspension, axle or transfer case/power transfer unit
failure.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use chains, it is recommended that only
cable chains are used with steel wheels (of the same size and
specifications) as chains may chip aluminum wheels.
Note:The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when using
snow tires and chains.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and cable chains:
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Install cable chains only on the front wheels.
•Use only cable chains on vehicles equipped with either P245/65R17
tires or P245/60R18 tires.
•Do not use tire chains, cables or optional traction devices on vehicles
equipped with P255/50R20 tires.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the cable chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and retighten the cable chains. If this does not work,
remove the cable chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•Remove the tire cable chains when they are no longer needed. Do not
use tire cable chains on dry roads.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
254
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

ADVANCETRACWITH ROLL STABILITY CONTROL™ (RSC)
STABILITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM
The AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem provides the following stability
enhancement features for certain driving situations:
•Traction control system (TCS), which functions to help avoid
drive-wheel spin and loss of traction.
•Electronic stability control (ESC), which functions to help avoid skids
or lateral slides.
•Roll Stability Control™ (RSC), which functions to help avoid a
vehicle roll-over.
•Curve Control, which functions to help maintain the desired turn by
reducing speed.
WARNING:Vehicle modifications involving braking system,
aftermarket roof racks, suspension, steering system, tire
construction and/or wheel/tire size may change the handling
characteristics of the vehicle and may adversely affect the performance
of the AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem. In addition, installing any
stereo loudspeakers may interfere with and adversely affect the
AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem. Install any aftermarket stereo
loudspeaker as far as possible from the front center console, the
tunnel, and the front seats in order to minimize the risk of interfering
with the AdvanceTracwith RSCsensors. Reducing the effectiveness
of the AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem could lead to an increased risk
of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
WARNING:Remember that even advanced technology cannot
defy the laws of physics. It’s always possible to lose control of a
vehicle due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions. Aggressive
driving on any road condition can cause you to lose control of your
vehicle increasing the risk of personal injury or property damage.
Activation of the AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem is an indication that
at least some of the tires have exceeded their ability to grip the road;
this could reduce the operator’s ability to control the vehicle,
potentially resulting in a loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death. If your AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem
activates, SLOW DOWN.
Driving
277
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING:If a failure has been detected within the
AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem, the stability control light and
stability control off light will illuminate steadily. Verify that the
AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem is not manually disabled. Select
traction control off in the message center. If the stability control and
stability control off lights still illuminate steadily, have the system
serviced by an authorized dealer immediately. Operating your vehicle
with AdvanceTracwith RSCdisabled could lead to an increased risk
of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
The AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem automatically enables each time
the engine is started. All features of the AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem
(TCS, ESC, RSCand Curve Control) are active and monitor the vehicle
from start-up. However, the system will only intervene if the driving
situation requires it.
The AdvanceTracwith RSC
system includes a traction control
off selection in the message center.
The stability control light and
stability control off light in the instrument cluster will illuminate
temporarily during start-up as part of a normal system self-check, or
during driving if a driving situation causes the AdvanceTracwith RSC
system to operate. If the stability control light and stability control off
light remain steadily illuminated, have the system serviced by an
authorized dealer immediately. The message center will also indicate a
failure with the brake system.
When AdvanceTracwith RSCperforms a normal system self-check,
some drivers may notice a slight movement of the brake, and/or a
rumble, grunting, or grinding noise after startup and when driving off.
When an event occurs that activates AdvanceTracwith RSCyou may
experience the following:
•A deceleration of the vehicle
•The stability control light will flash.
•A vibration in the pedal when your foot is on the brake pedal
•If the driving condition is severe and your foot is not on the brake, the
brake pedal may move as the systems applies higher brake forces. You
may also hear a whoosh of air from under the instrument panel during
this severe condition.
•The brake pedal may feel stiffer than usual.
•Engine power may be reduced.
Driving
278
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Traction control system (TCS)
The traction control system is a driver aid feature that helps your vehicle
maintain traction of the wheels, typically when driving on slippery and/or
hilly road surfaces, by detecting and controlling wheel spin.
Excessive wheel spin is controlled in two ways, which may work
separately or in tandem: engine traction control and brake traction
control. Engine traction control works to limit drive-wheel spin by
momentarily reducing engine power. Brake traction control works to limit
wheel spin by momentarily applying the brakes to the wheel that is
slipping. Traction control is most active at low speeds.
During TCS events, the stability control light in the instrument cluster
will flash.
If the TCS is activated excessively in a short period of time, the braking
portion of the system may become temporarily disabled to allow the
brakes to cool down. In this situation, TCS will use only engine power
reduction or transfer to help control the wheels from over-spinning.
When the brakes have cooled down, the system will regain all features.
Anti-lock braking, RSC, ESC and Curve Control are not affected by this
condition and will continue to function during the cool-down period.
The engine traction control and brake traction control systems may be
deactivated in certain situations. See theTurning traction control off
section following.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Electronic stability control (ESC) may enhance your vehicle’s directional
stability during adverse maneuvers, for example when cornering severely
or avoiding objects in the roadway. The ESC operates by applying brakes
to one or more of the wheels individually and, if necessary, reducing
engine power if the system detects that the vehicle is about to skid or
slide laterally.
During ESC events, the stability control light in the instrument cluster
will flash.
Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the ESC system, which
include but are not limited to:
•Taking a turn too fast
•Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
•Driving over a patch of ice or other slippery surfaces
•Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road
Driving
279
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Turning traction control off
If the vehicle is stuck in snow, mud or sand, and seems to lose engine
power, switching off traction control in the AdvanceTracwith RSC
system may be beneficial because the wheels are allowed to spin. This
will restore full engine power and will enhance momentum through the
obstacle.
To turn off traction control in the AdvanceTracsystem, select traction
control off in the message center. Full features of the AdvanceTrac
system can be restored by selecting it on again or by turning off and
restarting the engine.
If you switch off traction control in
the AdvanceTracwith RSC
system, the stability control off light
will illuminate steadily. Selecting
traction control on again will turn
off the stability control off light.
Note:In R (Reverse), ABS and the engine traction control and brake
traction control features will continue to function; however, ESC, RSC
and Curve Control are disabled.
Note:Curve Control can be disabled with the terrain management
control (if equipped). SeeTerrain Managementlater in this chapter.
AdvanceTracFeatures
Operation ModeStability
control
light
(
)Message
center displayTCS
Default at
start-upSystem
initializationTurns on
at
start-upNone Enabled
Selected onceTraction
control offOnTRACTION
CONTROL OFFDisabled
Selected again
after deactivationAdvanceTrac
fully enabledOffTRACTION
CONTROL ONEnabled
Note:The ESC/RSC/Curve Control systems cannot be turned on or
off through the message center.
OFF
Driving
281
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even 4WD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
Driving
319
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills.A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill,
start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a
higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, Do not try to
turnaround because you might roll
over. It is better to back down to a
safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
Driving
320
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)