2011 FORD EXPLORER brake

Seating and Safety Restraints 160
Seating 160
Personal Safety System™ 180
Safety belt system 184
Airbags 197
Child restraints 211
Tires, Wheels and Loading 232
Tire information 235
Tire inflation 237
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 250
Vehicle loading 255
Trailer towing 262
Recreational towing 265
Driving 267
Starting 267
Brakes 274
AdvanceTrac277
Hill descent control 283
Transmission operation 288
Reverse sensing system 294
Rear-view camera system 296
Roadside Emergencies 325
Getting roadside assistance 325
Hazard flasher control 326
Fuel pump shut-off 327
Fuses and relays 327
Changing tires 336
Temporary mobility kit 344
Wheel lug nut torque 352
Jump starting 354
Wrecker towing 357
Table of Contents
2
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

DATA RECORDING
Service Data Recording
Service data recorders in your vehicle are capable of collecting and
storing diagnostic information about your vehicle. This potentially
includes information about the performance or status of various systems
and modules in the vehicle, such as engine, throttle, steering or brake
systems. In order to properly diagnose and service your vehicle, Ford
Motor Company, Ford of Canada, and service and repair facilities may
access or share among them vehicle diagnostic information received
through a direct connection to your vehicle when diagnosing or servicing
your vehicle. For U.S. only (if equipped), if you choose to use the SYNC
Vehicle Health Report, you consent that certain diagnostic information
may also be accessed electronically by Ford Motor Company and Ford
authorized service facilities, and that the diagnostic information may be
used for any purpose. See yourSYNCsupplement for more information.
Event Data Recording
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR). The
main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near
crash-like situations, such as an airbag deployment or hitting a
road obstacle; this data will assist in understanding how a
vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is designed to record data
related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period
of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is
designed to record such data as:
•How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
•Whether or not the driver and passenger seatbelts were
buckled/fastened;
•How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator
and/or the brake pedal; and
•How fast the vehicle was travelling; and
•Where the driver was positioning the steering wheel.
Introduction
8
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAirbag - Front
Airbag - SideChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemParking Brake System
Brake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum BasedParking Aid System
Stability Control SystemSpeed Control
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
Introduction
12
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the on position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between on and start, or
by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the on
position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. Illumination
after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level or a
brake system malfunction. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
WARNING:Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning
light on is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking
performance may occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle.
Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. Driving extended
distances with the parking brake engaged can cause brake failure and
the risk of personal injury.
Anti-lock brake system:If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as
possible. Normal braking is still functional unless the brake warning light
also is illuminated.
Airbag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when the ignition is
turned to on, continues to flash or
remains on, contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible. A chime will sound when there is a
malfunction in the indicator light.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A Belt-Minder
chime will also sound to remind you
to fasten your safety belt. Refer to
theSeating and Safety Restraints
chapter to activate/deactivate the Belt-Minderchime feature.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
Instrument Cluster
16
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Terrain management (if
equipped):Illuminates when a
terrain management mode is
selected. SeeTerrain management
in theDrivingchapter for more
information.
Terrain management (if
equipped):Illuminates when a
terrain management mode is
selected. SeeTerrain management
in theDrivingchapter for more
information.
Terrain management (if
equipped):Illuminates when a
terrain management mode is
selected. SeeTerrain management
in theDrivingchapter for more
information.
Heads up display (if equipped):
A red beam of lights will illuminate
on the windshield in certain
instances when using adaptive
cruise control and/or the collision
warning system. It will also
illuminate momentarily when you start your vehicle to make sure the
display works. SeeUsing adaptive cruise controlin theDriving
chapter for more information.
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the off or accessory position and the driver’s door is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
Parking brake on chime:Sounds when the parking brake is left on and
the vehicle is driven. If the warning stays on after the park brake is off,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Instrument Cluster
20
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Settings (cont’d)
MyKey Create MyKey™ Hold OK to Create MyKey
Traction Control Always On or User Selectable
Max Speed 80 MPH (130 km/h) or Off
Speed Warning 45 mph (75 km/h), 55 mph
(90 km/h), 65 mph (105 km/h) or
Off
Volume Limiter
Clear MyKeys Hold OK to Clear MyKeys
System Reset Hold OK to
Reset System to
Factory DefaultFactory Default
System Check*
Oil Life
Washer Fluid
Doors
Liftgate
Blind spot
Cross Traffic
Brakes
Fuel
The number of warnings will be listed first. All active warnings will
display first if applicable. The system check menu may appear different
based upon equipment options and current vehicle status. Use the
up/down arrow buttons to scroll through the list; press the right arrow
button to display specific information on the highlighted warning.
System warnings and status messages
System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your
vehicle’s operating systems.
In the event of a multiple warning situation, the message center will
cycle the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for four
seconds.
The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages.
Instrument Cluster
27
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Types of messages and warnings:
•Some messages will appear briefly to inform you of something you
may need to take action on or be informed of.
•Some messages will appear once and then again when the vehicle is
restarted.
•Some messages will reappear after clearing or being reset if a problem
or condition is still present and needs your attention.
•Some messages can be acknowledged and reset by pressing OK. This
allows you to use the full message center functionality by clearing the
message.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the driver door is not
completely closed.
LIFTGATE AJAR— Displayed when the liftgate is not completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the passenger door is
not completely closed.
REAR LEFT DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the rear left door is not
completely closed.
REAR RIGHT DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the rear right door is
not completely closed.
CHECK FUEL FILL INLET— Displayed when the fuel fill inlet may
not be properly closed. Refer toEasy Fuel™ “no cap” fuel systemin
theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
FUEL LEVEL LOW XXX KM TO E— Displayed as an early reminder
of a low fuel condition.
FUEL LEVEL LOW XXX MI TO E— Displayed as an early reminder
of a low fuel condition.
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.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM— Displayed when the brake system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM— Displayed when the charging system
needs servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact
your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED— Displayed when the parking brake is set,
the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than 3mph
(5 km/h). If the warning stays on after the parking brake is released,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Instrument Cluster
28
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

MAX NUMBER OF KEYS PROGRAMMED— Displayed during spare key
programming when the maximum number of keys have been programmed.
MYKEY ACTIVE DRIVE SAFELY— Displayed when MyKey™ is active.
MYKEY NOT CREATED— Displayed during key programming when
MyKey™ cannot be programmed.
NO KEY DETECTED (if equipped)— Displayed if the Intelligent
Access Key is not detected by the system in the following three scenarios:
•When the start/stop button is pressed in an attempt to either start the
engine or cycle through the ignition states.
•When the engine is running and a door is opened then closed.
•When the vehicle’s speed exceeds 10 mph (16 km/h) for the first time
after starting. Refer toPush button start systemin theDrivingchapter
for more information.
PRESS BRAKE TO START (if equipped)— Displayed when the
start/stop button is pressed without the brake pedal being applied. This
is a reminder that the brake pedal must be applied when the start/stop
button is pressed in order to start the engine.
RESTART NOW OR KEY IS NEEDED (if equipped)— Displayed
when the start/stop button is pressed to shut off the engine and a
Intelligent Access Key is not detected inside the vehicle. Refer toPush
button start systemin theDrivingchapter for more information.
SPEED LIMITED TO 130 KM/H— Displayed when starting the
vehicle and MyKey™ is in use and the MyKey speed limit is on. Refer to
MyKey™in theLocks and Securitychapter for more information.
SPEED LIMITED TO 80 MPH— Displayed when starting the vehicle
and MyKey™ is in use and the MyKey speed limit is on. Refer to
MyKey™in theLocks and Securitychapter for more information.
STARTING SYSTEM FAULT— This message is displayed when there
is a problem with your vehicle’s starting security system; your vehicle
will not be able to start. See your authorized dealer for service.
VEHICLE AT TOP SPEED OF MYKEY SETTING— Displayed when
a MyKey™ is in use and the MyKey speed limit is on and the vehicle
speed is 80 mph (130 km/h). Refer toMyKey™in theLocks and
Securitychapter for more information.
VEHICLE NEAR TOP SPEED— Displayed when a MyKey™ is in use
and the MyKey speed limit is on and the vehicle speed is approaching
80 mph (130 km/h). Refer toMyKey™in theLocks and Security
chapter for more information.
Instrument Cluster
31
2011 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)