2011 FORD EXPLORER tires

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
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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.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils since
these additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
SPECIAL NOTICES
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
For a detailed description of what is covered and what is not covered by
your vehicle’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty, refer to theWarranty
Guidethat is provided to you along with your Owner’s Guide.
Special instructions
For your added safety, your vehicle is fitted with sophisticated electronic
controls.
WARNING:Please read the sectionAirbag Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)in theSeating and Safety Restraints
chapter. Failure to follow the specific warnings and instructions could
result in personal injury.
WARNING:Front seat mounted rear-facing child or infant seats
shouldNEVERbe placed in front of an active passenger airbag.
Introduction
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Notice to owners of pickup trucks and utility type vehicles
WARNING:Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles.
Before you drive your vehicle, please read this Owner’s Guide carefully.
Your vehicle is not a passenger car. As with other vehicles of this type,
failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury or death.
Using your vehicle with a snowplow
Do not use this vehicle for snowplowing.
Your vehicle is not equipped with a snowplowing package.
Using your vehicle as an ambulance
Do not use this vehicle as an ambulance.
Your vehicle is not equipped with the Ford Ambulance Preparation
Package.
NOTICE TO OWNERS WITH 20 INCH WHEELS AND TIRES
When equipped with 20 inch wheels and tires the vehicle is designed for
on-road use only and not off-road use.
Note:When first driving the vehicle after it has been parked for a period
of time, you may experience a temporary ride disturbance. This is a
characteristic of the tires and should be no reason for concern. The
condition should correct itself within 5-15 miles (8-25 km) of driving. If
the disturbance persists, have the tires serviced by an authorized dealer.
Correct tire pressure is important to payload and proper ride and
handling attributes. Check your vehicle’s Safety Compliance Certification
Label or Tire Label for the proper tire pressure levels.
Introduction
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Charging system (RTT):
Illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly. If it stays on
while the engine is running, there
may be a malfunction with the charging system. Contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible. This indicates a problem with the electrical
system or a related component.
Engine oil pressure (RTT):
Illuminates when the oil pressure
falls below the normal range, refer
toEngine oilin theMaintenance
and Specificationschapter.
AdvanceTrac:Displays when the
AdvanceTrac/Traction control is
active. If the light remains on, have
the system serviced immediately,
refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
AdvanceTracoff light:
Illuminates when
AdvanceTrac/Traction control has
been disabled by the driver. Refer to
theDrivingchapter for more
information.
Low tire pressure warning:
Illuminates when your tire pressure
is low. If the light remains on at
start up or while driving, the tire
pressure should be checked. Refer
toInflating your tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. When
the ignition is first turned to on, the light will illuminate for 3 seconds to
ensure that it is working. If the light does not turn on or begins to flash,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. For more information
on this system, refer toTire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)in
theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Low fuel (RTT):Illuminates when
the fuel level in the fuel tank is at
or near empty. Refer toFuel gauge
in this chapter.
OFF
Instrument Cluster
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SERVICE ADVANCETRAC— Displayed when the AdvanceTrac
system has detected a condition that requires service. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
SHIFT TO PARK— Displayed when the start/stop button is pressed to
shut off the engine with the shift select lever in any position other than
P (Park). Refer toFast restart featureinPush button start systemin
theDrivingchapter for more information.
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE— Stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible, turn off the engine. Check the oil level. SeeChecking the
engine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on with your engine running,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON— Displayed when the engine oil life
remaining is 10% or less.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED— Displayed when the oil life left reaches 0%.
ENGINE COOLANT OVER TEMP— Displayed when the engine
coolant temperature is excessively high.
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 Specificationschapter.
TURN POWER OFF TO SAVE BATTERY (if equipped)— Displayed
when the electrical system determines that the battery is at a low level.
Turn off as many of the electrical loads as soon as possible to prevent
automatic shutdown of certain vehicle accessories.
LOW BATTERY FEATURES TEMPORARILY TURNED OFF (if
equipped)— Displayed when the electrical system determines that the
battery is at a low level. Various vehicle features will be disabled to help
preserve the battery. When the vehicle is started or if the battery power
has recovered, the accessories will operate again as normal.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT— Displayed when the tire pressure
monitoring system is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or continues to
come on, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT— Displayed when a tire pressure
sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more information
on how the system operates under these conditions, refer to
Understanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or continues
to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
BUCKLE UP TO UNMUTE AUDIO— Displayed when a MyKey™ is in
use and Belt-Minderis activated. Refer toMyKey™in theLocks and
Securitychapter for more information.
Instrument Cluster
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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.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE— Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating your tiresin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT— Displayed when the tire
pressure monitoring system is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, have the system inspected by your authorized
dealer.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT— Displayed when a tire pressure
sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more
information on how the system operates under these conditions, refer to
Understanding your tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)in the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT— The power steering system
has disabled power steering assist due to a system error, service is
required.
SERVICE POWER STEERING— The power steering system has
detected a condition that requires service.
SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW— The power steering system
has detected a condition within the power steering system that requires
service immediately.
BUCKLE UP TO UNMUTE AUDIO— Displayed when a MyKey™ is in
use and Belt-Minderis activated. Refer toMyKey™in theLocks and
Securitychapter for more information.
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.
CRUISE CONTROL AUTOMATIC BRAKING TURNED OFF (if
equipped)— Displayed when adaptive cruise control automatic braking
is turned off.
Instrument Cluster
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Cause Action
The surface of the radar in the grille
is dirty or obstructed in some wayClean the grille surface in front of
the radar or remove the object
causing the obstruction
The surface of the radar in the grille
is clean but the message remains in
the displayWait a short time. It may take
several minutes for the radar to
detect that it is no longer obstructed
Heavy rain or snow is interfering
with the radar signalsDo not use ACC in these condition
because it may not detect, warn, or
respond to potential collisions.
Swirling water, or snow or ice on the
surface of the road may interfere
with the radar signalsDo not use ACC in these condition
because it may not detect, warn, or
respond to potential collisions.
WARNING:Do not use ACC when towing a trailer with brake
controls. Aftermarket trailer brakes will not function properly
when ACC is activated because the brakes are electronically controlled.
Failing to do so may result in loss of vehicle control, which could result
in serious injury.
WARNING:Do not use tires sizes other than those
recommended because this can affect the normal operation of
ACC. Failing to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control, which
could result in serious injury.
Switching to normal cruise control
You can manually change from adaptive cruise control (ACC) to normal
cruise control through the message center. Refer toMessage centerin
theInstrument Clusterchapter. If normal cruise control is selected, the
ACC indicator light will be replaced with a
cruise control indicator
light. The gap setting will not be displayed, the system will not
automatically respond to lead vehicles and automatic braking will not be
activated. The system will default to ACC when the engine is started.
WARNING:Normal cruise control will not brake due to slower
vehicles. Always be aware of which mode is selected and apply
the brakes when necessary.
Driver Controls
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NOTICE TO UTILITY VEHICLE AND TRUCK OWNERS
Utility vehicles and trucks handle
differently than passenger cars in
the various driving conditions that
are encountered on streets,
highways and off-road. Utility
vehicles and trucks are not designed
for cornering at speeds as high as
passenger cars any more than
low-slung sports cars are designed
to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions.
WARNING:Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles. To reduce the risk of serious
injury or death from a rollover or other crash you must:
•Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers;
•Drive at safe speeds for the conditions;
•Keep tires properly inflated;
•Never overload or improperly load your vehicle; and
•Make sure every passenger is properly restrained.
WARNING:In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
All occupants must wear seat belts and children/infants must use
appropriate restraints to minimize the risk of injury or ejection.
Study your owner’s guide and any supplements for specific information
about equipment features, instructions for safe driving and additional
precautions to reduce the risk of an accident or serious injury.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
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