2012 FORD EXPLORER warning light

Engine coolant temperature
(RTT):Illuminates when the engine
coolant temperature is high. Stop
the vehicle as soon as possible, switch off the engine and let cool. Refer
toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
Speed control (RTT):The speed
control system indicator light
changes color to indicate what mode
the system is in:
•On (gray light):Illuminates
when the speed control system is turned on. Turns off when the speed
control system is turned off.
•Engaged (green light):Illuminates when the speed control system is
engaged. Turns off when the speed control system is disengaged.
Adaptive cruise control (RTT)
(if equipped):The speed control
system indicator light changes color
to indicate what mode the system is
in:
•On (gray light):Illuminates when the adaptive cruise control system
is turned on. Turns off when the speed control system is turned off.
•Engaged (green light):Illuminates when the adaptive cruise control
system is engaged. Turns off when the speed control system is
disengaged.
Door ajar (RTT):Displays when
the ignition is on and any door is
not completely closed.
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Hill descent (RTT) (if
equipped):Illuminates when hill
descent is turned on.
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.
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BASE MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle
control, accident and injury. Ford strongly recommends that
drivers use extreme caution when using any device or feature that may
take their focus off the road. Your primary responsibility is the safe
operation of the vehicle. We recommend against the use of any
handheld device while driving and that you comply with all applicable
laws.
Your vehicle’s message center is capable of monitoring many vehicle
systems and will alert you to potential vehicle problems and various
conditions with informational messages and/or warnings.
The message center is also used to program/configure the different
features of your vehicle. The message center display is located in the
instrument cluster.
Use the left steering wheel controls to navigate through the message
center.
•Press the up/down arrow buttons
to move up/down through the
message center choices.
•Press the left/right arrow buttons
to move left/right through the
message center choices.
•Press the OK button to select
highlighted options and confirm
choices/messages.
km/hF
E
MPH
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*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.
*Note:Some items are optional and may not appear.
System warnings and status messages
SeeSystem warning and status messageslater in this chapter for more
information.
OPTIONAL MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle
control, accident and injury. Ford strongly recommends that
drivers use extreme caution when using any device or feature that may
take their focus off the road. Your primary responsibility is the safe
operation of the vehicle. We recommend against the use of any
handheld device while driving and that you comply with all applicable
laws.
Your vehicle’s message center is capable of monitoring many vehicle
systems and will alert you to potential vehicle problems and various
conditions with informational messages and/or warnings.
The message center is also used to program/configure the different
features of your vehicle.
The message center display is located in the instrument cluster.
Use the left steering wheel controls to navigate through the message
center.
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To change the Menu Control between Standard or Memory On, refer to
Vehicle and Menu Controlfound in the table under theSettingssection
later in this chapter.
Display Mode
Press the right arrow on the left steering wheel mounted button when
display mode is selected. The boxes in the upper right corner of the
screen indicate that there are multiple screens that you can navigate
through. Each press of the right arrow will navigate to the next screen
until the last screen is reached. The white highlighted box indicates
which of the screens you are currently viewing:
Note:Regardless of display mode chosen, when SST is activated, the
cluster will change to the tachometer if not already selected, and the M
will light up in the shift select indicator and also in the message center.
Refer toAutomatic transmission operationin theDrivingchapter.
Distance to empty (DTE) + Fuel
gauge + Bar tachometer
•Distance to empty (DTE): Shows approximate fuel level before the
fuel tank reaches empty. The value is dynamic and can change (raise
or lower) depending on driving style.
•Fuel gauge: Indicates approximately how much fuel is left in the fuel
tank. The fuel gauge may vary slightly when the vehicle is in motion
or on a grade. When the fuel level becomes low (50 miles [80 km] to
empty), the level indicator will change to amber. When the fuel level
becomes critically low (0 miles [0 km] to empty), the level indicator
will change to red.
Note:When a MyKeyis in use, low fuel warnings will display earlier
.
•Bar tachometer: Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer pointer continuously at the top of the
scale may damage the engine.
F6
4
RPM
1000+
2
0
01234.5mi
E
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4WD Messages Action / Description
4WD OFFDisplayed when the AWD system has been
automatically disabled to protect itself. This is
caused by operating the vehicle with the
compact spare tire installed or if the system is
overheating. The AWD system will resume
normal function and clear this message after
driving a short distance with the road tire
re-installed or after the system is allowed to
cool.
CHECK 4WDDisplayed in conjunction with the Throttle
Control/Transmission/AWD
light when
the AWD system is not operating properly. If
the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Battery and
Charging System
MessagesAction / Description
CHECK CHARGING
SYSTEMDisplayed when the charging system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues
to come on, contact your authorized dealer as
soon as possible.
TURN POWER OFF
TO SAVE BATTERYDisplayed when the battery management
system determines that:
•the battery is at a low state of charge or,
•the ignition has been in accessory position
or on position with the engine off for
approximately 45 minutes.
Turn the ignition off as soon as possible to
protect the battery. This message will clear
once the vehicle has been started and the
battery state of charge has recovered. Turning
off unnecessary electrical loads will allow
faster battery state-of-charge recovery.
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Flash-to-pass
Pull toward you slightly to activate
and release to deactivate.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
To activate DRL:
•the ignition must be in the on position and
•the headlamp control is in the
orposition
•the transmission is not in P (Park).
WARNING:Always remember to turn on your headlamps at
dusk or during inclement weather. The Daytime Running Light
(DRL) System does not activate your tail lamps and generally may not
provide adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate
your headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel and all applicable
lit components in the vehicle during
headlamp and parking lamp
operation.
•Tapthetoporbottomofthe
control to brighten/dim all interior
lit components incrementally, or
•Press and hold the top or bottom
of the control until the desired lighting level is reached.
Note:In the message center, a message will pop up that will show
incrementally where the dimmer is in relation to the dimming steps.
These steps will also vary for daytime and night time dimming.
Note:If the battery is disconnected, discharged, or a new battery is
installed, the dimmer control requires re-calibration. Press the dimmer
control from the full dim position to the full on position to reset. This
will ensure that your displays are visible under all lighting conditions.
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Third row cargo lamp
The dome lamp lights when:
•any door is opened.
•the instrument panel dimmer
button is pressed until the
courtesy lamp comes on.
•
any of the remote entry controls
are pressed and the ignition is off.
The courtesy lamp can also be
turned on and off manually by
pressing the control switch.
Battery saver
The battery saver will shut off the exterior lamps and interior lamps,
except the hazard warning lamps if activated, 10 minutes after the
ignition control has been turned off. The system will not turn off the
parking lamps if they are on.
BULB REPLACEMENT
Lamp assembly condensation
Exterior lamps are vented to accommodate normal changes in pressure.
Condensation can be a natural by-product of this design. When moist air
enters the lamp assembly through the vents, there is a possibility that
condensation can occur when the temperature is cold. When normal
condensation occurs, a thin film of mist can form on the interior of the
lens. The thin mist eventually clears and exits through the vents during
normal operation. Clearing time may take as long as 48 hours under dry
weather conditions.
Examples of acceptable condensation are:
•Presence of thin mist (no streaks, drip marks or droplets)
•Fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens
Examples of unacceptable moisture (usually caused by a lamp water
leak) are:
•Water puddle inside the lamp
•Large water droplets, drip marks or streaks present on the interior of
the lens
Take your vehicle to a dealer for service if any of the above conditions of
unacceptable moisture are present.
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