2012 FORD EXPLORER sensor

Cross traffic alert (CTA) system operation
The CTA system warns the driver of approaching vehicles when R
(Reverse) is selected and the vehicle is backing out of a front-in parking
spot. It sounds a series of tones and flashes the BLISindicator found on
the exterior mirror on the side of the approaching vehicle. Additionally,
the message center will display either, VEHICLE COMING FROM RIGHT
or VEHICLE COMING FROM LEFT to warn the driver from which
direction vehicles are approaching.
The system is not designed to prevent contact with other vehicles or
objects. The system is designed to provide a warning to assist the driver
in detecting vehicles in the blind zones. The system will not detect
infrastructure, pedestrians, or bicyclists.
WARNING:To help avoid personal injury, NEVER use the CTA
system as a replacement for using the side and rear view mirrors
and looking over your shoulder before backing out of a parking space.
CTA is not a replacement for careful driving and only an assist.
The CTA system detects vehicles approaching up to 45 feet (14 meters)
away. Coverage decreases when vehicles and objects in close proximity
block the CTA sensors (refer to figure for approximate zone coverage
areas[sensor obstructed for vehicle on left]). Backing slowly from
the parking spot in these situations helps to increase the sensor coverage
and effectiveness.
Driving
309
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

CTA coverage also decreases when parking at shallow angles (refer to
figure for approximate zone coverage areas[sensor obstructed for
vehicle on left]).
CTA detection limitations:Due to the nature of radar technology,
there may be certain instances where vehicles entering and exiting the
blind spot zones may not be detected. Below is a list of circumstances
that may cause non-detection:
•Debris build-up on the rear quarter panel fascias
•The rear quarter panel radar beams are obstructed or partially
obstructed by an adjacently parked vehicle or object.
•Approaching vehicles passing at speeds greater than 15 mph
(24 km/h)
•Severe weather conditions
•Driving in reverse faster than 3 mph (5 km/h)
•Backing out of an angled parking spot
CTA false alerts
Due to the nature of radar technology, there may be certain instances
when the BLISwill alert with no object present when backing up. This
is known as a false alert. Some level of false alerts are normal.
Circumstances that may cause a false alert when backing up are backing
out of a garage, backing into a parking space, and objects very close to
the sensor. False alerts are temporary and self correct.
Driving
310
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

CTA and reverse sensing system (RSS) interaction
CTA works along with the reverse sensing system (RSS) (if equipped).
Become familiar with the warning tones of both systems.
BLISand/or CTA on/off and disable operation
The BLISand/or the CTA can be turned off via the message center. If
either the BLISand/or the CTA is turned off, the systems will
automatically turn back on at the next ignition key cycle. When either
the BLISand/or the CTA is turned off, the message center displays
BLIND SPOT SYS OFF and/or CTA SYSTEM OFF. When the BLIS
and/or the CTA system is off, the driver will not receive alerts. Refer to
Message centerin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
Note:If the system cannot be turned off, refer toMyKeyin theLocks
and Securitychapter for more information.
The BLISand/or the CTA can be disabled permanently even after an
ignition key cycle. This must be done by your authorized dealer.Note:
Once either of the systems are disabled, enabling must also be performed
at the dealership. When disabled, the message center will display BLIND
SPOT DISABLED and/or CTA DISABLED.
BLISand/or CTA fault operation
If the BLISand/or CTA senses a fault on either the left or right sensor,
the BLISalert indicator will go on and remain on and the message
center will display BLIND SPOT SYSTEM FAULT or CROSS TRAFFIC
SYSTEM FAULT. For faults that may cause the associated left or right
alert indicator not to illuminate, only the message center faults will
occur.
Blocked sensor
An extreme build-up of materials on
the quarter panel fascias such as
mud or snow can cause degraded
performance of the BLIS. Also,
heavy rain can cause the same
effect. The BLIScan detect this
degraded performance and issue a
blocked warning to the driver via
the message center. If a condition is determined by the system, the
message center displays BLIND SPOT NOT AVAILABLE or CROSS
TRAFFIC NOT AVAILABLE warning and the appropriate left and/or right
exterior mirror alert indicator will illuminate. The message center
warning may be cleared by the driver but the exterior mirror alert
indicator will remain illuminated.
Driving
311
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Trailer tow false alerts
When towing a trailer, the sensors may detect the trailer thus causing a
false alert. It may be desirable to turn the BLISoff if the false alerts
become annoying.
Day and night brightness
The BLISand/or CTA alert will automatically dim when the headlamp
switch is in PARK, ON, or AUTO ON and night time darkness has been
detected by the sun sensor.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:For important information regarding safe operation
of this type of vehicle, seePreparing to drive your vehiclein
this chapter.
Your vehicle is equipped with an intelligent 4WD system that
continuously monitors vehicle conditions and automatically adjusts the
power distribution between the front and rear wheels. It combines
transparent all-surface operation with highly capable four-wheel drive.
The 4WD system is always active and requires no driver input. It is
capable of handling all road conditions, including street and highway
driving as well as off-road and winter driving. The driver can optimize
the 4WD by moving the TMS switch for the correct terrain. SeeTerrain
managementlater in this chapter.
Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles
4WD vehicles are specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and have operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from some other vehicles. Your
vehicle may be higher to allow it to travel over rough terrain without
getting hung up or damaging underbody components.
The differences that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle
differently than an ordinary passenger car.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
Driving
313
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
9 10A 4” Radio display, Power liftgate
logic, Electronic finish panel,
SYNCBase Module
10 10A Run/accessory relay (wipers, rear
washer), Rain sensor
11 10A Instrument cluster, Heads-up
display
12 15A Interior courtesy lamps (overhead
console, 2nd row, cargo), Puddle
lamps, Console bin LED,
Backlighting
13 15A Right turn lamps, Right trailer tow
(TT) turn/stop lamps
14 15A Left turn lamps, Left TT turn/stop
lamps
15 15A Reverse lamps, Stop lamps,
High-mounted stop lamp
16 10A Low beam headlamps (right)
17 10A Low beam headlamps (left)
18 10A Keypad illumination, Brake shift
interlock (BSI), Start button run
indicator, Passive anti-theft
system (PATS), Powertrain
control module (PCM) wake-up,
Rear seat power enable
19 20A Memory seat power
20 20A Locks
21 10A Intelligent access (IA), Keypad
22 20A Horn relay
23 15A Steering wheel control module,
IA, Headlamp switch
24 15A Datalink connector, Steering
wheel control module
Roadside Emergencies
327
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
25 15A Liftgate release
26 5A Radio frequency module
27 20A IA module
28 15A Ignition switch, Push button start
29 20A Radio, 8” SYNCMulti-function
display screen, SYNCmodule,
Global positioning system module
30 15A Front park lamps
31 5A Trailer tow brake controller
32 15A 110V AC power point, Power
folding mirror, Power mirrors,
One touch up/down front
windows, Door lock illumination
33 10A Occupant classification sensor
34 10A Blind spot monitor, Rearview
camera, Reverse sensing system
35 5A Heads-up display, Climate control
humidity sensor, Terrain
management system, Hill descent
switch, Headlamp switch IGN
sense
36 10A Not used (spare)
37 10A Restraints control module
38 10A Auto-dimming rear view mirror,
Moon roof
39 15A High beam headlamps
40 10A Rear park lamps, License plate
lamps
41 7.5A Overdrive cancel, Tow/haul
42 5A Not used (spare)
43 10A Not used (spare)
44 10A Not used (spare)
Roadside Emergencies
328
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
18 40A** Front blower motor
19 30A** Starter motor
20 20A** Power point #1/cigar lighter
21 20A** Power point #3 (cargo area)
22 30A** 3rd row seat module
23 30A** Driver power seat, Memory module
24 30A** Trailer tow (TT) battery charge
25 — Not used
26 40A** Rear window defroster, Heated
mirrors
27 20A** Power point (console)
28 30A** Climate controlled seats
29 — Not used
30 — Not used
31 — Not used
32 — Auxiliary blower motor relay
33 — Not used
34 — Blower motor relay
35 — Not used
36 — Not used
37 — TT right stop/turn lamps relay
38 — TT back up relay
39 40A** Auxiliary blower motor
40 — Not used
41 — Not used
42 30A** Passenger seat
43 40A** ABS valves
44 — Rear washer relay
45 5A* Rain sensor
46 — Not used
47 — Not used
Roadside Emergencies
331
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
48 — Not used
49 — Not used
50 15A* Heated mirrors
51 — Not used
52 — Not used
53 — TT left stop/turn lamps relay
54 — Not used
55 — Wiper relay
56 15A* Transmission control module
57 20A* Left high-intensity discharge (HID)
headlamps
58 10A* Alternator sensor
59 10A* Brake on/off (BOO) switch
60 10A* TT back-up lamps
61 20A* 2nd row seat release
62 10A* A/C clutch
63 15A* TT stop/turn lamps
64 15A* Rear wipers
65 30A* Fuel pump
66 — Powertrain control module (PCM)
relay
67 20A* Vehicle power (VPWR) #2 (emission
related powertrain components)
68 15A* VPWR #4 (ignition coils)
69 15A* VPWR #1 (PCM)
70 10A* VPWR #3 (coil), All-wheel drive
module, A/C clutch
71 — Not used
72 — Not used
73 — Not used
74 — Not used
75 — Not used
Roadside Emergencies
332
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)