2012 FORD EXPLORER engine

Note:Do not do the following:
•Place heavy objects on the seat
•Operate the seat heater if water or any other liquid is spilled on the
seat. Allow the seat to dry thoroughly.
To operate the heated seats:
Press the heated seat symbol/button
to cycle through the various heat
settings and off. Warmer settings are
indicated by more indicator lights.
If the engine falls below 350 rpm while the heated seats are on, the
feature will turn itself off and will need to be reactivated.
Cooled seats
The cooled seats will only function when the engine is running.
To operate the cooled seats:
Press the cooled seat symbol/button
to cycle through the various cooling
settings and off. Cooler settings are
indicated by more indicator lights.
If the engine falls below 350 rpm while the cooled seats are on, the
feature will turn itself off and will need to be reactivated.
Note:When the heated/cooled front seat is active, you will be able to
hear the fan operating inside the seat. This is normal.
Climate controlled seats air filter replacement (if equipped)
The heated and cooled seat system includes air filters that must be
replaced periodically. Refer toScheduled maintenance information.
A/C
Seating and Safety Restraints
161
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING:While the design allows you to deactivate your
Belt-Minder, this system is designed to improve your chances of
being safely belted and surviving an accident. We recommend you
leave the Belt-Mindersystem activated for yourself and others who
may use the vehicle. To reduce the risk of injury, do not
deactivate/activate the Belt-Minderfeature while driving the vehicle.
1. Turn the ignition on. DO NOT START THE ENGINE.
2. Wait until the safety belt warning light turns off (Approximately one
minute).
3. Wait 10 seconds after the safety belt warning light turns off.
•Step 4 must be completed within 20 seconds after the completion of
Step 3.
4. For the seating position being disabled buckle then unbuckle the
safety belt three times at a moderate speed, ending in the unbuckled
state.
•After Step 4, the safety belt warning light will be turned on for three
seconds.
5. Within approximately seven seconds of the light turning off, buckle
then unbuckle the safety belt.
•This will disable the Belt-Minderfeature for that seating position if it
is currently enabled. As confirmation, the safety belt warning light will
flash four times per second for three seconds.
•This will enable the Belt-Minderfeature for that seating position if it
is currently disabled. As confirmation, the safety belt warning light will
flash four times per second for three seconds, followed by three
seconds with the light off, then followed by the safety belt warning
light flashing four times per second for three seconds again.
Seating and Safety Restraints
192
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

•Example only:
WARNING:Exceeding the Safety Compliance Certification Label
vehicle weight rating limits could result in substandard vehicle
handling or performance, engine, transmission and/or structural
damage, serious damage to the vehicle, loss of control and personal
injury.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
254
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with your vehicle may require the use of a trailer tow
option package. An optional Class III towing hitch is available and may be
required for your towing purposes.
Trailer towing puts additional loads on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. For your safety and to
maximize vehicle performance, be sure to use the proper equipment
while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing:
•Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least
1,000 miles (1,600 km).
•Consult your local motor vehicle laws for towing a trailer.
•Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the
proper installation and adjustment specifications.
•Thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing. Refer toPreparing to
towin this chapter.
•Stay within your vehicle’s load limits.
•Use extra caution when driving while trailer towing. Refer toDriving
while you towin this chapter.
•Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to
Special operating conditionsin your scheduled maintenance.
For load specification terms found on the label and instructions on
calculating your vehicle’s load, refer toVehicle loading - with and
without a trailerin this chapter when figuring the total weight of your
vehicle.
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the certification label.
WARNING:Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
258
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Engine/Passengers/Trailer Class Maximum
GCWR - lb
(kg)Maximum
Trailer Weight
- lb (kg)
FWD vehicles
2.0L/6–passenger/Class I 6810 (3089) 2000 (907)
2.0L/7–passenger/Class I 6820 (3094) 2000 (907)
3.5L/6–passenger/Class I 6870 (3116) 2000 (907)
3.5L/7–passenger/Class I 6880 (3121) 2000 (907)
3.5L/6–passenger/Class III 9910 (4495) 5000 (2268)*
3.5L/7–passenger/Class III 9920 (4500) 5000 (2268)*
4WD vehicles
3.5L/6–passenger/Class I 7050 (3199) 2000 (907)
3.5L/7–passenger/Class I 7060 (3202) 2000 (907)
3.5L/6–passenger/Class III 10125 (4594) 5000 (2268)
3.5L/7–passenger/Class III 10125 (4594) 5000 (2268)
*For towing trailers up to 3500 lb (1588 kg), use a weight-carrying
hitch and ball which uniformly spreads the trailer tongue loads through
the vehicle’s underbody structure. For towing trailers over 3500 lb
(1588 kg), up to 5000 lb (2268 kg), it is recommended to use a
weight-distributing hitch to increase front axle load while towing.
Trailer hitch cover
Your vehicle is equipped with a removable trailer hitch trim cover. To
remove the trim cover:
1. Loosen the two
14-turn fasteners
(A) in the bottom of the cover by
turning them counterclockwise. Pull
the cover rearward to remove it; the
fasteners will remain attached to the
cover.
AA
Tires, Wheels and Loading
259
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 miles
(800 km) of trailer towing and don’t make full-throttle starts.
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Activate the tow/haul feature or the grade assist feature on your
transmission to eliminate excessive transmission shifting and assist in
transmission cooling. For additional information, refer toAutomatic
transmission operationin theDrivingchapter.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached; anticipate
stops and brake gradually.
Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing-up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle-trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park).
•After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do
not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become
less effective.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
RECREATIONAL TOWING
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle for personal travel (such as behind a motor home or a
truck).
Note:Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to theClimate
Controlschapter for more information.
In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle, please refer to
Wrecker towingin theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
These guidelines are designed to prevent damage to your vehicle after it
is hooked-up to the RV or tow dolly.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
262
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehiclescan be towed with all four wheels
on the ground or with the front wheels off the ground by using a tow
dolly. If you are using a tow dolly follow the instructions specified by the
equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the ground,
refer to the towing instructions found at the end of this section.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) vehiclescan be towed with all four wheels
on the ground or with all four wheels off the ground using a vehicle
transport trailer.Do not tow your 4WD vehicle with the front
wheels off the ground (by using a tow dolly) and the rear wheels
on the ground; this will cause damage to your 4WD system.If you
are using a vehicle transport trailer, follow the instruction specified by
the equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the
ground, refer to the towing instructions found at the end of this section.
If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground:
•Tow only in the forward direction.
•Release the parking brake.
•Place the transmission shift lever in N (Neutral).
•Place the ignition in the accessory position (refer toStartingin the
Drivingchapter).
•Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h)
•Start the engine and allow it to run for five minutes at the beginning
of each day and every six hours thereafter. With the engine running
and your foot on the brake, shift into D (Drive) and then into R
(Reverse) before shifting back into N (Neutral).
Tires, Wheels and Loading
263
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

STARTING
Positions of the ignition (if equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with a push button start system, refer to
Push button start systemin this section for ignition modes.
1. Off— locks the gearshift lever
and allows key removal. This
position also shuts the engine and
all electrical accessories off.Note:
In order to switch off the engine
while the vehicle is in motion, shift
to neutral and use the brakes to
bring the vehicle to a safe stop.
After the vehicle has stopped, turn the engine off and shift into park.
Then, turn the key to the accessory or off position.
2. Accessory— allows the electrical accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not running.
3. On— all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
4. Start— cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Note:Do not store the key in the ignition after the vehicle is turned off
and you have left the vehicle. This could cause a drain on the battery.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system.
This system meets all Canadian interference-causing equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this chapter.
WARNING:Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other damage.
Driving
264
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)