2012 FORD EXPLORER 4WD

Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
indicators work. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, refer to
the respective system warning light for additional information.
Note:Some warning lights are reconfigurable telltale (RTT) indicators.
These indicators display in the lower line of the message center near the
odometer reading. They function the same as a warning light but do not
display on startup.
Service engine soon:The service
engine soon indicator light
illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the on position to check
the bulb and to indicate whether the vehicle is ready for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing. Normally, the service engine soon
light will stay on until the engine is cranked, then turn itself off if no
malfunctions are present. However, if after 15 seconds the service engine
soon light blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not ready for
I/M testing. See theReadiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
testingin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the on-board
diagnostics system (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
On-board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and contact your authorized dealer
as soon as possible.
WARNING:Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel
system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
Powertrain malfunction/reduced
power (RTT):Illuminates when a
powertrain or an 4WD fault has
been detected. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Instrument Cluster
13
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

GAUGES
Base cluster shown in standard measure – metric similar
1.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.
2.Multifunction display:This displays the engine coolant temperature,
4WD gauge, odometer/trip meter and other vehicle features. This is also
used to configure different vehicle personalization options and display
the status of various vehicle functions. SeeBase message centerin this
chapter for more information.
32
4
5
4
3
2
1
07
F
E
6
km/h
80
60
40
20
0
20
0 40 60 80
100120140160180
200
220
100120140
MPH
1
Instrument Cluster
19
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

•Engine coolant temperature
gauge (if enabled):Indicates
engine coolant temperature. At
normal operating temperature,
the level indicator will be in the
normal range. The indicator will
change colors indicating blue for
cool, gray for normal and red for
hot. If the engine coolant
temperature exceeds the normal
range, stop the vehicle as soon as
safely possible, switch off the engine and let then engine cool.
The engine coolant temperature gauge can be enabled or disabled. See
Base message centerin this chapter for information on changing the
display settings.
•4WD gauge (if equipped and
enabled):D isplays power
distribution between the front
and rear wheels. More power to
either front or rear wheels will be
displayed by more area filled in.
Symbols indicate the current
terrain management mode that is
active.
SeeFour wheel drive (4wd) systemin theDrivingchapter for
information.
3.Speedometer:Indicates the current vehicle speed.
4.Fuel gauge:Indicates approximately how much fuel is left in the fuel
tank (when the ignition is in the on position). The fuel gauge may vary
slightly when the vehicle is in motion or on a grade. The fuel icon and
arrow indicates which side of the vehicle the fuel filler door is located.
H
C
Instrument Cluster
20
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Main menu
Scroll up/down to highlight one of the options, then press the right arrow
key or OK to enter into that menu option. Press the left arrow key as
needed to exit back to the main menu.
*Trip1or2
Trip Odometer – shows the accumulated trip distance.
Trip Timer – shows the elapsed trip time. This timer will stop when the
vehicle is turned off and will restart when the vehicle is restarted.
Distance to E – shows the approximate distance the vehicle can travel
before running out of fuel.
Inst Fuel Econ – shows instantaneous fuel usage.
Average Fuel – shows the average distance traveled per unit of fuel
used for a given trip.
Fuel Used – shows the amount of fuel used for a given trip.
Press and hold OK to reset the current trip, distance time, average MPG,
and fuel used.
*Note:Some items are optional and may not appear.
*Information
Intelligent 4WD – Indicates 4WD status.
MyKeyDistance (if MyKeyis programmed)
MyKeyInformation (number of MyKeysand admin keys
programmed)
Coolant Temperature – The indicator will change colors indicating: blue
for cool, gray for normal and red for hot. If the engine coolant
temperature exceeds the normal range, stop the vehicle as soon as
safely possible, switch off the engine and let the engine cool.
*Note:Some items are optional and may not appear.
Instrument Cluster
23
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Note:You can also choose to have only the fuel gauge show in this
mode. Refer toDisplay>Gauge Displayfound in the table under the
Settingssection later in this chapter.
Round analog tachometer +
Fuel gauge
For descriptions of the tachometer
and fuel gauge, see the description
listed previously.
Round analog tachometer +
Fuel gauge + Engine coolant
temperature gauge
For descriptions of the tachometer
and fuel gauge, see the description
listed previously.
•Engine coolant temperature
gauge: Indicates engine coolant
temperature. At normal operating
temperature, the level indicator
will be in the normal range. If the
engine coolant temperature exceeds the normal range, stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible, switch off the engine and let the
engine cool.
Intelligent 4WD (if equipped) +
other gauges
For a description of the other
gauges, see the descriptions listed
previously.
•Intelligent all-wheel drive: shows
the 4WD mode that the vehicle is
in. Refer toFour-Wheel Drive
(4WD) system and Terrain
managementin theDriving
chapter.
i
F
E
FH
C E
F6
4
RPM
1000+2
0
E
Intelligent 4WD
Instrument Cluster
29
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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.
Instrument Cluster
38
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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.
VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS
Four-wheel drive (4WD) system (if equipped)
A vehicle equipped with 4WD (when selected) has the ability to use all
four wheels to power itself. This increases traction which may enable you
to safely drive over terrain and road conditions that a conventional
two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
229
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Power is supplied to all four wheels through a transfer case or power
transfer unit. 4WD vehicles allow you to select different drive modes as
necessary. Information on transfer case operation and shifting procedures
can be found in theDrivingchapter. Information on transfer case
maintenance can be found in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. You should become thoroughly familiar with this information
before you operate your vehicle.
On some 4WD models, the initial shift from two-wheel drive to 4WD
while the vehicle is moving can cause a momentary clunk and ratcheting
sound. These sounds are normal as the front drivetrain comes up to
speed and is not cause for concern.
WARNING:Do not become overconfident in the ability of 4WD
vehicles. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate better than
two-wheel drive vehicle in low traction situations, it won’t stop any
faster than two-wheel drive vehicles. Always drive at a safe speed.
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
SUVs and trucks can differ from
some other vehicles in a few
noticeable ways. Your vehicle may
be:
•Higher – to allow higher load
carrying capacity and to allow it
to travel over rough terrain
without getting hung up or
damaging underbody components.
•Shorter – to give it the capability
to approach inclines and drive
over the crest of a hill without
getting hung up or damaging
underbody components. All other
things held equal, a shorter
wheelbase may make your vehicle
quicker to respond to steering inputs than a vehicle with a longer
wheelbase.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
230
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)