2012 FORD EXPLORER lights

Introduction 4
Instrument Cluster 12
Warning lights and chimes 12
Gauges 19
Message center 22
Entertainment Systems 48
MyFord™ system 48
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) 57
USB port 58
SYNC59
Climate Controls 60
Manual heating and air conditioning 60
Automatic temperature control 63
Auxiliary passenger climate control 68
Rear window defroster 68
Lights 71
Headlamps 71
Turn signal control 76
Bulb replacement 78
Driver Controls 86
Windshield wiper/washer control 86
Steering wheel adjustment 88
Power windows 93
Mirrors 94
Speed control 98
Adaptive cruise control 100
Moon roof 110
Locks and Security 126
Keys 126
Locks 133
Anti-theft system 148
Table of Contents
1
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Base instrument cluster with standard measure shown; metric
similar
Optional instrument cluster with standard measure shown; metric
similar
Warning lights can alert you to a vehicle condition that may become
serious enough to cause extensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
km/h
80
60
40
20
0
20
0 40 60 80
100120140160180
200
220
100120
140
MPH
5
4
3
2
1
07
F
E
6
OFF
OFF
km/h20
0 40 60 80
100120140160180
200
80
60
40
20
0 100120140
MPH
Instrument Cluster
12
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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)

Liftgate ajar (RTT):Displays
when the ignition is in the on
position and the trunk is open.
Low washer fluid (RTT):
Illuminates when the windshield
washer fluid is low.
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams:Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Fog lamps:Illuminates when the
fog lamps are turned on.
Grade assist (RTT) (if
equipped):Illuminates when grade
assist is turned on.
Transmission Tow/Haul Feature
(RTT) (if equipped):Displays
when the Tow/Haul feature has been
activated. Refer to theDriving
chapter for transmission function and operation. If the light flashes
steadily, have the system serviced immediately, damage to the
transmission could occur.
Instrument Cluster
17
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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.
Instrument Cluster
18
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

•Set Category:Select to choose a specific music category in FM
mode. You can then search for stations only playing this kind of music.
Note:RBDS/RDS text must be turn on before “Set Category” will
appear.
•RBDS/RDS Text:Select to turn Radio Broadcast Digital Signal text
on to view additional broadcast data.Note:This feature defaults to
off, but it must be turned on in order for you to choose and set a
category. When this feature is activated, all of your text will scroll on
one line. To see all of your text, press the Info soft key.
Radio reception factors:
There are three factors that can affect radio reception:
•Distance/strength: The further you travel from an FM station, the
weaker the signal and the weaker the reception.
•Terrain: Hills, mountains, tall buildings, power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms can interfere with your reception.
•Station overload: When you pass a broadcast tower, a stronger signal
may overtake a weaker one and play while the weak station frequency
is displayed.
SIRIUSsatellite radio (if equipped)
Press SIRIUS to access the satellite radio screen. From this screen you
can:
•Press SIRIUS repeatedly to cycle
between SAT1, SAT2 and SAT3
presets.
•Select the ‘Direct’ soft key to
enter the channel you desire via
the on 0–9 keypad. Enter in the
number of the desired satellite
radio channel and press Enter for
quick access.
•Select the ‘Info’ soft key to view
additional information about the current channel.
•Press
/to seek to the previous/next channel within the
selected category.
•To save a channel as a preset, acquire the desired channel and then
press and hold the desired memory preset (0–9). A pop-up screen will
confirm when it is saved.
Entertainment Systems
51
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Turns the lamps off.
Turns on the parking
lamps, instrument panel lamps,
license plate lamps and tail lamps.
Turns the headlamps on.
Autolamp control (if equipped)
The autolamp system provides light
sensitive automatic on-off control of
the exterior lights normally
controlled by the headlamp control.
•To turn autolamps on, rotate the
control to
.
•To turn autolamps off, rotate the
control from the autolamp
position.
The autolamp system also keeps the
lights on for a predetermined amount of time after the ignition switch is
turned to off. You can change the amount of time the lamps stay on by
using the programming procedure that follows:
Note:If the vehicle is equipped with autolamps, it will have the
headlamps on with windshield wipers feature.If the windshield
wipers are turned on, the exterior lamps will turn on with the headlamp
control in the autolamp position.
Autolamp delay system (if equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with autolamps, you can set the delay time to
keep the headlights on for up to three minutes after the key is turned
off. The delay time is set to 20 seconds at the factory, but the delay time
may be changed by following the steps below (Steps 1 through 6 must
be done within 10 seconds):
1. Turn the vehicle off.
A
A
Lights
71
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

2. Rotate the headlamp control to the autolamp position.
3. Rotate the headlamp control to the off position.
4. Turn the vehicle on.
5. Turn the vehicle off.
6. Turn the headlamp control to the autolamp position (the headlights
should turn on).
7. Turn the headlamp control to the off position when the desired delay
time (up to three minutes) has been reached.
Fog lamp control
The fog lamps will only operate with
the parking lamps or headlamps
activated.
•Press the top of the control,
located on the instrument panel,
to activate the fog lamps.
•Press the top of the control again
to deactivate the fog lamps
Note:The fog lamps will not
operate if the high beams are
activated.
Note:The fog lamp indicator will illuminate when the fog lamps are
activated.
High beams
Pull the lever fully past the detent
to activate. Pull the lever fully again
to deactivate.
Lights
72
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)