Page 2 of 439
Seating and Safety Restraints 154
Seating 154
Personal Safety System™ 176
Safety belt system 179
Front safety belt height adjustment 187
Airbags 193
Child restraints 207
Tires, Wheels and Loading 229
Tire information 231
Tire inflation 234
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 246
Vehicle loading 251
Trailer towing 258
Recreational towing 262
Driving 264
Starting 264
Brakes 272
AdvanceTrac275
Hill descent control 280
Transmission operation 285
Reverse sensing system 291
Rear-view camera system 293
Roadside Emergencies 322
Getting roadside assistance 322
Hazard flasher control 323
Fuel pump shut-off 324
Fuses and relays 324
Changing tires 334
Wheel lug nut torque 342
Jump starting 343
Wrecker towing 346
Table of Contents
2
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 5 of 439

Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste, cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
CALIFORNIA Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING:Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and
certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known
to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
PERCHLORATE MATERIAL
Certain components of this vehicle such as airbag modules, safety belt
pretensioners, and button cell batteries may contain Perchlorate Material
– Special handling may apply for service or vehicle end of life disposal.
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle at least 1,000 miles (1,600 km) before towing a
trailer. For more detailed information about towing a trailer, refer to
Trailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Introduction
5
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 17 of 439
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)
Page 24 of 439
*Settings
Driver Assist Traction Ctrl
Blind Spot
Collision Warning Sensitivity (if
MyKey is
programmed)High, Normal or
Low
Chimes (not selectable if using a
MyKey)
Warning (not selectable if using a
MyKey)
Cross Traffic
Rear Park Aid
Trailer Sway
Display Language English, Español or Français
Units Distance Miles and Gal, or
Km and Liters
Temperature Fahrenheit (°F)
or Celsius (°C)
Convenience Autolamp Delay Off or number of seconds
DTE Calculation Normal or Towing
Instrument Cluster
24
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 33 of 439

It is important to reset fuel economy after setting the speed control to
get accurate highway fuel economy readings.
For more information refer toEssentials of good fuel economyin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter.
Settings/Vehicle Settings
In this mode, you can configure different driver setting choices. Press
the right arrow key (when in the Settings menu) to reach the listed
modes below:
Note:Some items are optional and may not appear.
Driver Assist
Traction Ctrl On / Off
Blind Spot On (default on key cycle) / Off
Collision Warning Sensitivity High / Normal / Low
Chimes On (default on key cycle) / Off
Warn On (default on key cycle) / Off
Cross Traffic On (default on key cycle) / Off
Cruise Control Adaptive or Normal
Rear Park Aid On (default on key cycle) / Off
Trailer Sway On (default on key cycle) / Off
Vehicle
Autolamp Delay Off, 10 / 20 (default setting) / 30 / 60 / 90 / 120 /
180 seconds
Easy Entry/Exit On / Off
Fuel DTE Calculation Normal or Towing
Locks Autolock, On / Off
Autounlock On / Off
Remote
UnlockingAll doors / Driver’s door
Menu Control Standard / Memory On
Oil Life Reset Set to 10–100%
Power Liftgate Enable / Disable
Instrument Cluster
33
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 43 of 439

Maintenance
MessagesAction / Description
LOW ENGINE OIL
PRESSUREStop the vehicle as soon as safely possible,
turn off the engine. Check the oil level. See
Checking the engine oilin theMaintenance
and Specificationschapter. If the warning
stays on or continues to come on with your
engine running, contact your authorized dealer
as soon as possible.
CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOONDisplayed when the engine oil life remaining is
10% or less.
OIL CHANGE
REQUIREDDisplayed when the oil life left reaches 0%.
ENGINE COOLANT
OVER TEMPDisplayed when the engine coolant
temperature is excessively high.
WASHER FLUID
LEVEL LOWIndicates the washer fluid reservoir is less than
one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level.
Refer toWindshield washer fluidin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter.
POWER STEERING
ASSIST FAULTThe power steering system has disabled power
steering assist due to a system error, service is
required.
SERVICE POWER
STEERINGThe power steering system has detected a
condition that requires service.
SERVICE POWER
STEERING NOWThe power steering system has detected a
condition within the power steering system
that requires service immediately.
STEERING
MALFUNCTION
SERVICE NOWContact your authorized dealer.
Instrument Cluster
43
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 51 of 439

•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)
Page 54 of 439

•Station overload: When you pass a ground based broadcast repeating
tower, a stronger signal may overtake a weaker one and result in an
audio mute.
You will hear an audio mute when there is a satellite radio signal
interference. Your display may showAcquiring...to indicate the
interference.
Satellite radio electronic serial number (ESN):You will need your
ESN to activate, modify or track your satellite radio account. The ESN is
found on the System Information Screen (SR ESN:XXXXXXXXXXXX).
To access your ESN, press MENU > SIRIUS >Show ESN or tune to
channel 0.
Note:SIRIUSreserves the unrestricted right to change, rearrange, add
or delete programming including canceling, moving or adding particular
channels, and its prices, at any time, with or without notice to you. Ford
Motor Company shall not be responsible for any such programming
changes.
Troubleshooting tips
Radio Display Condition Possible action
Acquiring Radio requires more
than two seconds to
produce audio for the
selected channel.No action required.
This message should
disappear shortly.
SIRIUSsystem
failureInternal module or
system failure
present.If this message does
not clear within shortly,
or with an ignition key
cycle, your receiver
may have a fault. See
your authorized dealer
for service.
Invalid Channel Channel no longer
available.Tune to another
channel or choose
another preset.
Unsubscribed Channel Subscription not
available for this
channel.Contact SIRIUSat
1–888–539–7474 to
subscribe to the
channel, or tune to
another channel.
Entertainment Systems
54
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)