Page 1 of 439
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)
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 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 55 of 439

Radio Display Condition Possible action
No Signal Loss of signal from
the SIRIUSsatellite
or SIRIUStower to
the vehicle antenna.The signal is currently
being blocked. When
you move into an open
area, the signal should
return.
Updating Update of channel
programming in
progress.No action required. The
process may take up to
three minutes.
Call SIRIUS
1–888–539–7474Satellite service has
been deactivated by
SIRIUSSatellite
Radio.Call SIRIUSat
1–888–539–7474 to
re-activate or resolve
subscription issues.
No Channels Available All the channels in
the selected category
are skipped or locked.Using the channel
guide, unlock or unskip
the channels.
Subscription Updated SIRIUShas updated
the channels available
for your vehicle.No action required.
Playing a disc
Press CD to access the disc screen. From this screen you can:
•Press
/to access the
previous/next track.
•Press
/to play/pause a
track.
•Select the Repeat soft key to
repeat the current song.
•Select the Shuffle soft key to shuffle the songs on the current disc.
CD Options
Press MENU > CD Options to access:
•Scan All:Press to hear a brief selection of all tracks on the current
disc.
•Scan Folder:Available when playing an MP3 disc. Select for a brief
sampling of all the music in the current folder.
Entertainment Systems
55
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 76 of 439

5. Locate the vertical adjuster for
each headlamp. Using a Phillips #2
screwdriver, turn the adjuster
control either clockwise (to adjust
down) or counterclockwise (to
adjust up).
Note:HORIZONTAL AIMING IS
NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS
VEHICLE AND IS
NON-ADJUSTABLE.
TURN SIGNAL CONTROL
The turn signal lever does not mechanically lock in the upward or
downward position when activated. The turn signal control activation and
cancellation is electronic.
•To operate the left turn signal,
push the lever down until it stops
and release.
•To operate the right turn signal,
push the lever up until it stops
and release.
•To manually cancel turn signal operation, push the lever again in
either direction.
Lane change
To indicate a left or right lane change:
•Push the lever up/down to the first stop position and release. The turn
signals will flash three times and stop.
•Push the lever up/down to the first stop position and hold. The turn
signals will flash for as long as the lever is held in this position.
Lights
76
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 81 of 439
Replacing HID headlamp bulbs (if equipped)
The headlamps on your vehicle use a “high intensity discharge” source.
These lamps operate at a high voltage. When the bulb is burned out, the
bulb and starter capsule assembly must be replaced by your authorized
dealer.
Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal bulbs
1. Make sure that the headlamp
control is in the off position.
2. Open the hood.
3. Remove the hood overslam
bumper tower to service park/turn
bulb (if needed).
4. Rotate the bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove it
from the lamp assembly.
Lights
81
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 97 of 439

Note:10 or more switch activations within one minute, or repeated
folding/unfolding of the mirrors while holding the button down during
full travel, may cause the system to disable the fold/unfold function to
protect motors from overheating. Should this occur, wait approximately
three minutes with the vehicle running and up to 10 minutes with the
vehicle off, for the system to reset and for function to return to normal.
Signal indicator mirrors (if equipped)
When the turn signal is activated, the outer portion of the appropriate
mirror housing will blink. This provides an additional warning to other
drivers that your vehicle is about to turn.
Blind spot mirrors (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with blind spot mirrors or a blind spot
information system. Refer toBlind spot mirrorsorBlind spot
information system (BLIS) with cross traffic alert (CTA)in the
Drivingchapter.
POWER ADJUSTABLE FOOT PEDALS (IF EQUIPPED)
The accelerator and brake pedal
should only be adjusted when the
vehicle is stopped and the gearshift
lever is in the P (Park) position.
The control is located on the left
side of the steering column. Press
and hold the rear of the control to
move the pedals toward you. Press
and hold the front of the control to
move the pedals away from you.
WARNING:Never adjust the accelerator and brake pedal with
feet on the pedals while the vehicle is moving.
The accelerator and brake pedal positions are saved when doing a
memory set function and can be recalled along with the vehicle
personality features when a memory position is selected. Refer to
Memory featurein theSeating and Safety Restraintschapter.
Driver Controls
97
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 138 of 439

To lock the doors, press and hold for half a second the lock area (black
button) on either front door handle.
Activating intelligent access at the liftgate:If your IA key is within
3 feet (1 meter) of the liftgate, you can activate your intelligent access
system by pressing the exterior liftgate release button, hidden in the
handle below the license plate. The liftgate will release and open.
Push button start:The push button start system allows you to start
your vehicle without using a key. Refer toPush button start systemin
theDrivingchapter.
Unlocking the doors/two-stage unlock
1. Pressand release to unlock the driver’s door.
Note:The interior lamps and turn signal lamps will illuminate.
2. Press
and release again within three seconds to unlock all the
doors. The turn signals will flash.
The remote entry system activates the illuminated entry feature; this
feature turns on the lamps for 25 seconds or until the ignition is turned
on.
The battery saver feature will turn off the lamps 10 minutes after the
ignition is turned off.
Two-stage unlocking may be disabled or enabled by simultaneously
pressing the
andcontrols on the transmitter for four seconds
(disabling two stage unlock allows all vehicle doors to unlock
simultaneously). The turn signal lamps will illuminate twice to indicate
that two-stage unlock was enabled or disabled. The unlocking mode will
be applied to remote entry, keyless entry and intelligent access (if
equipped).
Two-stage unlocking may also be disabled or enabled through the
message center if this is an available message center option or by your
authorized dealer. Refer toMessage centerin theInstrument Cluster
chapter.
If equipped with an IA key, when two-stage unlocking is disabled,
intelligent access at the driver’s door results in an unlock of all doors
(not just the driver door).
Locking the doors
1. Pressand release to lock all the doors. The turn signal lamps will
illuminate.
Locks and Security
138
2012 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)