
SelectShift Automatic™ Transmission
Note:Your transmission must be in M (Manual) for SelectShift to
operate properly.
Your SelectShift automatic transmission gives you the ability to manually
change gears if you’d like. To use SelectShift, move the gearshift lever
into M (Manual). Now you can use the thumb toggle on the side of your
gearshift lever to select gears.
When using the toggle for manual
shifting:
•Press (+) on the toggle to
upshift.
•Press (–) on the toggle to
downshift.
Upshift to the recommended shift speeds according to the following
chart.
Upshifts when accelerating
(recommended for best fuel economy)
Shift from:
1 - 2 15 mph (24 km/h)
2 - 3 25 mph (40 km/h)
3 - 4 40 mph (64 km/h)
4 - 5 45 mph (72 km/h)
5 - 6 50 mph (80 km/h)
The instrument cluster will show the current selected gear you are in.
SelectShift will automatically make some downshifts for you if it has
determined that you have not downshifted in time. Although SelectShift
will make some downshifts for you, it will still allow you to downshift at
any time as long as SelectShift determines that the engine will not be
damaged from over-revving.
Note:If manual control is no longer desired, you must return the gear
shift lever from M (Manual) to D (Drive).
Note:Engine damage may occur if excessive engine revving is held
without shifting.
Transmission223
2013 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

How Utility Vehicles Differ from Other Vehicles
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from some other vehicles. Your
vehicle may be higher to allow it to travel over rough terrain without
getting hung up or damaging underbody components.
The differences that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle
differently than an ordinary passenger car.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. To maintain
steering and braking control of your vehicle, you must have all four
wheels on the ground and they must be rolling, not sliding or spinning.
DRIVING IN SPECIAL CONDITIONS WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD)
Note:4WD vehicles are specially equipped for driving on sand, snow,
mud and rough terrain and have operating characteristics that are
somewhat different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from some other vehicles. Your
vehicle may be higher to allow it to travel over rough terrain without
getting hung up or damaging underbody components. The differences
that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle differently than
an ordinary passenger car. Maintain steering wheel control at all times,
especially in rough terrain. Since sudden changes in terrain can result in
abrupt steering wheel motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel
from the outside. Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from
concealed objects such as rocks and stumps. You should either know the
terrain or examine maps of the area before driving. Map out your route
before driving in the area. To maintain steering and braking control of
your vehicle, you must have all four wheels on the ground and they must
be rolling, not sliding or spinning.
Basic Operating Principles in Special Conditions
•Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
•Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by
loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.
228Four-Wheel Drive
2013 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

If the system becomes inoperable, selecting some modes may not be
possible and a message is displayed. If it becomes inoperable due to a
system malfunction, all of the mode indicators on the control turn off and
one of the following messages appears in the information display:
TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT:Cycling the key may
clear the fault. If key cycling does not work, have the system serviced by
an authorized dealer.
MODE CHANGE NOT ACCEPTED, RETRY:A mode change cannot
be made at the time of driver request. Try the mode change again.
HILL DESCENT CONTROL™ (if equipped)
WARNING:Hill descent control cannot control descent in all
surface conditions and circumstances, such as ice or extremely
steep grades. Hill descent control is a driver assist system and cannot
substitute for good judgment by the driver. Failure to do so may result
in loss of vehicle control, crash or serious injury.
WARNING:Hill descent control does not provide hill hold at
zero mph (0 km/h). When stopped, the parking brake must be
applied and/or the vehicle must be placed in P (Park) or it may roll
away.
Hill descent control allows the driver to set and maintain vehicle speed
while descending steep grades in various surface conditions.
Hill descent control can maintain vehicle speeds on downhill grades
between 3 mph (5 km/h) and 20 mph (32 km/h). Above 20 mph
(32 km/h), the system remains armed, but descent speed cannot be set
or maintained.
Hill descent control requires a cooling down interval after a period of
sustained use. The amount of time that the feature can remain active
before cooling varies with conditions. The system will provide a warning
in the message center and a chime will sound when the system is about
to disengage for cooling. At this time, manually apply the brakes as
needed to maintain descent speed.
240Terrain Response
2013 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
![FORD EXPLORER 2013 5.G Owners Manual The system does not position the vehicle where I want in the
space
The vehicle is rolling in the opposite direction of the transmission (i.e.
rolling forward when R [Reverse] is selected)
The transmis FORD EXPLORER 2013 5.G Owners Manual The system does not position the vehicle where I want in the
space
The vehicle is rolling in the opposite direction of the transmission (i.e.
rolling forward when R [Reverse] is selected)
The transmis](/manual-img/11/4943/w960_4943-247.png)
The system does not position the vehicle where I want in the
space
The vehicle is rolling in the opposite direction of the transmission (i.e.
rolling forward when R [Reverse] is selected)
The transmission is in R (Reverse); the vehicle must be moving forward
to detect a parking space
An irregular curb along the parking space prevents the system from
aligning the vehicle properly
Vehicles or objects bordering the space may not be positioned correctly
The vehicle was pulled too far past the parking space. The system
performs best when you drive the same distance past the parking space
The tires may not be installed or maintained correctly (i.e. not inflated
correctly, improper size, or of different sizes)
A repair or alteration has changed detection capabilities
A parked vehicle has a high attachment (i.e. salt sprayer, snowplow,
moving truck bed, etc.)
The parking space length or position of parked objects changed after
your vehicle passed
The temperature around your vehicle changes quickly (i.e. driving from
a heated garage into the cold, or after leaving a car wash)
REAR VIEW CAMERA SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:The rear view camera system is a reverse aid
supplement device that still requires the driver to use it in
conjunction with the interior and exterior mirrors for maximum
coverage.
WARNING:Objects that are close to either corner of the bumper
or under the bumper, might not be seen on the screen due to the
limited coverage of the camera system.
WARNING:Back up as slow as possible since higher speeds
might limit your reaction time to stop the vehicle.
248Parking Aids
2013 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Changing the Set Speed
There are three ways to change the set speed:
•Accelerate or brake to the desired speed and press SET upward and
release.
•Increase or decrease the speed by holding SET upward or downward
until the desired set speed is shown on the information display. The
vehicle speed will gradually change to the selected speed.
•Increase or decrease the speed in increments of 1 mph (2 km/h) by
briefly pressing the SET upward or downward.
The system may apply the brakes to slow the vehicle down to the new
set speed. The set speed will display continuously in the information
display while the system is active.
Resuming the Set Speed
Note:Resume should only be used if the driver is aware of the set speed
and intends to return to it.
Press and release RES/CNCL. The vehicle will return to the previously
set speed. The set speed will display continuously in the information
display while the system is active.
Low Speed Automatic Cancellation
The system is not functional at vehicle speeds below 16 mph (26 km/h).
An audible alarm will sound and the automatic braking will be released if
the vehicle drops below this speed.
Hilly Condition Usage
Note:An audible alarm will sound and the system will shut down if it is
applying brakes for an extended period of time. This allows the brakes to
cool down. The system will function normally again when the brakes
have cooled down.
You should select a lower gear position when the system is active in
situations such as prolonged downhill driving on steep grades (i.e.,
driving in mountainous areas). Additional engine braking is needed in
these situations to reduce the load on the vehicle’s regular brake system
to prevent them from overheating.
Switching Off Adaptive Cruise Control
Note:The set speed memory is erased when you turn off the system.
Press and release OFF or turn off the ignition.
258Cruise Control
2013 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Cause Action
Swirling water, or snow or ice on
the surface of the road may
interfere with the radar signalsDo not use ACC in these condition
because it may not detect, warn,
or respond to potential collisions.
Desert / remote area with no other
vehicles and no roadside objectsWait a short time or switch to
normal cruise control.
Due to the nature of radar technology, it is possible to get a blockage
warning and not be blocked. This can happen, for example, when driving
in sparse rural or desert environments. A false blocked condition will
either self clear or clear after a key cycle.
Switching to Normal Cruise Control
WARNING:Normal cruise control will not brake due to slower
vehicles. Always be aware of which mode is selected and apply
the brakes when necessary.
You can manually change from adaptive cruise control to normal cruise
control through the information display.
The cruise control indicator light will replace the adaptive
cruise control indicator light if normal cruise control is selected.
The gap setting will not be displayed, the system will not
automatically respond to lead vehicles and automatic braking will not be
activated. The system will default to adaptive cruise control when the
engine is started.
Cruise Control261
2013 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

LANE KEEPING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:The system is designed to aid the driver. It is not
intended to replace the driver’s attention and judgment. The
driver is still responsible to drive with due care and attention.
The system detects unintentional drifting toward the outside of the lane
and alerts and/or aids the driver to stay in the lane through the steering
system and instrument cluster display. The system automatically detects
and tracks the road lane markings using a camera that is mounted behind
the interior rear view mirror.
Note:The system needs to be activated by the driver at each key cycle.
Note:The system works above 40 mph (64 km/h).
Note:The system works as long as one lane marking can be detected by
the camera.
Note:If the camera is blocked or if the windshield is damaged, the
system may not function.
Note:When Aid mode is on and the driver’s hands are off the steering
wheel for a short continuous period of time, the system alerts the driver
to put their hands on the steering wheel. The system may detect a light
grip/touch on the steering wheel as hands off driving. SeeSystem
settings.
Switching the System On and Off
To turn the system on, the button
must be pressed each time the
vehicle is started. The system can
be turned off by pressing the button
again.
Note:The system is defaulted to off
each time the vehicle is started,
unless a MyKeyis detected. If a
MyKeyis detected, the system is
defaulted to on.
Note:If a MyKeyis detected, pressing the button will not affect the
on/off status of the system. Only the Mode, Sensitivity and Intensity
settings can be changed when a MyKeyis present.
264Driving Aids
2013 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

While the system is on, the color of the lane markings will change to
indicate the system status.
Gray: Indicates that the system is temporarily unable to provide a
warning or intervention on the indicated side(s). This may be because:
•the vehicle is under the activation speed
•the turn indicator is active
•the vehicle is in a dynamic maneuver
•the road has no or poor lane markings in the camera field-of-view
•the camera is obscured or unable to detect the lane markings due to
environmental conditions (e.g. significant sun angles or shadows, snow,
heavy rain, fog), traffic conditions (e.g. following a large vehicle that is
blocking or shadowing the lane), or vehicle conditions (e.g. poor
headlamp illumination).
SeeTroubleshootingfor additional information.
Green: Indicates that the system is available or ready to provide a
warning or intervention, on the indicated side(s).
Yellow: Indicates that the system is providing or has just provided a lane
keeping aid intervention.
Red: Indicates that the system is providing or has just provided a lane
keeping alert warning.
The system can be temporarily suppressed at any time by the following:
•Pressing the button
•Quick braking
•Fast acceleration
•Using the turn signal indicator
•Evasive steering maneuver
266Driving Aids
2013 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)