D (Drive) with Overdrive
The normal driving position for the best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through six.
The automatic transmission shift strategy has the ability to detect hilly
terrain or mountainous areas and will provide a limited amount of grade
assist features automatically. Refer to D (Drive) with Grade assist or
SelectShift for more information.
D (Drive) with Tow on
Press theTOWswitch located on the instrument panel by the headlamp
control to activate tow. TheTOW/HAULmessage will illuminate in the
instrument cluster.
The tow feature improves transmission operation when towing a trailer or
a heavy load. All transmission gear ranges are available when using tow.
The tow feature delays upshifts to reduce frequency of transmission
shifting. Tow also provides engine braking in all forward gears when the
transmission is in the D (Overdrive) position. This engine braking will
slow the vehicle and assist the driver in controlling the vehicle when
descending a grade. Depending on driving conditions and load conditions,
the transmission may downshift, slow the vehicle and control the vehicle
speed when descending a hill, without the accelerator pedal being
pressed. The amount of downshift braking provided will vary based upon
the amount the brake pedal is depressed.
Press theTOWbutton to deactivate the tow feature and return to
normal driving mode. The tow light will no longer be illuminated.
When you shut-off and restart the engine, the transmission will
automatically return to normal D (Overdrive) mode (tow off).
D (Drive) with Grade Assist
Press the transmission control switch on the
side of the gearshift lever to activate grade
assist and cancel overdrive.
PRNDL
Transmission221
2013 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Grade assist:
•Provides additional grade (engine) braking and extends lower
gear operation on uphill climbs for hilly terrain or
mountainous areas.
•Provides additional engine braking through the automatic transmission
shift strategy which reacts to vehicle inputs (vehicle acceleration,
accelerator pedal, brake pedal and vehicle speed).
•Allows the transmission to select gears that will provide the desired
engine braking based on the vehicle inputs mentioned above. This will
increase engine RPM during engine braking.
•The grade assist lamp in the instrument cluster is illuminated.
Grade assist is designed to aid the driver with optimal gear selection in hilly
terrain or mountainous areas but is not intended for normal operation. It is
recommended that you return to O/D (overdrive mode) on flat terrain to
provide the best fuel economy and transmission function.
Press the transmission control switch again to return to normal D (Drive)
position (with O/D).
•The grade assist lamp in the instrument cluster will not be illuminated.
•The transmission will operate in gears one through six.
L (Low)
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•Will downshift to the lowest available gear for the current vehicle
speed; allows for first gear when vehicle reaches slower speeds.
•Is not intended for use under extended or normal driving co nditions
and results in lower fuel economy.
M (Manual) (if equipped)
Moving the gearshift lever to M (Manual):
•
Provides additional grade (engine) braking and extends lower gear
operation to enhance performance for uphill climbs, hilly terrain or
mountainous areas. This will increase engine RPM during engine braking.
•Provides additional lower gear operation through the automatic
transmission shift strategy which reacts to vehicle inputs (vehicle
acceleration, accelerator pedal, brake pedal and vehicle speed).
•Gears are selected more quickly and at higher engine speeds.
Note:The system will stay in M (Manual) until the gear shift lever is
moved into another gear for example P (park) or D (Drive).
222Transmission
2013 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
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)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Note:Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous
grinding or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be
worn-out and should be inspected by an authorized dealer. If the vehicle
has continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
the vehicle should be inspected by an authorized dealer.
Note:Brake dust may accumulate on the wheels, even under normal
driving conditions. Some dust is inevitable as the brakes wear and does
not contribute to brake noise. Refer to theVehicle Carechapter for
wheel cleaning instructions.
Refer to theInstrument Clusterchapter for information on the
brake system warning light.
Wet brakes result in reduced braking efficiency. Gently press the brake
pedal a few times when driving from a car wash or standing water to dry
the brakes.
Brake Over Accelerator
In the event the accelerator pedal becomes stuck or entrapped, apply
steady and firm pressure to the brake pedal to slow the vehicle and
reduce engine power. If you experience this condition, apply the brakes
and bring your vehicle to a safe stop. Turn the engine off, shift to P
(Park) and apply the parking brake, and then inspect the accelerator
pedal for any interferences. If none are found and the condition persists,
have your vehicle towed to the nearest authorized dealer.
Emergency Brake Assist
Emergency brake assist detects when you brake heavily by measuring the
rate at which you press the brake pedal. It provides maximum braking
efficiency as long as you press the pedal. Emergency brake assist can
reduce stopping distances in critical situations.
234Brakes
2013 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
To enable hill descent control and set the descent speed, do the
following:
1. Press and release the hill descent button located in the
center of the terrain management control. A light in the
control will illuminate and chime will sound when this feature
is activated.
2. To increase descent speed, press the accelerator pedal until the
desired speed is reached. To decrease descent speed, press the brake
pedal until the desired speed is reached.
Whether accelerating or decelerating, once the desired descent speed is
reached, remove your feet from the pedals and the chosen vehicle speed
will be maintained.
Note:Noise from the ABS pump motor may be observed during hill
descent control operation. This is a normal characteristic of the ABS and
should be no reason for concern.
Hill descent modes
•At speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h): When the HDC button is pressed
and HDC is active, HILL DESCENT CONTROL ACTIVE will appear in
the message center for several seconds.
•At speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h): When the HDC button is pressed
and conditions are not correct for hill descent activation, the HDC
system will be enabled, the light on the button will be on solid and
HILL DESCENT CONTROL READY will be displayed in the message
center for several seconds.
•At speeds above 20 mph (32 km/h): When the HDC button is pressed,
the HDC system will be enabled, the light on the button will be
illuminated, and FOR HILL CNTRL, 20 MPH OR LESS will be
displayed in the message center for several seconds.
•For HDC to enable, the vehicle must be in a drive gear or (R) Reverse.
If the vehicle is in P (Park) or N (Neutral) and the HDC button is
pressed, FOR HILL CNTRL, SELECT GEAR will be displayed in the
message center for several seconds.
Refer toWarning lamps and indicatorsin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for hill descent control messages.
Terrain Response241
2013 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
Cruise control lets you maintain a set speed without keeping your foot on
the accelerator pedal.
USING CRUISE CONTROL
WARNING:Do not use cruise control in heavy traffic or on roads
that are winding, slippery or unpaved.
Note:Vehicle speed may vary momentarily when driving up or down a
steep hill. Apply the brakes if the vehicle speed increases above the set
speed while driving downhill.
Note:Cruise control will disengage if the vehicle speed decreases more
than 10 mph (16 km/h) below your set speed while driving uphill.
The cruise controls are located on
the steering wheel.
Switching On Cruise Control
Press the ON control up and release.
The indicator will turn on in the instrument cluster.
Setting a Speed
1. Accelerate to the desired speed.
2. Press the SET control upward and release.
3. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
The indicator will change colors in the instrument cluster.
Changing the Set Speed
•Press SET up or down and hold to increase or decrease the set speed.
Release the control when you reach the desired speed.
•Press SET up or down and release. The set speed will change in
approximately 1 mph (2 km/h) increments.
•Press the accelerator pedal or brake pedal until you reach the desired
speed. Press SET up and release.
Cruise Control253
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)
System Settings
The system has three optional setting menus available. To view or adjust
them, select Settings > Vehicle Settings > Driver Assist > Lane Keeping
Sys in the left-hand instrument cluster display using the OK button on
the steering wheel. The last-known selection for each of these settings is
stored by the system. You do not need to readjust your settings each
time you turn on the system.
Mode:This setting allows the driver to select which of the system
features will be enabled and turned on when the button is pressed.
•Alert only – Provides a steering wheel vibration when an unintended
lane departure is detected.
•Aid only – Provides a steering input toward the lane center when an
unintended lane departure is detected.
•Alert + Aid
Sensitivity:This setting affects where in the lane a warning is provided
(e.g. the increased sensitivity setting will move the warning zones in
closer). This setting does not impact the aid mode.
•Normal
•Increased
Intensity:This setting affects the intensity of the steering wheel vibration
used for the alert mode. This setting does not impact the aid mode.
•Low
•Medium
•High
System Display
When the system is turned on, an overhead graphic of a vehicle
with lane markings will be displayed in the left-hand instrument
cluster display. If the aid mode is selected when the system is
turned on, a separate white icon will also appear in the instrument cluster.
When the system is turned off, the lane marking graphics will not be
displayed.
Note:The overhead vehicle graphic may still be displayed if adaptive
cruise control is enabled.
Driving Aids265
2013 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)