2014 FORD EXPLORER ABS

Adaptive cruise control (RTT) (if equipped)
The speed control system indicator light changes color to indicate what
mode the system is in:
•On (gray light): Illuminates when the adaptive cruise control system is
turned on. Turns off when the speed control system is turned off.
•Engaged (green light): Illuminates when the adaptive cruise control
system is engaged. Turns off when the speed control system is
disengaged.
Airbag readiness
If this light fails to illuminate when the ignition is turned on,
continues to flash or remains on, contact your authorized dealer
as soon as possible. A chime will sound when there is a
malfunction in the indicator light.
Anti-lock brake system
If the ABS light stays illuminated or continues to flash, a
malfunction has been detected. Contact your authorized dealer
as soon as possible. Normal braking is still functional unless the
brake warning light also is illuminated.
Brake system warning light
To confirm the brake system warning light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the ignition is turned to the on
position when the engine is not running, or in a position
between on and start, or by applying the parking brake when the ignition
is turned to the on position.
If it illuminates when you are driving, check that the parking brake is not
engaged. If the parking brake is not engaged, this indicates low brake
fluid level or a brake system malfunction. Have the system checked
immediately by your authorized dealer.
Instrument Cluster11 5
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Second-row center seat head
restraint (if equipped)
The head restraints consist of:
A. Energy absorbing head restraint
B. Steel stems
C. Guide sleeve adjust and release
button
D. Guide sleeve unlock and remove
button
•Raise: Pull up on the head restraint (A).
•Lower: Press and hold the guide sleeve adjust and release button (C)
and push down on the head restraint (A).
•Remove: Pull up the head restraint until it reaches the highest
adjustment position and then press and hold both the adjust and
release button (C) and the unlock and remove button (D), then pull
up on the head restraint.
•Reinstall: Align the steel stems into the guide sleeves and push the
head restraint down until it locks.
Second-row outboard seat head
restraints
The head restraints consist of:
A. Energy absorbing head restraint
B. Steel stems
C. Guide sleeve unlock and remove
buttons
D. Fold strap
•Fold: Pull the fold strap (D). Pull it back up to reset.
•Remove: Fold the head restraint. Press and hold both of the unlock
and remove buttons (C), then pull up on the head restraint.
•Reinstall: Align the steel stems into the guide sleeves and push the
head restraint down until it locks.
D
B
A
B
C
C
B
AD
Seats157
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Third-row head restraints
The head restraints consist of:
A. Energy absorbing head restraint
B. Steel stems
C. Fold strap
Fold: Pull the fold strap (C). Pull it back up to reset.
Note:Press the stow or fold button on the power folding seats to
automatically fold the head restraint.
Tilting Head Restraints (If Equipped)
The front head restraints may have a tilting feature for extra comfort.
To tilt the head restraint, do the following:
1. Adjust the seat back to an upright driving or
riding position.
2. Tilt the head restraint forward by gently pulling
the top of the head restraint.
Once it is in its forward-most position, tilt it forward once more to
release it to the upright position.
Note:Do not attempt to force the head restraint backward after it is
tilted. Instead, continue tilting it forward until the head restraint releases
to the upright position.
158Seats
2014 Explorer(exp)
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USA(fus)

Ventilated Seats
The ventilated seats will only function when the engine is running.
To operate the ventilated seats:
Press the ventilated seat symbol to cycle through the
various cooling settings and off. Cooler settings are
indicated by more indicator lights.
If the engine falls below 350 RPM while the ventilated seats are on, the
feature will turn itself off. You will need to reactivate it.
Note:When the heated or ventilated front seat is active, you will be able
to hear the fan operating inside the seat. This is normal.
Heated and Ventilated Seat Air Filter Replacement (If Equipped)
The climate controlled seat system includes air filters. You must replace
them periodically. See thescheduled maintenance information.
Locate the filters under each front seat and access them from the
second-row foot-well area. Move the front seats all the way forward and
to the full up positions to ease access.
To remove an air filter:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2.
Push up on the outside rigid
edge of the filter and rotate
counterclockwise once the tabs are
released, then remove the filter.
A/C
Seats165
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USA(fus)

•Avoid getting fuel liquid in your eyes. If fuel is splashed in the eyes,
remove contact lenses (if worn), flush with water for 15 minutes and
seek medical attention. Failure to seek proper medical attention could
lead to permanent injury.
•Fuels can also be harmful if absorbed through the skin. If fuel is
splashed on the skin or clothing, promptly remove contaminated
clothing and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. Repeated or
prolonged skin contact with fuel liquid or vapor causes skin irritation.
•Be particularly careful if you are taking Antabuse or other forms of
disulfiram for the treatment of alcoholism. Breathing gasoline vapors,
or skin contact could cause an adverse reaction. In sensitive
individuals, serious personal injury or sickness may result. If fuel is
splashed on the skin, promptly wash skin thoroughly with soap and
water. Consult a physician immediately if you experience an adverse
reaction.
FUEL QUALITY
Note:Use of any fuel other than those recommended may cause
powertrain damage and a loss of vehicle performance; repairs may not be
covered under warranty.
Choosing the Right Fuel
Use only unleaded fuel or unleaded fuel blended with a maximum of 15%
ethanol. Do not use fuel ethanol (E85), diesel fuel, fuel- methanol,
leaded fuel or any other fuel because it could damage or impair the
emission control system.
Octane recommendations
3.5L V6 engine:
Regular unleaded gasoline with a pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 is
recommended. Some stations offer fuels posted as Regular with an
octane rating below 87, particularly in high altitude areas. Fuels with
octane levels below 87 are not recommended.
2.0L/3.5L EcoBoost® engines:
Regular unleaded gasoline with a pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 is
recommended. Some stations offer fuels posted as “Regular” with an
octane rating below 87, particularly in high altitude areas. Fuels with
octane levels below 87 are not recommended. Premium fuel will provide
improved performance and is recommended for severe duty usage such
as trailer tow.
196Fuel and Refueling
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels.
Do not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, avoid locking of the wheels. Use
a “squeeze” technique, push on the brake pedal with a steadily increasing
force which allows the wheels to brake yet continue to roll so that you
may steer in the direction you want to travel. If you lock the wheels,
release the brake pedal and repeat the squeeze technique. Since your
vehicle is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS),
apply the brake steadily. Do not “pump” the brakes. Refer toBrakes
chapter for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock brake
system.
Maintenance and modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make it
more likely the vehicle will roll over as a result of a loss of control. Ford
Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or pickup box
cover).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-road usage.
220Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2014 Explorer(exp)
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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.
228Terrain Response
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

The system detects an available parallel parking space and automatically
steers the vehicle into the space (hands-free) while you control the
accelerator, gearshift and brakes. The system visually and/or audibly
instructs the driver to park the vehicle.
The system may not function correctly if something passes between the
front bumper and the parking space (i.e. a pedestrian or cyclist) or if the
edge of the neighboring parked vehicle is high from the ground (i.e. a
bus, tow truck or flatbed truck).
Note:The sensors may not detect objects in heavy rain or other
conditions that cause disruptive reflections.
Note:The sensors may not detect objects with surfaces that absorb
ultrasonic waves.
Note:After a tire change the system will go through a relearning
procedure. During this time the system performance may deteriorate.
The system should not be used if:
•a foreign object (i.e. bike rack or trailer) is attached to the front or
rear of the vehicle or at another location close to the sensors.
•an overhanging object (i.e. surfboard) is attached to the roof.
•the front bumper or side sensors are damaged (i.e. in a collision) or
obstructed by a foreign object (i.e. front bumper cover).
•a mini-spare tire is in use.
Using Active Park Assist
Press the button; the touch screen
displays a message and a
corresponding graphic to indicate
it’s searching for a parking space.
Use the turn signal to indicate
which side of the vehicle you want
the system to search on.
Note:If the turn signal is not on, the system automatically searches on
the vehicle’s passenger side.
AUTO
P
Parking Aids231
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)