Roadside Emergencies 289
Getting roadside assistance..............................289
Hazard warning flashers................................290
Fuel cut-off switch....................................290
Jump-starting the vehicle...............................291
Customer Assistance 294
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only).......................301
Reporting safety defects (Canada only).....................301
Fuses 302
Changing a fuse......................................302
Fuse specification chart................................303
Maintenance 312
General information...................................312
Opening and closing the hood............................313
Under hood overview..................................314
Engine oil dipstick....................................317
Engine oil check......................................317
Engine coolant check..................................318
Automatic transmission fluid check........................324
Brake fluid check.....................................328
Fuel filter...........................................329
Washer fluid check....................................329
Battery ............................................329
Checking the wiper blades..............................332
Air filter(s).........................................333
Adjusting the headlamps................................335
Changing a bulb......................................337
Bulb specification chart.................................341
6Table of Contents
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Grade assist (RTT) (if equipped)
Illuminates when grade assist is turned on.
Heads up display (if equipped)
A red beam of lights will illuminate on the windshield in certain
instances when using adaptive cruise control and/or the
collision warning system. It will also illuminate momentarily
when you start your vehicle to make sure the display works.
Hill descent (RTT) (if equipped)
Illuminates when hill descent is turned on.
High beams
Illuminates when the high-beam headlamps are on.
Low fuel (RTT)
Illuminates when the fuel level in the fuel tank is at or near
empty.
Liftgate ajar (RTT)
Illuminates when the ignition is on and liftgate is not
completely closed.
Low tire pressure warning
Illuminates when your tire pressure is low. If the light remains
on at start up or while driving, the tire pressure should be
checked. When the ignition is first turned to on, the light will
illuminate for 3 seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does
not turn on or begins to flash, contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Instrument Cluster11 7
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Low washer fluid (RTT)
Illuminates when the windshield washer fluid is low.
Parking Lamps (RTT)
It will illuminate when you switch the parking lamps on.
Powertrain malfunction/reduced power
Illuminates when a powertrain or an 4WD fault has been
detected. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Safety belt
Reminds you to fasten your safety belt. A Belt-Minder® chime
will also sound to remind you to fasten your safety belt.
Service engine soon
Theservice engine soonindicator light illuminates when the
ignition is first turned to the on position to check the bulb and to
indicate whether the vehicle is ready for Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) testing. Normally, the “service engine soon” light will stay on until the
engine is cranked, then turn itself off if no malfunctions are present.
However, if after 15 seconds the “service engine soon” light blinks eight
times, it means that the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. See the
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) testingin theFuel and
Refuelingchapter.
Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the on-board
diagnostics system (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
On-board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theFuel and Refuelingchapter. If
the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could damage your
catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration
and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced immediately by your
authorized dealer.
WARNING:Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel
system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
11 8Instrument Cluster
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Speed control (RTT) (if equipped)
The speed control system indicator light changes color to
indicate what mode the system is in:
•On (gray light–type 1 and type 2): Illuminates when the speed control
system is turned on. Turns off when the speed control system is
turned off.
•Engaged (white light-type 1, green light-type 2): Illuminates when the
speed control system is engaged. Turns off when the speed control
system is disengaged.
Stability Control System
Displays when the AdvanceTrac®/Traction control is active.
If the light remains on, have the system serviced immediately.
Stability Control System Off
Illuminates when AdvanceTrac®/Traction control has been
disabled by the driver.
Transmission Tow/Haul Feature (RTT) (if equipped)
Displays when the Tow/Haul feature has been activated. If the
light flashes steadily, have the system serviced immediately,
damage to the transmission could occur.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right turn signal or the hazard
warning flasher is turned on. If the indicators stay on or flash
faster, check for a burned out bulb.
Instrument Cluster11 9
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel, properly closing the fuel fill inlet or letting the
electrical system dry out. After three driving cycles without these or any
other temporary malfunctions present, the service engine soon indicator
should stay off the next time the engine is started. A driving cycle
consists of a cold engine start-up followed by mixed city or highway
driving. No additional vehicle service is required.
If the service engine soon indicator remains on, have your vehicle
serviced at the first available opportunity. Although some malfunctions
detected by the OBD-II may not have symptoms that are apparent,
continued driving with the service engine soon indicator on can result in
increased emissions, lower fuel economy, reduced engine and
transmission smoothness, and can lead to more costly repairs.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Testing
Some state, provincial and local governments may have
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection could prevent
you from getting a vehicle registration.
If the service engine soon indicator is on or the bulb does not
work, the vehicle may need to be serviced. SeeOn-board
Diagnostics (OBD-II)in this chapter.
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test if the service engine soon
indicator is on or not working properly (bulb is burned out), or if the
OBD-II system has determined that some of the emission control systems
have not been properly checked. In this case, the vehicle is considered
not ready for I/M testing.
If the vehicle’s engine or transmission has just been serviced, or the
battery has recently run down or been replaced, the OBD-II system may
indicate that the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. To determine if the
vehicle is ready for I/M testing, turn the ignition key to the on position
for 15 seconds without cranking the engine. If the service engine soon
indicator blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not ready for I/M
testing; if the service engine soon indicator stays on solid, it means that
the vehicle is ready for I/M testing.
204Fuel and Refueling
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
5. Locate the vertical adjuster for
each headlamp. Using a Phillips #2
screwdriver, turn the adjuster
control either clockwise or
counterclockwise in order to adjust
the vertical aim of the headlamp.
Note:HORIZONTAL AIMING IS
NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS
VEHICLE AND IS
NON-ADJUSTABLE.
CHANGING A BULB
Lamp Assembly Condensation
Exterior lamps are vented to accommodate normal changes in pressure.
Condensation can be a natural by-product of this design. When moist air
enters the lamp assembly through the vents, there is a possibility that
condensation can occur when the temperature is cold. When normal
condensation occurs, a thin film of mist can form on the interior of the
lens. The thin mist eventually clears and exits through the vents during
normal operation. Clearing time may take as long as 48 hours under dry
weather conditions.
These are examples of acceptable condensation:
•Presence of thin mist (no streaks, drip marks or droplets).
•Fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens.
These are examples of unacceptable moisture (usually caused by a lamp
water leak):
•Water puddle inside the lamp.
•Large water droplets, drip marks or streaks present on the interior of
the lens.
Take your vehicle to a dealer for service if any of the above conditions of
unacceptable moisture are present.
Maintenance337
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Replacing headlamp bulbs
WARNING:Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep
out of children’s reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base
and do not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the
bulb to break the next time the headlamps are operated.
Note:If the bulb is accidentally touched, it should be cleaned with
rubbing alcohol before being used.
1. Make sure that the headlamp control is in the off position.
2. Open the hood.
3. Remove the bulb cover.
4.
Turn the bulb base counterclockwise and remove it.
5. Disconnect the electrical connector.
Reverse steps to reinstall bulb(s).
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.
338Maintenance
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Front parking lamp/turn signal and sidemarker 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 or sidemarker
bulbs (if needed).
Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal bulbs
1. Rotate the bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove it from
the lamp assembly.
2. Pull the bulb straight out of the
socket.
Reverse steps to reinstall bulb(s).
Replacing sidemarker bulbs
1. Rotate the bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove it from
the lamp assembly.
2. Pull the bulb straight out of the
socket.
Reverse steps to reinstall bulb(s).
Maintenance339
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)