Terrain Management
/OffRoad/Hill
Descent MessagesAction / Description
Hill Descent Control
FAULTDisplayed when a hill descent system fault is
present.
Hill Descent Control
OffDisplayed when hill descent control mode is
deactivated.
Hill Descent Control
OFF System CoolingDisplayed when hill descent control mode is
disabled to cool the brake system.
Hill Descent Control
ReadyDisplayed when hill descent control mode is
activated.
Terrain Management
Normal ModeDisplays driver selected terrain management
normal mode.
Normal Mode Active Displays terrain management normal mode is
currently active.
Terrain Management
Snow ModeDisplays driver selected terrain management
snow, grass, gravel mode.
Snow, Gravel, Grass
Mode ActiveDisplays terrain management snow, gravel,
grass mode is currently active.
Terrain Management
Mud, Ruts ModeDisplays driver selected terrain management
mud, ruts mode.
Mud, Rut Mode Active Displays terrain management mud, ruts mode
is currently active.
Terrain Management
Sand ModeDisplays driver selected terrain management
sand mode.
Sand Mode Active Displays terrain management sand mode is
currently active.
Mode Change Not
Accepted, RetryDisplayed when terrain management mode
cannot be changed at time of driver request.
Terrain Management
System FaultDisplays when the terrain management system
detects an error.
142Information Displays
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Use A/C with recirculated air to improve cooling performance and
efficiency.
Note:A/C turns on automatically in MAX A/C, Defrost and Floor/Defrost.
F.MAX A/C:Distributes recirculated air through the instrument panel
vents to cool the vehicle. This position is more economical and efficient
than normal A/C.
G.Recirculated air:Press to switch between outside air and
recirculated air. When the LED on the button is lit, the air currently in
the passenger compartment is being recirculated. Using recirculated air
can reduce the time needed to cool the interior and reduce unwanted
odors from entering your vehicle.
Note:Recirculated air engages automatically when MAX A/C is selected
or can be turned on manually in any airflow mode except Defrost.
Note:For better cooling in hot conditions, recirculated air automatically
engages Panel or Panel/Floor modes and the air conditioning is on. You
can switch to fresh air by pressing the recirculated air button again.
H.DUAL:Allows the passenger to set their temperature independent of
the driver temperature.
I.Passenger temperature control:Press + or - to increase or decrease
the air temperature on the passenger side of the vehicle when in dual
zone mode.
J.Fan speed control:Press + or - to increase or decrease the volume
of air circulated in your vehicle.
K.Driver temperature control:Press + or - to increase or decrease
the air temperature inside the vehicle.
This control also adjusts the passenger side temperature when dual zone
operation is disengaged.
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F.A/C:Press to turn air conditioning off and on. Air conditioning cools the
vehicle using outside air. To improve air conditioning when starting your
vehicle, drive with the windows slightly open for two to three minutes.
Use A/C with recirculated air to improve cooling performance and
efficiency.
Note:A/C turns on automatically in MAX A/C, Defrost and Floor/Defrost.
G.AUTO:Press to turn on fully automatic operation. Select the desired
temperature using the temperature control. The system automatically
determines fan speed, air distribution, A/C operation, and outside or
recirculated air, to heat or cool the vehicle to maintain the selected
temperature.
H.Rear defrost:Turns the heated windows and mirrors off and on.
SeeHeated windows and mirrorslater in this chapter for more
information. If your vehicle is equipped with heated mirrors, this button
turns them on also.
I.Defrost:Distributes air through the windshield defroster vents and
demister vents. This setting can also be used to defog and clear the
windshield of a thin covering of ice.
REAR PASSENGER CLIMATE CONTROLS
A.Fan control:Turn to adjust the fan speed.
B.Panel:Press to select air flow direction to the panel.
C.Floor:Press to direct air flow to the floor vents.
D.Panel and floor:Press to direct air flow to the panel and floor vents.
E.REAR LOCK:Illuminates when the rear (auxiliary) climate system is
being controlled by the front controls. The rear (auxiliary) climate
controls do not work when this graphic is illuminated
F.Temperature control:Turn to increase/decrease the temperature.
ABCDEF
Climate Control149
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GENERAL OPERATING TIPS
Manual Heating and Air Conditioning System
•To reduce fog build-up on the windshield during humid weather, select
Defrost. Temperature and fan speed can also be increased to improve
clearing.
•To reduce humidity build-up inside the vehicle, do not drive with the
system off or with recirculated air engaged.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2-3 minutes after start-up or until the vehicle has been aired out.
•A small amount of air may be felt from the floor vent regardless of the
air distribution setting that is selected.
During extreme high ambient temperatures when idling stationary for
extended periods of time in gear, it is recommended to run the A/C in
the MAX A/C mode, adjust the blower fan speed to the lowest setting
and put the vehicle’s transmission into positionP(vehicles equipped
with an automatic transmission) to continue to receive cool air from your
A/C system.
For maximum cooling performance in A/C mode, pressMAX A/C.
For maximum cooling performance in panel or panel/floor modes:
1. Move temperature control to the coolest setting.
2. Select A/C and recirculated air to provide colder airflow.
3. Set the fan to the highest speed initially, then adjust to maintain
comfort.
To aid in side window defogging and demisting in cold or humid weather:
1. Select Floor/Panel.
2. Select A/C.
3. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents toward the side windows.
6. To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the
vents located in the middle of the instrument panel.
150Climate Control
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USA(fus)
Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control
•To reduce fog build-up on the windshield during humid weather, select
Defrost. Temperature and fan speed can also be increased to improve
clearing.
•To reduce humidity build-up inside the vehicle, do not drive with the
system off or with recirculated air engaged.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2-3 minutes after start-up or until the vehicle has been aired out.
•A small amount of air may be felt from the floor vent regardless of the
air distribution setting that is selected.
During extreme high ambient temperatures when idling stationary for
extended periods of time in gear, it is recommended to run the A/C in
the MAX A/C mode, adjust the blower fan speed to the lowest setting
and put the vehicle’s transmission into positionP(vehicles equipped
with an automatic transmission) to continue to receive cool air from your
A/C system.
For maximum cooling performance in AUTO mode, pressMAX A/C.
For maximum cooling performance in manual override control:
1. Choose Panel, A/C, and recirc controls.
2. Set the temperature to LO.
3. Set the fan to the highest blower setting.
To aid in side window defogging and demisting in cold or humid weather:
1. Select Floor/Panel.
2. Select A/C.
3. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents toward the side windows.
6. To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the
vents located in the middle of the instrument panel.
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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
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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.
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When Towing a Trailer
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 miles
(800 kilometers).
•Do not make full-throttle starts.
•Check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts
thoroughly after you have traveled 50 miles (80 kilometers).
•When stopped in congested or heavy traffic during hot weather, place
the gearshift in positionPto aid engine and transmission cooling and
to help A/C performance.
•Turn off the speed control with heavy loads or in hilly terrain. The
speed control may turn off automatically when you are towing on
long, steep grades.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving down a long or steep hill. Do not
apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become less
effective.
•Use the Grade Assist or Tow/Haul feature when towing. These
provide engine braking and help eliminate excessive transmission
shifting for optimum fuel economy and transmission cooling.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached. Anticipate
stops and brake gradually.
•Avoid parking on a grade. However, if you must park on a grade:
1. Turn the steering wheel to point your vehicle tires away from
traffic flow.
2. Set your vehicle parking brake.
3. Place the automatic transmission in positionP.
4. Place wheel chocks in front and back of the trailer wheels.
(Chocks not included with vehicle.)
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Note:Disconnect the wiring to the trailerbeforebacking the trailer into
the water.
Note:Reconnect the wiring to the trailerafterremoving the trailer from
the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
•Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
•Do not allow waves to break higher than 6 inches (15 centimeters)
above the bottom edge of the rear bumper.
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