2014 FORD EXPLORER tow

Terrain Response 226
Hill descent control...................................227
Parking Aids 229
Sensing system.......................................229
Active park assist.....................................230
Rear-view camera system...............................235
Cruise Control 240
Using cruise control...................................240
Using Adaptive Cruise Control............................241
Driving Aids 250
Driveralert .........................................250
Lane keeping system...................................252
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert
(CTA) .............................................256
Collision warning system................................261
Steering............................................264
Load Carrying 266
Cargo net...........................................266
Roof racks and load carriers.............................266
Vehicle loading.......................................267
Towing 275
Trailertowing........................................275
Wrecker towing......................................282
Recreational towing...................................283
Driving Hints 285
Economical driving....................................285
Floormats..........................................287
Table of Contents5
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

ABOUT THIS MANUAL
Thank you for choosing Ford. We recommend that you take some time to
get to know your vehicle by reading this manual. The more that you
know about it, the greater the safety and pleasure you will get from
driving it.
WARNING:Always drive with due care and attention when
using and operating the controls and features on your vehicle.
Note:This manual describes product features and options available
throughout the range of available models, sometimes even before they
are generally available. It may describe options not fitted to your vehicle.
Note:Some of the illustrations in this manual may be used for different
models, so may appear different to you on your vehicle. However, the
essential information in the illustrations is always correct.
Note:Always use and operate your vehicle in line with all applicable
laws and regulations.
Note:Pass on this manual when selling your vehicle. It is an integral
part of the vehicle.
This manual may qualify the location of a component as left-hand side or
right-hand side. The side is determined when facing forward in the seat.
A. Right-hand side
B. Left-hand side
Protecting the Environment
You must play your part in protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized disposal of waste, cleaning
and lubrication materials are significant steps toward this aim.
A
B
Introduction9
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

CHILD SEAT POSITIONING
WARNING:Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child seat.
Never place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active airbag.
If you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move the
vehicle seat upon which the child seat is installed all the way back.
When possible, all children age 12 and under should be properly
restrained in a rear seating position. If all children cannot be seated and
restrained properly in a rear seating position, properly restrain the
largest child in the front seat.
WARNING:Always carefully follow the instructions and
warnings provided by the manufacturer of any child restraint to
determine if the restraint device is appropriate for your child’s size,
height, weight, or age. Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s
instructions and warnings provided for installation and use in
conjunction with the instructions and warnings provided by your
vehicle manufacturer. A safety seat that is improperly installed or
utilized, is inappropriate for your child’s height, age or weight, or does
not properly fit the child, may increase the risk of serious injury or
death.
WARNING:Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap
while your vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the
child from injury in a crash, which may result in serious injury or death.
WARNING:Never use pillows, books, or towels to boost a child.
They can slide around and increase the likelihood of injury or
death in a crash.
WARNING:Always restrain an unoccupied child seat or booster
seat. These objects may become projectiles in a crash or sudden
stop, which may increase the risk of serious injury.
Child Safety19
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

•Keep the buckle release button pointing up and away from the safety
seat, with the tongue between the child seat and the release button,
to prevent accidental unbuckling.
•Place the vehicle seat upon which the child seat will be installed in
the upright position.
•For second-row seating positions, the recliner may be adjusted slightly
to improve child seat fit. If needed, the head restraints may be
removed.
•For third-row seating positions, the head restraints may be stowed to
improve child seat fit. See theSeatschapter for information on folding
the head restraints.
•Put the safety belt in the automatic locking mode. See Step 5 below.
This vehicle does not require the use of a locking clip.
Perform the following steps when installing the child seat with
combination lap and shoulder belts:
Note:Although the child seat illustrated is a forward-facing child seat,
the steps are the same for installing a rear-facing child seat.
Note:
The lock-off device on some child restraints may not accommodate
the shoulder portion of the inflatable safety belt. Follow all instructions
provided by the manufacturer of the child restraint regarding the necessary
and proper use of the lock-off device. In some instances these devices have
been provided only for use in vehicles with safety belt systems that would
otherwise require a locking clip.
1. Position the child safety seat in a
seat with a combination lap and
shoulder belt.
Child Safety25
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

•Inflatable safety belt: grasp the lap
portion of the inflatable safety belt
and pull upward until all of the belt
is pulled out.
Note:Unlike the standard safety belt, the inflatable safety belt’s unique
lap portion locks the child seat for installation. The ability for the
shoulder portion of the belt to move freely is normal, even after the lap
belt has been put into the automatic locking mode.
6. Allow the belt to retract to remove slack. The belt will click as it
retracts to indicate it is in the automatic locking mode.
7. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is
in the automatic locking mode (you should not be able to pull more belt
out). If the retractor is not locked, repeat Steps 5 and 6.
8. Remove remaining slack from the belt. Force the seat down with extra
weight, for example, by pressing down or kneeling on the child restraint
while pulling up on the shoulder belt (for standard safety belt) or pulling
down on the lap belt (for inflatable safety belt) in order to force slack
from the belt. This is necessary to remove the remaining slack that will
exist once the extra weight of the child is added to the child restraint. It
also helps to achieve the proper snugness of the child seat to your
vehicle. Sometimes, a slight lean toward the buckle will provide extra
help to remove remaining slack from the belt.
28Child Safety
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

CRASH SENSORS AND AIRBAG INDICATOR
WARNING:Modifying or adding equipment to the front end of
your vehicle (including frame, bumper, front end body structure
and tow hooks) may affect the performance of the airbag system,
increasing the risk of injury. Do not modify the front end of your
vehicle.
Your vehicle has a collection of crash and occupant sensors which
provide information to the restraints control module which deploys
(activates) the front safety belt pretensioners, rear inflatable safety belts,
driver airbag, passenger airbag, passenger knee airbag, seat mounted side
airbags, and the Safety Canopy. Based on the type of accident (frontal
impact, side impact or rollover) the restraints control module will deploy
the appropriate safety devices.
The restraints control module also monitors the readiness of the above
safety devices plus the crash and occupant sensors. The readiness of the
safety system is indicated by a warning indicator light in the instrument
cluster or by a backup tone if the warning light is not working. See the
Instrument Clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the airbag is not
required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
•The readiness light will either flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after the
ignition is turned on.
•A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem or light is repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the supplemental
restraint system serviced at an authorized dealer immediately. Unless
serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a crash.
The safety belt pretensioners, rear inflatable safety belts and the airbag
supplemental restraint system are designed to activate when the vehicle
sustains frontal or sideways deceleration sufficient to cause the restraints
control module to deploy a safety device or when a certain likelihood of
a rollover event is detected by the rollover sensor.
The fact that the safety belt pretensioners or airbags did not activate for
both front seat occupants in a crash does not mean that something is
wrong with the system. Rather, it means the restraints control module
determined the accident conditions (such as crash severity, belt usage)
were not appropriate to activate these safety devices.
Supplementary Restraints System59
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

GENERAL INFORMATION ON RADIO FREQUENCIES
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules and with Industry
Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Note:Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment. The termICbefore the radio certification number only
signifies that Industry Canada technical specifications were met.
The typical operating range for your transmitter is approximately 33 feet
(10 meters). Vehicles with the remote start feature will have a greater
range. A decrease in operating range could be caused by:
•weather conditions
•nearby radio towers
•structures around your vehicle
•other vehicles parked next to your vehicle.
The radio frequency used by your remote control can also be used by
other short-distance radio transmissions, for example amateur radios,
medical equipment, wireless headphones, remote controls and alarm
systems. If the frequencies are jammed, you will not be able to use your
remote control. You can lock and unlock the doors with the key.
Note:Make sure your vehicle is locked before leaving it unattended.
Note:If you are in range, the remote control will operate if you press
any button unintentionally.
Intelligent Access (If Equipped)
The system uses a radio frequency signal to communicate with your
vehicle and authorize your vehicle to unlock when one of the following
conditions is met:
•You touch the inside of the front exterior door handle.
•You press the luggage compartment button.
•You press a button on the transmitter.
If excessive radio frequency interference is present in the area or if the
transmitter battery is low, it may be necessary to mechanically unlock
your door. You can use the mechanical key blade in your intelligent
access key to open the driver door in this situation. Refer toRemote
Controlin this chapter for more information on the location and use of
the mechanical key blade.
Keys and Remote Control61
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Displaying the Factory Set Code
With Integrated Keyhead Transmitters
Note:You will need to have two programmed passive anti-theft keys for
this procedure.
To display the factory-set code in the information display:
1. Insert a key into the ignition and switch the ignition on for a few
seconds.
2. Switch the ignition off and remove the key.
3. Insert the second key into the ignition and switch the ignition on.
The factory-set code will display for a few seconds.
Note:The code may not display until after any other warning messages
first display.
With Intelligent Access Keys
Note:You will need to have two programmed intelligent access keys for
this procedure.
To display the factory-set code in the information display:
1. Place the first programmed key
in the backup slot inside the center
console. The key ring must be at
the top with the buttons facing
toward the rear.
2. Press theSTART/STOPbutton
once and wait a few seconds.
3. Press theSTART/STOPbutton
again and remove the key.
4. Insert the second programmed key into the backup slot, then press
theSTART/STOPbutton.
The factory-set code will appear in the information display for a few
seconds.
Note:The code may not display until after any other warning messages
first display.
84Locks
2014 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)