Page 151 of 596

GENERAL OPERATING TIPS
General Hints
Note:Prolonged use of recirculated air may cause the windows to fog
up.
Note:You may feel a small amount of air from the footwell air vents
regardless of the air distribution setting.
Note:To reduce humidity build-up inside your vehicle, do not drive with
the system switched off or with recirculated air always switched on.
Note:Do not place objects under the front seats as this may interfere
with the airflow to the rear seats.
Note:Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the
base of the windshield.
Note:To improve the time to reach comfort in hot weather, drive with
the windows slightly open for 2-3 minutes after start-up or until your
vehicle airs out.
Manual Climate Control
Note:To reduce fogging of the windshield during humid weather, adjust
the air distribution control to the windshield air vents position.
Automatic Climate Control
Note:Adjusting the settings when your vehicle interior is extremely hot
or cold is not necessary. The system automatically adjusts to heat or cool
the cabin to your selected temperature as quickly as possible. For the
system to function efficiently, the instrument panel and side air vents
should be fully open.
Note:If you selectAUTOduring cold outside temperatures, the system
directs airflow to the windshield and side window vents. In addition, the
fan may run at a slower speed until the engine warms up.
Note:If you selectAUTOduring hot outside temperatures, or when the
inside of the vehicle is hot, the system automatically uses recirculated air
to maximize interior cooling. When the interior reaches the selected
temperature, the system automatically switches to using outside air.
150Climate Control
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)
Page 153 of 596

Recommended Settings for Cooling
Vehicles with manual climate
controlVehicles with automatic
climate control
1 Adjust the fan speed to the
center setting.Press theAUTObutton.
2 Adjust the temperature control
to the midway point of the cold
settings.Adjust the temperature control
to the desired setting. Use 72°F
(22°C) as a starting point, then
adjust the setting as necessary.
3 Select the instrument panel air
vents using the air distribution
buttons.
Side Window Defogging in Cold Weather
Vehicles with manual climate
controlVehicles with automatic
climate control
1 Select the instrument panel and
footwell air vents positions
through the air distribution
control.Press the defrost button.
2 Press theA/Cbutton. Adjust the temperature control
to the desired setting. Use 72°F
(22°C) as a starting point, then
adjust the setting as necessary.
3 Adjust the temperature control
to the desired setting.Direct the instrument panel side
air vents toward the side
windows.
4 Adjust the fan speed to the
highest setting.Close the instrument panel
vents.
5 Direct the instrument panel side
air vents toward the side
windows.
6 Close the instrument panel
vents.
152Climate Control
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)
Page 207 of 596

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 toD(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 theD(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 normalD(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
206Transmission
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)
Page 289 of 596

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The hazard flasher control is located on the instrument panel
by the radio. Use it when your vehicle is disabled and is
creating a safety hazard for other motorists.
•Press the flasher control and all front and rear direction signals will
flash.
•Press the flasher control again to turn them off.
Note:
With extended use, the flashers may run down your 12–volt battery.
FUEL SHUTOFF
WARNING:Failure to inspect and if necessary repair fuel leaks
after a collision may increase the risk of fire and serious injury.
Ford Motor Company recommends that the fuel system be inspected by
an authorized dealer after any collision.
In the event of a moderate to severe collision, this vehicle includes a fuel
pump shutoff feature that stops the flow of fuel to the engine. Not every
impact will cause a shutoff.
Should your vehicle shut off after a collision, you may restart your
vehicle. For vehicles equipped with a key system:
1. Switch off the ignition.
2. Switch on the ignition.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 to re-enable fuel pump.
For vehicles equipped with a push button start system:
1. Press theSTART/STOPbutton to switch off the ignition.
2. Press the brake pedal and press theSTART/STOPbutton to start the
vehicle.
3. Remove your foot from the brake pedal and press theSTART/STOP
button to switch off the ignition.
4. You can either attempt to start the engine by pressing the brake pedal
and theSTART/STOPbutton, or switch on the ignition only by pressing
theSTART/STOPbutton without pressing the brake pedal. Both ways
re-enable the fuel system.
288Roadside Emergencies
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)
Page 308 of 596

Fuse or relay
numberFuse amp
ratingProtected components
5 20A Amplifier
6 5A Not used (spare)
7 7.5A Memory seat module logic feed
8 10A Not used (spare)
9 10A 4-inch radio display, Power
liftgate logic, Electronic finish
panel, SYNC
10 10A Run/accessory relay (wipers, rear
washer), Rain sensor
11 10A Instrument cluster, Heads-up
display
12 15A Interior courtesy lamps (overhead
console, Second row, cargo),
Puddle lamps, Console bin LED,
Backlighting
13 15A Right turn lamps, Right trailer tow
turn/stop lamps
14 15A Left turn lamps, Left trailer tow
turn/stop lamps
15 15A Reverse lamps, Stop lamps,
High-mounted stop lamp
16 10A Low beam headlamps (right)
17 10A Low beam headlamps (left)
18 10A Keypad illumination, Brake shift
interlock, Start button run
indicator, Passive anti-theft
system, Powertrain control
module wake-up, Rear seat power
enable
19 20A Memory seat power
20 20A Locks
21 10A Intelligent access, Keypad
Fuses307
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)
Page 312 of 596
OPENING AND CLOSING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located under the
bottom left corner of the instrument
panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and
release the auxiliary latch that is
located under the front center of
the hood.
3. Lift the hood.
Note:Make sure the hood is
properly closed.
Maintenance311
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)
Page 341 of 596
Function Number of bulbs Trade number
Front fog lamp 2 H11
Interior front map
lamps2
168 (T10)
Second row
dome/courtesy lamp2
168 (T10)
* Second row
dome/map lampn/a
LED
* Third row cargo
lampn/a
LED
Rear cargo lamp 1 578
Visor vanity lamp -
Slideon rail system
(SOR)2
A6224PF
All replacement bulbs are clear in color, except where noted.
To replace all instrument panel lights - see your authorized dealer.
* To replace these lamps - see your authorized dealer.
340Maintenance
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)
Page 346 of 596

CLEANING THE INTERIOR
WARNING:Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the
vehicle’s safety belts, as these actions may weaken the belt
webbing.
WARNING:On vehicles equipped with seat-mounted airbags, do
not use chemical solvents or strong detergents. Such products
could contaminate the side airbag system and affect performance of the
side airbag in a collision.
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats, safety belts and seats equipped with side
airbags:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Apply a layer of high quality foam cleaner designed for automotive
interiors, such as Motorcraft Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner, to the
dry stained area(s) of the item you are cleaning and let it soak in for
one minute.
•If grease or tar is present on the material, spot-clean the area first
with Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover. In Canada, use Motorcraft
Multi-Purpose Cleaner.
•If a ring forms on the fabric after spot cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately (but do not oversaturate) or the ring can set.
•Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of
the seat materials.
CLEANING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER LENS
WARNING:Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents
when cleaning the steering wheel or instrument panel to avoid
contamination of the airbag system.
Note:Follow the same procedure as cleaning leather seats for cleaning
leather instrument panels and leather interior trim surfaces. See
Cleaning Leather Seatsin this chapter.
Clean the instrument panel and cluster lens with a clean, damp, white,
cotton cloth, then use a clean and dry, white, cotton cloth to dry these
areas.
Vehicle Care345
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)