
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.
226Terrain Response
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
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.
Terrain Response227
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

ACTIVE PARK ASSIST (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:This system is designed to be a supplementary park
aid. It may not work in all conditions and is not intended to
replace the driver’s attention and judgment. The driver is responsible
for avoiding hazards and maintaining a safe distance and speed, even
when the system is in use.
Note:The driver is always responsible for controlling the vehicle,
supervising the system and intervening if required.
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.
230Parking Aids
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

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.
When a suitable space is found, the touch screen displays a message and
a chime sounds. Slow down and stop at approximately position (A), then
follow the instructions on the touch screen.
Note:You must observe that the selected space remains clear of
obstructions at all times in the maneuver.
Note:Vehicles with overhanging loads (e.g. a bus or a truck), street
furniture and other items may not be detected by active park assist. You
must ensure the selected space is suitable for parking.
Note:The vehicle should be driven as parallel to other vehicles as
possible while passing a parking space.
Note:The system always offers the last detected parking space (i.e. if
the vehicle detects multiple spaces while you are driving, it offers the
last one).
Note:If driven above approximately 20 mph (35 km/h), the touch
screen shows a message to alert the driver to reduce vehicle speed.
AUTO
P
Parking Aids231
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

Automatic Steering into Parking Space
Note:If vehicle speed exceeds 6 mph (10 km/h), the system turns off
and you need to take full control of the vehicle.
Note:If a maneuver is interrupted before completion, the system turns
off and you need to full take control of the vehicle. In some instances
after an interruption a message may appear that would allow you to
resume the maneuver.
With hands off the wheel (and nothing obstructing its movement) and
the transmission inR(Reverse), the vehicle steers itself as instructions
to safely move the vehicle back and forward in the space are displayed in
the touch screen. While reversing, the touch screen displays a message
instructing the driver to check their surroundings (for safety reasons)
and to back-up slowly, accompanied by a corresponding graphic.
When you think your vehicle has enough space in front and behind it, or
you hear a solid tone from the parking aid (accompanied by a
touchscreen display message and a chime), bring your vehicle to a
complete stop.
When automatic steering is finished, the touch screen displays a message
indicating that the active park assist process is done. The driver is
responsible for checking the parking job and making any necessary
corrections before putting the transmission inP(Park).
232Parking Aids
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

Changing the Set Speed
Note:If you accelerate by pressing the accelerator pedal, the set speed
will not change. When you release the accelerator pedal, you will return
to the speed that you previously set.
•PressSETup or down and hold to increase or decrease the set speed.
Release the control when you reach the desired speed.
•PressSETup or down and release. The set speed will change in
approximately 1 mph (2 km/h) increments.
•Press the accelerator pedal or brake pedal until you reach the desired
speed. PressSETup and release.
Canceling the Set Speed
PressCNCLor tap the brake pedal. The set speed will not be erased.
Resuming the Set Speed
Press and releaseRES.
Switching Cruise Control Off
Note:The set speed is erased when you switch off cruise control.
Press theOFFcontrol down and release or turn off the ignition.
USING ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Always pay close attention to changing road
conditions, especially when using adaptive cruise control.
Adaptive cruise control cannot replace attentive driving. Failing to
follow any of the warnings below or failing to pay attention to the road
may result in a collision, serious injury or death.
WARNING:Adaptive cruise control is not a collision warning or
avoidance system. Additionally, adaptive cruise control will not
detect:
•stationary or slow moving vehicles below 6 mph (10 km/h)
•pedestrians or objects in the roadway
•oncoming vehicles in the same lane.
WARNING:Do not use the adaptive cruise control when
entering or leaving a highway, in heavy traffic or on roads that
are winding, slippery or unpaved.
240Cruise Control
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

WARNING:Do not use in poor visibility, specifically fog, rain,
spray or snow.
Note:It is your responsibility to stay alert, drive safely and be in control
of your vehicle at all times.
The system adjusts your speed to maintain a proper distance between
you and the vehicle in front of you in the same lane. You can select from
one of four GAP settings. The controls are located on the steering wheel.
At startup, the system sets the gap to the last selected setting. Once
activated, you can deactivate the system at any time by pressing the
brake pedal, pressing the steering wheelOFFcontrol or pressing the
CNCLcontrol. In addition, you can temporarily increase the vehicle
speed above the current speed by manually pressing on the accelerator
pedal.
The controls for using your cruise
control are located on the steering
wheel.
Setting Adaptive Cruise Control
1. Press and releaseON.
The information display will show
the gray indicator light, current gap
setting andSET. The system is set
to standby mode.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed.
3. PressSETupward and release. The vehicle speed is stored in the
memory.
The information display will show a green indicator light,
current gap setting and desired set speed.
SETRES
CNCL
ON
OFFGAP
Cruise Control241
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

To help you to pass, the system may provide a small, temporary
acceleration when you switch on the left turn signal while following a
lead vehicle.
If the system predicts that its maximum braking level will not be
sufficient, an audible warning will sound while the system continues to
brake. This is accompanied by a heads-up display; a red warning bar
illuminating on the windshield. You should take immediate action.
Setting the Gap Distance
Note:It is your responsibility to select a gap appropriate to the driving
conditions.
You can decrease or increase the
distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you by
pressing theGAPcontrolupor
down. The selected gap will display
in the information display as shown by the bars in the graphic. Four gap
distance settings are available.
Graphic display (bars
between vehicles)Following
distanceFollowing distance at
60 mph (100 km/h)Dynamic
behavior
1 bar 1 second 31 yards (28 m) Sporty
2 bars 1.4 seconds 43 yards (39 m) Normal
3 bars 1.8 seconds 55 yards (50 m) Normal
4 bars 2.2 seconds 67 yards (61 m) Comfort
Each time you restart your vehicle, the system will select the last chosen
gap for the current driver.
Disengaging Adaptive Cruise Control
Press the brake pedal or pressCNCLto disengage the system.
Disengaging the system will not erase your previous set speed.
Overriding Adaptive Cruise Control
WARNING:Whenever the driver is overriding the ACC by
pressing the accelerator pedal, the ACC will not automatically
apply the brakes to maintain separation from any vehicle ahead.
You can override the set speed and gap distance by pressing the
accelerator pedal.
Cruise Control243
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)