•The vehicle may need to be driven to relearn the idle and fuel trim
strategy.
•Note:If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle trim is
eventually relearned.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the
transmission must relearn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation to its
optimum shift feel.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
Always dispose of automotive batteries in a responsible manner. Follow
your local authorized standards for disposal. Call your local authorized
recycling center to find out more about recycling automotive batteries.
Battery management system
The battery management system (BMS) monitors battery conditions and
takes actions to extend battery life. If excessive battery drain is
detected, the system may temporarily disable certain electrical features
to protect the battery. Those electrical accessories affected include rear
defrost, heated/cooled seats, climate control fan, heated steering wheel,
audio and navigation system. A message may be displayed on the
instrument cluster or center stack display to alert the driver that battery
protection actions are active. See theInformation displaysin the
Instrument ClusterandEntertainment Systemschapters for more
information. These messages are only for notification that an action is
taking place, and do not necessarily indicate that an electrical problem
exists or that the battery requires replacement.
Electrical accessory installation
To ensure proper operation of the BMS, any electrical devices that are
added to the vehicle should not have their ground connection made
directly at the negative battery post. A connection at the negative
battery post can cause inaccurate measurements of the battery condition
and potential incorrect system operation.
Note:Electrical or electronic accessories added to the vehicle by the
dealer or the owner may adversely affect battery performance and
durability and may also affect the performance of other electrical
systems in the vehicle.
Maintenance329
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)
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)
•Avoid cleaners or polishes that increase the gloss of the upper portion
of the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the
driver from undesirable windshield reflection.
•Be certain to wash or wipe your hands clean if you have been in
contact with certain products, such as insect repellent and suntan
lotion, in order to avoid possible damage to the interior painted
surfaces.
•Do not use household or glass cleaners as these may damage the
finish of the instrument panel, interior trim and cluster lens.
•Do not allow air fresheners and hand sanitizers to spill on interior
surfaces. If a spill occurs, wipe off immediately. Damage may not be
covered by your warranty.
If a staining liquid like coffee or juice has been spilled on the instrument
panel or on interior trim surfaces, clean as follows:
1. Wipe up spilled liquid using a clean, white, cotton cloth.
2. Use Motorcraft Premium Leather and Vinyl Cleaner or a commercially
available leather cleaning product for automotive interiors. Test any
cleaner or stain remover on an inconspicuous area.
3. Alternatively, wipe the surface with a damp, clean, white, cotton cloth
and a mild soap and water solution. Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.
4. If necessary, apply more soap and water solution or cleaning product
to a clean, white, cotton cloth and press the cloth onto the soiled area.
Allow this to set at room temperature for 30 minutes.
5. Remove the soaked cloth, then with a clean, damp cloth, use a rubbing
motion for 60 seconds on the soiled area.
6. Following this, wipe area dry with a clean, white, cotton cloth.
CLEANING LEATHER SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
Note:Follow the same procedure as cleaning leather seats for cleaning
leather instrument panels and leather interior trim surfaces.
For routine cleaning, wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth and a mild
soap and water solution. Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.
For cleaning and removing spots and stains such as dye transfer, use
Motorcraft Premium Leather and Vinyl Cleaner or a commercially
available leather cleaning product for automotive interiors.
Note:Test any cleaner or stain remover on an inconspicuous area.
346Vehicle Care
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)
ACCESSING AND ADJUSTING MODES THROUGH YOUR RIGHT
VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY (IF EQUIPPED)
The display is located on the right side of your instrument cluster. You
can use your steering wheel controls to view and make minor
adjustments to active modes without taking your hands off the wheel.
For example:
•In Entertainment mode, you can view what is now playing, change
the audio source (such as AM, FM and CD) and scroll through
memory presets.
•In Phone mode, you can accept or reject an incoming call, or make a
call by choosing from select menus within the Phone menu.
•If your vehicle is equipped with Navigation, you can view the current
route or cancel a route.
Note:If your vehicle is not equipped with Navigation, Compass appears
in the display instead of Navigation. If you press the right arrow to go
into the Compass menu, you can see the compass graphic. The compass
displays the direction in which the vehicle is traveling, not true direction.
(For example, if the vehicle is traveling west, the middle of the compass
graphic displays west; north displays to the left of west though its true
direction is to the right of west).
MyFord Touch® (If Equipped)473
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)
Normal scheduled maintenance*
At every oil change
interval as indicated by
the information displayChange engine oil and filter.**
Rotate tires, inspect tire wear and measure
tread depth.
Perform multi-point inspection
(recommended).
Inspect automatic transmission fluid level (if
equipped with dipstick). Consult dealer for
requirements.
Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums,
brake linings, hoses and parking brake.
Inspect engine cooling system strength and
hoses.
Inspect exhaust system and heat shields.
Inspect rear axle and U-joints. Lubricate if
equipped with grease fittings (All-wheel drive
vehicles).
Inspect half-shaft boots.
Inspect steering linkage, ball joints,
suspension, tie-rod ends, driveshaft and
U-joints. Lubricate if equipped with grease
fittings.
Inspect wheels and related components for
abnormal noise, wear, looseness or drag.
*Do not exceed one year or 10000 miles (16000 kilometers) between
service intervals.
**Reset your Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor after each engine oil and filter
change. See theInstrument Clusterchapter.
Scheduled Maintenance577
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)
Extensive idling or low-speed driving for long distances as in
heavy commercial use (such as delivery, taxi, patrol car or
livery)
As required Change engine oil and filter as indicated by
the information display and perform services
listed in the Normal Scheduled Maintenance
chart.
Inspect frequently,
service as requiredReplace cabin air filter (if equipped).
Replace engine air filter.
Every 30000 miles
(48000 km)Change automatic transmission fluid.
Every 60000 miles
(96000 km)Replace spark plugs.
Operating in dusty or sandy conditions such as unpaved or
dusty roads
Inspect frequently,
service as requiredReplace cabin air filter (if equipped).
Replace engine air filter.
Every 5000 miles
(8000 km)Inspect the wheels and related components for
abnormal noise, wear, looseness or drag.
Rotate tires, inspect tires for wear and
measure tread depth.
Every 5000 miles
(8000 km) or six
monthsChange engine oil and filter.
*
Perform multi-point inspection.
Every 30000 miles
(48000 km)Change automatic transmission fluid.
*Reset your Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor after each engine oil and filter
change. See theInstrument Clusterchapter.
Scheduled Maintenance583
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)
Gauges ...............................115–116
odometer .................................127
trip odometer ..........................127
H
Hazard flashers .........................288
HD Radio™ ...............................481
Headlamps
aiming ......................................333
bulb specifications ..................339
flash to pass ..............................98
high beam .........................98, 101
Head restraints .........................156
Heated steering wheel ..............530
Heating ......................144, 146, 148
Help ............................................529
Hill descent mode .....................226
Hill start assist ..........................221
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................177
Hood ..........................................311
How to use voice commands ...475
I
Ignition ...............................188, 384
Illuminated visor mirror ...112–113
Information displays .................123
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................204
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................345
cluster ......................................117
Intelligent Access Key ................63J
Jack ............................................375
positioning ...............................375
storage .....................................375
Joining two calls
(multiparty/conference call) ....425
Jump-starting your vehicle ......289
K
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................76
keypad .......................................82
locking and unlocking doors ....84
programming entry code .........82
Keys .......................................63, 85
positions of the ignition .........188
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................339
headlamps, flash to pass ..........98
interior lamps .................104–105
Lane keeping system ................250
LATCH anchors ...........................31
Liftgate ............................74, 78–79
Lights, warning and indicator ..117
Listening to music ....................478
Loading instructions .................272
Load limits .................................265
Locks
autolock .....................................76
childproof ..................................37
doors ..........................................73
Lubricant specifications ...........386
Index591
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)