2015 FORD EXPLORER oil

Maintenance 310
General information...................................310
Opening and closing the hood............................311
Under hood overview..................................312
Engine oil dipstick....................................315
Engine oil check......................................316
Engine coolant check..................................316
Automatic transmission fluid check........................322
Brake fluid check.....................................326
Fuel filter...........................................327
Washer fluid check....................................327
Battery ............................................327
Checking the wiper blades..............................330
Air filter(s).........................................331
Adjusting the headlamps................................333
Changing a bulb......................................335
Bulb specification chart.................................339
Vehicle Care 341
Cleaning products.....................................341
Cleaning the exterior..................................341
Waxing.............................................343
Repairing minor paint damage............................343
Cleaning the engine...................................343
Cleaning the windows and wiper blades.....................344
Cleaning the interior...................................345
Cleaning the instrument panel and instrument cluster lens.......345
Cleaning leather seats..................................346
Cleaning the alloy wheels...............................347
Vehiclestorage.......................................348
Table of Contents7
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

SYMBOL GLOSSARY
These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Symbol Description Symbol Description Symbol Description
Safety alertSee Owner’s
ManualAnti-lock
braking
system
Avoid
smoking,
flames, or
sparksBatteryBattery acid
Brake fluid –
non
petroleum
baseBrake systemCabin air
filter
Check fuel
capChild Safety
Door Lock
and UnlockChild seat
lower anchor
Child seat
tether anchorCruise
controlDo not open
when hot
Engine air
filterEngine
coolantEngine
coolant
temperature
Engine oilExplosive gasFan warning
Fasten safety
beltFront airbagFront fog
lamps
Fuel pump
resetFuse
compartmentHazard
warning
flasher
Heated rear
windowInterior
luggage
compartment
releaseJack
Introduction11
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

CHILD RESTRAINT AND SAFETY BELT MAINTENANCE
Inspect the vehicle safety belts and child safety seat systems periodically
to make sure they work properly and are not damaged. Inspect the
vehicle and child seat safety belts to make sure there are no nicks, tears
or cuts. Replace if necessary. All vehicle safety belt assemblies, including
retractors, buckles, front safety belt buckle assemblies, buckle support
assemblies (slide bar-if equipped), shoulder belt height adjusters (if
equipped), shoulder belt guide on seatback (if equipped), rear inflatable
safety belts (if equipped), child safety seat LATCH and tether anchors,
and attaching hardware, should be inspected after a crash. See the child
restraint manufacturer’s instructions for additional inspection and
maintenance information specific to the child restraint.
Ford Motor Company recommends that all safety belt assemblies in use
in vehicles involved in a crash be replaced. However, if the crash was
minor and an authorized dealer finds that the belts do not show damage
and continue to operate properly, they do not need to be replaced.
Safety belt assemblies not in use during a crash should also be inspected
and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted.
For proper care of soiled safety belts, seeInteriorin theCleaning
chapter.
48Safety Belts
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

LIFTGATE
WARNING:Do not allow people to travel in any area of your
vehicle that does not have seats and safety belts. Riding in a
cargo area, inside or outside of the vehicle, is extremely dangerous. In a
crash, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed. Make sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a safety belt correctly. Failure to follow this warning could result
in serious personal injury or death.
Manual Liftgate
WARNING:Make sure to close and latch the liftgate to prevent
drawing exhaust fumes into your vehicle. This will also prevent
passengers and cargo from falling out. If you must drive with the
liftgate open, keep the vents or windows open so outside air comes into
your vehicle. Failure to follow this warning could result in serious
personal injury.
Note:Be careful when opening or closing the liftgate in a garage or
other enclosed area to avoid damaging the liftgate.
Note:Do not hang anything, for example a bike rack, from the spoiler,
glass or liftgate. This could damage the liftgate and its components.
Note:Do not leave the liftgate open while driving. This could damage
the liftgate and its components.
The liftgate area is only intended for cargo, not passengers.
To open the liftgate:Press the
button located in the top of the
liftgate pull-cup handle to unlatch the
liftgate, and then pull on the outside
handle.
If your vehicle has lost power, you can release the latch from inside your
vehicle. Use the access panel on the liftgate trim.
78Locks
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

Brake system warning light
To confirm the brake system warning light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the ignition is turned to the on
position when the engine is not running, or in a position
between on and start, or by applying the parking brake when the ignition
is turned to the on position.
If it illuminates when you are driving, check that the parking brake is not
engaged. If the parking brake is not engaged, this indicates low brake
fluid level or a brake system malfunction. Have the system checked
immediately by your authorized dealer.
WARNING:Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning
light on is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking
performance may occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle.
Have the vehicle checked by your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Driving extended distances with the parking brake engaged can cause
brake failure and the risk of personal injury.
Charging system (RTT)
Illuminates when the battery is not charging properly. If it stays
on while the engine is running, there may be a malfunction with
the charging system. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible. This indicates a problem with the electrical system or a related
component.
Door ajar (RTT)
Displays when the ignition is on and any door is not completely
closed.
Engine oil pressure (RTT)
Illuminates when the oil pressure falls below the normal range.
Engine coolant temperature (RTT)
Illuminates when the engine coolant temperature is high. Stop
the vehicle as soon as possible, switch off the engine and let
cool.
11 8Instrument Cluster
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

Settings
Convenience Auto Highbeam — check enabled (default) / uncheck
disabled
Autolamp Delay Off or number of seconds
Compass Display Display — check enabled (default) /
uncheck disabled
Calibrate Hold OK to
calibrate
Circle slowly to
calibrate
Calibration
complete
Zone Zone 1 — 15
DTE Calculation Normal or Towing
Easy Entry/Exit — check enabled (default) / uncheck
disabled
Locks Autolock — check enabled (default) /
uncheck disabled
Autounlock — check enabled
(default) / uncheck disabled
Remote Unlock All Doors or
Driver First
Oil life Reset Percent Oil Life XXX% — Hold OK to
Reset
Power Liftgate Enable or Disable switch
Remote Start Climate Control Auto or Last
Settings
Seats and Wheel Auto or Off
Wheel Auto or Off
Duration 5, 10 or
15 minutes
System — check enabled (default) /
uncheck disabled
Windows Remote Open or Close
Wipers Courtesy Wipe — check enabled
(default) / uncheck disabled
Rain Sensing — check enabled
(default) / uncheck disabled
126Information Displays
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

Settings
In this mode, you can configure different driver setting choices.
Note:Some items are optional and may not appear.
Settings
Vehicle DTE Calculation Normal / Towing
Easy Entry/Exit — check enabled / uncheck disabled
Lighting Auto highbeam On / Off
Autolamp Delay Off or number of
seconds
Locks Autolock On / Off
Autounlock On / Off
Remote
UnlockingAll doors /
Driver’s door
Oil Life ResetPercent Oil Life XXX %
Hold OK to Reset
Power Liftgate Enabled or Disabled
Remote StartClimate Control
(using this
feature allows
you to select
different climate
control modes
when the vehicle
is started using
the remote start
feature)Auto / Last
Settings
Seats and Wheel
or SeatsAuto / Off
Duration5/10
/15 minutes
System Enable / Disable
Windows Remote Open or Close
WipersCourtesy Wipe On / Off
Rain Sensing On / Off
132Information Displays
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

Maintenance
MessagesAction / Description
LOW Engine Oil
PressureStop the vehicle as soon as safely possible,
turn off the engine. Check the oil level. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on with
your engine running, contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
Change Engine Oil
SoonDisplayed when the engine oil life remaining is
10% or less.
Oil Change Required Displayed when the oil life left reaches 0%.
Engine Coolant Over
TempDisplayed when the engine coolant
temperature is excessively high.
Washer Fluid Level
LowIndicates the washer fluid reservoir is less than
one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level.
Steering Malfunction
Service NowDisplays when the steering system needs
service. See your authorized dealer.
Service Power Steering The power steering system has detected a
condition that requires service. See your
authorized dealer.
Service Power Steering
NowThe power steering system has detected a
condition within the power steering system
that requires service immediately. See your
authorized dealer.
Power Steering Assist
FaultThe power steering system has disabled power
steering assist due to a system error. See your
authorized dealer.
MyKey® Messages Action / Description
MyKey active Drive
SafelyDisplayed when MyKey® is active.
MyKey not Created Displayed during key programming when
MyKey® cannot be programmed.
Speed Limited to xx
MPH/km/hDisplayed when starting the vehicle and
MyKey® is in use and the MyKey speed limit
is on.
140Information Displays
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)