Wheels and Tires 351
Tirecare ...........................................353
Using snow chains....................................370
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)...................371
Changing a road wheel.................................375
Technical specifications.................................382
Wheel lug nut torque..................................382
Capacities and Specifications 384
Engine specifications..................................384
Part numbers........................................391
Vehicle identification number............................392
Vehicle certification label...............................393
Transmission code designation............................393
Accessories 394
Accessories.........................................394
Extended Service Plan 396
Audio System 399
MyFord™ system.....................................401
Satellite radio information...............................412
Auxiliary input jack...................................414
USB port...........................................416
SYNC® 417
Pairing your phone for the first time.......................422
911 Assist™.........................................436
Vehicle Health Report..................................439
8Table of Contents
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)
DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Always remember to turn on your headlamps at
dusk or during inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp
(DRL) system does not activate the tail lamps and generally may not
provide adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate
your headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
The system turns the headlamps on with a reduced output.
To activate:
•the ignition must be in the on position and
•the lighting control is in the off, autolamp, or parking lamp position
and
•the transmission is not in PARK.
AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
The system will automatically turn on your high beams if it is dark
enough and no other traffic is present. When it detects an approaching
vehicle’s headlights, a preceding vehicle’s tail lamps or street lighting, the
system will turn off the high beams (low beams remain on) before they
distract other drivers.
Note:If it appears that automatic control of the high beams is not
functioning properly, check the windshield in front of the camera for
blockage. A clear view of the road is required for proper system
operation. Any windshield damage in the area of the camera field-of-view
should be repaired.
Note:If a blockage is detected (e.g. bird dropping, bug splatter, snow, or
ice) and no changes are observed, the system will go into low beam
mode until the blockage is cleared. A message may also appear in the
instrument cluster display noting the front camera is blocked.
Note:Typical road dust, dirt and water spots will not affect the
automatic high beam system’s performance. However, in cold or
inclement weather conditions, the automatic high beam system’s
availability may be decreased. If the driver wants to change the beam
state independently of the system, the driver may turn the high beams
on or off using the multifunction switch stalk. Automatic control will
resume when conditions are correct.
Note:Modification of the vehicle ride height (e.g. using much larger
tires) may degrade feature performance.
Lighting101
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Terrain Management /
Off Road / Hill
Descent MessagesAction / Description
Normal Mode Active Displays terrain management normal mode is
currently active.
Terrain Management
Snow ModeDisplays driver selected terrain management
snow, grass, gravel mode.
Snow, Gravel, Grass
Mode ActiveDisplays terrain management snow, gravel, grass
mode is currently active.
Terrain Management
Mud, Ruts ModeDisplays driver selected terrain management
mud, ruts mode.
Mud, Rut Mode Active Displays terrain management mud, ruts mode is
currently active.
Terrain Management
Sand ModeDisplays driver selected terrain management
sand mode.
Sand Mode Active Displays terrain management sand mode is
currently active.
Mode Change Not
Accepted, RetryDisplayed when terrain management mode
cannot be changed at time of driver request.
Terrain Management
System FaultDisplays when the terrain management system
detects an error.
Tire Messages Action / Description
Low Tire Pressure Displays when one or more tires on your vehicle
have low tire pressure.
Tire Pressure Monitor
FaultDisplays when the tire pressure monitoring
system is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on
or continues to come on, contact your authorized
dealer.
Tire Pressure Sensor
FaultDisplayed when a tire pressure sensor is
malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For
more information on how the system operates
under these conditions, refer toTire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS)in theWheels and
tireschapter. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
Information Displays143
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If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck in Mud or Snow
Note:Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Note:Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Transmission211
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USA(fus)
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
WARNING:Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as
utility and four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than
vehicles with a lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive
vehicles are not designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger
cars any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform
satisfactorily under off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive
speed and abrupt maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive
cautiously could result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
•If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but
avoid severe brake application, ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the road surface.
•It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow
down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may lose
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply or abruptly.
•It often may be less risky to strike small objects, such as highway
reflectors, with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a
sudden return to the pavement which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or roll over. Remember, your safety and the
safety of others should be your primary concern.
If your vehicle gets stuck
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
WARNING:If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer.
WARNING:Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
214Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
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USA(fus)
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Note:Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Note:Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage to
the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may overheat.
Emergency maneuvers
WARNING:Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as
utility and four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than
vehicles with a lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive
vehicles are not designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger
cars any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform
satisfactorily under off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive
speed and abrupt maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive
cautiously could result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
•In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid “over-driving” your vehicle, i.e.,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency. Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
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Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
Note:Driving through deep water may damage your vehicle.
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the hubs (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the
ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even 4WD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest
Service and the Bureau of Land Management in encouraging you to help
preserve our national forest and other public and private lands by
“treading lightly.”
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Note:Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep slopes or hills. A
danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and possibly rolling over.
216Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
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Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand the
route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without seeing
what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse over a hill
without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, Do not try to turn around because you might roll
over. It is better to back down to a safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels cannot turn and if
they are not turning, you will not be able to steer. The front wheels have
to be turning in order to steer the vehicle.
Since your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
WARNING:If you are driving in slippery conditions that require
tire chains or cables, then it is critical that you drive cautiously.
Keep speeds down, allow for longer stopping distances and avoid
aggressive steering to reduce the chances of a loss of vehicle control
which can lead to serious injury or death. If the rear end of the vehicle
slides while cornering, steer in the direction of the slide until you
regain control of the vehicle.
4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
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