2015 FORD EXPLORER tow

Load Carrying 264
Cargonet...........................................264
Roof racks and load carriers.............................264
Vehicle loading.......................................265
Towing 273
Trailertowing........................................273
Wrecker towing......................................280
Recreational towing...................................281
Driving Hints 283
Economical driving....................................283
Floormats..........................................284
Roadside Emergencies 286
Getting roadside assistance..............................286
Hazard warning flashers................................288
Fuel cut-off switch....................................288
Jump-starting the vehicle...............................289
Customer Assistance 292
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only).......................299
Reporting safety defects (Canada only).....................299
Fuses 300
Changing a fuse......................................300
Fuse specification chart................................300
6Table of Contents
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

ABOUT THIS MANUAL
Thank you for choosing Ford. We recommend that you take some time to
get to know your vehicle by reading this manual. The more that you
know about it, the greater the safety and pleasure you will get from
driving it.
WARNING:Always drive with due care and attention when
using and operating the controls and features on your vehicle.
Note:This manual describes product features and options available
throughout the range of available models, sometimes even before they
are generally available. It may describe options not fitted to your vehicle.
Note:Some of the illustrations in this manual may show features as used
in different models, so may appear different to you on your vehicle.
Note:Always use and operate your vehicle in line with all applicable
laws and regulations.
Note:Pass on this manual when selling your vehicle. It is an integral
part of the vehicle.
This manual may qualify the location of a component as left-hand side or
right-hand side. The side is determined when facing forward in the seat.
A. Right-hand side
B. Left-hand side
Protecting the Environment
You must play your part in protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized disposal of waste, cleaning
and lubrication materials are significant steps toward this aim.
A
B
10Introduction
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

CHILD SEAT POSITIONING
WARNING:Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child seat.
Never place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active airbag. If
you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move the
vehicle seat upon which the child seat is installed all the way back.
When possible, all children age 12 and under should be properly
restrained in a rear seating position. If all children cannot be seated and
restrained properly in a rear seating position, properly restrain the
largest child in the front seat.
WARNING:Always carefully follow the instructions and
warnings provided by the manufacturer of any child restraint to
determine if the restraint device is appropriate for your child’s size,
height, weight, or age. Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s
instructions and warnings provided for installation and use in
conjunction with the instructions and warnings provided by your
vehicle manufacturer. A safety seat that is improperly installed or
utilized, is inappropriate for your child’s height, age or weight, or does
not properly fit the child, may increase the risk of serious injury or
death.
WARNING:Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap
while your vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the
child from injury in a crash, which may result in serious injury or death.
WARNING:Never use pillows, books, or towels to boost a child.
They can slide around and increase the likelihood of injury or
death in a crash.
WARNING:Always restrain an unoccupied child seat or booster
seat. These objects may become projectiles in a crash or sudden
stop, which may increase the risk of serious injury.
20Child Safety
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

•Keep the buckle release button pointing up and away from the safety
seat, with the tongue between the child seat and the release button,
to prevent accidental unbuckling.
•Place the vehicle seat upon which the child seat will be installed in
the upright position.
•For second-row seating positions, the recliner may be adjusted slightly
to improve child seat fit. If needed, the head restraints may be
removed.
•For third-row seating positions, the head restraints may be stowed to
improve child seat fit. See theSeatschapter for information on folding
the head restraints.
•Put the safety belt in the automatic locking mode. See Step 5 below.
This vehicle does not require the use of a locking clip.
Perform the following steps when installing the child seat with
combination lap and shoulder belts:
Note:Although the child seat illustrated is a forward-facing child seat,
the steps are the same for installing a rear-facing child seat.
Note:The lock-off device on some child restraints may not
accommodate the shoulder portion of the inflatable safety belt. Follow all
instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child restraint
regarding the necessary and proper use of the lock-off device. In some
instances these devices have been provided only for use in vehicles with
safety belt systems that would otherwise require a locking clip.
1. Position the child safety seat in a
seat with a combination lap and
shoulder belt.
26Child Safety
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

•Inflatable safety belt: grasp the lap
portion of the inflatable safety belt
and pull upward until all of the belt
is pulled out.
Note:
Unlike the standard safety belt,
the inflatable safety belt’s unique lap
portion locks the child seat for
installation. The ability for the shoulder
portion of the belt to move freely is
normal, even after the lap belt has been
put into the automatic locking mode.
6. Allow the belt to retract to remove slack. The belt will click as it
retracts to indicate it is in the automatic locking mode.
7. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is
in the automatic locking mode (you should not be able to pull more belt
out). If the retractor is not locked, repeat Steps 5 and 6.
8. Remove remaining slack from the belt. Force the seat down with extra
weight, for example, by pressing down or kneeling on the child restraint
while pulling up on the shoulder belt (for standard safety belt) or pulling
down on the lap belt (for inflatable safety belt) in order to force slack
from the belt. This is necessary to remove the remaining slack that will
exist once the extra weight of the child is added to the child restraint. It
also helps to achieve the proper snugness of the child seat to your
vehicle. Sometimes, a slight lean toward the buckle will provide extra
help to remove remaining slack from the belt.
•Standard safety belt
Child Safety29
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

Children 12 years old and under should always be properly restrained in
the rear seats. The Safety Canopy will not interfere with children
restrained using a properly installed child or booster seat because it is
designed to inflate downward from the headliner above the doors along
the side window opening.
The design and development of the Safety Canopy included
recommended testing procedures that were developed by a group of
automotive safety experts known as the Side Airbag Technical Working
Group. These recommended testing procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of side airbags (including the Safety
Canopy).
CRASH SENSORS AND AIRBAG INDICATOR
WARNING:Modifying or adding equipment to the front end of
your vehicle (including frame, bumper, front end body structure
and tow hooks) may affect the performance of the airbag system,
increasing the risk of injury. Do not modify the front end of your
vehicle.
Your vehicle has a collection of crash and occupant sensors which
provide information to the restraints control module. The restraints
control module deploys (activates) the front safety belt pretensioners,
rear inflatable safety belts, driver airbag, passenger airbag, passenger
knee airbag, seat mounted side airbags, and the Safety Canopy. Based on
the type of accident (frontal impact, side impact or rollover) the
restraints control module will deploy the appropriate safety devices.
The restraints control module also monitors the readiness of the above
safety devices plus the crash and occupant sensors. The readiness of the
safety system is indicated by a warning indicator light in the instrument
cluster or by a backup tone if the warning light is not working. See the
Instrument Clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the airbag is not
required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
•The readiness light will either flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after the
ignition is turned on.
•A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem or light is repaired.
60Supplementary Restraints System
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

GENERAL INFORMATION ON RADIO FREQUENCIES
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules and with Industry
Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Note:Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment. The termICbefore the radio certification number only
signifies that Industry Canada technical specifications were met.
The typical operating range for your transmitter is approximately 33 feet
(10 meters). Vehicles with the remote start feature will have a greater
range. A decrease in operating range could be caused by:
•weather conditions
•nearby radio towers
•structures around your vehicle
•other vehicles parked next to your vehicle.
The radio frequency used by your remote control can also be used by
other short-distance radio transmissions, for example amateur radios,
medical equipment, wireless headphones, remote controls and alarm
systems. If the frequencies are jammed, you will not be able to use your
remote control. You can lock and unlock the doors with the key.
Note:Make sure your vehicle is locked before leaving it unattended.
Note:If you are in range, the remote control will operate if you press
any button unintentionally.
Intelligent Access (If Equipped)
The system uses a radio frequency signal to communicate with your
vehicle and authorize your vehicle to unlock when one of the following
conditions is met:
•You touch the inside of the front exterior door handle.
•You press the luggage compartment button.
•You press a button on the transmitter.
If excessive radio frequency interference is present in the area or if the
transmitter battery is low, it may be necessary to mechanically unlock
your door. You can use the mechanical key blade in your intelligent
access key to open the driver door in this situation. Refer toRemote
Controlin this chapter for more information on the location and use of
the mechanical key blade.
62Keys and Remote Control
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)

If your programmed transmitters or standard SecuriLock coded keys
(integrated keyhead transmitters only) are lost or stolen and you do not
have an extra coded key, you will need to have your vehicle towed to an
authorized dealer. The key codes need to be erased from your vehicle
and new coded keys will need to be programmed.
Store an extra programmed key away from the vehicle in a safe place to
help prevent any inconveniences. See an authorized dealer to purchase
additional spare or replacement keys.
Programming a Spare Integrated Keyhead Transmitter
Note:You can program a maximum of eight coded keys to your vehicle.
Only four of these eight can be integrated keyhead transmitters.
You can program your own integrated keyhead transmitters or standard
SecuriLock coded keys to your vehicle. This procedure will program both
the engine immobilizer key code and the remote entry portion of the
remote control to your vehicle.
Only use integrated keyhead transmitters or standard SecuriLock keys.
You must have two previously programmed coded keys and the new
unprogrammed key readily accessible. See an authorized dealer to have
the spare key programmed if two previously programmed coded keys are
not available.
Read and understand the entire procedure before you begin.
1. Insert the first previously programmed coded key into the ignition.
2. Switch the ignition from off to on. Keep the ignition on for at least
three seconds, but no more than 10 seconds.
3. Switch the ignition off and remove the first coded key from the
ignition.
4. After three seconds but within 10 seconds of switching the ignition
off, insert the second previously coded key into the ignition.
5. Switch the ignition from off to on. Keep the ignition on for at least
three seconds, but no more than 10 seconds.
6. Switch the ignition off and remove the second previously programmed
coded key from the ignition.
7. After three seconds but within 20 seconds of switching the ignition off
and removing the previously programmed coded key, insert the new
unprogrammed key into the ignition.
86Security
2015 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, September 2014
USA(fus)