2016 FORD EXPLORER sensor

Note:
The Blind Spot Information System
does not prevent contact with other vehicles
or objects; nor detect parked vehicles,
people, animals or infrastructure (fences,
guardrails, trees). It's only designed to alert
you to vehicles in the blind zones.
Note: Vehicles that pass through the blind
spot zone quickly (typically less than 2
seconds) will not trigger the alert.
Using the System
The Blind Spot Information System turns
on when you start the engine and you drive
your vehicle forward above approximately
6 mph (10 km/h).
Note: The Blind Spot Information System
does not function in reverse (R) or park (P)
or provide any additional warning when a
turn signal is on.
System Lights and Messages The system displays a yellow warning
indicator located in the exterior mirrors.
Note:
It will dim when the ambient light
decreases. System Sensors WARNING
Prior to the system recognizing a
blocked condition and issuing a
warning, the number of missed
objects will increase. Note:
It is possible to get a blockage
warning with no blockage present; this is
rare and known as a false blockage warning.
A false blocked condition either
self-corrects or clears after a key cycle. The system uses radar sensors which are
located behind the bumper fascia on each
side of your vehicle. Do not allow mud,
snow or bumper stickers to obstruct these
areas, this can cause degraded system
performance.
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If the system detects a degraded
performance condition, a message warning
of a blocked sensor or low visibility will
appear in the information display along
with a warning indicator. You can clear the
information display warning but the
warning indicator will remain illuminated.
When you remove a blockage, you can
reset the system in two ways:
•
While driving, the system detects at
least two objects.
• You cycle the ignition from on to off
and then back on.
If the blockage is still present after the key
cycle and driving in traffic, check again for
a blockage. Reasons for messages being displayed
Clean the fascia area in front
of the radar or remove the
obstruction.
The radar
surface is
dirty or
obstructed
Drive normally in traffic for
a few minutes to allow the
radar to detect passing
vehicles so it can clear the
blocked state.
The radar
surface is
not dirty or
obstructed
No action required. The
system automatically resets
to an unblocked state once
the rainfall or snowfall rate
decreases or stops. Do not
use the Blind Spot Informa-
tion System in these condi-
tions.
Heavy rain-
fall or
snowfall
interferes
with the
radar
signals
Detection Limitations
There may be instances where the system
will not always detect vehicles entering
and exiting the blind spot zone. Instances which may cause non-detection:
•
Debris build up on the rear bumper
panels in the area of the sensors.
• Certain maneuvering of vehicles
entering and exiting the blind spot
zone.
• Vehicles passing through the blind spot
zone at high speed.
• Severe weather conditions.
• Several vehicles passing through the
blind spot zone following each other
closely.
False Alerts
Note: If your vehicle has a trailer tow
module approved by us, the system will
detect a connected trailer and turn off. For
non-factory equipped tow bars, you may
want to turn the Blind Spot Information
System off manually.
There may be certain instances when there
is a false alert by the system that
illuminates the alert indicator with no
vehicle in the coverage zone. Some
amount of false alerts are normal; they are
temporary and self-correct.
Detection Errors
If the system senses a problem with the
left or right sensor, the Blind Spot
Information System warning indicator will
illuminate and a message will appear in
the information display.
All other system faults will display only
with a message in the information display.
See Information Messages (page 115).
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Switching the Systems Off and On
You can temporarily switch off the Blind
Spot Information System in the
information display. See General
Information (page 101). When you switch
off the Blind Spot Information System, you
will not receive alerts and the information
display will display a system off message.
Note: The Blind Spot Information System
will remember the last selected on or off
setting.
The Blind Spot Information System cannot
be switched off when MyKey is used. See
Principle of Operation
(page 54).
You can have the Blind Spot Information
System switched off permanently at an
authorized dealer. Once switched off, the
system can only be switched back on at
an authorized dealer. CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT
Cross traffic alert is designed to warn you
of vehicles approaching from the sides
when the transmission is in reverse (R).
Using the System
Cross traffic alert turns on when you start
the engine and you shift into reverse (R).
Once shifted out of reverse (R), cross
traffic alert turns off.
Note:
Cross traffic alert is designed to
detect vehicles that approach with a speed
up to 37 mph (60 km/h). Coverage
decreases when the sensors are partially,
mostly or fully obstructed. Reversing slowly
helps increase the coverage area and
effectiveness. In this first example, the left sensor is only
partially obstructed; zone coverage to the
right is nearly maximized.
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Zone coverage decreases when parking at
shallow angles. Here, the left sensor is
mostly obstructed; zone coverage on that
side is severely limited.
System Lights, Messages and
Audible Alerts Cross traffic alert illuminates an amber
alert indicator in the outside mirror on the
side of your vehicle the approaching
vehicle is coming from. Cross traffic alert
also sounds an audible alert and a
message appears in the information
display indicating a vehicle is coming from
the right or left. Cross traffic alert works
with the reverse sensing system that
sounds its own series of tones. See
Principle of Operation (page 198).
System Sensors
The system uses radar sensors that are
located behind the bumper fascia on each
side of your vehicle. Do not allow mud,
snow or bumper stickers to obstruct these
areas, as this can cause degraded system
performance.
System Limitations
Cross traffic alert has its own limitations;
situations such as severe weather
conditions or debris build-up on the sensor
area may limit vehicle detection.
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The following are other situations that may
limit the cross traffic alert system
performance:
•
Adjacently parked vehicles or objects
obstructing the sensors.
• Approaching vehicles passing at
speeds greater than 37 mph
(60 km/h).
• Backing out of an angled parking spot.
False Alerts
Note: If your vehicle has a tow bar with a
factory equipped trailer tow module and it
is towing a trailer, the sensors will
automatically turn the cross traffic alert off.
If your vehicle has a tow bar but no factory
equipped trailer tow module, it is
recommended to turn the cross traffic alert
off manually. Operating cross traffic alert
with a trailer attached will cause poor cross
traffic alert system performance.
There may be certain instances when there
is a false alert by the Cross Traffic Alert
system that illuminates the alert indicator
with no vehicle in the coverage zone. Some
amount of false alerts are normal; they are
temporary and self-correct.
System Errors
If cross traffic alert senses a problem with
the left or right sensor, a message will
appear in the information display. See
General Information
(page 101).
Switching the System Off and On
You can temporarily switch cross traffic
alert off in the information display. See
General Information
(page 101). When
you switch cross traffic alert off, you will
not receive alerts and the information
display will display a system off message. Note:
The cross traffic alert system always
switches on whenever the ignition is
switched on and ready to provide
appropriate alerts when the transmission is
in reverse (R). Cross Traffic Alert will not
remember the last selected on or off setting.
You can have cross traffic alert switched
off permanently at an authorized dealer.
Once switched off permanently, the
system can only be switched back on at
an authorized dealer.
STEERING
Electric Power Steering WARNING
The electric power steering system
has diagnostic checks that
continuously monitor the system. If
a fault is detected, a message displays in
the information display. Stop your vehicle
as soon as it is safe to do so. Switch the
ignition off. After at least 10 seconds,
switch the ignition on and watch the
information display for a steering system
warning message. If a steering system
warning message returns, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer. Your vehicle has an electric power steering
system. There is no fluid reservoir. No
maintenance is required.
If your vehicle loses electrical power while
you are driving, electric power steering
assistance is lost. The steering system still
operates and you can steer your vehicle
manually. Manually steering your vehicle
requires more effort.
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Extreme continuous steering may increase
the effort required for you to steer your
vehicle. This increased effort prevents
overheating and permanent damage to
the steering system. You do not lose the
ability to steer your vehicle manually.
Typical steering and driving maneuvers
allow the system to cool and return to
normal operation.
Steering Tips
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•
Correct tire pressures.
• Uneven tire wear.
• Loose or worn suspension
components.
• Loose or worn steering components.
• Improper vehicle alignment.
Note: A high crown in the road or high
crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander or pull.
Adaptive Learning
The electronic power steering system
adaptive learning helps correct road
irregularities and improves overall handling
and steering feel. It communicates with
the brake system to help operate
advanced stability control and accident
avoidance systems. Additionally, whenever
the battery is disconnected or a new
battery installed, you must drive your
vehicle a short distance before the system
relearns the strategy and reactivates all
systems. PRE-COLLISION ASSIST (If
Equipped) WARNINGS
This system is an extra driving aid. It
does not replace your attention and
judgment, or the need to apply the
brakes. This system does NOT
automatically brake your vehicle. If you fail
to press the brake pedal when necessary,
you may collide with another vehicle. The Pre-Collision Assist system with
brake support cannot help prevent
all collisions. Do not rely on this
system to replace your judgment and the
need to maintain correct distance and
speed. Note:
The system does not detect, warn or
respond to potential collisions with vehicles
to the rear or sides of your vehicle.
Note: The Pre-Collision Assist system is
active at speeds above approximately
5.0 mph (8 km/h)
. The system alerts you of certain collision
risks. The system's sensor detects your
vehicle's rapid approach to other vehicles
traveling in the same direction as your
vehicle.
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When your vehicle rapidly approaches
another vehicle, a red warning light flashes
and a tone sounds.
The brake support system assists you in
reducing any collision speed by
pre-charging the brakes. If the risk of
collision continues to increases after the
audio-visual warning, the brake support
prepares the brake system for rapid
braking. The system does not
automatically activate the brakes, but if
the brake pedal is pressed even lightly, the
brakes apply full stopping power.
Using the Pre-Collision Assist
System
WARNING
The Pre-Collision Assist system
’s
brake support reduces collision
speed only if you brake your vehicle
before any collision. As in any typical
braking situation, you must press your
brake pedal. You can adjust the warning system's
sensitivity through your information
display. See General Information (page
101). Note:
When possible, the manufacturer
recommends using the highest sensitivity
setting. If warnings are too frequent, you can
reduce your system's sensitivity. Reduced
sensitivity causes fewer and later system
warnings. See
General Information (page
101).
Blocked Sensors If a blocked sensor message appears in the
information display, dirt, water, or an object
is blocking the sensor. The sensor is
located behind a cover near the driver side
of the lower grille. If anything blocks the
sensor, your vehicle cannot see through
the sensor, and the pre-collision assist
system will not work. Possible causes for
the blocked sensor message and corrective
actions are listed below.
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Action
Cause
Clean the radar sensor cover or remove theobstruction
The radar sensor cover in the grille is dirty
or obstructed
Wait a short time. The radar may take
several minutes to reset after you remove the obstruction
The surface of the radar sensor cover is
clean but the message remains in the display
The Pre-Collision Assist system is tempor-
arily disabled. Shortly after weather condi-
tions improve, the collision warning systemautomatically reactivates
Heavy rain, spray, snow or fog in the air
interferes with the radar signals
The Pre-Collision Assist system is tempor-
arily disabled. Shortly after weather condi-
tions improve, the collision warning systemautomatically reactivates
Swirling water, snow or ice on the road
surface interferes with the radar signals
System Limitations WARNING
The Pre-Collision Assist system
’s
brake support only reduces collision
speed if you first apply your brakes.
You must brake as you would in any typical
braking situation. Due to the nature of radar technology,
there may be certain instances where
vehicles do not provide a collision warning.
These include:
•
Stationary vehicles or vehicles moving
below 6.2 mph (10 km/h).
• Pedestrians or objects in the roadway.
• Oncoming vehicles in the same lane.
• Severe weather conditions (see
blocked sensor section).
• Debris build-up on the grille near the
headlamps (see blocked sensor
section).
• Small distance to vehicle ahead.
• Large steering wheel and pedal
movements (very active driving style). Damage to the front end of your vehicle
may alter the radar sensor's coverage area.
This may result in missed or false collision
warnings. Have an authorized dealer check
your radar sensor for proper coverage and
operation.
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