
General
•
Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated
place.
• Protect from sunlight, if possible.
• If vehicles are stored outside, they
require regular maintenance to protect
against rust and damage.
Body
• Wash your vehicle thoroughly to
remove dirt, grease, oil, tar or mud from
exterior surfaces, rear-wheel housing
and the underside of front fenders.
• Periodically wash your vehicle if it is
stored in exposed locations.
• Touch-up exposed or primed metal to
prevent rust.
• Cover chrome and stainless steel parts
with a thick coat of auto wax to prevent
discoloration. Re-wax as necessary
when you wash your vehicle.
• Lubricate all hood, door and luggage
compartment hinges and latches with
a light grade oil.
• Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
• Keep all rubber parts free from oil and
solvents.
Engine
• Change the engine oil and filter prior to
storage because used engine oil
contains contaminates which may
cause engine damage.
• Start the engine every 15 days for a
minimum of 15 minutes. Run at fast idle
with the climate controls set to defrost
until the engine reaches normal
operating temperature. •
With your foot on the brake, shift
through all the gears while the engine
is running.
• We recommend that you change the
engine oil before you use your vehicle
again.
Fuel system
• Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the
fuel pump nozzle.
Cooling system
• Protect against freezing temperatures.
• When removing your vehicle from
storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm that there are no cooling
system leaks and that fluid is at the
recommended level.
Battery
• Check and recharge as necessary. Keep
connections clean.
• If storing your vehicle for more than 30
days without recharging the battery,
we recommend that you disconnect
the battery cables to maintain battery
charge for quick starting.
Note: It is necessary to reset memory
features if battery cables are disconnected.
Brakes
• Make sure the brakes and parking brake
release fully.
Tires
• Maintain recommended air pressure.
203
Explorer (TUB), enUSA, Edition date: 03/2015, First Printing Vehicle Care

U.S. Department of
Transportation Tire quality
grades: The U.S. Department of
Transportation requires Ford
Motor Company to give you the
following information about tire
grades exactly as the government
has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150
would wear 1½ times as well on
the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service
practices, and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C WARNING
The traction grade assigned
to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning or peak traction
characteristics. The traction grades, from highest
to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire
’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled
conditions on specified
government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Temperature A B C WARNING
The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a
tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure. The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B and C,
representing the tire
’s resistance
to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the
208
Explorer (TUB), enUSA, Edition date: 03/2015, First Printing Wheels and Tires

and ice conditions. Like any tire, summer
tire performance is affected by tire wear
and environmental conditions. If you must
drive in those conditions, we recommend
using Mud and Snow (M+S, M/S),
All-season or Snow tires.
Always store your summer tires indoors at
temperatures above 20ºF (-7ºC). The
rubber compounds used in these tires lose
flexibility and may develop surface cracks
in the tread area at temperatures below
20ºF (-7ºC). If the tires have been
subjected to 20ºF (-7ºC) or less, warm
them in a heated space to at least 40ºF
(5ºC) for at least 24 hours before installing
them on a vehicle, or moving the vehicle
with the tires installed, or checking tire
inflation. Do not place tires near heaters
or heating devices used to warm the room
where the tires are stored. Do not apply
heat or blow heated air directly on the tires.
Always inspect the tires after storage
periods and before use.
USING SNOW CHAINS WARNING
Snow tires must be the same size,
load index, and speed rating as those
originally provided by Ford. Use of
any tire or wheel not recommended by
Ford can affect the safety and
performance of your vehicle, which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury,
and death. Additionally, the use of
non-recommended tires and wheels could
cause steering, suspension, axle, transfer
case, or power transfer unit failure. It is also
strongly advised to follow the Ford
recommended tire inflation pressure found
on the Safety Compliance Certification
Label (affixed to either the door hinge
pillar, door-latch post, or the door edge
that meets the door-latch post, next to the
driver ’s seating position), or Tire Label
which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge
of the driver door. Failure to follow the tire
pressure recommendations can cause
uneven treadwear patterns and adversely
affect the way your vehicle handles. The tires on your vehicle (excluding the
265/45ZR20 Sport Tire) may have
all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates
you may need to use snow chains.
Your vehicle may not be compatible with
snow chain or cable usage with the
factory-fitted wheels and tires. Only
certain chains or snow cables have been
approved by Ford as safe for use on your
vehicle with the following wheel and tire
combination(s): 18”
x8”x44mm Wheel and
P245/60 R18 Tire. You should only install
chains or cables that have been rated as
10 mm or less in dimension as measured
on the sidewall of your tire. Not all S-class
snow chains meet these restrictions.
Chains of this size restriction will include a
222
Explorer (TUB), enUSA, Edition date: 03/2015, First Printing Wheels and Tires

A
A/C
See: Climate Control.......................................... 86
About This Manual...........................................5
ABS See: Brakes............................................................ 119
ABS driving hints See: Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock
Brakes................................................................. 119
Accessories See: Replacement Parts
Recommendation.............................................. 9
Adjusting the Headlamps.........................190
Vertical Aim Adjustment................................. 190
Adjusting the Pedals
.....................................55
Adjusting the Steering Wheel....................53
Airbag Disposal...............................................45
Air Conditioning See: Climate Control.......................................... 86
Alarm See: Anti-Theft Alarm........................................ 52
All-Wheel Drive...............................................112
Anti-Theft Alarm
............................................52
Alarm System........................................................ 52
Arming the Alarm................................................. 52
Disarming the Alarm........................................... 52
Triggering the Alarm............................................ 52
Appendices.....................................................316
Audible Warnings and Indicators
...............71
Automatic Transmission Warning
Chime................................................................... 72
Headlamps On Warning Chime....................... 71
Key in Ignition Warning Chime.......................... 71
Parking Brake On Warning Chime................... 71
Audio Control
...................................................53
Seek and Media.................................................... 53
Audio System................................................247 General Information.......................................... 247
Audio Unit - Vehicles With: AM/FM/CD/ SYNC.............................................................248
Autolamps........................................................59 Windshield Wiper Activated
Headlamps........................................................ 60Automatic Transmission............................110
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mud or
Snow................................................................... 110
Understanding the Positions of Your Automatic Transmission............................. 110
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check - 3.5L Ecoboost™........................................185
Adding Transmission Fluid............................. 186
Checking the Transmission Fluid Level................................................................... 185
Auxiliary Power Points
.................................95
12 Volt DC Power Point....................................... 95
Locations................................................................. 95
AWD See: All-Wheel Drive........................................... 112
B
Blind Spot Information System
................131
Using the System................................................. 131
Bonnet Lock See: Opening and Closing the Hood............177
Booster Seats
..................................................20
Types of Booster Seats....................................... 21
Brake Fluid Check........................................186
Brakes................................................................119 General Information........................................... 119
Breaking-In......................................................153
Bulb Specification Chart
...........................195
C
Cabin Air Filter.................................................89
California Proposition 65...............................9
Capacities and Specifications - 3.5L Ecoboost™.................................................238
Specifications..................................................... 239
Capacities and Specifications - 3.7L.................................................................242
Specifications..................................................... 243
Capacities and Specifications................233
Car Wash See: Cleaning the Exterior............................... 198
Center Console
...............................................96
Center Console..................................................... 96
Console Mounting Plates.................................. 96
Universal Top Tray............................................... 96
339
Explorer (TUB), enUSA, Edition date: 03/2015, First Printing Index

Changing a Bulb............................................192
Front Direction Indicator.................................. 192
Front Fog Lamp................................................... 193
Headlamp.............................................................. 192
Headlamp High Beam...................................... 193
LED Lamps............................................................ 194
License Plate Lamp........................................... 195
Rear Direction Indicator and Reversing Lamp.................................................................. 194
Changing a Fuse............................................175
Fuses........................................................................\
175
Changing a Road Wheel............................227 Dissimilar Spare Wheel and Tire Assembly
Information...................................................... 227
Tire Change Procedure.................................... 228
Changing the 12V Battery..........................187
Changing the Engine Air Filter..................197
Changing the Wiper Blades
.....................189
Front Wiper Blades............................................ 189
Rear Wiper Blade............................................... 189
Checking the Wiper Blades
......................189
Child Restraint and Safety Belt Maintenance.................................................32
Child Safety
.......................................................13
General Information............................................. 13
Child Safety Locks
..........................................24
Left-Hand Side...................................................... 25
Right-Hand Side................................................... 25
Child Seat Positioning...................................22
Cleaning Leather Seats..............................201
Cleaning Products
.......................................198
Cleaning the Alloy Wheels.......................202
Cleaning the Engine
....................................199
Cleaning the Exterior...................................198 Exterior Chrome Parts...................................... 198
Exterior Plastic Parts......................................... 199
Stripes or Graphics............................................ 199
Underbody............................................................ 199
Cleaning the Instrument Panel and Instrument Cluster Lens.........................201
Cleaning the Interior
..................................200
Cleaning the Windows and Wiper Blades...........................................................200
Climate Control
..............................................86
Coolant Check See: Engine Coolant Check............................. 181
Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator.......40 Airbags and Police Equipment........................ 41Cross Traffic Alert.........................................133
False Alerts............................................................ 135
Switching the System Off and On................135
System Errors....................................................... 135
System Lights, Messages and Audible Alerts.................................................................. 135
System Limitations............................................ 135
System Sensors................................................... 135
Using the System................................................ 133
Cruise Control
..................................................54
Principle of Operation....................................... 129
Cruise control See: Using Cruise Control................................ 129
Customer Assistance
...................................161
D
Data Recording
..................................................7
Event Data Recording............................................ 7
Service Data Recording......................................... 7
Daytime Running Lamps............................60
Digital Radio
..................................................250
HD Radio Reception and Station
Troubleshooting............................................. 251
Direction Indicators
........................................61
Driver and Passenger Airbags....................35 Children and Airbags........................................... 35
Proper Driver and Front Passenger Seating Adjustment........................................................ 35
Driving Aids
......................................................131
Driving Hints....................................................153
Driving Through Water................................154
DRL See: Daytime Running Lamps........................ 60
E
Economical Driving
......................................153
Emission Control System..........................107 On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II)................... 108
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Testing................................................... 108
End User License Agreement..................316 SYNC End User License Agreement
(EULA)............................................................... 316
Engine Block Heater.....................................99 Using the Engine Block Heater....................... 99
340
Explorer (TUB), enUSA, Edition date: 03/2015, First Printing Index

Head Restraints..............................................90
Adjusting the Head Restraint........................... 91
Tilting Head Restraints ...................................... 91
Heated Windows and Mirrors...................88 Heated Exterior Mirror........................................ 88
Heated Rear Window......................................... 88
Heating See: Climate Control.......................................... 86
Hints on Controlling the Interior Climate
............................................................87
Cooling the Interior Quickly.............................. 87
General Hints......................................................... 87
Heating the Interior Quickly.............................. 87
Maximum Cooling Performance in Instrument Panel or Instrument Panel
and Footwell Positions................................. 88
Recommended Settings for Cooling ...........88
Recommended Settings for Heating............87
Side Window Defogging in Cold Weather.............................................................. 88
Vehicle Stationary for Extended Periods During Extreme High Ambient
Temperatures................................................... 88
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes.............................................................119
Hood Lock See: Opening and Closing the Hood............177
I
Ignition Switch
.................................................97
In California (U.S. Only).............................162
Information Display Control.......................54 Information Display Control Features..........54
Information Displays.....................................73 General Information............................................ 73Information Messages..................................76
AdvanceTrac ™....................................................... 77
Alarm........................................................................\
. 77
AWD........................................................................\
... 77
Battery and Charging System.......................... 78
Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Alert System...................................................... 78
Brake System......................................................... 79
Doors and Locks................................................... 79
Electronic Stability Control............................... 79
Engine...................................................................... 80
Fuel........................................................................\
... 80
Keys and Intelligent Access............................. 80
Lane Keeping System.......................................... 81
Maintenance........................................................... 81
Park Aid.................................................................... 82
Park Brake............................................................... 82
Power Steering...................................................... 83
Seats........................................................................\
. 83
Starting System.................................................... 83
Tire Pressure Monitoring System................... 84
Traction Control.................................................... 84
Transmission......................................................... 84
Installing Child Seats.....................................14 Child Seats............................................................... 14
Using Lap and Shoulder Belts.......................... 15
Using Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH)............................................. 17
Using Tether Straps.............................................. 19
Instrument Cluster.........................................67
Instrument Lighting Dimmer.....................60
Interior Lamps..................................................61 Dome Lamp............................................................ 61
Dome Task Lamp.................................................. 61
Front Map Lamps.................................................. 61
Rear Interior Lamp............................................... 62
Interior Mirror
...................................................65
Auto-Dimming Mirror......................................... 65
Introduction........................................................5
J
Jump Starting the Vehicle
.........................158
Connecting the Jumper Cables..................... 158
Jump Starting....................................................... 159
Preparing Your Vehicle..................................... 158
Removing the Jumper Cables........................ 159
342
Explorer (TUB), enUSA, Edition date: 03/2015, First Printing Index

K
Keys and Remote Controls........................46
Principle of Operation........................................ 46
L
Lighting Control..............................................58
Headlamp Flasher............................................... 59
High Beams............................................................ 58
Spot Lamp Control.............................................. 59
Lighting..............................................................58 General Information............................................ 58
Load Carriers See: Roof Racks and Load Carriers..............137
Load Carrying
..................................................137
Load Limit.......................................................138
Special Loading Instructions for Owners of
Pick-up Trucks and Utility-type
Vehicles............................................................. 145
Vehicle Loading - with and without a Trailer .................................................................. 138
Locking and Unlocking
................................48
Battery Saver......................................................... 50
Hidden Rear Door Locks.................................... 48
Illuminated Entry.................................................. 50
Illuminated Exit..................................................... 50
Independent Liftgate Locking Feature........49
Locking and Unlocking the Doors with the Key Blade........................................................... 49
Opening a Rear Door From the Inside..........50
Power Door Locks................................................ 48
Remote Control.................................................... 48
Locks...................................................................48
Lug Nuts See: Changing a Road Wheel........................ 227
M
Maintenance...................................................176 General Information........................................... 176
Manual Climate Control..............................86
Manual Liftgate
..............................................50
Closing the Liftgate.............................................. 51
Opening the Liftgate............................................ 51Manual Seats
...................................................92
Lumbar Adjustment............................................ 93
Moving the Seat Backward and Forward............................................................... 92
Recline Adjustment............................................. 92
Message Center See: Information Displays................................. 73
Mirrors See: Heated Windows and Mirrors................88
See: Windows and Mirrors................................ 63
Mobile Communications Equipment........11
Motorcraft Parts - 3.5L Ecoboost™.................................................234
Motorcraft Parts - 3.7L...............................235
N
Normal Scheduled Maintenance
..........299
Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor™........................ 299
Normal Maintenance Intervals.................... 300
O
Oil Change Indicator Reset.......................180
Oil Check See: Engine Oil Check....................................... 180
Opening and Closing the Hood
................177
Closing the Hood................................................ 178
Opening the Hood............................................... 177
Ordering Additional Owner's Literature......................................................165
Obtaining a French Owner ’s Manual..........165
Overhead Console
.........................................96
P
Parking Aids
....................................................124
Principle of Operation....................................... 124
Parking Brake.................................................120
Passenger Knee Airbag................................39
Pedals.................................................................55
Perchlorate..........................................................9
Personal Safety System ™
..........................33
How Does the Personal Safety System
Work?................................................................... 33
Post-Crash Alert System
...........................160
Power Door Locks See: Locking and Unlocking............................. 48
343
Explorer (TUB), enUSA, Edition date: 03/2015, First Printing Index

Using All-Wheel Drive..................................112
Driving In Special Conditions With
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)................................ 114
How Utility Vehicles Differ from Other Vehicles.............................................................. 114
Operating AWD Vehicles With Mismatched Tires..................................................................... 114
Operating AWD Vehicles With Spare Tires...................................................................... 113
Using Cruise Control....................................129 Switching Cruise Control Off......................... 130
Switching Cruise Control On.......................... 129
Using Snow Chains.....................................222
Using Stability Control................................123 AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control ™
(RSC®).............................................................. 123
Using Summer Tires....................................221
Using SYNC™ With Your Media Player.............................................................277
Accessing Your USB Song Library................281
Bluetooth Devices and System Settings............................................................ 283
Connecting Your Digital Media Player to the USB Port............................................................ 277
Media Menu Features....................................... 281
Media Voice Commands................................. 278
USB 2...................................................................... 283
Voice Commands for Audio Sources.........284
Using SYNC™ With Your Phone...........260 Accessing Features through the Phone
Menu.................................................................. 265
Accessing Your Phone Settings................... 268
Bluetooth Devices............................................. 269
Making Calls........................................................ 263
Pairing a Phone for the First Time..............260
Pairing Subsequent Phones........................... 261
Phone Options during an Active Call.........264
Phone Voice Commands................................ 262
Receiving Calls.................................................... 263
System Settings................................................. 270
Text Messaging.................................................. 266
Using Traction Control.................................121 Switching the System Off................................. 121
System Indicator Lights and Messages........................................................... 121
Using a Switch...................................................... 121
Using the Information Display Controls.............................................................. 121Using Voice Recognition...........................258
Initiating a Voice Session................................ 258
System Interaction and Feedback..............259
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only).........................163
V
Vehicle Care
...................................................198
General Information.......................................... 198
Vehicle Certification Label........................237
Vehicle Identification Number................236
Vehicle Storage............................................202 Battery................................................................... 203
Body........................................................................\
203
Brakes.................................................................... 203
Cooling system................................................... 203
Engine.................................................................... 203
Fuel system.......................................................... 203
General.................................................................. 203
Miscellaneous..................................................... 204
Removing Vehicle From Storage.................204
Tires........................................................................\
203
Ventilation See: Climate Control.......................................... 86
VIN See: Vehicle Identification Number............236
346
Explorer (TUB), enUSA, Edition date: 03/2015, First Printing Index