Cargo Nets
......................................................241
Luggage Covers ...........................................
242
Roof Racks and Load Carriers ................
242
Load Limit ......................................................
243
Towing
Towing a Trailer ...........................................
249
Trailer Sway Control ..................................
250
Recommended Towing Weights ..........
250
Essential Towing Checks .........................
252
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels - 2.3L EcoBoost™ .....................................
254
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels - 3.5L Duratec/3.5L Ecoboost™ ..........
255
Driving Hints
Breaking-In ....................................................
257
Economical Driving .....................................
257
Driving Through Water ..............................
258
Floor Mats .....................................................
258
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance ................................
260
Hazard Flashers ...........................................
261
Fuel Shutoff ...................................................
261
Jump Starting the Vehicle .......................
262
Post-Crash Alert System .........................
264
Transporting the Vehicle .........................
264
Customer Assistance
Getting the Services You Need .............
266
In California (U.S. Only) ............................
267
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line Program (U.S. Only) ....................
268
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only) ......................
269
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and Canada .......................................................
269
Ordering Additional Owner's Literature ........................................................................\
..
271 Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Only)
........................................................................\
..
271
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada Only) ........................................................................\
..
271
Fuses
Fuse Specification Chart ..........................
273
Changing a Fuse ..........................................
282
Maintenance
General Information ..................................
284
Opening and Closing the Hood .............
284
Under Hood Overview - 2.3L EcoBoost™ ........................................................................\
285
Under Hood Overview - 3.5L Duratec ........................................................................\
286
Under Hood Overview - 3.5L Ecoboost™ ........................................................................\
287
Engine Oil Dipstick - 2.3L EcoBoost™ ........................................................................\
288
Engine Oil Dipstick - 3.5L Duratec/3.5L Ecoboost™ ...............................................
289
Engine Oil Check .........................................
289
Oil Change Indicator Reset .....................
290
Engine Coolant Check ...............................
291
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check - 2.3L EcoBoost™ .....................................
295
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check - 3.5L Duratec/3.5L Ecoboost™ .........
295
Brake Fluid Check .......................................
297
Power Steering Fluid Check ...................
298
Washer Fluid Check ...................................
298
Changing the 12V Battery ........................
298
Checking the Wiper Blades ....................
300
Changing the Wiper Blades ...................
300
Adjusting the Headlamps ........................
301
Removing a Headlamp ............................
303
Changing a Bulb .........................................
303
Bulb Specification Chart .........................
306
Changing the Engine Air Filter ...............
308
4
Explorer (TUB) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201711, Fourth-Printing Table of Contents
Brake system
Cabin air filter
Check fuel cap
Child safety door lock or unlock
Child seat lower anchor
Child seat tether anchor
Cruise control
Do not open when hot
Engine air filter
Engine coolant
Engine coolant temperature
Engine oil
Explosive gas
Fan warning
Fasten seatbelt Flammable
Front airbag
Front fog lamps
Fuel pump reset
Fuse compartment
Hazard flashers
Heated rear window
Windshield defrosting system
Interior luggage compartment
release
Jack
Keep out of reach of children
Lighting control
Low tire pressure warning
Maintain correct fluid level
Note operating instructions
8
Explorer (TUB) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201711, Fourth-Printing IntroductionE270480 E71340 E71880 E231160 E67017 E161353
Automatic High Beam Control (If
Equipped) It illuminates when this feature
is on. See
Automatic High
Beam Control (page 86).
Battery If it illuminates while driving, it
indicates a malfunction. Switch
off all unnecessary electrical
equipment and have the system checked
by an authorized dealer immediately.
Blind Spot Monitor
(If Equipped) It illuminates when you switch
this feature off or in conjunction
with a message. See Blind Spot
Information System
(page 232).
Brake System It illuminates when you engage
the parking brake with the
ignition on.
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 an authorized
dealer. WARNING: Driving your vehicle with
the warning lamp on is dangerous. A
significant decrease in braking
performance may occur. It may take you
longer to stop your vehicle. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Driving extended distances with the
parking brake engaged can cause brake
failure and the risk of personal injury. Cruise Control
(If Equipped) It illuminates when you switch
this feature on.
Direction Indicator Illuminates when you switch on
the left or right direction
indicator or the hazard warning
flasher. If the indicators stay on or flash
faster, check for a burned out bulb. See
Changing a Bulb
(page 303).
Door Ajar Displays when the ignition is on
and any door is not completely
closed.
Engine Coolant Temperature Illuminates when the engine
coolant temperature is high.
Stop the vehicle as soon as
possible, switch off the engine and let cool.
See
Engine Coolant Check (page 291).
Engine Oil If it illuminates with the engine
running or when you are driving,
this indicates a malfunction.
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to
do so and switch the engine off. Check the
engine oil level. See
Engine Oil Check
(page 289).
Note: Do not resume your journey if it
illuminates despite the level being correct.
Have the system checked by an authorized
dealer immediately.
101
Explorer (TUB) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201711, Fourth-Printing Instrument Cluster E151262 E144522 E71340
Settings
All Sensors
Alarm
Vehicle
Perimeter Sensing
Ask on Exit
Auto Engine Off Information
Chimes
Normal or Towing
DTE calcula-
tion
Easy Entry/Exit
Auto Highbeam
Lighting
Off or XX Seconds
Hdlamp Delay
Daytime Lights
Autolock
Locks
Autounlock
Relock All Doors
or Driver's Door
Remote Unlock
Switches inhibit
Autofold
Power
Mirror
Remaining Life XXX% - Hold
OK to Reset
Oil Life
Reset
Enable Switch
or Disable Switch
Power Lift-
gate
Auto or Last Settings
Climate Control
Remote
Start
Automatic or Off
Seats or Seats and
Wheel
5, 10 or 15 minutes
Duration
System
Remote Open
Windows
108
Explorer (TUB) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201711, Fourth-Printing Information Displays
Electronic Stability Control
Action
Message
The system detects a malfunction due to a blocked sensor.
ESC Service required
Displays the traction control system status.
ESC Off
Displays the traction control system status.
ESC On
Engine Action
Message
Displays when the engine temperature is too high. Stop yourvehicle in a safe place and allow the engine to cool. If the
problem persists, contact an authorized dealer. See Engine Coolant Check (page 291).
High Engine Temper-
ature Stop Safely
Engine service is required. Contact an authorized dealer.
Engine Fault Service
Now
Check the engine oil level. See Engine Oil Check (page 289).
Engine Oil Level Low
Check Level
Fuel Action
Message
An early reminder of a low fuel condition.
Fuel Level LOW
The fuel fill inlet may not be properly closed.
Check Fuel Fill Inlet
Hill Descent Control Action
Message
Displays when you deactivate hill descent control mode.
Hill Descent Control OFF
Displays when hill descent speed exceeds 20 mph (32 km/h).
For Hill Descent Reduce
Speed
Displays when hill descent control mode requires you to shift the transmission into gear.
For Hill Descent Select
Gear
Displays when the hill control mode requires you to resume control.
Hill Descent Driver
Resume Control
124
Explorer (TUB) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201711, Fourth-Printing Information Displays
Action
Message
You have not programmed enough keys to the system.
Not Enough Keys
Learned
The key battery is low. Change the battery as soon as possible.See Remote Control (page 53).
Key Battery Low Replace
Soon
Informs you that you are exiting your vehicle with the intelli-gent access key and the engine is on.
Engine ON
Lane Keeping System Action
Message
The system has malfunctioned. Contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Lane Keeping Sys.
Malfunction Service Required
The system has detected a condition that has caused thesystem to be temporarily unavailable.
Front Camera Tempor-
arily Not Available
The system has detected a condition that requires a cleanwindshield to operate properly.
Front Camera Low Visib-
ility Clean Screen
The system has malfunctioned. Contact an authorized dealeras soon as possible.
Front Camera Malfunc-
tion Service Required
The system requests the driver to keep their hands on thesteering wheel.
Keep Hands on Steering
Wheel
Maintenance Action
Message
Stop your vehicle as soon as safely possible. Switch off the
engine. Check the oil level. If the warning stays on or continues to come on with your engine running, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
LOW Engine Oil Pressure
The engine oil life remaining is 10% or less.
Change Engine Oil Soon
The oil life left reaches 0%.
Oil Change Required
The engine coolant temperature is excessively high.
Engine Coolant Overtem-
perature
126
Explorer (TUB) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201711, Fourth-Printing Information Displays
Some fuel stations, particularly those in
high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as
regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating below 87. The use of these fuels
could result in engine damage that will not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
For best overall vehicle and engine
performance, premium fuel with an octane
rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The
performance gained by using premium fuel
is most noticeable in hot weather as well
as other conditions, for example when
towing a trailer. See Towing (page 249).
Do not be concerned if the engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the
engine knocks heavily while using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, contact
an authorized dealer to prevent any engine
damage.
We recommend Top Tier detergent
gasolines, where available to help minimize
engine deposits and maintain optimal
vehicle and engine performance. For
additional information, refer to
www.toptiergas.com.
Note: Use of any fuel for which the vehicle
was not designed can impair the emission
control system, cause loss of vehicle
performance, and cause damage to the
engine which may not be covered by the
vehicle Warranty.
Do not use:
• Diesel fuel.
• Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
• Fuels containing more than 85%
ethanol or E100 fuel.
• Fuels containing methanol.
• Fuels containing metallic-based
additives, including manganese-based
compounds. •
Fuels containing the octane booster
additive, methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
• Leaded fuel, using leaded fuel is
prohibited by law.
The use of fuels with metallic compounds
such as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (commonly known
as MMT), which is a manganese-based
fuel additive, will impair engine
performance and affect the emission
control system.
Switching Between E85 and
Gasoline
We do not recommend repeatedly
alternating between E85 and gasoline. If
you switch from using E85 to gasoline, or
from gasoline to E85, add as much fuel as
possible, at least half a tank. Drive your
vehicle immediately for a minimum of 5 mi
(8 km)
to allow it to adapt to the change
in ethanol concentration. If you use E85
exclusively, we recommend that you fill
the fuel tank with regular unleaded
gasoline at each scheduled oil change.
FUEL FILLER FUNNEL
LOCATION
The fuel filler funnel is in the spare wheel
storage tray.
RUNNING OUT OF FUEL
Running out of fuel can cause damage not
covered by the vehicle Warranty.
177
Explorer (TUB) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201711, Fourth-Printing Fuel and Refueling
EMISSION LAW
WARNING: Do not remove or alter
the original equipment floor covering or
insulation between it and the metal floor
of the vehicle. The floor covering and
insulation protect occupants of the vehicle
from the engine and exhaust system heat
and noise. On vehicles with no original
equipment floor covering insulation, do not
carry passengers in a manner that permits
prolonged skin contact with the metal
floor. Failure to follow these instructions
may result in fire or personal injury.
U.S. federal laws and certain state laws
prohibit removing or rendering inoperative
emission control system components.
Similar federal or provincial laws may
apply in Canada. We do not approve of any
vehicle modification without first
determining applicable laws. Tampering with emissions
control systems including
related sensors or the Diesel
Exhaust Fluid system can result in reduced
engine power and the illumination of the
service engine soon light. Tampering With a Noise Control
System
Federal laws prohibit the following acts:
•
Removal or rendering inoperative by
any person other than for purposes of
maintenance.
• Repair or replacement of any device or
element of the design incorporated into
a new vehicle for the purpose of noise
control prior to its sale or delivery to
the ultimate purchaser or while it is in
use.
• The use of the vehicle after any person
removes or renders inoperative any
device or element of the design.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
may presume to constitute tampering as
follows:
• Removal of hood blanket, fender apron
absorbers, fender apron barriers,
underbody noise shields or acoustically
absorptive material.
• Tampering or rendering inoperative the
engine speed governor, to allow engine
speed to exceed manufacturer
specifications.
If the engine does not start, runs rough,
experiences a decrease in engine
performance, experiences excess fuel
consumption or produces excessive
exhaust smoke, check for the following:
• A plugged or disconnected air inlet
system hose.
• A plugged engine air filter element.
• Water in the fuel filter and water
separator.
• A clogged fuel filter.
• Contaminated fuel.
• Air in the fuel system, due to loose
connections.
• An open or pinched sensor hose.
• Incorrect engine oil level.
183
Explorer (TUB) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201711, Fourth-Printing Engine Emission Control