2021 FORD EXPLORER torque

4WD
Action
Message
The four wheel drive system has automatically disabled itself due to the system overheating.
4WD Temporarily
Disabled
The four wheel drive system is locking up the torque transfer clutch to help reduce clutch temperature.
4WD Temporarily
Locked
Displays when the system automatically disables to protect itself.
This may be caused by operating the vehicle with a mini spare tire installed, if the system detects dissimilar size tires, or if there is an
issue with another vehicle system preventing 4WD operation. The system resumes normal operation and clears this message after
you cycle the ignition on and off and drive a short distance with the road tire re-installed or after the other vehicle system issues are resolved.
4WD Off
Displays after the system cools and the four wheel drive system resumes normal function.
4WD Restored
The four wheel drive system is not operating properly and the
powertrain fault indicator illuminates. If the warning stays illumin- ated or continues to illuminate, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
4WD Fault Service
Required
Displayed when the transfer case fluid requires service.
Change 4WD
Power Transfer Unit Lube
Displayed when the transfer case fluid has been changed and reset to new.
4WD Power
Transfer Unit Lube Set to New
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Information Displays

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
This system is a proactive system. It has
the ability to anticipate wheel slip and
transfer torque to the front wheels before
slip occurs. Even when wheel slip is not
present, the system is continuously
adjusting to the torque distribution, in an
attempt to improve straight line and
cornering behavior, both on and off road.
The system automatically turns on every
time you switch the ignition on.
If any component requires maintenance,
a message appears in the information
display.
USING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
WARNING: Vehicles with a higher
center of gravity (utility and four-wheel
drive vehicles) handle differently than
vehicles with a lower center of gravity
(passenger cars). Avoid sharp turns,
excessive speed and abrupt steering in
these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously
increases the risk of losing control of your
vehicle, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death.
The intelligent 4WD system continuously
monitors vehicle conditions and adjusts
the power distribution between the front
and rear wheels. It combines transparent
all-surface operation with highly capable
four-wheel drive.
The 4WD system is always active and
requires no driver input. It is capable of
handling all road conditions including
street and highway driving as well as
off-road and winter driving. You can
optimize more 4WD control by selecting
different drive modes. See
Selecting a
Drive Mode (page 278). Note:
A warning message displays in the
information display when a 4WD system
fault is present. See
Information
Messages (page 121). A 4WD system fault
causes the 4WD system to default to
rear-wheel drive only mode. When this
warning message is displayed, have your
vehicle serviced at an authorized dealer.
Note: A warning message displays in the
information display if the 4WD system
overheats. See
Information Messages
(page 121). This condition could occur if the
vehicle is operated in extreme conditions
with excessive wheel slip, such as deep
sand. To resume normal 4WD function as
soon as possible, stop the vehicle in a safe
location and stop the engine for at least 10
minutes. After the engine is restarted and
the 4WD system is adequately cooled, the
warning message turns off and normal 4WD
function returns.
Operating Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
Vehicles With Spare Tires
Do not use a different size spare tire other
than the tire provided. If the mini-spare tire
is installed, the 4WD system will disable
and enter rear-wheel drive only mode to
protect driveline components. Some
limited 4WD traction could be provided if
the mini-spare is installed on one of the
front wheels. If you are in driving conditions
where limited 4WD traction is needed
while the mini-spare is installed, it is
recommended the mini-spare be installed
on the front axle.
See Information
Messages (page 121).
If the mini-spare is installed, this condition
is indicated by a warning in the information
display. If there is a warning message in
the information display from using the
spare tire, this indicator should turn off
after reinstalling or replacing the normal
road tire and cycling the ignition off and
on. We recommended reinstalling or
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Four-Wheel Drive
(If Equipped)

If it continues to flash or does not
illuminate, the system has malfunctioned.
Have your vehicle checked as soon as
possible.
Note:
You can apply the electric parking
brake when the ignition is off.
Note: The electric parking brake could
automatically apply when you shift into park
(P). See Transmission (page 201).
Applying the Electric Parking Brake in
an Emergency
Note: Do not apply the electric parking
brake when your vehicle is moving, except
in an emergency. If you repeatedly use the
electric parking brake to slow or stop your
vehicle, you could cause damage to the
brake system.
You can use the electric parking brake to
slow or stop your vehicle in an emergency. Pull the switch upward and hold
it.
The red warning lamp
illuminates, a tone sounds and
the stoplamps turn on.
The electric parking brake continues to
slow your vehicle down unless you release
the switch.
Manually Releasing the Electric
Parking Brake
Switch the ignition on.
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Push the switch downward.
The red warning lamp turns off. If it remains illuminated or flashes, the
system has malfunctioned. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Pulling Away on a Hill When Towing a
Trailer
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Pull the switch upward and hold
it.
Shift into gear.
Press the accelerator pedal until engine
has developed sufficient torque to prevent
your vehicle from rolling down the hill. Release the switch and pull
away in a normal manner.
Automatically Releasing the
Electric Parking Brake
Close the driver door.
Shift into gear.
Press the accelerator pedal and pull away
in a normal manner. The red warning lamp turns off.
If it remains illuminated or flashes, the
electric parking brake has not released.
Manually release the parking brake.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing BrakesE267156 E270480 E267156 E270480 E267156 E267156 E270480

Releasing the Electric Parking
Brake if the Vehicle Battery is
Running Out of Charge
Connect a booster battery to the vehicle
battery to release the electric parking brake
if the vehicle battery is running out of
charge. See Jump Starting the Vehicle
(page 300).
HILL START ASSIST WARNING:
The system does not
replace the parking brake. When you
leave your vehicle, always apply the
parking brake. WARNING:
You must remain in
your vehicle when the system turns on.
At all times, you are responsible for
controlling your vehicle, supervising the
system and intervening, if required.
Failure to take care may result in the loss
of control of your vehicle, serious
personal injury or death. WARNING:
The system will turn
off if a malfunction is apparent or if you
rev the engine excessively. Failure to take
care may result in the loss of control of
your vehicle, serious personal injury or
death.
The system makes it easier to pull away
when your vehicle is on a slope without the
need to use the parking brake.
When the system is active, your vehicle
remains stationary on the slope for two to
three seconds after you release the brake
pedal. This allows time to move your foot
from the brake to the accelerator pedal.
The system releases the brakes
automatically once the engine has developed sufficient torque to prevent your
vehicle from rolling down the slope. This
is an advantage when pulling away on a
slope, for example from a car park ramp,
traffic lights or when reversing uphill into
a parking space.
The system activates on any slope that
causes your vehicle to roll.
Note:
There is no warning light to indicate
the system is either on or off.
Using Hill Start Assist
1. Press the brake pedal to bring your vehicle to a complete standstill. Keep
the brake pedal pressed and shift into
first gear when facing uphill or reverse
(R) when facing downhill.
2. If the sensors detect that your vehicle is on a slope, the system activates
automatically.
3. When you remove your foot from the brake pedal, your vehicle remains on
the slope without rolling away for
about two to three seconds. This hold
time automatically extends if you are
in the process of driving off.
4. Drive off in the normal manner. The system releases the brakes
automatically.
Note: When you remove your foot from the
brake pedal and press the pedal again when
the system is active, you will experience
significantly reduced brake pedal travel. This
is normal.
Switching the System On and Off
Vehicles with Manual Transmission
You can switch this feature on or off in the
information display. The system
remembers the last setting when you start
your vehicle.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Brakes

HOW DOES ADAPTIVE CRUISE
CONTROL WITH STOP AND GO
WORK
Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
uses radar and camera sensors to adjust
the speed of your vehicle to maintain a set
gap from the vehicle in front of you in the
same lane while following it to a complete
stop. You can also engage the system to
follow a vehicle in front of you and adjust
set speed while stopped.
WHAT IS ADAPTIVE CRUISE
CONTROL WITH LANE
CENTERING
Adaptive cruise control with lane centering
uses radar and camera sensors to help
keep your vehicle in the lane by applying
continuous assistance steering torque
input toward the lane center on highways.
Note:
The adaptive cruise control gap
setting operates normally.
WHAT IS INTELLIGENT
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Intelligent adaptive cruise control
combines speed sign recognition with
adaptive cruise control to adjust the cruise
set speed to the speed limit detected by
the speed sign recognition system. For
example, if the speed sign recognition
system detects a 50 mph (80 km/h)
speed limit, the cruise set speed is updated
to
50 mph (80 km/h).
Note: The adaptive cruise control gap
setting operates normally. ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
PRECAUTIONS - VEHICLES
WITH: ADAPTIVE CRUISE
CONTROL WITH LANE
CENTERING
Adaptive cruise control precautions apply
to lane centering unless stated otherwise
or contradicted by a lane centering
precaution. See Adaptive Cruise Control
Precautions
(page 246).
WARNING:
Do not use the system
when towing a trailer. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, personal injury or
death. WARNING:
Do not use the system
if any changes or modifications to the
steering wheel have been made. Any
changes or modifications to the steering
wheel could affect the functionality or
performance of the system. Failure to
follow this instruction could result in the
loss of control of your vehicle, personal
injury or death.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
PRECAUTIONS - VEHICLES
WITH: ADAPTIVE CRUISE
CONTROL WITH STOP AND GO WARNING: You are responsible for
controlling your vehicle at all times. The
system is designed to be an aid and does
not relieve you of your responsibility to
drive with due care and attention. Failure
to follow this instruction could result in
the loss of control of your vehicle,
personal injury or death.
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(If Equipped)

•
The system does not detect at least
one lane marking or when lanes merge
or split.
• You switch the direction indicator on.
• Limited steering torque input is applied.
• Areas under construction or new
infrastructure.
• When modifications to the steering
system have been made.
• When using a spare tire.
Note: The driving assistance torque is
limited and may not be sufficient for all
driving situations such as driving through
tight curves or driving through curves at high
speeds.
Note: In exceptional conditions, the system
may deviate from the center line.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
LIMITATIONS - VEHICLES
WITH: ADAPTIVE CRUISE
CONTROL WITH STOP AND GO
Sensor Limitations WARNING: On rare occasions,
detection issues can occur due to the
road infrastructures, for example bridges,
tunnels and safety barriers. In these
cases, the system may brake late or
unexpectedly. At all times, you are
responsible for controlling your vehicle,
supervising the system and intervening,
if required. WARNING:
If the system
malfunctions, have your vehicle checked
as soon as possible. WARNING:
Large contrasts in
outside lighting can limit sensor
performance. WARNING:
The system only warns
of vehicles detected by the radar sensor.
In some cases there may be no warning
or a delayed warning. Apply the brakes
when necessary. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in personal injury
or death. WARNING:
The system may not
detect stationary or slow moving
vehicles below
6 mph (10 km/h). WARNING:
The system does not
detect pedestrians or objects in the road. WARNING:
The system does not
detect oncoming vehicles in the same
lane. WARNING:
The system may not
operate properly if the sensor is blocked.
Keep the windshield free from
obstruction. WARNING:
The sensor may
incorrectly track lane markings as other
structures or objects. This can result in
a false or missed warning. The camera is mounted on the windshield
behind the interior mirror.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Adaptive Cruise Control
(If Equipped)E307893

ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATORS - VEHICLES
WITH: ADAPTIVE CRUISE
CONTROL WITH LANE
CENTERING
Illuminates when you switch
lane centering on. The color of
the indicator changes to indicate
the system status.
Gray indicates the system is on but
inactive.
Green indicates the system is active and
applying assistance steering torque input
to keep your vehicle in the center of the
lane.
Amber with an audible tone and then gray
indicates a system auto-cancellation.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATORS - VEHICLES
WITH: ADAPTIVE CRUISE
CONTROL WITH STOP AND GO Illuminates when you switch
adaptive cruise control on. The
color of the indicator changes to
indicate the system status.
White indicates the system is on but
inactive.
Green indicates that you set the speed and
the system is active. ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATORS - VEHICLES
WITH: INTELLIGENT ADAPTIVE
CRUISE CONTROL
A bracket appears around the set speed
and the detected speed limit sign in the
information display.
System Warnings
If the set speed is increased beyond the
speed limit or speed limit plus a positive
tolerance value, the set speed indicator
flashes.
The warning does not occur if:
•
You override the set speed using the
accelerator pedal.
• The vehicle speed exceeds the set
speed due to being on a downhill slope.
SWITCHING FROM ADAPTIVE
CRUISE CONTROL TO CRUISE
CONTROL WARNING: Normal cruise control
will not brake when your vehicle is
approaching slower vehicles. Always be
aware of which mode you have selected
and apply the brakes when necessary.
Use the touchscreen to select the
following:
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Adaptive Cruise Control
(If Equipped)E262175 E144529 E292490

Evasive Steering Assist (If Equipped)
If your vehicle is rapidly approaching a
stationary vehicle or a vehicle traveling in
the same direction as your vehicle, the
system is designed to help you steer
around the vehicle.
The system only activates when all of the
following occur:
• The Pre-Collision Assist system detects
a vehicle ahead and starts to apply
Active Braking.
• You turn the steering wheel in an
attempt to steer around the vehicle.
After you turn the steering wheel, the
system applies additional steering torque
to help you steer around the vehicle. After
you pass the vehicle, the system applies
steering torque in the opposite direction to
encourage you to steer back into the lane.
The system deactivates after you fully pass
the vehicle.
Note: The system does not automatically
steer around a vehicle. If you do not turn the
steering wheel, the system does not
activate.
Note: The system does not activate if the
distance to the vehicle ahead is too small
and the system cannot avoid a crash.
Adjusting the Pre-Collision Assist
Settings
You can adjust the following settings by
using the touchscreen. See Settings (page
464
).
• You can change Alert and Distance
Alert sensitivity to one of three possible
settings.
• You can switch Distance Indication and
Alert on or off. •
If required, you can switch Active
Braking on or off.
• If required, you can switch Evasive
Steering Assist on or off.
Note: Active Braking and Evasive Steering
Assist automatically turn on every time you
switch the ignition on.
Note: If you switch Active Braking off,
Evasive Steering Assist turns off.
Blocked Sensors Camera.
1
Radar sensor (if equipped).
2
If a message regarding a blocked sensor
or camera appears in the information
display, the radar signals or camera images
are obstructed. If your vehicle has a radar
sensor, it is behind the fascia cover in the
center of the lower grille. With a blocked
sensor or camera, the Pre-Collision Assist
system may not function, or performance
may reduce. The following table lists
possible causes and actions for when this
message displays.
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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Driving AidsE273245