2021 FORD EXPLORER trailer

Object Distance Indicator (If Equipped)
The system provides object distance
indication through the information display.
•
As the distance to the object
decreases, the indicator blocks
illuminate and move toward the vehicle
icon.
• If the system does not detect an object,
the distance indicator blocks are gray.
When you shift into reverse (R), the system
provides audible warnings and visual
indication when your vehicle is moving and
the detected object is moving toward your
vehicle. When you stop your vehicle, the
audible warnings stop after two seconds.
Visual indication remains on when the
transmission is in reverse (R). FRONT PARKING AID (IF EQUIPPED) WARNING: The system may not
detect objects with surfaces that absorb
reflection. Always drive with due care
and attention. Failure to take care may
result in a crash. WARNING:
The system may not
detect small or moving objects,
particularly those close to the ground. WARNING:
To help avoid personal
injury, always use caution when in
reverse (R) and when using the sensing
system. WARNING:
The parking aid system
can only assist you to detect objects
when your vehicle is moving at parking
speeds. To help avoid personal injury you
must take care when using the parking
aid system.
Note: Keep the sensors free from snow, ice
and large accumulations of dirt.
Note: Do not cover up the sensors.
Note: Do not clean the sensors with sharp
objects.
Note: If your vehicle sustains damage
leaving the sensors misaligned, this may
cause inaccurate measurements or false
alerts.
Note: Some accessories, for example large
trailer hitches or bike or surfboard racks can
cause reduced performance or false alerts.
The sensors are on the front bumper.
The sensors are active when the
transmission is in any position other than
park (P). When the parking aid system
sounds a tone, the audio system may
reduce the set volume.
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When you shift into neutral (N), the system
only provides visual indication if your
vehicle is moving at a speed of
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) or below,
for example, your vehicle is moving on a
slope, and the system detects an object
moving toward your vehicle. When you
stop your vehicle, visual indication stops
after four seconds.
SIDE SENSING SYSTEM
(IF
EQUIPPED) WARNING:
The system may not
detect objects with surfaces that absorb
reflection. Always drive with due care
and attention. Failure to take care may
result in a crash. WARNING:
The system may not
detect small or moving objects,
particularly those close to the ground. WARNING:
To help avoid personal
injury, always use caution when in
reverse (R) and when using the sensing
system. WARNING:
The parking aid system
can only assist you to detect objects
when your vehicle is moving at parking
speeds. To help avoid personal injury you
must take care when using the parking
aid system.
The system uses the front and rear
outermost parking aid sensors to detect
objects that are near to the sides of your
vehicle. The system displays them on a
virtual map in the information display as
your vehicle moves past them.
The sensors are on the front and rear
bumpers. Note:
Keep the sensors free from snow, ice
and large accumulations of dirt.
Note: Do not cover up the sensors.
Note: Do not clean the sensors with sharp
objects.
Note: If your vehicle sustains damage
leaving the sensors misaligned, this may
cause inaccurate measurements or false
alerts.
The system may not function if:
• You switch the ignition on, off and back
on within a few seconds.
• Your vehicle remains stationary for over
two minutes.
• The anti-lock brake system activates.
• The traction control system activates.
Note: If you switch traction control off, the
side sensing system also turns off.
Note: Some accessories, for example large
trailer hitches or bike or surfboard racks can
cause reduced performance or false alerts.
To reinitialize the system, you may have to
drive your vehicle approximately
10 ft
(3 m). The sensor coverage area is up to
24 in
(60 cm) from the side of your vehicle.
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WARNING: Use caution when the
rear cargo door is ajar. If the rear cargo
door is ajar, the camera will be out of
position and the video image may be
incorrect. All guidelines disappear when
the rear cargo door is ajar. Failure to
follow this instruction could result in
personal injury. WARNING:
Use caution when
turning camera features on or off when
the transmission is not in park (P). Make
sure your vehicle is not moving.
Note: Some vehicles may not come
equipped with guidelines.
The rear view camera system provides a
video image of the area behind your
vehicle.
During operation, lines appear in the
display which represent your vehicle ’s path
and proximity to objects behind your
vehicle. The camera is located on the luggage
compartment door.
Using the Rear View Camera
System
The rear view camera system displays
what is behind your vehicle when you place
the transmission in reverse (R). Note:
The reverse sensing system is not
effective at speeds above
3 mph (5 km/h)
and may not detect certain angular or
moving objects.
The system uses three types of guides to
help you see what is behind your vehicle:
• Active guidelines (if equipped): Show
the intended path of your vehicle when
reversing.
• Fixed guidelines: Show the actual path
your vehicle is moving in while reversing
in a straight line. This can be helpful
when backing into a parking space or
aligning your vehicle with another
object behind you.
• Centerline: Helps align the center of
your vehicle with an object (for
example, a trailer).
Note: If the transmission is in reverse (R)
and the luggage compartment door or
liftgate is open, no rear view camera
features will display.
Note: When towing, the camera only sees
what you are towing. This might not provide
adequate coverage as it usually provides in
normal operation and some objects might
not be seen. In some vehicles, the guidelines
may disappear when you connect the trailer
tow connector.
The camera may not operate correctly
under the following conditions:
• Nighttime or dark areas if one or both
reverse lamps are not operating.
• Mud, water or debris obstructs the
camera's view. Clean the lens with a
soft, lint-free cloth and non-abrasive
cleaner. You can also use the rear
washer to clean the camera. See Rear
Window Wiper and Washers
(page
86).
• The rear of your vehicle is hit or
damaged, causing the camera to
become misaligned.
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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)

WARNING: Pay close attention to
changing road conditions such as
entering or leaving a highway, on roads
with intersections or roundabouts, roads
without visible lanes of travel, roads that
are winding, slippery, unpaved, or steep
slopes. WARNING:
The system does not
control speed in low traction conditions
or extremely steep slopes. 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
personal injury. WARNING:
The system is not a
crash warning or avoidance system. WARNING:
Do not use the system
when towing a trailer that has
aftermarket electronic trailer brake
controls. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in the loss of control of your
vehicle, personal injury or death. WARNING:
Do not use tire sizes
other than those recommended because
this can affect the normal operation of
the system. Failure to do so may result
in a loss of vehicle control, which could
result in serious injury. WARNING:
Do not use the system
with a snow plow blade installed. WARNING:
Do not use the system
in poor visibility, for example fog, heavy
rain, spray or snow. When Following a Vehicle WARNING:
When following a
vehicle that is braking, your vehicle does
not always decelerate quickly enough to
avoid a crash without driver intervention.
Apply the brakes when necessary. Failure
to follow this instruction could result in
personal injury or death.
Hilly Condition Usage
You should select a lower gear when the
system is active in situations such as
prolonged downhill driving on steep
grades, for example in mountainous areas.
The system needs additional engine
braking in these situations to reduce the
load on the vehicle ’s regular brake system
to prevent it from overheating.
Note: An audible alarm sounds and the
system shuts down if it applies brakes for
an extended period of time. This allows the
brakes to cool. The system functions
normally again after the brakes cool.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
LIMITATIONS - VEHICLES
WITH: ADAPTIVE CRUISE
CONTROL WITH LANE
CENTERING
Adaptive cruise control limitations apply
to lane centering unless stated otherwise
or contradicted by a lane centering
limitation. See Adaptive Cruise Control
Limitations
(page 248).
The system may not correctly operate in
any of the following conditions:
• Your vehicle is not centered in the lane.
• The lane is too narrow or wide.
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(If Equipped)

•
Information display. See General
Information (page 114).
• Touchscreen. See Settings (page 464).
When you switch the system off, a warning
lamp illuminates and the alert indicators
flash twice.
Note: The system remembers the last
setting when you start your vehicle.
Note: The system may not correctly operate
when towing a trailer. For vehicles with an
approved trailer tow module and tow bar,
the system turns off when you attach a
trailer. For vehicles with an aftermarket
trailer tow module or tow bar, we
recommend that you switch the system off
when you attach a trailer.
To permanently switch the system off,
contact an authorized dealer.
Blind Spot Information System
with Trailer Tow
(If Equipped) The design of the system is to aid you in
detecting vehicles that could have entered
the detection area zone (A). The detection
area is on both sides of your vehicle and
trailer, extending rearward from the
exterior mirrors to the end of your trailer.
When you attach and have setup a trailer,
the blind spot information system with
trailer tow becomes active when driving
forward above
6 mph (10 km/h). You can switch the system off in the
information display.
See General
Information (page 114). If you switch the
blind spot information system off, blind
spot information system with trailer tow
turns off.
Setting up a Trailer
You can setup a trailer through the
information display.
See General
Information (page 114). Trailer length.
A
Trailer width.
B
Trailer hitch ball.
C
Note: Measure the width of the trailer at
the front of the trailer, not the widest point.
The maximum width that the system can
support is
8.2 ft (2.5 m)(B).
Note: The trailer length is the distance
between the trailer hitch ball and the rear
of the trailer. The maximum length that the
system can support is
33 ft (10 m)(A).
When setting up a trailer, a sequence of
screens appear asking for trailer
information:
• Select trailer screen: None, Trailer A,
Trailer B or Trailer C.
Note: You can select only one trailer on
small information displays.
Select one of the trailers and press OK. The
menu goes to the next screen.
• Width less than
8.2 ft (2.5 m) and
length less than 33 ft (10 m)?
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Note:
You do not need to enter an exact
trailer width measurement. You only need
to confirm that the width of the trailer is
8.2 ft (2.5 m) or less.
If no, the system turns off.
If yes, the menu goes to the next screen.
• Enter length of trailer:
Toggling up or down using the menu
buttons increases or decreases the
measurement by
3 ft (1 m). Select a length
that is equal to or within 3 ft (1 m) of the
actual measured length. For example, if
the actual measured length is 25 ft (7.6 m),
toggle the length in the menu to 8 m or 27
ft. When you enter the length of the trailer,
this saves the system setup.
Note: When you connect a trailer, but do
not setup a trailer in the blind spot
information system, the system turns off
and a warning appears in the information
display.
Note: If the trailer is a bike rack or cargo
rack with electrical lighting, enter a length
of
3 ft (1 m). Cross Traffic Alert remains on
for trailers with a length of 3 ft (1 m) or less.
Note: The system requires proper
measurement and measurement entry to
function as designed.
System Operation
If you select a trailer in the information
display prior to connecting a trailer, the
system loads that configuration and the
information display shows a message
when you connect the trailer. A second
message appears stating cross traffic alert
is off, unless a trailer is set up with a length
of
3 ft (1 m). The blind spot information
system with trailer tow still functions
normally when driving forward. If you connect a trailer, a message appears
indicating that you attached a trailer. If you
have not selected a trailer previously,
another message appears requesting you
to select one of the trailers in the list or add
a new trailer. The blind spot information
system with trailer tow does not function
without a trailer selected. If you do not
select a trailer, a message appears in the
information display stating it has
deactivated the system. This message
might not appear until your vehicle speed
reaches
22 mph (35 km/h).
The blind spot information system with
trailer tow activates when driving forward
for that particular trailer set up. If you cycle
the ignition, the blind spot information
system with trailer tow continues to
function using the last trailer you selected.
Trailer Considerations
The system works with a trailer with a front
width of
8.2 ft (2.5 m) or less, and a total
length from the trailer hitch ball to the rear
of the trailer of
33 ft (10 m) or less.
Some trailers could cause a slight change
in system performance:
• Wide box trailers, especially those
wider than the towing vehicle, could
cause false alerts to occur when driving
next to infrastructure or near parked
cars. A false alert could also occur
while making a 90-degree turn or
driving through a roundabout.
• Wide trailers that have a total length
greater than
20 ft (6 m) could cause
delayed alerts when a vehicle is
passing at high speeds.
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•
Box trailers that have a width greater
than 8.2 ft (2.5 m) could cause early
alerts when you pass a vehicle.
• Clam shell or V-Nose box trailers with
a width greater than
8.2 ft (2.5 m)
could cause delayed alerts when a
vehicle traveling the same speed as
your vehicle merges lanes.
System Errors
If the system detects a fault, a warning
lamp illuminates and a message displays.
See
Information Messages (page 121).
Switching the System On and Off
You can switch the blind spot information
system with trailer tow off by not selecting
a trailer the information display.
See
General Information (page 114). In this
case, the system turns off as long as a
trailer is attached to your vehicle. As soon
as you disconnect the trailer, the blind spot
information system becomes active.
When you switch the system off, a warning
lamp illuminates and the alert indicators
flash twice.
Note: The system remembers the last
trailer setting when you start your vehicle.
You cannot switch off the blind spot
information system with trailer tow when
using MyKey, but you can still change the
trailer settings.
See MyKey ™ (page 64).
To permanently switch the system off,
contact an authorized dealer. CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT WARNING:
Do not use the cross
traffic alert system as a replacement for
using the interior and exterior mirrors or
looking over your shoulder before
reversing out of a parking space. The
cross traffic alert system is not a
replacement for careful driving. WARNING:
The system may not
operate properly during severe weather
conditions, for example snow, ice, heavy
rain and spray. Always drive with due
care and attention. Failure to take care
may result in a crash.
The system alerts you of vehicles
approaching from the sides behind your
vehicle when you shift into reverse (R).
Using Cross Traffic Alert
The system detects vehicles that approach
at a speed between
4 mph (6 km/h) and
37 mph (60 km/h). Coverage decreases
when the sensors are partially, mostly or
fully obstructed. Slowly reversing helps
increase the coverage area and
effectiveness.
The system turns on when you start the
engine and you shift into reverse (R). The
system turns off when you shift out of
reverse (R).
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