2023 FORD EXPLORER manual transmission

Note:The transmission must be in park (P)or neutral (N).
When using the manual override lever dothe following:
1.Switch the ignition on.
Note:The manual override lever is in thedriver side rear wheel well area.
2.Pull the manual override lever.
3.Switch the ignition off.
4.Complete the refueling process within20 minutes.
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Advertised Capacity
The advertised capacity is the maximumamount of fuel that you can add to the fueltank when the fuel gauge indicates empty.See Capacities and Specifications(page 384).
In addition, the fuel tank contains an emptyreserve. The empty reserve is anunspecified amount of fuel that remainsin the fuel tank when the fuel gaugeindicates empty.
Note:The amount of fuel in the emptyreserve varies and should not be relied uponto increase driving range.
Calculating Fuel Economy
Your vehicle calculates fuel economyfigures through the trip computer averagefuel function. See Information Displays(page 110).
The first 1,000 mi (1,600 km) of driving isthe break-in period of the vehicle.Resetting average fuel in your tripcomputer after 2,000–3,000 mi(3,200–4,800 km) provides a moreaccurate measurement.
Conditions Influencing Fuel Efficiency
See Driving Economically (page 288).
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WARNING: Apply the parking brakeand make sure your vehicle is in park (P).Power the vehicle off and remove thekeys or remote control whenever youleave your vehicle. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in personal injuryor death.
WARNING: Do not apply the brakepedal and accelerator pedalsimultaneously. Applying both pedalssimultaneously for more than a fewseconds limits vehicle performance,which may result in difficulty maintainingspeed in traffic and could lead to seriousinjury.
Note:You may not be able to shift out ofpark (P) unless the intelligent access key isinside your vehicle.
Automatic Transmission PositionIndicators
The instrument cluster displays the currentposition.
Note:The position may illuminate on thetransmission selector.
Understanding Your TransmissionSelector Positions
Your vehicle has an electronic transmissionshifter. The transmission selector is on thecenter console.
Park.P
Reverse.R
Neutral.N
Drive.D
Manual.M
Low.L
The instrument cluster displays the currentgear.
Note:Your vehicle may come with low (L)or manual (M) in the center of the selectordepending on trim level.
Park (P)
With the transmission in park (P), yourvehicle locks the transmission andprevents the wheels from turning. Alwayscome to a complete stop before puttingyour vehicle into and out of park (P).
When you switch the ignition off, yourvehicle shifts into park (P). If you switchthe ignition off while your vehicle is moving,the transmission first shifts into neutral (N)until it reaches a speed less than 3 mph(5 km/h) and then shifts into park (P).
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The electric parking brake could applywhen you shift to park (P) without thebrake pedal fully pressed. The electricparking brake applies when you shift topark (P) on large slopes. The electricparking brake releases with the drive awayrelease function or manually. See ElectricParking Brake (page 211).
Note:A warning tone sounds if you openthe driver door and you have not shifted thetransmission selector to park (P).
Automatic Return to Park
What is Automatic Return to Park (P)
Your vehicle shifts in park (P) if youattempt to exit your vehicle without thetransmission in park (P).
How Does Automatic Return to Park (P)Work
Your vehicle shifts into park (P) when yourvehicle is stationary and any of thefollowing occur:
•You switch the vehicle off.
•You open the driver door with yourseatbelt unlatched.
•You unlatch the driver seatbelt whenthe driver door is open.
Note:Do not use automatic return to park(P) when your vehicle is moving, except inan emergency. See Starting and Stoppingthe Engine (page 168).
Automatic Return to Park (P) Limitations
Automatic return to park (P) may not workif the door ajar switch is malfunctioning.
Have the system checked immediately ifany of the following occur:
•Door ajar indicator does not illuminatewith the driver door open.
•Door ajar indicator illuminates with thedriver door closed.
•Transmission not in park messageappears with the driver door closed,after you shift out of park (P).
Reverse (R)
With the transmission selector in reverse(R), your vehicle moves backward. Alwayscome to a complete stop before shiftinginto and out of reverse (R).
Neutral (N)
With the transmission selector in neutral(N), you can start your vehicle and it is freeto roll. Hold the brake pedal down when inthis position.
Temporary Neutral Mode
What is Temporary Neutral Mode
This mode keeps your vehicle in neutral(N) when you switch your vehicle off. Usethis mode at an automatic car wash if youexit your vehicle or switch your vehicle off.
Note:Do not tow your vehicle in this mode.
Note:Automatic return to park (P) delayswhen your vehicle is in this mode.
Temporary Neutral Mode Limitations
Your vehicle may shift to park (P) after 30minutes, or when the vehicle batterycharge level is low. Prolonged use of thismode can cause the vehicle battery to runout of charge.
Do not tow your vehicle in this mode.Failure to follow these instructions couldresult in vehicle damage not covered bythe vehicle warranty.
Entering Temporary Neutral Mode
1.Switch your vehicle on.
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2.Bring your vehicle to a complete stop.
3.Press and hold the brake pedal.
4.Shift into neutral (N).
Note:A instructional message appears.
5.Press the manual (M), or low (L)button.
Note:A confirmation message appearswhen your vehicle enters the mode.
6.Release the brake pedal.
Note:Your vehicle is free to roll.
7.Switch your vehicle off.
Note:Do not tow your vehicle in this mode.
Note:The neutral (N) indicator on thetransmission selector may flash in thismode.
Exiting Temporary Neutral Mode
1.Press the brake pedal.
2.Shift into park (P), or switch yourvehicle on and shift into drive (D), orreverse (R).
Drive (D)
Drive (D) is the normal driving position forthe best fuel economy and smoothness.Shift the transmission selector to drive (D)to allow your vehicle to move forward andshift automatically through the forwardgears.
The transmission shifts to the appropriategear for optimum performance based onambient temperature, road slope, vehicleload and your input.
Manual Mode (M) - Vehicles withPaddle Shifters
With the transmission selector in manual(M), the driver can change gears up ordown. After selecting the Manual (M)button while the transmission rangeselector is in the Drive (D) position, younow have control of selecting the gear youdesire using shift buttons on the steeringwheel.
To exit manual mode, push the manual(M) button on your transmission selector.
Low (L) - Vehicles without PaddleShifters
With the transmission selector in low (L),your vehicle provides maximum enginebraking. You can shift the transmission intolow (L) at any vehicle speed. Do not useunder extended or normal drivingconditions as it results in lower fueleconomy.
Manually Shifting Gears
Shifting Using Paddle Shifters
The instrument cluster displays the currentgear. The current gear flashes when yourvehicle cannot shift into the requestedgear. Your vehicle will not shift if therequested gear raises or lowers the enginespeed beyond the limit.
Your vehicle may shift when you fully pressthe accelerator or brake pedal.
Note:Prolonged driving with high enginespeed could cause vehicle damage notcovered by vehicle warranty.
Note:When the vehicle shifts into therequested gear, it could affect drive modes.
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Manually Shifting Gears in Drive (D)
Use this feature when overtaking anothervehicle, or to temporarily change gear.
•Pull any paddle to switch the featureon.
•Pull the right (+) paddle to upshift.
•Pull the left (-) paddle to downshift.
•Hold the (+) paddle for a few secondsto switch the feature off.
Note:If you do not pull either paddle, thefeature switches off after a short period oftime.
Manually Shifting Gears in Manual (M)
Use this feature for engine braking on hillyor mountainous roads, or to select aspecific gear.
•Shift to manual (M) to switch thefeature on.
•Pull the right (+) paddle to upshift.
•Pull the left (-) paddle to downshift.
•Shift to drive (D) to switch the featureoff.
Tow Mode (If Equipped)
To activate tow mode, use thedrive mode switch on the centerconsole. See Selecting a DriveMode (page 273).
The indicator light illuminates and amessage displays in the instrument clusterwhen the system becomes active. Selecta different mode to switch the system off.
The Tow Mode Feature:
•Moves upshifts to higher engine speedsto reduce the frequency oftransmission shifting.
•Provides engine braking in all forwardgears, which slows your vehicle andassists you in controlling your vehiclewhen descending a slope.
•Depending on driving conditions andload conditions, it may downshift thetransmission, slow your vehicle andcontrol your vehicle speed whendescending a hill, without pressing theaccelerator pedal. The amount ofdownshift braking provided variesbased upon the amount you press thebrake pedal.
The tow mode feature improvestransmission operation when towing atrailer or a heavy load. All transmissiongear ranges are available when using towmode.
Transmission Not in Park (P)Audible Warning
Sounds if you open the driver door beforeshifting into park (P).
Manual Park Release (MPR)
WARNING: When doing thisprocedure, you need to take thetransmission out of park (P) whichmeans your vehicle can roll freely. Toavoid unwanted vehicle movement,apply the parking brake prior to doingthis procedure. Use wheel chocks ifappropriate.
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WARNING: If the parking brake isfully released, but the brake warninglamp remains illuminated, the brakesmay not be working properly. Have yourvehicle checked as soon as possible.
WARNING: Do not drive yourvehicle until you verify that thestoplamps are working.
Use the manual park release to move yourtransmission from the park (P) position inthe event of an electrical malfunction oremergency.
Activating the Manual Park ReleaseCable
1.Apply the parking brake. See ElectricParking Brake (page 211).
Note:If the vehicle battery is dead, forexample, no electrical power is available,you require an external power to apply theparking brake.
2.Using a flat head screwdriver,maximum length 5 in (120 mm), asshown in the picture, carefully open theaccess cover under the arm restconsole.
3.Switch the vehicle ignition on withoutstarting the vehicle by pressing theignition push to start without pressingthe brake.
4.Once in the driver seat, fully apply thebrake pedal and hold. Do not release.
Note:A: 2.0 in (50 mm) B: 0.1 in (3.3 mm)
5.Insert a screwdriver type tool into theManual Park Release (MPR) lever slot.Pull the manual park release levertoward the rear until the detent in theslot pops up, against the tool. Allowfull upward travel of detent,approximately 0.28 in (7 mm) in thepark override mode (Click). You canremove the tool. If done correctly, amessage on the instrument clusterdisplays Park Not Available,Transmission Not in Park, or ShiftSystem Fault.
6.With your foot still fully applied on thebrake pedal, disengage the parkingbrake. See Electric Parking Brake(page 211).
7.Your vehicle remains in neutral (N) foremergency towing purposes.
8.Switch off the ignition.
9.Once safe, and there is no risk of yourvehicle rolling, disconnect the negative(black) battery cable from the battery.
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Returning Your Vehicle to NormalMode
1.Reconnect the negative (black) batterycable to the battery.
2.Apply the parking brake. See ElectricParking Brake (page 211).
Note: If the vehicle battery is dead, forexample, no electrical power is available,you require an external power to apply theparking brake.
3.Fully apply the brake pedal and hold,do not release.
4.Insert the screwdriver tool fully into themanual park release lever slot. Pushthe tool downwards. The systemdetent releases and the manual parkrelease lever moves forward, allowingthe vehicle to go back into park (P).Remove the tool.
5.Install the access cover.
6.With your foot fully applied on thebrake pedal, start your vehicle. Confirmthat your vehicle is in the park (P)position and that the instrumentcluster indicates park (P).
7.If the instrument cluster does notdisplay the park (P) position or thereis a message stating park (P) is notavailable, transmission not in park (P)or a shift system fault, apply theparking brake before exiting yourvehicle and have your vehicle checkedimmediately.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck in Mudor Snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow,rock it out by shifting between forward andreverse gears, stopping between shifts ina steady pattern. Press lightly on theaccelerator in each gear.
Note:Do not rock the vehicle if the engineis not at normal operating temperature ordamage to the transmission could occur.
Note:Do not rock the vehicle for more thana minute or damage to the transmission andtires may occur, or the engine couldoverheat.
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Note:If you shift your vehicle into park (P)on a slope and the transmission cannotsecurely hold the vehicle, the electric parkingbrake automatically applies. SeeTransmission (page 197).
Applying the Electric Parking Brake inan Emergency
Note:Do not apply the electric parkingbrake when your vehicle is moving, exceptin an emergency. If you repeatedly use theelectric parking brake to slow or stop yourvehicle, you could cause damage to thebrake system.
You can use the electric parking brake toslow or stop your vehicle in an emergency.
Pull the switch up and hold it.
The red warning lampilluminates, a tone sounds andthe stoplamps turn on.
The electric parking brake continues toslow your vehicle down unless you releasethe switch.
Manually Releasing the ElectricParking Brake
Switch the ignition on.
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Push the switch down.
The red warning lamp turns off.
If it remains illuminated or flashes, thesystem has malfunctioned. Have yourvehicle checked as soon as possible.
Pulling Away on a Hill When Towing aTrailer
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Pull the switch up and hold it.
Shift into gear.
Press the accelerator pedal until the enginehas developed sufficient torque to preventyour vehicle from rolling down the hill.
Release the switch and pullaway in a normal manner.
Automatically Releasing theElectric Parking Brake
Close the driver door.
Shift into gear.
Press the accelerator pedal and pull awayin a normal manner.
The red warning lamp turns off.
If it remains illuminated or flashes, theelectric parking brake has not released.Manually release the parking brake.
Releasing the Electric ParkingBrake if the Vehicle Battery isRunning Out of Charge
Connect a booster battery to the vehiclebattery to release the electric parking brakeif the vehicle battery is running out ofcharge. See Jump Starting the Vehicle(page 293).
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