2023 FORD EXPLORER Owners Manual

HILL START ASSIST
WARNING: The system does notreplace the parking brake. When youleave your vehicle, always apply theparking brake.
WARNING: You must remain inyour vehicle when the system turns on.At all times, you are responsible forcontrolling your vehicle, supervising thesystem and intervening, if required.Failure to take care may result in the lossof control of your vehicle, seriouspersonal injury or death.
WARNING: The system will turnoff if a malfunction is apparent or if yourev the engine excessively. Failure to takecare may result in the loss of control ofyour vehicle, serious personal injury ordeath.
The system makes it easier to pull awaywhen your vehicle is on a slope without theneed to use the parking brake.
When the system is active, your vehicleremains stationary on the slope for two tothree seconds after you release the brakepedal. This allows time to move your footfrom the brake to the accelerator pedal.The system releases the brakesautomatically once the engine hasdeveloped sufficient torque to prevent yourvehicle from rolling down the slope. Thisis an advantage when pulling away on aslope, for example from a car park ramp,traffic lights or when reversing uphill intoa parking space.
The system activates on any slope thatcauses your vehicle to roll.
Note:There is no warning light to indicatethe system is either on or off.
Using Hill Start Assist
1.Press the brake pedal to bring yourvehicle to a complete standstill. Keepthe brake pedal pressed and shift intofirst gear when facing uphill or reverse(R) when facing downhill.
2.If the sensors detect that your vehicleis on a slope, the system activatesautomatically.
3.When you remove your foot from thebrake pedal, your vehicle remains onthe slope without rolling away forabout two to three seconds. This holdtime automatically extends if you arein the process of driving off.
4.Drive off in the normal manner. Thesystem releases the brakesautomatically.
Note:When you remove your foot from thebrake pedal and press the pedal again whenthe system is active, you will experiencesignificantly reduced brake pedal travel. Thisis normal.
Switching the System On and Off
Vehicles with Manual Transmission
You can switch this feature on or off in theinformation display. The systemremembers the last setting when you startyour vehicle.
Vehicles with Automatic Transmission
You cannot turn the system on or off.When you switch the ignition on, thesystem automatically turns on.
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AUTO HOLD
WARNING: The system does notreplace the parking brake. When youleave your vehicle, always apply theparking brake.
WARNING: You must remain inyour vehicle when the system turns on.At all times, you are responsible forcontrolling your vehicle, supervising thesystem and intervening, if required.Failure to take care may result in the lossof control of your vehicle, seriouspersonal injury or death.
WARNING: The system turns off ifthere is a malfunction.
The system is designed to apply the brakesto hold your vehicle at a standstill after youstop your vehicle and release the brakepedal. This could be beneficial in certainsituations, for example when waiting on ahill or in traffic.
Switching Auto Hold On and Off
Press the button on the centerconsole. The button illuminateswhen you switch the system on.
Note:You can only switch the system onafter you close the driver door, and start theengine.
Note:The system remembers the lastsetting when you start your vehicle.
Make sure you switch the system off beforetowing with your vehicle or before using anautomatic car wash.
Using Auto Hold
1.Use the brakes to bring your vehicle toa complete stop. The auto hold activeindicator illuminates in the informationdisplay.
2.Release the brake pedal. The systemholds your vehicle at a standstill. Theauto hold active indicator remainsilluminated in the information display.
Note:The system only activates if youapply enough brake pressure. If your vehicleis on a steep slope, you might need to pressthe brake pedal harder before the systemactivates.
Note:Under certain conditions, the systemcould apply the electric parking brake. Thebrake system warning lamp illuminates. Theelectric parking brake releases when youpress the accelerator pedal. See ElectricParking Brake (page 211).
Note:If auto-start-stop turns off theengine, auto hold remains active.
Note:The system deactivates if you shiftinto reverse (R) and press the brake pedal.
3.Pull away in the normal manner. Thesystem releases the brakes and theauto hold active indicator turns off.
Auto Hold Indicator
The auto hold indicator illuminates in theinformation display when the system is onand is either active or unavailable.
Illuminates when the system isactive. Your vehicle remainsstationary after you release thebrake pedal.
Illuminates when the system ison but unavailable to hold yourvehicle at a standstill.
The system could be unavailable when anyof the following occur:
•During an active park assist maneuver.
•Your vehicle is in stay in neutral mode.
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•The driver door is open.
•You shift into reverse (R) before thesystem is active.
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WHAT IS REVERSE BRAKING
ASSIST
Reverse braking assist is designed toreduce impact damage or assist in avoidinga collision while in reverse (R). Usingsensors on the rear of the vehicle, it candetect a possible collision and apply thebrakes. If full braking occurs, the systemattempts to stop the vehicle a safedistance from the obstacle.
REVERSE BRAKING ASSIST
PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: You are responsible forcontrolling your vehicle at all times. Thesystem is designed to be an aid and doesnot relieve you of your responsibility todrive with due care and attention. Failureto follow this instruction could result inthe loss of control of your vehicle,personal injury or death.
WARNING: To help avoid personalinjury, always use caution when inreverse (R) and when using the sensingsystem.
WARNING: The system may notoperate properly during severe weatherconditions, for example snow, ice, heavyrain and spray. Always drive with duecare and attention. Failure to take caremay result in a crash.
WARNING: Traffic control systems,fluorescent lamps, inclement weather,air brakes, external motors and fans mayaffect the correct operation of thesensing system. This may cause reducedperformance or false alerts.
WARNING: Some situations andobjects prevent hazard detection. Forexample low or direct sunlight, inclementweather, unconventional vehicle types,and pedestrians. Apply the brakes whennecessary. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in the loss ofcontrol of your vehicle, personal injury ordeath.
WARNING: Do not use the systemwith accessories that extend beyond thefront or rear of your vehicle, for examplea trailer hitch or bike rack. The system isnot able to make corrections for theadditional length of the accessories.
The system only applies the brakes for ashort period of time when an event occurs.Act as soon as you notice the brakes applyto remain in control of the vehicle. If youdo not intervene the vehicle may start tomove again.
Note:Certain add-on devices around thebumper or fascia may create false alerts.For example, large trailer hitches, bicycle orsurfboard racks, license plate brackets,bumper covers or any other device that mayblock the normal detection zone of thesystem. Remove the add-on device toprevent false alerts.
Note:The system does not react to smallor moving objects, particularly those closeto the ground.
Note:The system does not operate duringhard acceleration or steering.
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Note:If your vehicle sustains damage tothe bumper or fascia leaving it misalignedor bent, it could alter the sensing zonecausing inaccurate measurement ofobstacles or false alerts.
Note:Vehicle loading and suspensionchanges can impact the angle of the sensorsand may change the normal detection zoneof the system resulting in inaccuratemeasurement of obstacles or false alerts.
Note:When you connect a trailer, thesystem may detect the trailer and providean alert, or the system turns off. If thesystem does not turn off, manually switchthe system off after you connect the trailer.
Note:You may experience reduced systemperformance on road surfaces that limitdeceleration. For example, roads with ice,loose gravel, mud or sand.
SWITCHING REVERSE
BRAKING ASSIST ON AND OFF
You can switch the system on or offthrough the touchscreen. See Settings(page 458).
Note:The system is unavailable when rearparking aid or cross traffic alert is off.
OVERRIDING REVERSE
BRAKING ASSIST
There could be instances whenunexpected or unwanted braking occurs.Firmly pressing the accelerator pedal orswitching the feature off overrides thesystem.
REVERSE BRAKING ASSIST
INDICATORS
If the system determines that a collisionwith an obstacle may occur, full brakingmay apply.
A message and warningindicator appear when thesystem applies the brakes.
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REVERSE BRAKING ASSIST – TROUBLESHOOTING
REVERSE BRAKING ASSIST – INFORMATION MESSAGES
DescriptionMessage
Displays when the system applies thebrakes and remains on for a few seconds.Reverse Brake Assist
Make sure that all doors, liftgate or tailgateand hood are closed. Drive the vehicle on astraight road for a short period. Make surethe parking aids and cross traffic alertsystems are on. If the message remains on,have the system checked as soon aspossible.
Reverse Brake Assist Not Available SeeManual
Displays when a system error has occurred.Have your vehicle checked as soon aspossible.
Reverse Brake Assist Fault
Displays when reverse brake assist is off.Reverse Brake Assist Off
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REVERSE BRAKING ASSIST –FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is reverse braking assist unavailable?
•Make sure you switch the system on.See Switching Reverse BrakingAssist On and Off (page 217).
•Make sure that the liftgate, hood andall doors are closed.
•Make sure the cross traffic alert systemis on. See Cross Traffic Alert (page263).
•Make sure the rear parking aid systemis on. See Rear Parking Aid (page 225).
•Make sure traction control is on. SeeUsing Traction Control (page 220).
•The vehicle has sustained a rear endimpact. Have the sensors checked forproper coverage and operation.
•An ABS, traction control or stabilitycontrol event may have occurred. Thesystem resumes operation when theevent is complete.
•Make sure the rear view camera and360 degree camera are not dirty orobstructed. If it is dirty, clean thecamera. See Rear View Camera(page 234). See 360 Degree Camera(page 237). If the message still appearsafter cleaning the camera, wait a shorttime and the message should clear. Ifthe message does not clear, have thesystem checked.
•Make sure the sensors are not blockedor faulted. See Cross Traffic Alert(page 263). See Rear Parking Aid(page 225).
•You recently had your vehicle serviced,or the battery disconnected. Drive yourvehicle a short distance to resumesystem operation.
•The system does not function whenyou connect a trailer. Operationresumes when you disconnect thetrailer.
Note:If the answers to why the system isunavailable do not assist in returning reversebraking assist to available, have the systemchecked as soon as possible.
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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoiddrive wheel spin and loss of traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the systemapplies the brakes to individual wheelsand, when needed, reduces engine powerat the same time. If the wheels spin whenaccelerating on slippery or loose surfaces,the system reduces engine power in orderto increase traction.
USING TRACTION CONTROL
WARNING: Operating your vehiclewith the traction control disabled couldlead to an increased risk of loss of vehiclecontrol, vehicle rollover, personal injuryand death.
The system automatically turns on eachtime you switch the ignition on.
If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow,switching traction control off may bebeneficial as this allows the wheels to spin.
Note:When you switch traction control off,stability control remains fully active.
Switching the System Off
When you switch the system off or on, amessage appears in the informationdisplay showing system status.
You can switch the system off by using theswitch.
Using a Switch (If Equipped)
Use the traction control switch on thecenter console near the shifter to switchthe system off or on.
The traction control switch.
System Indicator Lights andMessages
The stability and traction controllight:
•Temporarily illuminates on enginestart-up.
•Flashes when a driving conditionactivates either of the systems.
•Illuminates if a problem occurs in eitherof the systems.
The stability and traction controloff light temporarily illuminateson engine start-up and stays onwhen you switch the traction controlsystem off.
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