2023 FORD EXPLORER Owners Manual

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNING: Vehicle modificationsinvolving braking system, aftermarketroof racks, suspension, steering system,tire construction and wheel and tire sizemay change the handling characteristicsof your vehicle and may adversely affectthe performance of the electronicstability control system. In addition,installing any stereo loudspeakers mayinterfere with and adversely affect theelectronic stability control system. Installany aftermarket stereo loudspeaker asfar as possible from the front centerconsole, the tunnel, and the front seatsin order to minimize the risk of interferingwith the electronic stability controlsensors. Reducing the effectiveness ofthe electronic stability control systemcould lead to an increased risk of loss ofvehicle control, vehicle rollover, personalinjury and death.
WARNING: Remember that evenadvanced technology cannot defy thelaws of physics. It’s always possible tolose control of a vehicle due toinappropriate driver input for theconditions. Aggressive driving on anyroad condition can cause you to losecontrol of your vehicle increasing the riskof personal injury or property damage.Activation of the electronic stabilitycontrol system is an indication that atleast some of the tires have exceededtheir ability to grip the road; this couldreduce the operator’s ability to controlthe vehicle potentially resulting in a lossof vehicle control, vehicle rollover,personal injury and death. If yourelectronic stability control systemactivates, SLOW DOWN.
The system automatically turns on eachtime you switch the ignition on.
If a driving condition activates either thestability control or the traction controlsystem you may experience the followingconditions:
•The stability and traction control lightflashes.
•Your vehicle slows down.
•Reduced engine power.
•A vibration in the brake pedal.
•The brake pedal is stiffer than usual.
•If the driving condition is severe andyour foot is not on the brake, the brakepedal may move as the systemsapplies higher brake forces.
The stability control system has severalfeatures built into it to help you maintaincontrol of your vehicle:
Electronic Stability Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto prevent skids or lateral slides byapplying brakes to one or more of thewheels individually and, if necessary,reducing engine power.
Roll Stability Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto prevent rollovers by detecting yourvehicle’s roll motion and the rate at whichit changes by applying the brakes to oneor more wheels individually.
Curve Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto follow the road when cornering severelyor avoiding objects in the roadway. CurveControl operates by reducing engine powerand, if necessary, applying brakes to oneor more of the wheels individually.
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Traction Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto maintain traction of the wheels bydetecting and controlling wheel spin. SeeUsing Traction Control (page 220).
Vehicle without stability controlskidding off its intended route.A
Vehicle with stability controlmaintaining control on a slipperysurface.
B
USING STABILITY CONTROL
Electronic Stability Control - BaseModel
The system automatically turns on eachtime you switch the ignition on.
You cannot switch the stability control androll stability control systems off, but whenyou shift into reverse (R), the systemsdeactivate.
You can switch the traction control systemoff or on. See Using Traction Control(page 220).
Electronic Stability Control - STModel
The system turns on each timeyou switch the ignition on. Youcan switch off the tractioncontrol portion of the systemindependently. See Using TractionControl (page 220).
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ESC Features for ST model
Traction ControlSystemElectronicStability ControlStability ControlOff LightModeButton Func-tions
EnabledEnabledOn during bulbcheckDefault - Trac-tion Control Onand NormalAdvanceTrac
Default at start-up
DisabledEnabledOnTraction ControlOffButtonmomentarilypressed - singlepress
DisabledDisabledOnAdvanceTracOffButton pressedand held for fiveseconds
EnabledEnabledOffReturn toDefaultButton pressedwhen in Trac-tion Control Offor AdvanceTracOff
Note:Do not use the AdvanceTrac Offsetting on public roadways.
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WHAT IS HILL DESCENT
CONTROL
WARNING: Hill descent controlcannot control descent in all surfaceconditions and circumstances, such asice or extremely steep grades. Hilldescent control is a driver assist systemand cannot substitute for good judgmentby the driver. Failure to do so may resultin loss of vehicle control, crash or seriousinjury.
WARNING: The system does notreplace the parking brake. When youleave your vehicle, always apply theparking brake.
Note:The system does not function below3 mph (5 km/h).
Hill descent control allows the driver to setand maintain vehicle speed whiledescending steep slopes in various surfaceconditions.
The system can maintain vehicle speedson downhill slopes between 3–20 mph(5–32 km/h). Above 20 mph (32 km/h),the system remains on but the descentspeed cannot be set or maintained.
The system requires a cool down intervalafter a period of sustained use. Theamount of time that the system canremain active before cooling varies withconditions. The system provides a warningin the message center and a tone soundswhen the system is about to disengage forcooling. At this time, manually apply thebrakes as needed to maintain descentspeed.
SWITCHING HILL DESCENT
CONTROL ON AND OFF
Press the button on the centerconsole. A light illuminates in thecontrol and a tone sounds whenthe system is active.
SETTING THE HILL DESCENT
SPEED
WARNING: The system does notreplace the parking brake. When youleave your vehicle, always apply theparking brake.
WARNING: The system does notcontrol speed in low traction conditionsor extremely steep slopes. The systemis designed to be an aid and does notrelieve you of your responsibility to drivewith due care and attention. Failure tofollow this instruction could result inpersonal injury.
To increase the descent speed, press theaccelerator pedal until you reach the speedyou prefer.
To decrease the descent speed, press thebrake pedal until you reach the speed youprefer.
When you reach the speed you prefer,either by accelerating or decelerating,remove your feet from the pedals. Thesystem maintains the chosen vehiclespeed.
HILL DESCENT CONTROL
INDICATOR
Illuminates when you switch hilldescent control on.
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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNING: To help avoid personalinjury, always use caution when inreverse (R) and when using the sensingsystem.
WARNING: The system may notdetect objects with surfaces that absorbreflection. Always drive with due careand attention. Failure to take care mayresult in a crash.
WARNING: Traffic control systems,inclement weather, air brakes, externalmotors and fans may affect the correctoperation of the sensing system. Thismay cause reduced performance or falsealerts.
WARNING: The system may notdetect small or moving objects,particularly those close to the ground.
Note:If your vehicle has MyKey™, thesensing system cannot be switched offwhen a MyKey™ is present. See Principleof Operation (page 64).
Note:Keep the sensors on the bumper orfascia free from snow, ice and largeaccumulations of dirt. If the sensors arecovered, the system’s accuracy can beaffected. Do not clean the sensors withsharp objects.
Note:If your vehicle sustains damage tothe bumper or fascia, leaving it misalignedor bent, the sensing zone may be alteredcausing inaccurate measurement ofobstacles or false alerts.
Note:Certain add-on devices installedaround the bumper or fascia may createfalse alerts. For example, large trailerhitches, bike or surfboard racks, license platebrackets, bumper covers or any other devicethat may block the normal detection zoneof the system. Remove the add-on deviceto prevent false alerts.
Note:When you connect a trailer to yourvehicle, the rear parking aid may detect thetrailer and therefore provide an alert. Disablethe rear parking aid when you connect atrailer to prevent the alert.
The sensing system warns the driver ofobstacles within a certain range of yourvehicle. The system turns on automaticallywhenever you switch the ignition on.
You can switch the system off through thetouchscreen, information display or fromthe pop-up message that appears onceyou shift the transmission into reverse (R).If your vehicle has a parking aid button, youcan switch the system off by pressing thebutton.
If a fault is present in the system, a warningmessage appears in the informationdisplay. See Information Messages(page 119).
REAR PARKING AID
WARNING: The system may notdetect objects with surfaces that absorbreflection. Always drive with due careand attention. Failure to take care mayresult in a crash.
WARNING: The system may notdetect small or moving objects,particularly those close to the ground.
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WARNING: To help avoid personalinjury, always use caution when inreverse (R) and when using the sensingsystem.
WARNING: The parking aid systemcan only assist you to detect objectswhen your vehicle is moving at parkingspeeds. To help avoid personal injury youmust take care when using the parkingaid system.
Note:Keep the sensors free from snow, iceand large accumulations of dirt.
Note:Do not cover up the sensors.
Note:Do not clean the sensors with sharpobjects.
Note:If your vehicle sustains damageleaving the sensors misaligned, this maycause inaccurate measurements or falsealerts.
Note:Some accessories, for example largetrailer hitches or bike or surfboard racks, cancause reduced performance or false alerts.
The sensors are on the rear bumper.
The sensors are active when thetransmission is in reverse (R) and thevehicle speed is less than 5 mph (8 km/h).When the parking aid system sounds atone, the audio system may reduce the setvolume.
A warning tone sounds when your vehicleapproaches an object. As your vehiclemoves closer to an object, the rate of thetone increases. The warning tonecontinuously sounds when an object is 12 in(30 cm) or less from the center of the rearbumper.
Note:There is a decreased coverage areaat the outer corners.
The sensor coverage area is up to 70 in(180 cm) from the rear bumper.
If the system detects a fault, a warningmessage appears in the informationdisplay.
The system detects large objects whenyou shift into reverse (R) and any of thefollowing occur:
•Your vehicle is moving backward at lowspeed.
•Your vehicle is stationary, but an objectis approaching the rear of your vehicleat low speed.
•Your vehicle is moving backward at lowspeed and an object is moving towardyour vehicle, for example anothervehicle, at low speed.
If your vehicle remains stationary for twoseconds, the audible warning turns off. Ifyour vehicle moves backward, the tonesounds again.
Note:If the detected object is 12 in (30 cm)or less from the rear bumper, the audiblewarning does not turn off.
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Object Distance Indicator (If Equipped)
The system provides object distanceindication through the information display.
•As the distance to the objectdecreases, the indicator blocksilluminate and move toward the vehicleicon.
•If the system does not detect an object,the distance indicator blocks are gray.
When you shift into reverse (R), the systemprovides audible warnings and visualindication when your vehicle is moving, andthe detected object is moving toward yourvehicle. When you stop your vehicle, theaudible warnings stop after two seconds.Visual indication remains on when thetransmission is in reverse (R).
FRONT PARKING AID (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING: The system may notdetect objects with surfaces that absorbreflection. Always drive with due careand attention. Failure to take care mayresult in a crash.
WARNING: The system may notdetect small or moving objects,particularly those close to the ground.
WARNING: To help avoid personalinjury, always use caution when inreverse (R) and when using the sensingsystem.
WARNING: The parking aid systemcan only assist you to detect objectswhen your vehicle is moving at parkingspeeds. To help avoid personal injury youmust take care when using the parkingaid system.
Note:Keep the sensors free from snow, iceand large accumulations of dirt.
Note:Do not cover up the sensors.
Note:Do not clean the sensors with sharpobjects.
Note:If your vehicle sustains damageleaving the sensors misaligned, this maycause inaccurate measurements or falsealerts.
Note:Some accessories, for example largetrailer hitches or bike or surfboard racks cancause reduced performance or false alerts.
The sensors are on the front bumper.
The sensors are active when thetransmission is in any position other thanpark (P). When the parking aid systemsounds a tone, the audio system mayreduce the set volume.
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A warning tone sounds when your vehicleapproaches an object. As your vehiclemoves closer to an object, the rate of thetone increases. The warning tonecontinuously sounds when an object is 12 in(30 cm) or less from the front bumper.
Note:There is a decreased coverage areaat the outer corners.
The system turns off when the vehiclespeed reaches 5 mph (8 km/h).
The sensor coverage area is up to 28 in(70 cm) from the center of the bumper.
If the transmission is in reverse (R), thesystem detects objects when your vehicleis moving at low speed or an object ismoving toward your vehicle, for exampleanother vehicle at low speed. When youstop your vehicle, the audible warning turnsoff after two seconds.
If the transmission is in any forward gear,the system provides audible warningswhen your vehicle is moving and an objectis within the detection area. When you stopyour vehicle, the audible warning turns offafter two seconds and the visual warningturns off after four seconds.
If the system detects a fault, a warningmessage appears in the informationdisplay.
Object Distance Indicator (If Equipped)
The system provides object distanceindication through the information display.
•As the distance to the objectdecreases, the indicator blocksilluminate and move toward the vehicleicon.
•If there is no object detected, thedistance indicator blocks are gray.
When you shift into any forward gear, thesystem provides audible warnings andvisual indication when your vehicle ismoving at a speed of approximately 5 mph(8 km/h) or below and the system detectsan object within the detection zone. Whenyou stop your vehicle, the audible warningsstop after two seconds and visualindication stops after four seconds.
Note:If the detected object is 12 in (30 cm)or less from your vehicle, visual indicationremains on.
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