2023 FORD EXPLORER tow

GENERAL INFORMATION
Note: Occasional brake noise is normal. Ifa metal-to-metal, continuous grinding orcontinuous squeal sound is present, thebrake linings may be worn. Have your vehiclechecked. If the vehicle has continuousvibration or shudder in the steering wheelwhile braking, have your vehicle checked.
Note: Brake dust may accumulate on thewheels, even under normal drivingconditions. Some dust is inevitable as thebrakes wear and does not contribute tobrake noise. Wet brakes result in reducedbraking efficiency. Gently press the brakepedal a few times when driving from a carwash or standing water to dry the brakes.
See Cleaning the Wheels (page 344).
Brake Over Accelerator
In the event the accelerator pedalbecomes stuck or entrapped, apply steadyand firm pressure to the brake pedal toslow the vehicle and reduce engine power.If you experience this condition, apply thebrakes and bring your vehicle to a safestop. Switch the engine off, move thetransmission to park (P) and apply theparking brake. Inspect the acceleratorpedal and the area around it for any itemsor debris that may be obstructing itsmovement. If none are found and thecondition persists, have your vehiclechecked. If your vehicle has to be towed,we recommend that you contact aprofessional towing service.
Emergency Brake Assist
Emergency brake assist detects when youbrake heavily by measuring the rate atwhich you press the brake pedal. Itprovides maximum braking efficiency aslong as you press the pedal. Emergencybrake assist can reduce stopping distancesin critical situations.
Anti-lock Brake System
This system helps you maintain steeringcontrol during emergency stops by keepingthe brakes from locking.
This lamp illuminatesmomentarily when you switchthe ignition on to confirm thelamp is functional.
If the warning lamp does not illuminateduring start up, remains on or flashes, thesystem may be disabled. Have the systemchecked. If the anti-lock brake system isdisabled, normal braking is still operational.
See Warning Lamps and Indicators(page 105).
Note:Indicators vary depending on region.
This lamp illuminatesmomentarily when you switchthe ignition on to confirm thelamp is functional. If it does notilluminate when you switch theignition on, or if it begins to flashat any time except the time during applyingor releasing the parking brake, have thesystem checked.
Regenerative Braking System
This feature simulates the engine brakingof an internal combustion engine andassist the standard brake system whilerecovering some of the energy of motionand storing it in the battery to improve fueleconomy. The standard brake system isdesigned to fully stop the car ifregenerative braking is not available.During regenerative braking, the motor isspun as a generator to create electricalcurrent. This recharges the battery andslows the vehicle. Once the acceleratorpedal is released, the motor changes froman energy user to an energy producer.
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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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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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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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When you shift into neutral (N), the systemonly provides visual indication if yourvehicle is moving at a speed ofapproximately 5 mph (8 km/h) or below,for example, your vehicle is moving on aslope, and the system detects an objectmoving toward your vehicle. When youstop your vehicle, visual indication stopsafter four seconds.
SIDE SENSING SYSTEM (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.
The system uses the front and rearoutermost parking aid sensors to detectobjects that are near to the sides of yourvehicle. The system displays them on avirtual map in the information display asyour vehicle moves past them.
The sensors are on the front and rearbumpers.
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.
The system may not function if:
•You switch the ignition on, off and backon within a few seconds.
•Your vehicle remains stationary for overtwo minutes.
•The anti-lock brake system activates.
•The traction control system activates.
Note:If you switch traction control off, theside sensing system also turns off.
Note:Some accessories, for example largetrailer hitches or bike or surfboard racks cancause reduced performance or false alerts.
To reinitialize the system, you may have todrive 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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When the system detects an object withinthe coverage area and the driving path ofyour vehicle, an audible warning sounds.As your vehicle moves closer to the object,the rate of the tone increases.
Note:The system does not detect an objectthat is moving toward the side of yourvehicle, for example another vehicle movingat low speed, if it does not pass a front orrear sensor.
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 reverse (R), the systemprovides audible warnings and a visualindication when detected objects arewithin 24 in (60 cm) and are inside thedriving path of your vehicle. When you stopyour vehicle, the audible warnings turn offafter two seconds.
When you shift into any forward gear, thesystem provides audible warnings and avisual 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 warningsturn off after two seconds and the visualindication turns off after four seconds.
When you shift into neutral (N), the systemonly provides a visual indication if yourvehicle is moving at a speed ofapproximately 5 mph (8 km/h) or below.For example, your vehicle is moving on aslope, and the system detects an objectmoving toward your vehicle. When youstop your vehicle, the visual indicationturns off after four seconds.
If the system is not available, the sidedistance indicator blocks do not display.
ACTIVE PARK ASSIST (IF
EQUIPPED)
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 sensors may notdetect objects in heavy rain or otherconditions that cause interference.
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