GENERAL INFORMATION -
HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
(HEV)
WARNING: This battery packshould only be serviced by an authorizedelectric vehicle technician. Improperhandling can result in personal injury ordeath.
WARNING: Apply the parkingbrake, shift into park (P), switch theignition off and remove the key beforeyou open the hood or have any serviceor repair work completed. If you do notswitch the ignition off, the engine couldrestart at any time. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in personal injuryor death.
WARNING: Do not touch theelectronic ignition system parts after youhave switched the ignition on or whenthe engine is running. The systemoperates at high voltage. Failure tofollow this instruction could result inserious personal injury or death.
WARNING: Keep your hands andclothing clear of the engine cooling fan.
Your vehicle consists of varioushigh-voltage components and wiring. Allof the high-voltage power flows throughspecific wiring assemblies labeled as suchor covered with a solid orange convolute,or orange striped tape, or both. Do notcome in contact with these components.
The high-voltage battery system is ahigh-voltage, lithium-ion battery system.The pack is located underneath the vehicle.The high voltage battery system uses anadvanced active liquid heating and coolingsystem to regulate high voltage batterytemperature and help maximize the life ofthe high voltage battery.
Note:The high-voltage battery does notrequire regular service maintenance.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingHigh Voltage Battery (If Equipped)
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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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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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingTransmissionE292050 E317360
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
This system is a proactive system. It hasthe ability to anticipate wheel slip andtransfer torque to the front wheels beforeslip occurs. Even when wheel slip is notpresent, the system is continuouslyadjusting to the torque distribution, in anattempt to improve straight line andcornering behavior, both on and off road.
The system automatically turns on everytime you switch the ignition on.
If any component requires maintenance,a message appears in the informationdisplay.
USING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
WARNING: Vehicles with a highercenter of gravity (utility and four-wheeldrive vehicles) handle differently thanvehicles with a lower center of gravity(passenger cars). Avoid sharp turns,excessive speed and abrupt steering inthese vehicles. Failure to drive cautiouslyincreases the risk of losing control of yourvehicle, vehicle rollover, personal injuryand death.
The intelligent 4WD system continuouslymonitors vehicle conditions and adjuststhe power distribution between the frontand rear wheels. It combines transparentall-surface operation with highly capablefour-wheel drive.
The 4WD system is always active andrequires no driver input. It is capable ofhandling all road conditions includingstreet and highway driving as well asoff-road and winter driving. You canoptimize more 4WD control by selectingdifferent drive modes. See Selecting aDrive Mode (page 273).
Note:A warning message displays in theinformation display when a 4WD systemfault is present. See InformationMessages (page 119). A 4WD system faultcauses the 4WD system to default torear-wheel drive only mode. When thiswarning message is displayed, have yourvehicle serviced at an authorized dealer.
Note:A warning message displays in theinformation display if the 4WD systemoverheats. See Information Messages(page 119). This condition could occur if thevehicle is operated in extreme conditionswith excessive wheel slip, such as deepsand. To resume normal 4WD function assoon as possible, stop the vehicle in a safelocation and stop the engine for at least 10minutes. After the engine is restarted andthe 4WD system is adequately cooled, thewarning message turns off and normal 4WDfunction returns.
Operating Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)Vehicles With Spare Tires
Do not use a different size spare tire otherthan the tire provided. If the mini-spare tireis installed, the 4WD system will disableand enter rear-wheel drive only mode toprotect driveline components. Somelimited 4WD traction could be provided ifthe mini-spare is installed on one of thefront wheels. If you are in driving conditionswhere limited 4WD traction is neededwhile the mini-spare is installed, it isrecommended the mini-spare be installedon the front axle. See InformationMessages (page 119).
If the mini-spare is installed, this conditionis indicated by a warning in the informationdisplay. If there is a warning message inthe information display from using thespare tire, this indicator should turn offafter reinstalling or replacing the normalroad tire and cycling the ignition off andon. We recommended reinstalling or
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingFour-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
Driving in Special Conditions WithFour-Wheel drive (4WD)
Note:Use of the 4WD system in slippery,deep snow, and sand drive modes on drysurfaces could produce some vibration,driveline bind up, or excessive tire wear asthese drive modes are intended for slipperyand loose surfaces.
Note:The design of 4WD vehicles are fordriving on sand, snow, mud and rough roadsand have operating characteristics that aresomewhat different from conventionalvehicles, both on and off the highway.
Basic Operating Principles in SpecialConditions
•Drive slower in strong crosswinds whichcan affect the normal steeringcharacteristics of your vehicle.
•Be extremely careful when driving onpavement made slippery by loose sand,water, gravel, snow or ice.
If Your Vehicle Goes Off the Edge of thePavement
•If your vehicle goes off the edge of thepavement, slow down, but avoid severebrake application, ease the vehicleback onto the pavement only afterreducing your speed. Do not turn thesteering wheel too sharply whilereturning to the road surface.
•It could be safer to stay on the apronor shoulder of the road and slow downgradually before returning to thepavement. You could lose control if youdo not slow down or if you turn thesteering wheel too sharply or abruptly.
•It often could be less risky to strikesmall objects, such as highwayreflectors, with minor damage to yourvehicle rather than attempt a suddenreturn to the pavement which couldcause the vehicle to slide sideways outof control or rollover. Remember, yoursafety and the safety of others shouldbe your primary concern.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
WARNING: Apply the parkingbrake, shift into park (P), switch theignition off and remove the key beforeyou leave your vehicle. Failure to followthis instruction could result in personalinjury or death.
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 spin the wheelsat over 34 mph (55 km/h). The tires mayfail and injure a passenger or bystander.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingFour-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snowyou can rock it out by shifting betweenforward and reverse gears, stoppingbetween shifts, in a steady pattern. Presslightly on the accelerator in each gear.
If your vehicle comes with AdvanceTrac®with Roll Stability Control™, it could bebeneficial to disengage the AdvanceTrac®with Roll Stability Control™ system whileattempting to rock the vehicle.
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 few minutes or damage to thetransmission and tires could occur or theengine could overheat.
Emergency Maneuvers
•In an unavoidable emergency situationwhere a sudden sharp turn must bemade, remember to avoid"over-driving" your vehicle (forexample, turn the steering wheel onlyas rapidly and as far as required toavoid the emergency). Excessivesteering can result in less vehiclecontrol, not more. Additionally, smoothvariations of the accelerator and/orbrake pedal pressure should be utilizedif changes in vehicle speed are called
for. Avoid abrupt steering, accelerationor braking which could result in anincreased risk of loss of vehicle control,vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.Use all available road surface to returnthe vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergency stop,avoid skidding the tires and do notattempt any sharp steering wheelmovements.
•If the vehicle goes from one type ofsurface to another (i.e., from concreteto gravel) there is a change in the waythe vehicle responds to a maneuver(steering, acceleration or braking).Again, avoid these abrupt inputs.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all fourwheels on the most solid area of the trail.Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shiftto a lower gear and drive steadily throughthe terrain. Apply the accelerator slowlyand avoid spinning the wheels.
Avoid excessive speed because vehiclemomentum can work against you andcause the vehicle to become stuck to thepoint that assistance could be requiredfrom another vehicle. Remember, youcould be able to back out the way youcame if you proceed with caution.
Mud and Water
If you must drive through high water, driveslowly. Traction or brake capability couldbe limited.
Note:Driving through deep water coulddamage your vehicle.
When driving through water, determine thedepth; avoid water higher than the bottomof the hubs (if possible) and proceedslowly. If the ignition system gets wet, thevehicle could stall.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingFour-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
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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When you release the accelerator pedal orpress the brake pedal, the brake controllerautomatically detects the amount ofdeceleration requested and optimizes howmuch of the deceleration will be producedby regenerative braking. The remainingportion is generated by standard frictionbraking. When the battery is almost fullycharged, the amount of regenerativebraking is limited to avoid overcharging,and the requested deceleration isproduced by standard friction brakingalone.
Regenerative braking does not take theplace of the standard friction brakes; it onlyassists them. Regenerative braking isdesigned to interact with the anti-lockbrake system. Regenerative brakingdisables when the anti-lock brake systemis activated or the battery is fully charged.
HINTS ON DRIVING WITH
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
The anti-lock brake system does noteliminate the risks when:
•You drive too closely to the vehicle infront of you.
•Your vehicle is hydroplaning.
•You take corners too fast.
•The road surface is poor.
Note: If the system activates, the brakepedal could pulse and may travel further.Maintain pressure on the brake pedal. Youmay also hear a noise from the system. Thisis normal.
ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE
WARNING: Apply the parking brakeand shift into park (P) before leavingyour vehicle.
WARNING: If you drive extendeddistances with the parking brake applied,you could cause damage to the brakesystem.
WARNING: The electric parkingbrake does not operate if the vehiclebattery has run out of charge.
Your vehicle has an electric parking brake.You operate it with a switch instead of alever. The switch is on the center consoleor to the left-hand side of the steeringwheel, on the lower part of the instrumentpanel.
Note:The electric parking brake makesnoises during operation. This is normal.
Applying the Electric ParkingBrake
Pull the switch up.
The red warning lamp flashesduring operation and illuminateswhen the parking brake isapplied.
Note:It remains illuminated for a shortperiod of time after you switch the ignitionoff.
If it continues to flash or does notilluminate, the system has malfunctioned.Have your vehicle checked as soon aspossible.
Note:You can apply the electric parkingbrake when the ignition is off.
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2023 Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202209, First-PrintingBrakesE267156 E270480 E67024