Driving -> BRAKES for Your Ford Explorer SUV Fifth Generation (2005-2011)

Driving  
Be sure that areas where the vehicle is parked are clean and clear of  
all combustibles such as petroleum products, dust, rags, paper and  
similar items.  
Be sure that the engine block heater, heater cord and extension cord  
are solidly connected. A poor connection can cause the cord to  
become very hot and may result in an electrical shock or fire. Be sure  
to check for heat anywhere in the electrical hookup once the system  
has been operating for approximately a half hour.  
Finally, have the engine block heater system checked during your fall  
tune-up to be sure it’s in good working order.  
How to use the engine block heater  
Ensure the receptacle terminals are clean and dry prior to use. To clean  
them, use a dry cloth.  
Depending on the type of factory installed equipment, your engine block  
heater will use .4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hours of energy per hour of use. Your  
factory installed block heater system does not have a thermostat;  
however, maximum temperature is attained after approximately three  
hours of operation. Block heater operation longer than three hours will  
not improve system performance and will unnecessarily use additional  
electricity.  
Make sure system is unplugged and properly stowed before driving the  
vehicle. While not in use, make sure the protective cover seals the  
prongs of the engine block heater cord plug.  
BRAKES  
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding  
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out  
and should be inspected by an authorized dealer. If the vehicle has  
continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the  
vehicle should be inspected by an authorized dealer.  
Refer to Warning lights and  
!
P
chimes in the Instrument Cluster  
chapter for information on the brake  
system warning light.  
BRAKE  
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)  
Your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). This  
system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops by  
keeping the brakes from locking. Noise from the ABS pump motor and  
278  
2010 Explorer (exp)  
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing  
USA (fus)  
Driving  
brake pedal pulsation may be observed during ABS braking and the  
brake pedal may suddenly travel a little farther as soon as ABS braking is  
done and normal brake operation resumes. These are normal  
characteristics of the ABS and should be no reason for concern.  
Using ABS  
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake  
pedal; do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the  
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping  
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain  
steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces. However,  
the ABS does not decrease stopping distance.  
ABS warning lamp  
The ABS lamp in the instrument  
cluster momentarily illuminates  
ABS  
when the ignition is turned on. If  
the light does not illuminate during  
start up, remains on or flashes, the  
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.  
Even when the ABS is disabled,  
normal braking is still effective. If  
your BRAKE warning lamp  
illuminates with the parking brake  
released, have your brake system  
serviced immediately.  
!
P
BRAKE  
Parking brake  
Apply the parking brake whenever  
the vehicle is parked. To set the  
parking brake, press the parking  
brake pedal down until the pedal  
stops.  
279  
2010 Explorer (exp)  
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing  
USA (fus)  
Driving  
The BRAKE warning lamp in the  
instrument cluster illuminates and  
remains illuminated (when the  
ignition is turned on) until the  
parking brake is released.  
!
P
BRAKE  
WARNING: Always set the parking brake fully and make sure  
that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).  
WARNING: If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake  
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be  
working properly. See your authorized dealer.  
The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.  
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop  
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the  
rear brakes, the vehicle’s stopping distance will increase greatly and the  
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.  
Pull the release lever to release the  
brake. Driving with the parking  
brake on will cause the brakes to  
wear out quickly and reduce fuel  
economy.  
280  
2010 Explorer (exp)  
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing  
USA (fus)