Get Instrument Cluster -> OPTIONAL MESSAGE CENTER Guide for Ford Explorer SUV Fifth Generation (2005-2011)

Instrument Cluster

OPTIONAL MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)

Your vehicle’s message center allows

you to configure/personalize certain

vehicle options to suit your needs.

The message center is also capable

of monitoring many vehicle systems

and will alert you to potential

vehicle problems and various

conditions with an informational

message followed by a long indicator chime.

The message center display is located in the instrument cluster.

Your display can show up to six reconfigurable telltales at one time.

Whatever is displayed in the top left corner has the highest priority.

Info

Press the INFO button repeatedly to

cycle through the following features:

TRIP A/B

Registers the distance of individual journeys. Press and release INFO

button until the A or B trip appears in the display (this represents the

trip mode). Press and hold the RESET button for two seconds to reset.

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Refer to UNITS later in this section to switch the display from Metric to

English.

MILES (km) TO E

This displays an estimate of approximately how far you can drive with

the fuel remaining in your tank under normal driving conditions.

Remember to turn the ignition off when refueling to allow this feature to

correctly detect the added fuel.

LOW FUEL LEVEL will display when you have approximately 50 miles

(80 km), to empty. Press RESET to clear this warning message. It will

return at approximately 25 miles (40 km), 10 miles (16 km) and 0 miles

(0 km) miles to empty.

Distance to empty is calculated using a running average fuel economy,

which is based on your recent driving history of 500 miles (800 km).

This value is not the same as the average fuel economy display. The

running average fuel economy is re-initialized to a factory default value if

the battery is disconnected.

AVERAGE FUEL XX.X MPG (L/100km)

Average fuel economy displays your average fuel economy in miles/gallon

or liters/100 km.

If you calculate your average fuel economy by dividing distance traveled

by gallons of fuel used (liters of fuel used by 100 kilometers traveled),

your figure may be different than displayed for the following reasons:

• Your vehicle was not perfectly level during fill-up

• Differences in the automatic shut-off points on the fuel pumps at

service stations

• Variations in top-off procedure from one fill-up to another

• Rounding of the displayed values to the nearest 0.1 gallon (liter)

1. Drive the vehicle at least 5 miles (8 km) with the speed control

system engaged to display a stabilized average.

2. Record the highway fuel economy for future reference.

It is important to press the RESET button (press and hold RESET for

two seconds in order to reset the function) after setting the speed

control to get accurate highway fuel economy readings.

For more information refer to Essentials of good fuel economy in the

Maintenance and Specifications chapter.

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FUEL ECONOMY MPG (L/km)

This displays instantaneous fuel economy as a bar graph ranging from ↓

poor economy to ↑ excellent economy.

Your vehicle must be moving to calculate instantaneous fuel economy.

When your vehicle is not moving, this function shows ↓, one or no bars

illuminated. Instantaneous fuel economy cannot be reset.

FUEL USED XX.X GAL (L)

This displays the fuel used since last reset. The information displayed

will be in gallons or liters, depending on English/Metric mode state.

DRIVE TIME

Timer displays the trip elapsed drive time.

To operate, do the following:

1. Press and release RESET in order to start the timer.

2. Press and release RESET to pause the timer.

3. Press and hold RESET until the timer resets.

Blank display

Select this function from the info menu to turn the upper two lines of

the message center display off.

System check and vehicle feature customization

Press the SETUP button repeatedly

to cycle the message center through

the following features:

INFO

SETUP

RESET

PRESS RESET TO BEGIN SYSTEM CHECK

When this message appears, press the RESET button and the message

center will begin to cycle through the following systems and provide a

status of the item if needed.

Note: Some systems show a message only if a condition is present.

1. OIL LIFE

2. CHARGING SYSTEM

3. WASHER FLUID

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4. DOOR AJAR

5. EXTERIOR LAMP

6. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL

7. PARK BRAKE

8. FUEL LEVEL AND DISTANCE TO EMPTY

AWD AUTO / LOCKED (if equipped)

This feature disables/enables the AWD feature.

Press the RESET button to select the AUTO or LOCKED mode.

Note: When the AWD system is in the locked mode, the 4X4 indicator

will be illuminated.

UNITS

Displays the current units in English or Metric.

Press the RESET button to change from English to Metric.

LANGUAGE ENGLISH / SPANISH / FRENCH / JAPANESE /

ARABIC

Note: When entering the SETUP MENU and a non-English language has

been selected, PRESS RESET FOR ENGLISH will be displayed to change

back to English.

Allows you to choose which language the message center will display in.

Selectable languages are English, Spanish, French, Japanese, or Arabic

Waiting four seconds or pressing the RESET button cycles the message

center through each of the language choices.

Press the RESET button to set the language choice.

AUTOLAMP

This feature keeps your headlights on for up to three minutes after the

ignition is switched off.

Press the RESET button to select the new Autolamp delay values of 0,

10, 20, 30, 60, 90, 120 or 180 seconds.

AUTOLOCK

This feature automatically locks all vehicle doors when the vehicle is

shifted into any gear, putting the vehicle in motion.

Press the RESET button to turn autolock on or off.

AUTOUNLOCK

This feature automatically unlocks all vehicle doors when the driver’s

door is opened within 10 minutes of the ignition being turned off.

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Press the RESET button to turn autounlock on or off.

RUNNING BRDS (if equipped)

This feature automatically deploys the side running boards for easy

entry/exit from the vehicle or for cleaning.

1. To disable/enable the power running board feature the vehicle must be

in P (Park),

2. To change operation of the power running board feature, select this

function from the SETUP MENU.

3. Press the RESET button to select the running boards setting as

follows:

• AUTOMATIC: the running boards will automatically deploy when a

door is opened and automatically retract when the door is closed,

• OUT: the running boards will remain OUT regardless of the doors

being open/closed. For example, use this setting when washing the

vehicle, or

• OFF: the running boards will remain IN regardless of the doors being

open/closed.

EASY ENTRY

This feature automatically moves the driver’s seat backwards for easy

exit/entry from the vehicle.

Press the RESET button to turn the easy entry/exit seat on or off.

PARK AID (if equipped)

This feature sounds a warning tone to warn the driver of obstacles near

the rear bumper, and functions only when R (Reverse) gear is selected.

Press the RESET button to turn the rear park assist on or off.

This function choice will also appear when putting the transmission in

reverse and can be turned on/off at that time.

TRAILER SWAY

This feature uses the electronic stability control to mitigate trailer sway,

Press the RESET button to turn trailer sway on or off.

COMPASS (if equipped)

The compass heading is displayed as one of N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W and

NW in the message center display.

The compass reading may be affected when you drive near large

buildings, bridges, power lines and powerful broadcast antenna. Magnetic

or metallic objects placed in, on or near the vehicle may also affect

compass accuracy.

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Usually, when something affects the compass readings, the compass will

correct itself after a few days of operating your vehicle in normal

conditions. If the compass still appears to be inaccurate, a manual

calibration may be necessary. Refer to RESET FOR ZONE SETTING /

PRESS RESET FOR CALIBRATION following.

Most geographic areas (zones) have a magnetic north compass point that

varies slightly from the northerly direction on maps. This variation is four

degrees between adjacent zones and will become noticeable as the

vehicle crosses multiple zones. A correct zone setting will eliminate this

error. Refer to RESET FOR ZONE SETTING / PRESS RESET FOR

CALIBRATION following.

RESET FOR ZONE SETTING

1. Determine your magnetic zone by

referring to the zone map.

3 2

4

1

15

2. Start the engine.

3. Press the SETUP button to select

RESET FOR ZONE SETTING.

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13

4. Press the RESET button until the

message center display changes to

show the current zone setting (XX).

5

12

5. Press the RESET button

repeatedly until the correct zone

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setting for your geographic location is displayed on the message center.

The range of zone values are from 01 to 15 and “wraps” back to 01.

6. Wait four seconds when correct zone is chosen.

PRESS RESET FOR CALIBRATION

Perform compass calibration in an open area free from steel structures

and high voltage lines. For optimum calibration, turn off all electrical

accessories (heater/air conditioning, wipers, etc.) and make sure all

vehicle doors are shut.

1. Press the SETUP button to select PRESS RESET FOR CALIBRATION.

2. Press RESET to calibrate.

3. Slowly drive the vehicle in a circle (less than 3 mph [5 km/h]) until

the CIRCLE SLOWLY TO CALIBRATE display changes to CALIBRATION

COMPLETED. It will take up to five circles to complete calibration.

4. The compass is now calibrated.

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HOLD RESET IF NEW OIL

To reset the oil monitoring system to 100% after each oil change

(approximately 7,500 miles [12,000 km] or six months) perform the

following:

1. Press RESET button to display HOLD RESET IF NEW OIL.

2. Press and hold the RESET button for more than two seconds. Oil life

is set to 100% and OIL CHANGE SET TO 100% is displayed.

Note: To change oil life 100% miles value from 7,500 miles (12,000 km)

or six months to another value, proceed to Step 3.

3. Once OIL LIFE SET TO XXX% is displayed, release and press the

RESET button to change the Oil Life Start Value. Each release and press

will reduce the value by 10%.

Note: Oil Life Start Value of 100% equals 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or six

months. For example, setting Oil Life Start Value to 60% sets the Oil Life

Start Value to 3,000 miles (4,800 km) and 120 days.

System warnings

System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your

vehicle’s operating systems.

In the event of a multiple warning situation, the message center will

cycle the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for four

seconds.

The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no

more warning messages.

Types of messages and warnings:

• Some messages will appear briefly to inform you of something you

may need to take action on or be informed of.

• Some messages will appear once and then again when the vehicle is

restarted.

• Some messages will reappear after clearing or being reset if a problem

or condition is still present and needs your attention.

• Some messages can be acknowledged and reset by pressing RESET.

This allows you to use the full message center functionality by clearing

the message.

DOOR AJAR — Displayed when a door is not completely closed.

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REMOVE OBJECTS NEAR PASS SEAT — Displayed when objects

are by the passenger seat. After the objects are moved away from the

seat, if the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your

authorized dealer as soon as possible.

SERVICE RSC NOW — Displayed when the system is not operating

properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your

authorized dealer as soon as possible.

CHECK FUEL FILL INLET — Displayed when the fuel fill inlet may

not be properly closed. Refer to Easy Fuel™ “no cap” fuel system in

the Maintenance and Specifications chapter.

CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM — Displayed when the electrical system

is not maintaining proper voltage when the engine is running. If you are

operating electrical accessories when the engine is idling at a low speed,

turn off as many of the electrical loads as soon as possible. If the

warning stays on or comes on when the engine is operating at normal

speeds, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.

FUEL LEVEL LOW — Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel

condition.

PARK BRAKE ENGAGED — Displayed when the parking brake is set,

the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than 3 mph

(5 km/h). If the warning stays on after the parking brake is released,

contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.

CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM — Displayed when the braking system is not

operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,

contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.

CHECK PARK AID (if equipped) — Displayed when the transmission

is in R (Reverse) and the reverse sensing system (park aid) is disabled.

LOW TIRE PRESSURE — Displayed when one or more tires on your

vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer to Inflating your tires in the Tires,

Wheels and Loading chapter.

TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT — Displayed when the Tire

Pressure Monitoring System is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or

continues to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as

possible.

TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT — Displayed when a tire pressure

sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more

information on how the system operates under these conditions, refer to

Understanding your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) in the

Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter. If the warning stays on or

continues to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as

possible.

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BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW — Indicates the brake fluid level is low

and the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer to Brake

fluid in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter.

WASHER FLUID LEVEL LOW — Indicates the washer fluid reservoir

is less than one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to

Windshield washer fluid in the Maintenance and Specifications

chapter.

ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON — Displayed when the engine oil life

remaining is 10% or less.

OIL CHANGE REQUIRED — Displayed when the oil life left reaches

0%.

LIFTGATE / GLASS AJAR — Displayed when the liftgate or the

liftgate glass is not completely closed.

TRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEED — Displayed when your trailer

starts to sway when towing. Refer to Trailer sway control in the

Driving chapter for more information.

FOR 4X4 LOW STOP VEHICLE (if equipped) — Displayed when

4X4 LOW is selected while the vehicle is moving. For more information,

refer to Using the Control Trac 4WD system in the Driving chapter.

FOR 4X4 LOW SHIFT TO N (if equipped) — Displayed when 4X4

LOW is selected and the vehicle is stopped. For more information, refer

to Using the Control Trac 4WD system in the Driving chapter.

TO EXIT 4X4 LOW STOP VEHICLE (if equipped) — Displayed

when 2WD is selected while the vehicle is operating in 4X4 LOW. For

more information, refer to Using the Control Trac 4WD system in the

Driving chapter.

TO EXIT 4X4 LOW SHIFT TO N (if equipped) — Displayed when

2WD is selected while the vehicle has been stopped in 4X4 LOW. For

more information, refer to Using the Control Trac 4WD system in the

Driving chapter.

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Instrument Cluster -> OPTIONAL MESSAGE CENTER for Your Ford Explorer SUV Fifth Generation (2005-2011)

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