Get Instrument Cluster -> WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES Guide for Ford Explorer SUV Fifth Generation (2005-2011)

Instrument Cluster

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES

Standard instrument cluster

Optional instrument cluster

Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may

become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may

illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.

Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the

bulb works. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, refer to the

respective system warning light for additional information.

Note: Some warning lights will display in the message center as words

and function the same as the warning light.

Note: Depending on which options your vehicle has, some indicators

may not be present in your vehicle.

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Service engine soon: The service

engine soon indicator light

illuminates when the ignition is first

turned to the on position to check

the bulb and to indicate whether the vehicle is ready for

Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing. Normally, the service engine soon

light will stay on until the engine is cranked, then turn itself off if no

malfunctions are present. However, if after 15 seconds the service engine

soon light blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not ready for

I/M testing. See the Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)

testing in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter.

Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the On Board

Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to On

board diagnostics (OBD-II) in the Maintenance and Specifications

chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could

damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid

heavy acceleration and deceleration) and contact your authorized dealer

as soon as possible.

If the light remains on while driving, the temperature of the engine may

be too high; refer to Engine coolant in the Maintenance and

Specifications chapter.

WARNING: Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust

temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel

system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly

causing a fire.

Powertrain malfunction indicator: Illuminates when a powertrain, a

4x4 or an AWD fault has been detected. Contact your authorized dealer

as soon as possible.

• Standard instrument cluster

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Instrument Cluster

• Optional instrument cluster

Brake system warning light: To

confirm the brake system warning

light is functional, it will

momentarily illuminate when the

ignition is turned to the on position

!

P

BRAKE

when the engine is not running, or in a position between on and start, or

by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the on

position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this

time, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. Illumination

after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level. Contact

your authorized dealer as soon as possible.

WARNING: Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning

light on is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking

performance may occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle.

Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. Driving extended

distances with the parking brake engaged can cause brake failure and

the risk of personal injury.

Anti-lock brake system: If the

ABS light stays illuminated or

ABS

continues to flash, a malfunction has

been detected. Contact your

authorized dealer as soon as

possible. Normal braking is still functional unless the brake warning light

also is illuminated.

Airbag readiness: If this light fails

to illuminate when the ignition is

turned to on, continues to flash or

remains on, contact your authorized

dealer as soon as possible. A chime will sound when there is a

malfunction in the indicator light.

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Safety belt: Reminds you to fasten

your safety belt. A Belt-Minder௡

chime will also sound to remind you

to fasten your safety belt. Refer to

the Seating and Safety Restraints

chapter to activate/deactivate the Belt-Minder௡ chime feature.

Charging system: Illuminates when the battery is not charging properly.

If it stays on while the engine is running, there may be a malfunction

with the charging system. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as

possible. This indicates a problem with the electrical system or a related

component.

• Standard instrument cluster

• Optional instrument cluster

Engine oil pressure: Illuminates

when the oil pressure falls below the

normal range. Check the oil level

and add oil if needed. Refer to

Engine oil in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter.

Engine coolant temperature: Illuminates when the engine coolant

temperature is high. Stop the vehicle as soon as possible, switch off the

engine and let cool. Refer to Engine coolant in the Maintenance and

Specifications chapter.

• Standard instrument cluster

• Optional instrument cluster

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Instrument Cluster

WARNING: Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the

engine is running or hot.

Low tire pressure warning:

Illuminates when your tire pressure

is low. If the light remains on at

start up or while driving, the tire

pressure should be checked. Refer

to Inflating your tires in the Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter. When

the ignition is first turned to on, the light will illuminate for three

seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does not turn on,

contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. For more information

on this system, refer to Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) in

the Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter.

Check fuel fill inlet (if equipped): Illuminates when the fuel fill inlet

may not be properly closed. Continued driving with this light on may

cause the service engine soon warning light to come on, refer to Easy

Fuel “no cap” fuel system in the Maintenance and Specification

chapter.

If “CHECK FUEL FILL INLET” is displayed in the message center, refer

to Message center in this chapter for more information.

• Standard instrument cluster

• Optional instrument cluster

Speed control (if equipped):

Illuminates when the speed control

is activated. Turns off when the

speed control system is deactivated.

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O/D off: Illuminates when the

overdrive function of the

transmission has been turned off;

refer to the Driving chapter.

O/D

OFF

AdvanceTrac௡: Flashes when the

AdvanceTrac௡ with RSC௡ system is

active. Illuminates solid when the

system has been disabled (by the

driver or as a result of a system

failure); refer to the Driving

chapter for more information.

Four-wheel drive low (if

4x4

LOW

equipped): Illuminates when

four-wheel drive low is engaged. If

the light fails to illuminate when the

ignition is turned ON, or remains on, contact your authorized dealer as

soon as possible.

Four-wheel drive high (if

4x4

equipped): Illuminates when

four-wheel drive is engaged. If the

light fails to illuminate when the ignition is turned on, or remains on,

contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.

Door ajar: Illuminates when the

ignition is in the on position and any

door, liftgate or the liftgate glass is

open.

Low fuel (if equipped):

Illuminates when the fuel level in

the fuel tank is at or near empty

(refer to Fuel gauge in this

chapter).

Low washer fluid (if equipped):

Illuminates when the windshield

washer fluid is low.

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Turn signal: Illuminates when the

left or right turn signal or the

hazard lights are turned on. If the

indicators stay on or flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.

High beams: Illuminates when the

high beam headlamps are turned on.

Key-in-ignition warning chime: Sounds when the key is left in the

ignition in the off or accessory position and the driver’s door is opened.

Headlamps on warning chime: Sounds when the headlamps or parking

lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the

driver’s door is opened.

Turn signal warning chime: Sounds when the turn signal lever has

been activated to signal a turn and not turned off after the vehicle is

driven more than 2 miles (3.2 km).

Parking brake on warning chime: Sounds when the parking brake is

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

(5 km/h).

Message center activation chime: Sounds when the following

warnings DOOR AJAR, LOW FUEL LEVEL or LOW TIRE PRESSURE

appear in the message center display for the first time.

GAUGES

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Instrument Cluster -> WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES for Your Ford Explorer SUV Fifth Generation (2005-2011)

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