Get Hill Descent Control -> Driving Hints Guide for Ford Explorer SUV Sixth Generation (2012-2020)

Driving Hints

You may improve your fuel economy by

keeping these things in mind:

REDUCED ENGINE

PERFORMANCE

•

Accelerate and slow down in a smooth,

moderate fashion.

•

Drive at steady speeds.

WARNING: If you continue to drive

your vehicle when the engine is

overheating, the engine could stop

without warning. Failure to follow this

instruction could result in the loss of

control of your vehicle.

Anticipate stops; slowing down may

eliminate the need to stop.

•

Combine errands and minimize

stop-and-go driving.

Close the windows for high-speed

driving.

If the engine coolant temperature gauge

needle moves to the upper limit position,

the engine is overheating. See Gauges

(page 106).

You must only drive your vehicle for a short

distance if the engine overheats. The

distance you can travel depends on

ambient temperature, vehicle load and

terrain. The engine continues to operate

with limited power for a short period of

time.

If the engine temperature continues to rise,

the fuel supply to the engine reduces. The

air conditioning switches off and the engine

cooling fan operates continually.

1. Gradually reduce your speed and stop

your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do

so.

Drive at reasonable speeds (traveling

at 55 mph (88 km/h) uses 15% less

fuel than traveling at 65 mph

(105 km/h)).

•

Keep the tires properly inflated and use

only the recommended size.

•

Use the recommended engine oil.

Perform all regularly scheduled

maintenance.

Avoid these actions; they reduce your fuel

economy:

•

Sudden accelerations or hard

accelerations.

•

Revving the engine before switching it

off.

Idle for periods longer than one minute.

•

Warm up your vehicle on cold

2. Immediately switch the engine off to

mornings.

prevent severe engine damage.

•

Use the air conditioner or front

defroster.

Use the speed control in hilly terrain.

3. Wait for the engine to cool down.

4. Check the coolant level. See Engine

•

Coolant Check (page 331).

Rest your foot on the brake pedal while

5. Have your vehicle checked as soon as

possible.

driving.

•

Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a

trailer.

ECONOMICAL DRIVING

Fuel economy is affected by several things

such as how you drive, the conditions you

drive under and how you maintain your

vehicle.

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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing

Driving Hints

•

Carry unnecessary weight

BREAKING-IN

Tires

You need to break in new tires for

approximately 300 mi (480 km). During

this time, your vehicle may exhibit some

unusual driving characteristics.

(approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is

lost for every 395 lb (180 kg) of weight

carried).

Driving with the wheels out of

alignment.

Conditions

•

Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a

Brakes and Clutch

trailer may reduce fuel economy at any

speed.

Avoid heavy use of the brakes and clutch

if possible for the first 100 mi (160 km) in

town and for the first 1,000 mi (1,600 km)

on freeways.

•

Adding certain accessories to your

vehicle (for example bug deflectors,

rollbars, light bars, running boards, ski

racks or luggage racks) may reduce

fuel economy.

To maximize the fuel economy, drive

with the tonneau cover installed (if

equipped).

DRIVING THROUGH WATER

•

WARNING: Do not drive through

flowing or deep water as you may lose

control of your vehicle.

•

Using fuel blended with alcohol may

lower fuel economy.

Fuel economy may decrease with lower

temperatures during the first 5–10 mi

(12–16 km) of driving.

Driving on flat terrain offers improved

fuel economy as compared to driving

on hilly terrain.

Transmissions give their best fuel

economy when operated in the top

cruise gear and with steady pressure

on the gas pedal.

Note: Driving through standing water can

cause vehicle damage.

•

Note: Engine damage can occur if water

enters the air filter.

Before driving through standing water,

check the depth. Never drive through water

that is higher than the bottom of the front

rocker area of your vehicle.

•

Four-wheel-drive operation (if

equipped) is less fuel efficient than

two-wheel-drive operation.

Close the windows for high-speed

driving.

COLD WEATHER

PRECAUTIONS

The functional operation of some

components and systems can be affected

at temperatures below approximately

-13°F (-25°C).

E259345

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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing

Driving Hints

When driving through standing water, drive

very slowly and do not stop your vehicle.

Your brake performance and traction may

be limited. After driving through water and

as soon as it is safe to do so:

WARNING: Always make sure that

objects cannot fall into the driver foot

well while your vehicle is moving. Objects

that are loose can become trapped

under the pedals causing a loss of

vehicle control.

•

Lightly press the brake pedal to dry the

brakes and to check that they work.

•

Check that the horn works.

Check that the exterior lights work.

Turn the steering wheel to check that

the steering power assist works.

FLOOR MATS

WARNING: Use a floor mat

designed to fit the footwell of your

vehicle that does not obstruct the pedal

area. Failure to follow this instruction

could result in the loss of control of your

vehicle, personal injury or death.

E142666

To install the floor mats, position the floor

mat eyelet over the retention post and

press down to lock in position.

WARNING: Pedals that cannot

move freely can cause loss of vehicle

control and increase the risk of serious

personal injury.

To remove the floor mat, reverse the

installation procedure.

Note: Regularly check the floor mats to

make sure they are secure.

WARNING: Secure the floor mat

to both retention devices so that it

cannot slip out of position and interfere

with the pedals. Failure to follow this

instruction could result in the loss of

control of your vehicle, personal injury or

death.

WARNING:Do not place additional

floor mats or any other covering on top

of the original floor mats. This could

result in the floor mat interfering with the

operation of the pedals. Failure to follow

this instruction could result in the loss of

control of your vehicle, personal injury or

death.

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Explorer (CTW), enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing

Hill Descent Control -> Driving Hints for Your Ford Explorer SUV Sixth Generation (2012-2020)

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