Introduction for Your Ford Explorer SUV Sixth Generation (2012-2020)

Introduction  
ABOUT THIS MANUAL  
Thank you for choosing Ford. We  
recommend that you take some time to  
get to know your vehicle by reading this  
manual. The more that you know about  
your vehicle, the greater the safety and  
pleasure you will get from driving it.  
WARNING: Driving while  
distracted can result in loss of vehicle  
control, crash and injury. We strongly  
recommend that you use extreme  
caution when using any device that may  
take your focus off the road. Your  
primary responsibility is the safe  
operation of your vehicle. We  
E154903  
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Right-hand side.  
Left-hand side.  
recommend against the use of any  
hand-held device while driving and  
encourage the use of voice-operated  
systems when possible. Make sure you  
are aware of all applicable local laws  
that may affect the use of electronic  
devices while driving.  
SYMBOLS GLOSSARY  
These are some of the symbols you may  
see on your vehicle.  
Air conditioning system  
Air conditioning system lubricant  
Note: This manual describes product  
features and options available throughout  
the range of available models, sometimes  
even before they are generally available. It  
may describe options not fitted to the  
vehicle you have purchased.  
Note: Some of the illustrations in this  
manual may show features as used in  
different models, so may appear different  
to you on your vehicle.  
type  
Anti-lock braking system  
Avoid smoking, flames or sparks  
Battery  
Note: Always use and operate your vehicle  
in line with all applicable laws and  
regulations.  
Battery acid  
Note: Pass on this manual when selling  
your vehicle. It is an integral part of your  
vehicle.  
Brake fluid - non petroleum  
based  
This manual may qualify the location of a  
component as left-hand side or right-hand  
side. The side is determined when facing  
forward in the seat.  
Brake system  
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Introduction  
Brake system  
Cabin air filter  
Check fuel cap  
Flammable  
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Front airbag  
Front fog lamps  
Child safety door lock or unlock  
Child seat lower anchor  
Fuel pump reset  
Fuse compartment  
Hazard flashers  
Child seat tether anchor  
Cruise control  
Heated rear window  
Windshield defrosting system  
E71340  
Do not open when hot  
Engine air filter  
Interior luggage compartment  
release  
Engine coolant  
Engine coolant temperature  
Engine oil  
Jack  
Keep out of reach of children  
Lighting control  
E161353  
Low tire pressure warning  
Maintain correct fluid level  
Note operating instructions  
Explosive gas  
Fan warning  
Fasten seatbelt  
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Horn control  
Panic alarm  
Shield the eyes  
Stability control  
Hill descent control  
Parking aid  
E139213  
Trail control  
Parking brake  
Power steering fluid  
Windshield wiping system  
Windshield wash and wipe  
Power windows front/rear  
Power window lockout  
PERCHLORATE  
Certain components in your vehicle such  
as airbag modules, seatbelt pretensioners  
and remote control batteries may contain  
perchlorate material. Special handling  
may apply for service or vehicle end of life  
disposal.  
Requires registered technician  
Safety alert  
See Owner's Manual  
See Service Manual  
Service engine soon  
For more information visit:  
Web Address  
ouswaste/perchlorate  
FORD CREDIT  
US Only  
Ford Credit offers a full range of financing  
and lease plans to help you acquire your  
vehicle. If you have financed or leased your  
vehicle through Ford Credit, thank you for  
your business.  
Passenger airbag activated  
Passenger airbag deactivated  
Side airbag  
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Introduction  
For assistance call 1-800-727-7000, or for  
Warranty on Replacement Parts  
Genuine Ford and Motorcraft replacement  
parts are the only replacement parts that  
benefit from a Ford Warranty.  
more information about Ford Credit and  
access to the online Account Manager tool,  
The Ford Warranty may not cover damage  
caused to your vehicle as a result of failed  
non-Ford parts.  
REPLACEMENT PARTS  
RECOMMENDATION  
For additional information, refer to the  
We have built your vehicle to the highest  
standards using quality parts. We  
recommend that you demand the use of  
genuine Ford and Motorcraft parts  
whenever your vehicle requires scheduled  
maintenance or repair. You can clearly  
identify genuine Ford and Motorcraft parts  
by looking for the Ford, FoMoCo or  
Motorcraft branding on the parts or their  
packaging.  
terms and conditions of the Ford Warranty.  
SPECIAL NOTICES  
New Vehicle Limited Warranty  
For a detailed description of what is  
covered by your New Vehicle Limited  
Warranty, see your warranty guide that is  
available online. For more information,  
refer to our website and download your  
copy of the warranty guide.  
Scheduled Maintenance and  
Mechanical Repairs  
One of the best ways for you to make sure  
that your vehicle provides years of service  
is to have it maintained in line with our  
recommendations using parts that  
conform to the specifications detailed in  
this Owners Manual.  
Special Instructions  
For your added safety, your vehicle is fitted  
with sophisticated electronic controls.  
WARNING: You risk death or  
serious injury to yourself and others if you  
do not follow the instruction highlighted  
by the warning symbol. Failure to follow  
the specific warnings and instructions  
could result in personal injury.  
Genuine Ford and Motorcraft parts meet  
or exceed these specifications.  
Collision Repairs  
We hope that you never experience a  
collision, but accidents happen sometimes.  
WARNING: NEVER use a rearward  
facing child restraint on a seat protected  
by an ACTIVE AIRBAG in front of it,  
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the CHILD  
can occur.  
Genuine Ford replacement collision parts  
meet our stringent requirements for fit,  
finish, structural integrity, corrosion  
protection and dent resistance. During  
vehicle development we validate that  
these parts deliver the intended level of  
protection as a whole system. A great way  
to know for sure you are getting this level  
of protection is to use genuine Ford  
replacement collision parts.  
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Introduction  
On Board Diagnostics Data Link  
Connector  
Using Your Vehicle With a  
Snowplow  
Do not use this vehicle for  
snowplowing.  
WARNING: Do not connect  
wireless plug-in devices to the data link  
connector. Unauthorized third parties  
could gain access to vehicle data and  
impair the performance of safety related  
systems. Only allow repair facilities that  
follow our service and repair instructions  
to connect their equipment to the data  
link connector.  
Your vehicle does not have a snowplowing  
package.  
Using Your Vehicle as an  
Ambulance  
Do not use this vehicle as an  
ambulance.  
Your vehicle does not have the Ambulance  
Your vehicle has an OBD Data Link  
Connector (DLC) that is used in  
Preparation Package.  
conjunction with a diagnostic scan tool for  
vehicle diagnostics, repairs and  
MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS  
EQUIPMENT  
reprogramming services. Installing an  
aftermarket device that uses the DLC  
during normal driving for purposes such as  
remote insurance company monitoring,  
transmission of vehicle data to other  
devices or entities, or altering the  
WARNING: Driving while  
distracted can result in loss of vehicle  
control, crash and injury. We strongly  
recommend that you use extreme  
caution when using any device that may  
take your focus off the road. Your  
primary responsibility is the safe  
operation of your vehicle. We  
performance of the vehicle, may cause  
interference with or even damage to  
vehicle systems. We do not recommend  
or endorse the use of unapproved  
aftermarket plug-in devices. The vehicle  
Warranty will not cover damage caused  
by an aftermarket plug-in device.  
recommend against the use of any  
hand-held device while driving and  
encourage the use of voice-operated  
systems when possible. Make sure you  
are aware of all applicable local laws  
that may affect the use of electronic  
devices while driving.  
Notice to Owners of Pickup Trucks  
and Utility Type Vehicles  
WARNING: Utility vehicles have a  
significantly higher rollover rate than  
other types of vehicles.  
Using mobile communications equipment  
is becoming increasingly important in the  
conduct of business and personal affairs.  
However, you must not compromise your  
own or otherssafety when using such  
equipment. Mobile communications can  
enhance personal safety and security when  
appropriately used, particularly in  
Before you drive your vehicle, please read  
this Owners Guide carefully. Your vehicle  
is not a passenger car. As with other  
vehicles of this type, failure to operate this  
vehicle correctly may result in loss of  
vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal  
injury or death.  
emergency situations. Safety must be  
paramount when using mobile  
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Introduction  
communications equipment to avoid  
negating these benefits. Mobile  
communication equipment includes, but  
is not limited to, cellular phones, pagers,  
portable email devices, text messaging  
devices and portable two-way radios.  
EXPORT UNIQUE OPTIONS  
For your particular global region, your  
vehicle may be equipped with features and  
options that are different from the features  
and options that are described in this  
Owners Manual. A market unique  
supplement may be supplied that  
complements this book. By referring to the  
market unique supplement, if provided,  
you can properly identify those features,  
recommendations and specifications that  
are unique to your vehicle. This Owners  
Manual is written primarily for the U.S. and  
Canadian Markets. Features or equipment  
listed as standard may be different on units  
built for export. Refer to this Owners  
Manual for all other required  
information and warnings.  
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