Get Maintenance -> Changing the 12V Battery Guide for Ford Explorer SUV Sixth Generation (2012-2020)

Maintenance

For detailed interval information, see

Scheduled Maintenance in your Owner's

Manual or your local maintenance guide.

POWER STEERING FLUID

CHECK

Your vehicle is equipped with an electric

power steering (EPS) system. There is no

fluid reservoir to check or fill.

CHANGING THE 12V BATTERY

WARNING: Batteries normally

produce explosive gases which can

cause personal injury. Therefore, do not

allow flames, sparks or lighted

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substances to come near the battery.

When working near the battery, always

shield your face and protect your eyes.

Always provide correct ventilation.

1. Park your vehicle on a level surface.

2. Look at the brake fluid reservoir to see

where the brake fluid level is relative

to the MIN and the MAX marks on the

reservoir.

Note: If the brake fluid level is between the

MIN and the MAX marks on the reservoir, it

is acceptable.

Note: If the brake fluid level is below the

MIN mark or above the MAX mark, have

your vehicle checked as soon as possible.

Note: To avoid fluid contamination, the

reservoir cap must remain in place and fully

tight, unless you are adding fluid.

WARNING: When lifting a

plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure

on the end walls could cause acid to flow

through the vent caps, resulting in

personal injury and damage to the

vehicle or battery. Lift the battery with a

battery carrier or with your hands on

opposite corners.

WARNING: Keep batteries out of

reach of children. Batteries contain

sulfuric acid. Avoid contact with skin,

eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes when

working near the battery to protect

against possible splashing of acid

solution. In case of acid contact with skin

or eyes, flush immediately with water for

a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt

medical attention. If acid is swallowed,

call a physician immediately.

Only use fluid that meets our

specifications. See Capacities and

Specifications (page 385).

Brake Fluid Service Interval

Brake fluid absorbs water over time which

degrades the effectiveness of the brake

fluid. Change the brake fluid at the

specified intervals to prevent degraded

braking performance.

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Maintenance

Note: If you only disconnect the negative

battery cable terminal, make sure it is

isolated or placed away from the battery

terminal to avoid unintended connection or

arcing.

WARNING: Battery posts,

terminals and related accessories

contain lead and lead compounds,

chemicals known to the State of

California to cause cancer and

reproductive harm. Wash your hands

after handling.

If you replace the battery make sure it

matches the electrical requirements of

your vehicle.

If you disconnect or replace the battery

and your vehicle has an automatic

transmission, it must relearn its adaptive

strategy. Because of this, the transmission

may shift firmly when first driven. This is

normal operation while the transmission

fully updates its operation to optimum

shift feel.

WARNING: This vehicle may have

more than one battery. Removing the

battery cables from only one battery

does not disconnect your vehicle

electrical system. Make sure you

disconnect the battery cables from all

batteries when disconnecting power.

Failure to do so may cause serious

personal injury or property damage.

Battery Management System ^(If

Equipped)

WARNING: For vehicles with

Auto-Start-Stop the battery requirement

is different. You must replace the battery

with one of exactly the same

specification.

The battery management system monitors

battery conditions and takes actions to

extend battery life. If excessive battery

drain is detected, the system temporarily

disables some electrical systems to

protect the battery.

The battery is in the engine compartment.

See Under Hood Overview (page 323).

Systems included are:

Your vehicle has a maintenance-free

battery. It does not require additional

water during service.

If the vehicle battery has a cover and vent

hose, make sure you correctly install it after

cleaning or replacing the battery.

For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the

top of the battery clean and dry and the

battery cables tightly fastened to the

battery terminals. If any corrosion is

present on the battery or terminals, remove

the cables from the terminals and clean

with a wire brush. You can neutralize the

acid with a solution of baking soda and

water.

•

Heated rear window.

Heated seats.

Climate control.

Heated steering wheel.

Audio unit.

Navigation system.

A message may appear in the information

displays to alert you that battery

protection actions are active. These

messages are only for notification that an

action is taking place, and not intended to

indicate an electrical problem or that the

battery requires replacement.

We recommend that you disconnect the

negative battery cable terminal from the

battery if you plan to store your vehicle for

an extended period.

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Maintenance

After battery replacement, or in some

4. Disconnect the negative battery cable

terminal.

cases after charging the battery with an

external charger, the battery management

system requires eight hours of vehicle sleep

time to relearn the battery state of charge.

During this time your vehicle must remain

fully locked with the ignition switched off.

5. Disconnect the positive battery cable

terminal.

6. Remove the battery securing clamp.

7. Remove the battery.

Note: Prior to relearning the battery state

of charge, the battery management system

may temporarily disable some electrical

systems.

8. To install, reverse the removal

procedure.

Note: Before reconnecting the battery,

make sure the ignition remains switched off.

Electrical Accessory Installation

Note: Make sure the battery cable terminals

are fully tightened.

To make sure the battery management

system works correctly, do not connect an

electrical device ground connection

directly to the battery negative post. This

can cause inaccurate measurements of

the battery condition and potential

incorrect system operation.

Note: If you add electrical accessories or

components to the vehicle, it may adversely

affect battery performance and durability.

This may also affect the performance of

other electrical systems in the vehicle.

If you disconnect or replace the vehicle

battery, you must reset the following

features:

•

Window bounce-back. See Power

Windows (page 96).

•

Clock Settings.

Pre-set radio stations.

Battery Disposal

Make sure that you dispose of

old batteries in an

E107998

environmentally friendly way.

Remove and Reinstall the Battery

Seek advice from your local authority

about recycling old batteries.

To disconnect or remove the battery, do

the following:

1. Apply the parking brake and switch the

ignition off.

ADJUSTING THE HEADLAMPS

Vertical Aim Adjustment

2. Switch all electrical equipment off, for

example lights and radio.

If your vehicle has been involved in a crash,

have the aim of the headlamp beam

checked by an authorized dealer.

3. Wait a minimum of two minutes before

disconnecting the battery.

Note: The engine management system has

a power hold function and remains powered

for a period of time after you switch the

ignition off. This is to allow diagnostic and

adaptive tables to be stored. Disconnecting

the battery without waiting can cause

damage not covered by the vehicle

Warranty.

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Maintenance

E142592

E142465

4. On the wall or screen you will observe

A

B

8 ft (2.4 m)

a flat zone of high intensity light

located at the top of the beam pattern.

If the top edge of the flat zone of high

intensity light is not on the horizontal

reference line, adjust the aim of the

headlamp beam.

Ground to the center of the

headlamp high beam bulb

C

D

25 ft (7.6 m)

Horizontal reference line

Vertical Aim Adjustment Procedure

1. Park your vehicle on level ground

approximately 25 ft (7.6 m) from a wall

or screen.

2. Measure the distance from the ground

to the center of the headlamp beam

bulb and mark an 8 ft (2.4 m) long

horizontal reference line on the wall or

screen at this height.

Note: There may be an identifying mark on

the lens to help you locate the center line

of the headlamp beam bulb.

Note: To see a clearer light pattern for

adjusting, you may want to block the light

from one headlamp while adjusting the

other.

3. Switch on the low beam headlamps

and open the hood.

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5. Use a suitable tool, for example a

CHECKING THE WIPER

BLADES

screwdriver or socket wrench, to turn

the adjuster clockwise or

counterclockwise to adjust the vertical

aim of the headlamp. The horizontal

edge of the brighter light should touch

the horizontal reference line.

6. Close the hood and switch off the

lamps.

WASHER FLUID CHECK

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Run the tip of your fingers over the edge of

the blade to check for roughness.

Clean the wiper blades with washer fluid

or water applied with a soft sponge or

cloth.

WARNING: If you operate your

vehicle in temperatures below 41.0°F

(5°C), use washer fluid with antifreeze

protection. Failure to use washer fluid

with antifreeze protection in cold

weather could result in impaired

windshield vision and increase the risk

of injury or accident.

CHANGINGTHEFRONTWIPER

BLADES

You can improve poor wiper quality by

cleaning the wiper blades and the

windshield.

Note: The front and rear washer systems

are supplied from the same reservoir.

Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the level is

low. Only use a washer fluid that meets

our specifications. See Capacities and

Specifications (page 391).

Replace the wiper blades at least annually

for optimum performance.

State or local regulations on volatile

organic compounds may restrict the use

of methanol, a common windshield washer

antifreeze additive. Washer fluids

containing non-methanol antifreeze

agents should be used only if they provide

cold weather protection without damaging

the vehicle’s paint finish, wiper blades or

washer system.

FUEL FILTER

E129990

Your vehicle is equipped with a lifetime

fuel filter that is integrated with the fuel

tank. Regular maintenance or replacement

is not needed.

1. Lift the wiper arm and then press the

wiper blade locking buttons together.

Note: Do not hold the wiper blade to lift the

wiper arm.

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Note: Make sure that the wiper arm does

not spring back against the glass when the

wiper blade is not attached.

not spring back against the glass when the

wiper blade is not attached.

2. Slightly rotate the wiper blade.

3. Remove the wiper blade.

3. To install, reverse the removal

procedure.

Note: Make sure that the wiper blade locks

4. To install, reverse the removal

into place.

procedure.

Note: Make sure that the wiper blade locks

CHANGING A BULB

into place.

CHANGING THE REAR WIPER

BLADES

You can improve poor wiper quality by

cleaning the wiper blades and the

windshield.

WARNING: Switch the lamps and

the ignition off. Failure to do so could

result in serious personal injury.

WARNING:Bulbs can become hot.

Let the bulb cool down before removing

it. Failure to do so could result in

personal injury.

Replace the wiper blades at least annually

for optimum performance.

Use the correct specification bulb. See

Bulb Specification Chart (page 419).

Install in the reverse order unless otherwise

stated.

Rear Direction Indicator and

Reversing Lamp

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1. Switch all of the lamps and the ignition

off.

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2. Use a suitable tool, for example a

screwdriver, to carefully remove the

access cover.

1. Lift the wiper arm.

Note: Do not hold the wiper blade to lift the

3. Remove the side cover.

wiper arm.

4. Remove the screw that secures the

2. Remove the wiper blade.

lamp assembly.

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Maintenance -> Changing the 12V Battery for Your Ford Explorer SUV Sixth Generation (2012-2020)

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