Get Starting and Stopping the Engine Guide for Ford Explorer SUV Sixth Generation (2012-2020)

Starting and Stopping the Engine

GENERAL INFORMATION

IGNITION SWITCH

WARNING: Extended idling at high

engine speeds can produce very high

temperatures in the engine and exhaust

system, creating the risk of fire or other

damage.

WARNING: Do not park, idle or

drive your vehicle on dry grass or other

dry ground cover. The emission system

heats up the engine compartment and

exhaust system, creating the risk of fire.

E300927

0 (off) - The ignition is off.

Note: When you switch the ignition off and

leave your vehicle, do not leave your key in

the ignition. This could cause your vehicle

battery to lose charge.

I (accessory) - Allows the electrical

accessories, such as the radio, to operate

while the engine is not running.

WARNING: Do not start the engine

in a closed garage or in other enclosed

areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic.

Always open the garage door before you

start the engine.

WARNING: Exhaust leaks may

result in entry of harmful and potentially

lethal fumes into the passenger

Note: Do not leave the ignition key in this

position for too long. This could cause your

vehicle battery to lose charge.

II (on) - All electrical circuits are

operational and the warning lamps and

indicators illuminate.

compartment. If you smell exhaust

fumes inside your vehicle, have your

vehicle inspected immediately. Do not

drive if you smell exhaust fumes.

III (start) - Cranks the engine.

If you disconnect the battery, your vehicle

may exhibit some unusual driving

KEYLESS STARTING (IF EQUIPPED)

characteristics for approximately 5 mi

(8 km) after you reconnect it. This is

because the engine management system

must realign itself with the engine. You

can disregard any unusual driving

Note: The system may not function if the

remote control is close to metal objects or

electronic devices, for example keys or a cell

phone.

characteristics during this period.

Note: A valid remote control must be

located inside your vehicle to switch the

ignition on and start your vehicle.

Note: If the remote remains motionless for

40 or more seconds you need to move the

remote for the passive entry feature to

function. If the remote remains motionless

for 8 or more hours you need to move the

remote for the push button start feature to

function.

The powertrain control system meets all

Canadian interference-causing equipment

standard requirements regulating the

impulse electrical field or radio noise.

When you start the engine, avoid pressing

the accelerator pedal before and during

operation. Only use the accelerator pedal

when you have difficulty starting the

engine.

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Starting and Stopping the Engine

Note: You can crank the engine for a total

Ignition Modes

of 60 seconds without the engine starting

before the starting system temporarily

disables. The 60 seconds does not have to

be all at once. For example, if you crank the

engine three times for 20 seconds each

time, without the engine starting, you

reached the 60-second time limit. A

message appears in the information display

alerting you that you exceeded the cranking

time. You cannot attempt to start the

engine for at least 15 minutes. After 15

minutes, you are limited to a 15-second

engine cranking time. You need to wait 60

minutes before you can crank the engine for

60 seconds again.

E144447

The keyless starting system has three

modes:

Off: Turns the ignition off.

Before starting your vehicle, check the

following:

•

Make sure all occupants have fastened

their seatbelt.

•

Without applying the brake pedal,

press and release the button once

when the ignition is in the on mode, or

when your vehicle is running but is not

moving.

Make sure the headlamps and

electrical accessories are off.

•

Make sure the parking brake is on.

On: All electrical circuits are operational

and the warning lamps and indicators

illuminate.

Make sure the transmission is in park

(P).

•

Switch the ignition on. For vehicles with

a keyless ignition, see the following

instructions.

•

Without applying the brake pedal,

press and release the button once.

Start: Starts your vehicle. The engine may

Vehicles with an Ignition Key

Note: Do not touch the accelerator pedal.

1. Fully depress the brake pedal.

not start when your vehicle starts.

•

Press the brake pedal, and then press

the button for any length of time. An

indicator light on the button illuminates

when the ignition is on and when your

vehicle starts.

2. Turn the key to the start position to

start the engine.

Note: The engine may continue cranking

for up to 15 seconds or until it starts.

STARTING A GASOLINE

ENGINE

Note: If you cannot start the engine on the

first try, wait for a short period and try again.

When you start the engine, the idle speed

increases. This helps to warm up the

engine. If the engine idle speed does not

slow down automatically, have your

vehicle checked by an authorized dealer.

Vehicles with Keyless Start

Note: Do not touch the accelerator pedal.

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Starting and Stopping the Engine

Note: You must have your intelligent access

Fast Restart

key in your vehicle in order to shift the

transmission out of park (P).

The fast restart feature allows you to

restart your vehicle within 20 seconds of

switching it off, even if it does not detect

a valid passive key.

After 20 seconds, you can no longer start

your vehicle if it does not detect a valid

passive key. Within 20 seconds of

switching the engine off, press the brake

pedal and press the push button ignition

switch.

Once your vehicle starts, it remains running

until you press the push button ignition

switch, even if your vehicle does not detect

a valid passive key. If you open and close

a door while your vehicle is running, the

system searches for a valid passive key.

You cannot start your vehicle if the system

does not detect a valid passive key within

20 seconds.

1. Fully depress the brake pedal.

2. Press the push button ignition switch.

The system does not function if:

•

The passive key frequencies are

jammed.

•

The key battery has no charge.

If you are unable to start your vehicle, do

the following:

Failure to Start

If you cannot start the engine after three

attempts, wait 10 seconds and follow this

procedure:

1. Fully depress the brake pedal.

2. Shift into park (P).

3. Fully depress the accelerator pedal and

hold it there.

4. Start the engine.

E297184

1. Open the floor console storage

compartment lid.

Automatic Engine Shutdown

For vehicles with a keyless ignition, this

feature automatically shuts down the

engine if it has been idling for an extended

period. The ignition also turns off in order

to save battery power. Before your vehicle

shuts down, a message appears in the

information display showing a timer

2. Insert the passive key into the backup

slot.

3. With the key in this position, press the

brake pedal then press the push button

ignition switch to switch the ignition on

and start your vehicle.

counting down from 30 seconds. If you do

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Starting and Stopping the Engine

not intervene within 30 seconds, your

Note: The ignition, all electrical circuits and

all warning lamps and indicators will be

turned off.

Note: If the engine is idling for 30 minutes,

the ignition and engine automatically shut

down.

vehicle shuts down. Another message

appears in the information display to

inform you that your vehicle has shut down

to save fuel. Start your vehicle as you

normally do.

Automatic Engine Shutdown Override

Stopping the Engine When Your

Vehicle is Moving

Note: You cannot permanently switch off

the automatic shutdown feature. When you

switch it off temporarily, it turns on at the

next ignition cycle.

You can stop the shutdown, or reset the

timer, at any point before the 30-second

countdown has expired by doing any of the

following:

WARNING: Switching off the

engine when your vehicle is still moving

results in a significant decrease in

braking assistance. Higher effort is

required to apply the brakes and to stop

your vehicle. A significant decrease in

steering assistance could also occur. The

steering does not lock, but higher effort

could be required to steer your vehicle.

When you switch the ignition off, some

electrical circuits, for example airbags,

also turn off. If you unintentionally switch

the ignition off, shift into neutral (N) and

restart the engine.

•

You can reset the timer by interacting

with your vehicle, for example pressing

the brake or accelerator pedal.

•

You can temporarily switch off the

shutdown feature any time the ignition

is on using the information display. See

Information Displays (page 112). The

feature only remains off for the current

ignition cycle.

Vehicles with an Ignition Key

•

During the 30-second countdown, the

system prompts you to press OK or

RESET to temporarily switch the

feature off for the current ignition cycle

only.

1. Shift into neutral and use the brakes to

bring your vehicle to a safe stop.

2. When your vehicle has stopped, shift

into park (P) and switch the ignition

off.

Stopping the Engine When Your

Vehicle is Stationary

3. Apply the parking brake.

Vehicles with an Ignition Key

1. Shift into park (P).

2. Switch the ignition off.

3. Apply the parking brake.

Vehicles with Keyless Start

1. Shift into neutral and use the brakes to

bring your vehicle to a safe stop.

2. When your vehicle has stopped, shift

into park (P).

3. Press and hold the push button ignition

switch, or press it three times within

two seconds.

Vehicles with Keyless Start

1. Shift into park (P).

2. Press the push button ignition switch.

3. Apply the parking brake.

4. Apply the parking brake.

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Starting and Stopping the Engine

When the engine starts for the first time

Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes

on your drive, the idle speed increases, this

helps to warm up the engine. If the engine

idle speed does not slow down, have your

vehicle checked by an authorized dealer.

WARNING: Exhaust leaks may

result in entry of harmful and potentially

lethal fumes into the passenger

The system does not function if:

compartment. If you smell exhaust

fumes inside your vehicle, have your

vehicle inspected immediately. Do not

drive if you smell exhaust fumes.

•

The passive key frequencies are

jammed.

•

The key battery has no charge.

If you are unable to start your vehicle, do

Important Ventilating Information

the following:

If you stop your vehicle and then leave the

engine idling for long periods, we

recommend that you do one of the

following:

•

Open the windows at least 1 in (3 cm).

Set your climate control to outside air.

STARTING A HYBRID

ELECTRIC VEHICLE SYSTEM

Before starting your vehicle, check the

following:

•

Make sure all occupants fasten their

seatbelt.

Make sure the headlamps and

electrical accessories are off.

E297184

•

Make sure the parking brake is on.

Make sure the transmission is in park

1. Open the floor console storage

compartment lid.

(P).

2. Insert the passive key into the backup

Note: Do not touch the accelerator pedal.

1. Fully press the brake pedal.

2. Press the push button ignition switch.

Note: The green ready indicator illuminates

letting you know that your vehicle is ready

for driving. Since your vehicle comes with a

silent key start, the engine may not start

when your vehicle starts. See Hybrid

Vehicle Operation (page 182).

slot.

3. With the key in this position, press the

brake pedal then press the push button

ignition switch to switch the ignition on

and start your vehicle.

Fast Restart

The fast restart feature allows you to

restart your vehicle within 20 seconds of

switching it off, even if it does not detect

a valid passive key.

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Starting and Stopping the Engine

Within 20 seconds of switching your

You can stop the shutdown, or reset the

timer, at any point before the 30-second

countdown expires by doing any of the

following:

vehicle off, press the brake pedal and press

the push button ignition switch. After 20

seconds, you can no longer start your

vehicle if it does not detect a valid passive

key.

•

You can reset the timer by interacting

with your vehicle, for example pressing

the brake or accelerator pedal.

Once your vehicle starts, it remains running

until you press the push button ignition

switch, even if your vehicle does not detect

a valid passive key. You cannot start your

vehicle if the system does not detect a

valid passive key within 20 seconds.

•

You can temporarily switch off the

shutdown feature any time the ignition

is on using the information display. See

Information Displays (page 112). The

feature only remains off for the current

ignition cycle.

Automatic Engine Shutdown

•

During the 30-second countdown, the

system prompts you to press OK or

RESET to temporarily switch the

feature off for the current ignition cycle

only.

For vehicles with a keyless ignition, this

feature shuts down the engine if it has

been idling for an extended period. The

ignition also turns off in order to save

battery power. Before your vehicle shuts

down, a message appears in the

Switching Off Your Vehicle When

It Is Stationary

information display showing a timer

counting down from 30 seconds. If you do

not intervene within 30 seconds, your

vehicle shuts down. Another message

appears in the information display to

inform you that your vehicle has shut down

to save fuel. Start your vehicle as you

normally do.

1. Put the transmission in park (P).

2. Press the push button ignition switch

once.

3. Apply the parking brake.

Note: This switches off the ignition, warning

lamps and indicators.

Note: Automatic Engine Shutdown may be

more frequent for hybrid vehicles.

Switching Off Your Vehicle When

It Is Moving

Automatic Engine Shutdown Override

Note: You cannot permanently switch off

the automatic shutdown feature. When you

switch it off temporarily, it turns on at the

next ignition cycle.

WARNING: Switching off the

engine when your vehicle is still moving

results in a significant decrease in

braking assistance. Higher effort is

required to apply the brakes and to stop

your vehicle. A significant decrease in

steering assistance could also occur. The

steering does not lock, but higher effort

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Starting and Stopping the Engine

ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (IF

could be required to steer your vehicle.

When you switch the ignition off, some

electrical circuits, for example airbags,

also turn off. If you unintentionally switch

the ignition off, shift into neutral (N) and

restart the engine.

EQUIPPED)

WARNING: Failure to follow engine

block heater instructions could result in

property damage or serious personal

injury.

1. Put the transmission into neutral (N)

and use the brakes to bring your vehicle

to a safe stop.

WARNING: Do not use your heater

with ungrounded electrical systems or

two-pronged adapters. There is a risk of

electrical shock.

2. When your vehicle has stopped, put

the transmission in park (P).

3. Press and hold the push button ignition

switch for one second, or press it three

times within two seconds.

WARNING: Do not fully close the

hood, or allow it to drop under its own

weight when using the engine block

heater. This could damage the power

cable and may cause an electrical short

resulting in fire, injury and property

damage.

4. Apply the parking brake.

Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes

WARNING: Exhaust leaks may

result in entry of harmful and potentially

lethal fumes into the passenger

Note: The heater is most effective when

outdoor temperatures are below 0°F

(-18°C).

compartment. If you smell exhaust

fumes inside your vehicle, have your

vehicle inspected immediately. Do not

drive if you smell exhaust fumes.

The heater acts as a starting aid by

warming the engine coolant. This allows

the climate control system to respond

quickly. The equipment includes a heater

element, installed in the engine block and

a wire harness. You can connect the

system to a grounded 120-volt AC

electrical source.

Important Ventilating Information

If you stop your vehicle and then leave the

engine idling for long periods of time, we

recommend that you do one of the

following:

We recommend that you do the following

•

Open the windows at least 1 in (3 cm).

Set your climate control to outside air.

for a safe and correct operation:

•

Use a 16-gauge outdoor extension cord

that is product certified by

Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) or

Canadian Standards Association

(CSA). This extension cord must be

suitable for use outdoors, in cold

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Starting and Stopping the Engine

temperatures, and be clearly marked

The heater uses 0.4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hours

of energy per hour of use. The system does

not have a thermostat. It achieves

maximum temperature after

Suitable for Use with Outdoor

Appliances. Do not use an indoor

extension cord outdoors. This could

result in an electric shock or become a

fire hazard.

approximately three hours of operation.

Using the heater longer than three hours

does not improve system performance and

unnecessarily uses electricity.

•

Use as short an extension cord as

possible.

•

Do not use multiple extension cords.

Make sure that when in operation, the

extension cord plug and heater cord

plug connections are free and clear of

water. This could cause an electric

shock or fire.

•

If the block heater cord is under the

hood, Do Not remove the wiring from

its original location. Do Not close the

hood on the extension wiring.

•

Make sure your vehicle is parked in a

clean area, clear of combustibles.

Make sure the heater, heater cord and

extension cord are firmly connected.

Check for heat anywhere in the

electrical hookup once the system has

been operating for approximately 30

minutes.

•

Make sure the system is unplugged and

properly stowed before starting and

driving your vehicle. Make sure the

protective cover seals the prongs of the

block heater cord plug when not in use.

Make sure the heater system is

checked for proper operation before

winter.

Using the Engine Block Heater

Make sure the receptacle terminals are

clean and dry prior to use. Clean them with

a dry cloth if necessary.

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Starting and Stopping the Engine for Your Ford Explorer SUV Sixth Generation (2012-2020)

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