background image

quick  

reference

  

guide

Airbag readiness 

 

Illuminates briefly when the ignition is turned 

on. If this light fails to illuminate, remains on or 

continues to flash after the engine is started, 

contact your authorized dealer for service as 

soon as possible. A chime will also sound if 

there is a malfunction in the indicator light.

Service engine soon 

  

Illuminates briefly when the ignition is turned on. If it remains on 

or is blinking after the engine is started, the on-board diagnostics 

system (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Drive in a moderate 

fashion and contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.

Low tire pressure warning 

  

Illuminates when your tire pressure is low. If the light remains 

on, the tire pressure should be checked. If the light does not turn 

on at ignition or begins to flash, contact your authorized dealer 

as soon as possible.

Infotainment display (if equipped)  

If your vehicle is equipped with the MyFord Touch™ system, you will have an 

infotainment display in this area. Use the OK and arrow buttons on the right 

side of your steering wheel to scroll through available modes of Entertainment, 

Climate, Phone and Navigation (if equipped). You can also perform other 

functions such as answering a call, setting the driver side temperature and 

more. Refer to your MyFord Touch™ supplement for more information.

Multifunction display

  

This area can display information such as: the fuel gauge, 

tachometer, engine coolant temperature and the odometer, trip 

meter as well as the Information menu, Settings menu and the 

System check. Use the OK and arrow buttons on the left side of 

your steering wheel to scroll through various menu options and 

make selections. Refer to the Instrument Cluster chapter in your 

Owner’s Guide for more information.

Push button start (if equipped)

  

Allows you to start your vehicle without a key by pressing the 

ENGINE START/STOP button while pressing the brake pedal, 

provided your intelligent access key (IA, if equipped) is inside the 

vehicle. If necessary, you can also start your car by inserting the IA 

key into the back-up slot located in the front of the center console. 

Simply insert the IA key into the slot with the buttons facing you 

and the key ring up. Then, press the ENGINE START/STOP button 

and brake pedal to start your vehicle as usual. You can remove the 

IA key from the backup slot once the vehicle is started, if desired.

Hazard control

Speed controls (if equipped) 

To set the speed:

1.

 Press ON.

2. 

Accelerate to the desired speed.

3. 

 Push the SET button up and take your 

foot off the accelerator.

 •  To set a higher speed, press and 

hold the SET button up or press SET 

up repeatedly until the desired speed 

is reached. 

 •  To set a lower speed, press and hold 

the SET button down or press SET down 

repeatedly until the desired speed  

is reached.

Collision warning system (if equipped) 

Uses a radar sensor to detect if vehicles ahead of you which are 

moving in the same direction may be a collision risk. The system 

will alert you with an audible chime and red warning light which will 

appear above the dash. If the risk of collision increases, the system 

will increase brake support to help reduce collision speed. The 

collision warning system is active at speeds above approximately 5 

mph (8 km/h). For more information on activating and deactivating 

the system, refer to the Message Center in the Instrument Cluster 

chapter. For more information on the collision warning system and 

limitations, refer to the Driving chapter of your Owner’s Guide.

Adaptive cruise control (if equipped)  

Allows you to set a ‘gap distance’ 

between yourself and the vehicle in front 

of you in the same lane when your cruise 

control is active. Press GAP up or down to 

select from four available gap distances. 

The selected gap distance will appear in 

the message center as a graphic display. 

Once you select the desired gap distance, 

the vehicle will then automatically apply 

the brakes when necessary to ensure 

that the specified distance is kept. Refer 

to the Driver Controls chapter of your 

Owner’s Guide for more information.

 •  To return to a previously set speed, 

press RES.

 •  To turn off, push the OFF button 

down or turn the ignition off. 

VOL:

 Press 

p

/

q

 to increase/

decrease volume levels.

SEEK:

 Press 

p

/

q

 to access the 

next/previous radio station, CD track 

or preset satellite radio channel.

: Press to access voice 

recognition, if equipped.

: Press to access SYNC

®

  

phone features, if equipped.

Ins

trumen

t P

a

nel

PowerFold

®

 3rd row seat (if equipped)

The third row seat features a power one-touch operation that allows you to adjust the seats with the touch of a button.

Press the seat selection button (4) to select either right-hand seat, the left-hand seat or both. First select the seat you would like to 

adjust, then select one of the following:
 •  Press the NORMAL button (1) to return the seat to the normal seating position.
 •  Press the STOW button (2) to stow the seat into the tub floor.
 •  Press the FOLD button (3) (the top portion of the button) to fold down the seatback.

Terrain Management System™ (if equipped)

This system optimizes drivability and comfort as well as maximizing traction. Turn the control on the center console to select from the 

following modes:
 •  

 

Grass/Gravel/Snow: Use this mode where a firm surface is covered with loose or slippery material. 

 •  

   

Sand: Use this mode on soft dry sand or deep gravel terrain. 

 •  

   

Mud/Ruts: Use this mode on muddy, rutted, soft or uneven terrain. 

 •  

  

Normal: Use this mode for on-road conditions. 

Hill Descent Control™ (if equipped) 

 

This allows you to set and maintain your vehicle speed while descending steep grades. It maintains your vehicle speeds on downhill grades 

between 3 mph (5 km/h) and 20 mph (32 km/h). 

Grade assist (if equipped)

Aids in optimal gear selection in hilly or mountainous areas. This feature helps you by providing additional grade (engine) braking and 

extends lower gear operation on uphill climbs. To activate/deactivate Grade assist, press the transmission control switch on the side of the 

gearshift lever. 

Note:

 Grade Assist is not recommended for normal driving and results in lower fuel economy. 

++

+++

+

++

June 2011  ---  First Printing  ---  Quick Reference Guide  ---  Explorer

This Quick Reference Guide is not intended to replace your vehicle Owner’s Guide which contains more detailed 

information concerning the features of your vehicle, as well as important safety warnings designed to help reduce the risk 

of injury to you and your occupants. Please read your entire Owner’s Guide carefully as you begin learning about your 

new vehicle and refer to the appropriate chapters when questions arise. All information contained in this Quick Reference 

Guide was accurate at the time of duplication. We reserve the right to change features, operation and/or functionality of 

any vehicle specification at any time. Your Ford dealer is the best source for the most current information. For detailed 

operating and safety information, please consult your Owner’s Guide.

Ford motor Company 
Customer relationship Center
P.O. Box 6248, Dearborn, mI 48121
1-800-392-3673 (FOrD)
(tDD for the hearing impaired: 1-800-232-5952)
www.fordowner.com
www.ford.ca

C L2J 19G217 A A 

+ +   +

+++++ 2012 eXPLOrer

Turn signal operation  

 •  To operate the left turn signal, push the 

lever down until it stops and release.

 •  To operate the right turn signal, push the 

lever up until it stops and release.

 •  To indicate a lane change, push the lever 

up/down to the first stop position and 

release. The turn signals will flash three 

times and stop. 

1

2

3

4

Media hub (if equipped) 

If your vehicle is equipped with the MyFord Touch™ 

system, your media hub will have the following:
 •  A/V inputs 
 •  SD card slot
 •  USB ports
Refer to the Media chapter of your MyFord Touch™ 

supplement for more information. 

Use extreme caution when using any device or feature that may take 
your attention off the road. Ford recommends against the use of any 
hand-held devices while driving and that you comply with all applicable 
laws. Your primary responsibility is the safe operation of the vehicle.

Reviews: