2022 FORD Explorer Owner’s Manual

In the world of SUVs, the 2022 FORD Explorer is a great example of how flexible and up-to-date they can be. The Explorer has a strong presence and a refined design. It mixes cutting-edge technology with unbeatable performance and has a roomy, luxurious interior for both the driver and the passengers. The 2022 Explorer is made to make every trip better, whether you’re driving on city streets or going off the beaten road. It has powerful engine options and new ways to stay connected. The 2022 FORD Explorer raises the bar by finding a good mix between comfort, capability, and style. It sets a new standard for luxury SUVs and shows how committed Ford is to innovation and excellence.

Transmission

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WARNING: Always fully apply the parking brake and make sure you shift into park (P). Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death.
WARNING: Do not apply the brake pedal and accelerator pedal simultaneously. Applying both pedals simultaneously for more than a few seconds will limit engine performance, which may result in difficulty maintaining speed in traffic and could lead to serious injury.

Understanding Your Transmission Selector Positions
Your vehicle has an electronic transmission shifter. The transmission selector is on the center console.

• P Park.
• R Reverse.
• N Neutral.
• D Drive.
• M Manual.
• L Low.

Automatic Return to Park
What is Automatic Return to Park (P)
Your vehicle shifts in park (P) if you attempt to exit your vehicle without the transmission in park (P).
How Does Automatic Return to Park (P) Work
Your vehicle shifts into park (P) when your vehicle is stationary and any of the following occur:

• You switch the vehicle off.
• You open the driver door with your seatbelt unlatched.
• You unlatch the driver seatbelt when the driver door is open.

Note: Do not use automatic return to park (P) when your vehicle is moving, except in an emergency. See Starting and Stopping the Engine (page 171).
Automatic Return to Park (P) Limitations
Automatic return to park (P) may not work if the door ajar switch is malfunctioning.
Have the system checked immediately if any of the following occur:

• Door ajar indicator does not illuminate with the driver door open.
• Door ajar indicator illuminates with the driver’s door closed.
• Transmission not in park message appears with the driver door closed, after you shift out of park (P).

Reverse (R)
With the transmission selector in reverse (R), your vehicle moves backward. Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of reverse (R).

Neutral (N)
With the transmission selector in neutral (N), you can start your vehicle and it is free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down when in this position.

Temporary Neutral Mode
What is Temporary Neutral Mode
This mode keeps your vehicle in neutral (N) when you switch your vehicle off. Use this mode at an automatic car wash if you exit your vehicle or switch your vehicle off.
Note: Do not tow your vehicle in this mode.
Note: Automatic return to park (P) delays when your vehicle is in this mode.
Temporary Neutral Mode Limitations
Your vehicle may shift to park (P) after 30 minutes, or when the vehicle battery charge level is low. Prolonged use of this mode can cause the vehicle battery to run out of charge.
Do not tow your vehicle in this mode. Failure to follow these instructions could result in vehicle damage not covered by the vehicle warranty.

Entering Temporary Neutral Mode

1. Switch your vehicle on.
2. Bring your vehicle to a complete stop.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal.
4. Shit into neutral (N).
   Note: A instructional message appears.
5. Press the manual (M), or low (L) button.
   Note: A confirmation message appears when your vehicle enters the mode.
6. Release the brake pedal. Note: Your vehicle is free to roll.
7. Switch your vehicle off.
8. Note: Do not tow your vehicle in this mode.
   Note: The neutral (N) indicator on the transmission selector may flash in this mode.

Exiting Temporary Neutral Mode

1. Press the brake pedal.
2. Shift into park (P), or switch your vehicle on and shift into drive (D), or reverse (R).

Drive (D)
Drive (D) is the normal driving position for the best fuel economy and smoothness. Shift the transmission selector to drive (D) to allow your vehicle to move forward and shift automatically through the forward gears.
The transmission shifts to the appropriate gear for optimum performance based on ambient temperature, road slope, vehicle load and your input.

Manual Mode (M) – Vehicles with Paddle Shifters
With the transmission selector in manual (M), the driver can change gears up or down. After selecting the Manual (M) button while the transmission range selector is in the Drive (D) position, you now have control of selecting the gear you desire using shift buttons on the steering wheel.
To exit manual mode, push the manual (M) button on your transmission selector.

Low (L) – Vehicles without Paddle Shifters
With the transmission selector in low (L), your vehicle provides maximum engine braking. You can shift the transmission into low (L) at any vehicle speed. Do not use under extended or normal driving conditions as it results in lower fuel economy.

Manually Shifting Gears
Shifting Using Paddle Shifters
The instrument cluster displays the current gear. The current gear flashes when your vehicle cannot shift into the requested gear. Your vehicle will not shift if the requested gear raises or lowers the engine speed beyond the limit.
Your vehicle may shift when you fully press the accelerator or brake pedal.
Note: Prolonged driving with high engine speed could cause vehicle damage not covered by vehicle warranty.
Note: When the vehicle shifts into the requested gear, it could affect drive modes.

Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
This system is a proactive system. It has the ability to anticipate wheel slip and transfer torque to the front wheels before slip occurs. Even when wheel slip is not present, the system is continuously adjusting to the torque distribution, in an attempt to improve straight line and cornering behavior, both on and off road.
The system automatically turns on every time you switch the ignition on.
If any component requires maintenance, a message appears in the information display.

USING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
WARNING: Vehicles with a higher center of gravity (utility and four-wheel drive vehicles) handle differently than vehicles with a lower center of gravity (passenger cars). Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt steering in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously increases the risk of losing control of your vehicle, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.

The intelligent 4WD system continuously monitors vehicle conditions and adjusts the power distribution between the front and rear wheels. It combines transparent all-surface operation with highly capable four-wheel drive.
The 4WD system is always active and requires no driver input. It is capable of handling all road conditions including street and highway driving as well as off-road and winter driving. You can optimize more 4WD control by selecting different drive modes. See Selecting a Drive Mode (page 277).

Note: A warning message displays in the information display when a 4WD system fault is present. See Information Messages (page 120). A 4WD system fault causes the 4WD system to default to rear-wheel drive only mode. When this warning message is displayed, have your vehicle serviced at an authorized dealer.
Note: A warning message displays in the information display if the 4WD system overheats. See Information Messages (page 120). This condition could occur if the vehicle is operated in extreme conditions with excessive wheel slip, such as deep sand. To resume normal 4WD function as soon as possible, stop the vehicle in a safe location and stop the engine for at least 10 minutes. After the engine is restarted and the 4WD system is adequately cooled, the warning message turns off and normal 4WD function returns.

Operating Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Vehicles With Spare Tires
Do not use a different size spare tire other than the tire provided. If the mini-spare tire is installed, the 4WD system will disable and enter rear-wheel drive only mode to protect driveline components. Some limited 4WD traction could be provided if the mini-spare is installed on one of the front wheels. If you are in driving conditions where limited 4WD traction is needed while the mini-spare is installed, it is recommended the mini-spare be installed on the front axle. See Information Messages (page 120).
If the mini-spare is installed, this condition is indicated by a warning in the information display. If there is a warning message in the information display from using the spare tire, this indicator should turn off after reinstalling or replacing the normal road tire and cycling the ignition off and on. We recommended reinstalling replacing the normal road tire as soon as possible. Major dissimilar tire sizes between the front and rear axles could cause the 4WD system to stop functioning and default to rear-wheel drive or damage the 4WD system.
The slip response system could activate if the mini spare is installed on the front wheels. If the mini spare was installed on the rear wheels the slip response system will fully disable. In situations where there is a wintery mix or an off road situation, and you need to use a mini spare, you must install the mini spare in the front tire position and move a full size tire to the rear tire position for the slip response system to function.

Operating Four-Wheel drive (4WD) Vehicles with Mismatched Tires
Major dissimilar tire sizes between the front and rear axles (for example, 17 inch low profile tires on the front axle and 22 inch high profile tires on the rear axle) could cause the 4WD system to stop functioning and default to rear-wheel drive or damage the 4WD system.
For optimum 4WD Performance, it is recommended to follow the tire rotation maintenance schedule. To avoid potential 4WD malfunction or 4WD system damage, it is recommended to replace all four tires rather than mixing significantly worn tires with new tires. For example, using 3 worn tread tires and 1 new tread tire all of the same original tire size/brand, can be tolerated by the 4WD system as long as the worn tires still have usable tread depth.

FAQ