2023 FORD Explorer Smart Cruise Control (SCC)
Introducing the Smart Cruise Control (SCC) for the 2023 Ford Explorer, elevating your driving experience to new heights. SCC combines cutting-edge technology with the illustrious performance of the Explorer to create a vehicle that will make your travels safer and more convenient. As SCC intelligently analyzes traffic flow and modifies your vehicle’s speed to maintain a safe following distance, enjoy a seamless and adaptive driving experience. By taking over the driving with ease, SCC frees you up to concentrate on the road ahead and bids you farewell to continuous adjustments and hello to a smoother ride. Enjoy the confidence that comes with an increased level of control while relying on SCC’s accuracy to negotiate various road conditions. With the help of the 2023 FORD Explorer Smart Cruise Control, navigate the road with unprecedented simplicity and sophistication. Redefine your journey.
Smart Cruise Control (SCC)
WHAT IS CRUISE CONTROL
Cruise control lets you maintain a set speed without keeping your foot on the accelerator pedal.
Requirements
Use cruise control when the vehicle speed is greater than 20 mph (30 km/h).
SWITCHING CRUISE CONTROL ON AND OFF
WARNING
Do not use cruise control on winding roads, in heavy traffic or when the road surface is slippery. This could result in loss of vehicle control, serious injury or death.
The cruise controls are on the steering wheel.
Switching Cruise Control On
Press the button to put the system in standby mode.
Switching Cruise Control Off
Press the button when in standby mode or switch the ignition off.
Note: When you switch cruise control off the set speed clears.
SETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED
WARNING
When you are going downhill, your vehicle speed could increase above the set speed. The system does not apply the brakes.
Drive to the speed you prefer.
Press the toggle button upward or downward to set the current speed.
Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Note: The indicator changes color in the information display.
Changing the Set Speed
Press and release the toggle button upward to increase the set speed in small increments. Press and hold the toggle button upward to accelerate. Release the button when you have reached your preferred speed
Press and release the toggle button downward to decrease the set speed in small increments.
Press and hold the toggle button downward to decelerate. Release the button when you have reached your preferred speed.
Note
If you accelerate by pressing the accelerator pedal, the set speed does not change. When you release the accelerator pedal, your vehicle returns to the speed that you previously set.
CANCELING THE SET SPEED
Press the button, or tap the brake pedal to cancel the set speed.
Note: The system remembers the set speed.
Note: The system cancels if the vehicle speed drops below 10 mph (16 km/h) under the set speed when driving uphill.
RESUMING THE SET SPEED
.
Press the button.
CRUISE CONTROL INDICATORS
Illuminates when you switch the system on.
Adaptive Cruise Control
HOW DOES ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WITH STOP AND GO WORK
Adaptive cruise control with stop and go uses radar and camera sensors to adjust the speed of your vehicle to maintain a set gap from the vehicle in front of you in the same lane while following it to a complete stop. You can also engage the system to follow a vehicle in front of you and adjust set speed while stopped.
WHAT IS ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WITH LANE CENTERING
Adaptive cruise control with lane centering uses radar and camera sensors to help keep your vehicle in the lane by applying continuous assistance steering torque input toward the lane center on highways.
Note: The adaptive cruise control gap setting operates normally.
WHAT IS INTELLIGENT ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Intelligent adaptive cruise control combines speed sign recognition with adaptive cruise control to adjust the cruise set speed to the speed limit detected by the speed sign recognition system. For example, if the speed sign recognition system detects a 50 mph (80 km/h) speed limit, the cruise set speed is updated to 50 mph (80 km/h) +/- the driver’s selected speed offset.
Note: The adaptive cruise control gap setting operates normally.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL PRECAUTIONS – VEHICLES WITH LANE CENTERING
Adaptive cruise control precautions apply to lane centering unless stated otherwise or contradicted by a lane centering precaution. See Adaptive Cruise Control Precautions (page 241).
WARNING
Do not use the system when towing a trailer. Failure to follow this instruction could result in the loss of control of your vehicle, personal injury or death.
WARNING
Do not use the system if any changes or modifications to the steering wheel have been made. Any changes or modifications to the steering wheel could affect the functionality or performance of the system. Failure to follow this instruction could result in the loss of control of your vehicle, personal injury or death.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL PRECAUTIONS – VEHICLES WITH: STOP AND GO
WARNING
You are responsible for controlling your vehicle at all times. The system is designed to be an aid and does not relieve you of your responsibility to drive with due care and attention. Failure to follow this instruction could result in the loss of control of your vehicle, personal injury or death.
- WARNING: Pay close attention to changing road conditions such as entering or leaving a highway, on roads with intersections or roundabouts, roads without visible lanes of travel, roads that are winding, slippery, unpaved, or steep slopes.
- WARNING: The system does not control speed in low traction conditions or extremely steep slopes. The system is designed to be an aid and does not relieve you of your responsibility to drive with due care and attention. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury.
- WARNING: The system is not a crash warning or avoidance system.
- WARNING: Do not use the system when towing a trailer that has aftermarket electronic trailer brake controls. Failure to follow this instruction could result in the loss of control of your vehicle, personal injury or death.
- WARNING: Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended because this can affect the normal operation of the system. Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control, which could result in serious injury.
- WARNING: Do not use the system with a snow plow blade installed.
- WARNING: Do not use the system in poor visibility, for example fog, heavy rain, spray or snow.
When Following a Vehicle
WARNING
When following a vehicle that is braking, your vehicle does not always decelerate quickly enough to avoid a crash without driver intervention. Apply the brakes when necessary. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death.
Hilly Condition Usage
You should select a lower gear when the system is active in situations such as prolonged downhill driving on steep grades, for example in mountainous areas. The system needs additional engine braking in these situations to reduce the load on the vehicle’s regular brake system to prevent it from overheating.
Note
An audible alarm sounds and the system shuts down if it applies brakes for an extended period of time. This allows the brakes to cool. The system functions normally again after the brakes cool.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL LIMITATIONS – VEHICLES WITH LANE CENTERING
Adaptive cruise control limitations apply to lane centering unless stated otherwise or contradicted by a lane centering limitation. See Adaptive Cruise Control Limitations (page 243).
The system may not correctly operate in any of the following conditions:
- The lane is too narrow or wide.
The system does not detect at least one lane marking or when lanes merge or split.
Limited steering torque input is applied.
Areas under construction or new infrastructure.
When modifications to the steering system have been made.
When using a spare tire.
Note: The driving assistance torque is limited and may not be sufficient for all driving situations such as driving through tight curves or driving through curves at high speeds.
Note: In exceptional conditions, the system may deviate from the center line.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL LIMITATIONS – VEHICLES WITH: STOP AND GO
Sensor Limitations
- WARNING: On rare occasions, detection issues can occur due to the road infrastructures, for example bridges, tunnels and safety barriers. In these cases, the system may brake late or unexpectedly. At all times, you are responsible for controlling your vehicle, supervising the system and intervening, if required.
WARNING: If the system malfunctions, have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
WARNING: Large contrasts in outside lighting can limit sensor performance. - WARNING: The system only warns of vehicles detected by the radar sensor. In some cases there may be no warning or a delayed warning. Apply the brakes when necessary. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death.
WARNING: The system may not detect stationary or slow moving vehicles below 6 mph (10 km/h).
WARNING: The system does not detect pedestrians or objects in the road.
WARNING: The system does not detect oncoming vehicles in the same lane.
WARNING: The system may not operate properly if the sensor is blocked. Keep the windshield free from obstruction.
WARNING: The sensor may incorrectly track lane markings as other structures or objects. This can result in a false or missed warning.
The camera is mounted on the windshield behind the interior mirror. 
The radar sensor is in the lower grille.
Note: You cannot see the sensor. It is behind a fascia panel.
Note: Keep the front of your vehicle free of dirt, metal badges or objects. Vehicle front protectors, aftermarket lights, additional paint or plastic coatings could also degrade
sensor performance.
A message displays if something obstructs
the camera or the sensor. When something
blocks the sensor, the system cannot
detect a vehicle ahead and does not
function. See Adaptive Cruise Control
– Information Messages (page 250).
The radar sensor has a limited field of view.
It may not detect vehicles at all or detect
a vehicle later than expected in some
situations. The lead vehicle image does
not illuminate if the system does not
detect a vehicle in front of you. 
FAQ
Smart Cruise Control is an advanced driver assistance feature in the 2023 Ford Explorer that helps maintain a set speed while also adjusting the vehicle’s speed to keep a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead.
Smart Cruise Control uses sensors, such as radar and cameras, to monitor traffic conditions. It can automatically accelerate, brake, and even come to a complete stop if necessary, all while maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
The primary benefit of Smart Cruise Control is reduced driver fatigue during long highway drives. It can also help improve overall safety by assisting with maintaining a consistent speed and following distance.
Smart Cruise Control may be available as an optional feature or come standard on higher trim levels of the 2023 Ford Explorer. It’s best to check the specific trim and package options for availability.
Yes, you can usually override Smart Cruise Control at any time by using the brake pedal or accelerator, allowing the driver to maintain full control.
The maximum speed that Smart Cruise Control can maintain depends on the specific model and configuration of the 2023 Ford Explorer. It’s typically designed for highway speeds.
Yes, many modern Smart Cruise Control systems, including Ford’s, are equipped to handle stop-and-go traffic. They can bring the vehicle to a complete stop and resume driving when traffic starts moving again.
Yes, in most cases, you can adjust the following distance to suit your preferences. This allows you to choose how closely you want to follow the vehicle in front.
Smart Cruise Control’s performance in adverse weather conditions may vary. It relies on sensors, so heavy rain, snow, or fog can impact its effectiveness. Always be prepared to take control in challenging conditions.
It’s not always a standard feature and may be available as part of a safety package or on higher trim levels of the 2023 Ford Explorer.
Smart Cruise Control is primarily designed for highway driving, but some systems offer low-speed functionality for city driving. Check your vehicle’s user manual for specific details.
Smart Cruise Control can often be integrated with lane-keeping systems to provide a more comprehensive driver assistance experience.
Using Smart Cruise Control is generally straightforward, but it’s essential to read the vehicle’s manual and understand how it functions to use it safely.
While Smart Cruise Control is primarily focused on vehicles, some systems may have pedestrian detection features, but they vary by manufacturer and model.
Always pay attention to the road, keep your hands on the steering wheel, and be ready to take control of the vehicle if needed. Smart Cruise Control is an assistive technology and does not replace the need for an attentive driver.
Useful Link
View Full PDF : 2023 FORD Explorer |Auto User Guide
2023 FORD Explorer Fuses and Fuse Box