Ford Explorer (2018 year). Manual - part 56

Why is the feature not available (line markings are gray) when I can see the lane markings

on the road?

Staying too close to the lane marking

Driving at high speeds in curves

The last Alert warning or Aid intervention occurred a short time ago

Ambiguous lane markings (mainly in construction zones)

Rapid transition from light to dark or vice versa

Sudden offset in lane markings

ABS or AdvanceTrac activation

Camera blockage due to dirt, grime, fog, frost or water on the windshield

Driving too close to the vehicle in front of you

Transitioning between no lane markings to lane markings or vice versa

Standing water on the road

Faint lane markings (partial yellow lane markings on concrete roads)

Lane width too narrow or too wide

Camera not calibrated after a windshield replacement

Driving on tight roads or on uneven roads

Why does the vehicle not come back toward the middle of the lane, as expected, in the

Aid or Aid + Alert mode?

High cross winds

Large road crown

Rough roads, grooves, shoulder drop-offs

Heavy uneven loading of the vehicle or improper tire inflation pressure

If the tires have been exchanged (including snow tires), or the suspension has been
modified

BLIND SPOT INFORMATION
SYSTEM

 (If Equipped)

WARNINGS

Do not use the blind spot information
system as a replacement for using
the interior and exterior mirrors or

looking over your shoulder before changing
lanes. The blind spot information system
is not a replacement for careful driving.

The system may not operate
properly during severe weather
conditions, for example snow, ice,

heavy rain and spray. Always drive with
due care and attention. Failure to take care
may result in a crash.

Blind spot zone

A

Extended blind spot zone

B

The system is designed to aid you in
detecting vehicles that may have entered
the blind spot zone.
•

Blind spot zone (A) : Detects slower
approaching vehicles from the exterior
mirrors to approximately 16 ft (5 m)
beyond the bumper.

•

Extended blind spot zone (B) : Detects
faster approaching vehicles from the
exterior mirrors to approximately 59 ft
(18 m) beyond the bumper.

Note: The system does not prevent contact
with other vehicles or objects, and does not
detect parked vehicles, people, animals or
infrastructure (for example, fences,
guardrails or trees). It is only designed to
alert you to certain moving vehicles in the
blind spot zones.

Note: When a vehicle passes quickly
through the blind spot zone, typically fewer
than two seconds, the system does not
trigger.

Using the System

The system turns on when you start the
engine and you drive your vehicle forward
above 5 mph (8 km/h).

For automatic transmissions, the system
remains on while the transmission is in
drive (D). If shifted into reverse (R) or park
(P) the system turns off. Once shifted back
into drive (D), the system turns back on
when you drive your vehicle above 5 mph
(8 km/h).

For manual transmissions, the system is
on for all gears except reverse (R).

Note: For automatic transmissions, the
system does not function in reverse (R) or
park (P).

Note: The extended blind spot zone is
active at speeds above 30 mph (48 km/h).

System Lights and Messages

The system illuminates an alert indicator
in the outside mirror on the side of your
vehicle the approaching vehicle is coming
from. When the system is alerting on a
vehicle and the corresponding turn signal
is on, the alert indicator flashes at an
increased level.

The alert indicator dims when the system
detects nighttime darkness.

Blocked Sensors

The system uses radar sensors that are
located near the rear bumper on each side
of your vehicle. Any dirt, mud or snow in
front of the sensors or driving in heavy rain
can cause system degradation and false
alerts. Also, other types of obstructions in
front of the sensor can cause system
degradation. This is referred to as a
‘blocked’ condition.

Note: Do not apply bumper stickers and/or
repair compound to these areas, this can
cause degraded system performance.

Note: The alert indicator may turn on during
heavy rain even though no vehicle has
entered the blind zone.

If the system detects a degraded
performance condition, a message warning
of a blocked sensor appears in the
information display. The alert indicators
remain on and the system no longer
provides any vehicle warnings. You can
clear the information display warning but
the alert indicators remain illuminated.

A "blocked" condition can be cleared in
two ways:
•

After the blockage in front of the
sensors is removed or the
rainfall/snowfall rate decreases or
stops, drive for a few minutes in traffic
to allow the sensors to detect passing
vehicles.

•

By cycling the ignition from on to off,
and then back on.

Note: If your vehicle has a tow bar with a
factory equipped trailer tow module and it
is towing a trailer, the sensors automatically
turn the system off. If your vehicle has a tow
bar but no factory equipped trailer tow
module, it is recommended that you turn
the system off manually. Operating the
system with a trailer attached causes poor
system performance.

System Errors

If the system senses a problem with the
left or right sensor, the warning indicator
illuminates and a message appears in the
information display.  See Information
Messages (page 118).

Switching the System On and Off

Note: The system remembers the last
setting when you start your vehicle.

You can temporarily switch the system off
in the information display.  See General
Information (page 104).  When you switch
the system off, the information display
shows a system off message, the indicator
illuminates and you no longer receive
alerts. When you switch the system on or
off, the alert indicators flash twice.

You can also have the system switched off
permanently at an authorized dealer. Once
the system is switched off permanently at
an authorized dealer, only an authorized
dealer can turn the system back on.

CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT

 (If

Equipped)

WARNINGS

Do not use the cross traffic alert
system as a replacement for using
the interior and exterior mirrors or

looking over your shoulder before reversing
out of a parking space. The cross traffic
alert system is not a replacement for
careful driving.

The system may not operate
properly during severe weather
conditions, for example snow, ice,

heavy rain and spray. Always drive with
due care and attention. Failure to take care
may result in a crash.

The system is designed to alert you of
vehicles approaching from the sides when
you shift into reverse (R).

Using the Cross Traffic Alert
System

The system is designed to detect vehicles
that approach with a speed up to 37 mph
(60 km/h). Coverage decreases when the
sensors are partially, mostly or fully
obstructed. Slowly reversing helps increase
the coverage area and effectiveness.

The system turns on when you start the
engine and you shift into reverse (R). The
system turns off when you shift out of
reverse (R).

The sensor on the left-hand side is only
partially obstructed and zone coverage on
the right-hand side is maximized.