Ford Explorer Quiz
Starting and Stopping the Engine

Starting the Gasoline Engine

In this manual: Starting and Stopping the Engine
Introduction — 10At a Glance — 3Child Safety — 11Seat Belts — 10Personal Safety System™ — 1Supplemental Restraint System — 10Pedestrian Protection — 1911 Assist — 3Keys and Remote Controls — 10MyKey™ — 8Doors & Locks — 9Liftgate — 7Safety — 3Steering Wheel — 11Wipers and Washers — 5Lighting — 13Automatic High Beam Control — 3Windows and Mirrors — 6Instrument Cluster — 4Information Displays — 4Climate Control — 6Cabin Air Quality — 2Seats — 9Garage Door Opener — 2Auxiliary Power Points — 3Storage Compartments — 2Starting and Stopping the Engine — 5Unique Driving Characteristics — 4Fuel and Refueling — 8Engine Emission Control — 3High-Voltage Battery — 1Infection Transmission — 8All-Wheel Drive Vehicle — 1Brakes — 5Reverse Brake Assist — 4Traction Control — 1Stability Control — 3Hill Descent Control — 3Park Aid — 8Cruise Control — 4Adaptive Cruise Control — 19Driver Assistance — 12Drive Mode Control — 4Loading — 6Tow/Haul — 6Driving Tips — 5Roadside Emergencies — 8Customer Assistance — 9Fuses — 3Maintenance — 21Vehicle Care — 12Wheels and Tires — 8Capacities and Specifications — 16Connectivity — 3Wi-Fi Hotspot — 3Audio System — 6SYNC™ 3 — 14Accessories — 1Ford Protect — 1Scheduled Maintenance — 5Appendices — 4
24steps
~144min
5/5difficulty
Done 0 of 24

When the engine starts, the idle speed increases. This helps the engine warm up. If the engine idle speed does not decrease automatically, have the system checked by an authorized dealer.

Before starting the vehicle, check the following:

  • Make sure all passengers have fastened their seat belts.
  • Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
  • Make sure the parking brake is applied.
  • Make sure the transmission is in Park (P).
  • Turn the ignition on. For vehicles with keyless ignition, refer to the instructions.

Vehicles with Ignition Key

  1. Fully depress the brake pedal.
  2. Turn the key to the Start position to start the engine.

Vehicles with Keyless Start

  1. Fully depress the brake pedal.
  2. Press the ignition switch.

The system does not operate if:

  • The passive key frequencies are jammed.
  • The key battery is discharged.

If you cannot start the vehicle, do the following:

  1. Open the storage compartment cover on the floor console.
  2. Insert the passive key into the backup slot.
  3. While holding the key in this position, depress the brake pedal, then press the ignition button to turn the ignition on and start the vehicle.

Quick Restart

The quick restart feature allows you to restart the vehicle within 20 seconds of turning it off, even if it does not detect a valid passive key.

After 20 seconds, you will no longer be able to start your vehicle if it does not detect a valid passive key. Within 20 seconds after turning the engine off, depress the brake pedal and press the ignition button.

Once your vehicle starts, it keeps running until you press the ENGINE START/STOP button, even if your vehicle does not recognize a valid Intelligent Access key. If you open and close a door while the vehicle is running, the system searches for a valid Intelligent Access key. You will not be able to start the vehicle if the system does not detect a valid Intelligent Access key within 20 seconds.

Unable 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 in that position.
  4. Start the engine.

Automatic Engine Shutdown

On vehicles with Keyless Ignition, this feature automatically shuts off the engine if it has been idling for an extended period. The ignition is also turned off to conserve battery charge. Before your vehicle shuts off, a message appears in the information display showing a 30 second countdown timer. If you do not intervene within 30 seconds, your vehicle will shut off. Another message appears in the information display to inform you that your vehicle shut off to conserve fuel. Start the vehicle as usual.

Automatic Engine Shutdown Override

You can stop the shutdown or reset the timer at any time before the 30 second countdown expires by doing any of the following:

  • You can reset the timer by interacting with the vehicle, for example by pressing the brake or accelerator pedal.
  • You can temporarily disable the shutdown feature at any time while the ignition is on using the information display. See Information Displays. The feature remains off only for the current ignition cycle.
  • During the 30 second countdown, the system prompts you to press OK or RESET to temporarily disable the feature for the current ignition cycle only.

Stopping the Engine When the Vehicle Is Stationary

Vehicles with Ignition Key

  1. Shift into Park (P).
  2. Turn the ignition off.
  3. Apply the parking brake.

Vehicles with Keyless Start

  1. Shift into Park (P).
  2. Press the ignition switch.
  3. Apply the parking brake.

Stopping the Engine While the Vehicle Is Moving

Vehicles with Ignition Key

  1. Shift to Neutral and use the brakes to stop the vehicle safely.
  2. When the vehicle has stopped, shift to Park (P) and turn the ignition off.
  3. Apply the parking brake.

Vehicles with Keyless Start

  1. Shift to Neutral and use the brakes to stop the vehicle safely.
  2. When the vehicle has stopped, shift to Park (P).
  3. Press and hold the ENGINE START/STOP button, or press it three times within two seconds.
  4. Apply the parking brake.

Exhaust Gas Protection

Important Ventilation Information. If you stop the vehicle and then leave the engine running for an extended period, it is recommended that you do one of the following:

  • Open the windows at least 1 inch (3 cm).
  • Set the climate control to outside air.

Test yourself

A quick Ford Explorer quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.