Ford Explorer Quiz
Driver Assistance

Steering

In this manual: Driver Assistance
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
~2min read

Electric power steering

Your vehicle is equipped with an electric power steering system. It has no fluid reservoir and requires no maintenance.

If electrical power to your vehicle is interrupted while driving, electric power steering assist is lost. The steering system remains operational and you can steer your vehicle manually. Manual steering requires more effort.

Extended steering at full lock may increase the effort required to steer your vehicle. This increased effort prevents overheating and permanent damage to the steering system. You do not lose the ability to steer the vehicle manually. Normal steering and driving maneuvers allow the system to cool and return to normal operation.

If the steering wheel wobbles or pulls, check the following:

  • Correct tire pressure.
  • Uneven tire wear.
  • Loose or worn suspension components.
  • Loose or worn steering components.
  • Incorrect vehicle alignment.

The electronic power steering system with adaptive learning helps compensate for road irregularities and improves overall handling and steering feel. It interacts with the braking system to help manage advanced stability control and collision avoidance systems. In addition, whenever the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, you must drive your vehicle a short distance before the system relearns its strategy and reactivates all systems.

Test yourself

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