2013 Ford Explorer Owner Manual Printing 4 - Page 224

Transmission N (Neutral) 223 With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle can be started and is free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position. D (Drive) with Overdrive The normal driving position for the best fuel economy. Transmission operates in gears one through six. The automatic transmission shift strategy has the ability to detect hilly terrain or mountainous areas and will provide a limited amount of grade assist features automatically. Refer to D (Drive) with Grade assist or SelectShift for more information. D (Drive) with Tow on Press the TOW switch located on the instrument panel by the headlamp control to activate tow. The TOW/HAUL message will illuminate in the instrument cluster. The tow feature improves transmission operation when towing a trailer or a heavy load. All transmission gear ranges are available when using tow. The tow feature delays upshifts to reduce frequency of transmission shifting. Tow also provides engine braking in all forward gears when the transmission is in the D (Overdrive) position. This engine braking will slow the vehicle and assist the driver in controlling the vehicle when descending a grade. Depending on driving conditions and load conditions, the transmission may downshift, slow the vehicle and control the vehicle speed when descending a hill, without the accelerator pedal being pressed. The amount of downshift braking provided will vary based upon the amount the brake pedal is depressed. Press the TOW button to deactivate the tow feature and return to normal driving mode. The tow light will no longer be illuminated. When you shut-off and restart the engine, the transmission will automatically return to normal D (Overdrive) mode (tow off). 2013 Explorer (exp) Owners Guide gf, 4th Printing, November 2012 USA (fus)