FORD 2013 Explorer v.4 - Manual (Page 225)

D (Drive) with Grade Assist
Press the transmission control switch on the
side of the gearshift lever to activate grade
assist and cancel overdrive.
Grade assist:
• Provides additional grade (engine) braking and extends
lower gear operation on uphill climbs for hilly terrain or
mountainous areas.
• Provides additional engine braking through the automatic transmission
shift strategy which reacts to vehicle inputs (vehicle acceleration,
accelerator pedal, brake pedal and vehicle speed).
• Allows the transmission to select gears that will provide the desired
engine braking based on the vehicle inputs mentioned above. This will
increase engine RPM during engine braking.
• The grade assist lamp in the instrument cluster is illuminated.
Grade assist is designed to aid the driver with optimal gear selection in
hilly terrain or mountainous areas but is not intended for normal
operation. It is recommended that you return to O/D (overdrive mode)
on flat terrain to provide the best fuel economy and transmission
function.
Press the transmission control switch again to return to normal D
(Drive) position (with O/D).
• The grade assist lamp in the instrument cluster will not be illuminated.
• The transmission will operate in gears one through six.
L (Low)
• Provides maximum engine braking.
• Will downshift to the lowest available gear for the current vehicle
speed; allows for first gear when vehicle reaches slower speeds.
• Is not intended for use under extended or normal driving conditions
and results in lower fuel economy.
P
R
N
D
L
224 Transmission
2013 Explorer (exp)
Owners Guide gf, 4th Printing, November 2012
USA (fus)