FORD 2013 Explorer v.1 - Manual (Page 222)

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 co nditions
and results in lower fuel economy.
M (Manual) (if equipped)
Moving the gearshift lever to M (Manual):
• Provides additional grade (engine) braking and extends lower gear
operation to enhance performance for uphill climbs, hilly terrain or
mountainous areas. This will increase engine RPM during engine braking.
• Provides additional lower gear operation through the automatic
transmission shift strategy which reacts to vehicle inputs (vehicle
acceleration, accelerator pedal, brake pedal and vehicle speed).
• Gears are selected more quickly and at higher engine speeds.
Note: The system will stay in M (Manual) until the gear shift lever is
moved into another gear for example P (park) or D (Drive).
222 Transmission
2013 Explorer (exp)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA (fus)