Getting my 2012 Limited next week

[sjones0812]

Hi, long time Explorer owner (the 2012 with be my 4th one).

The 04 is having issues and I cannot wait to have a 13 built, so a 2012 fully loaded Limited is what I am getting. I am also getting a dealer plan so I really can't complain.

My current is an 04' so I am making a big jump forward. I have a few questions about the new truck.

1. Can I disable the seatbelt reminder? I wear my seatbelt..just don't want to be yelled at when I don't put it on.
2. What are the first thing I should look at and do?
3. Any know issues with car washing? (04 antenna got ripped off)
4. I am a huge geek, what are the coolest tech things to do with the car?

Thanks in advance.

 

[boss377]

Hey, welcome and congrats on your new Explorer.
First, read the owners manual, unlike many owners out here. Then grab a beverage and sit by yourself and get everything set up on MFT. I spent a couple of hours over several nights getting everything the way I wanted.
Be sure your MFT rep at the dealer gets you signed-up with your user name and password before you leave the dealer.
Contrary to what you may have read on some of the posts here, this vehichle is unlike anything else out there. The electronics though quirky sometimes is amazing. Learn it and you'll look forward to driving it every day.
I have a kick-ass '06 Mustang GT track car that i rarely drive anymore because the Ex is so cool! Go figure.

 

[peterk9]

Hi, long time Explorer owner (the 2012 with be my 4th one).

The 04 is having issues and I cannot wait to have a 13 built, so a 2012 fully loaded Limited is what I am getting. I am also getting a dealer plan so I really can't complain.

My current is an 04' so I am making a big jump forward. I have a few questions about the new truck.

1. Can I disable the seatbelt reminder? I wear my seatbelt..just don't want to be yelled at when I don't put it on.
2. What are the first thing I should look at and do?
3. Any know issues with car washing? (04 antenna got ripped off)
4. I am a huge geek, what are the coolest tech things to do with the car?

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the Forum sjones0812. :wavey:
I don't think there is a way of disabling the seatbelt warning. It isn't something I've really looked into since I wear mine all the time and have been for over 45 years. (I'm 65) I even installed them before they became mandatory.
I agree with boss377, sit down and go through the Owner's Guide. There is so much to know that it will take a while. I've had my Limited since March and still come across new things.
I don't take mine through the car wash so I'm not sure how the antenna will be affected, if at all.
The best thing I like is the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). I use it quite often. It takes a little getting used to at first but it is a great feature. Just to let you know, that if you get into a situation where the ACC actually has to apply the brakes, the brake lights do come on.
Happy motoring.

Peter

 

[VinceL]

Here's the whole mess of owners manuals and such for the 2012 Explorer:

2012 Ford Explorer

Download 'em, read 'em, and be ready for when your new ride arrives!

Happy driving.

 

[dutchman71]

No problems yet in 3 trips to the carwash in my 2012

 

[FordService]

...
1. Can I disable the seatbelt reminder? I wear my seatbelt..just don't want to be yelled at when I don't put it on.
2. What are the first thing I should look at and do?
3. Any know issues with car washing? (04 antenna got ripped off)
4. I am a huge geek, what are the coolest tech things to do with the car?
...

sjones0812,

1. The instructions to turn off the Belt-Minder feature can be found on page 189 of the 2012 Explorer Owner Guide 2nd Printing in the section called “Deactivating/activating the Belt-Minder feature”:

“The driver and front passenger Belt-Minder are deactivated/activated independently. When deactivating/activating one seating position, do not buckle the other position as this will terminate the process.
Read Steps 1 - 5 thoroughly before proceeding with the deactivation/activation programming procedure.
Note: The driver and front passenger Belt-Minder features must be disabled/enabled separately. Both cannot be disable/enabled during the same key cycle.
Note: If you are using MyKey, the Belt-Minder cannot be disabled.
Also, if the Belt-Minder has been previously disabled, it will be re-enabled during the use of MyKey. Refer to MyKey in the Locks and security chapter.

The driver and front passenger Belt-Minder features can be deactivated/activated by performing the following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that:
• The parking brake is set
• The gearshift is in P (Park)
• The ignition is off
• The driver and front passenger safety belts are unbuckled
1. Turn the ignition on. DO NOT START THE ENGINE.
2. Wait until the safety belt warning light turns off (Approximately one minute).
3. Wait 10 seconds after the safety belt warning light turns off.
• Step 4 must be completed within 20 seconds after the completion of Step 3.
4. For the seating position being disabled buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times at a moderate speed, ending in the unbuckled state.
• After Step 4, the safety belt warning light will be turned on for three seconds.
5. Within approximately seven seconds of the light turning off, buckle then unbuckle the safety belt.
• This will disable the Belt-Minder feature for that seating position if it is currently enabled. As confirmation, the safety belt warning light will flash four times per second for three seconds.
• This will enable the Belt-Minder feature for that seating position if it is currently disabled. As confirmation, the safety belt warning light will flash four times per second for three seconds, followed by three seconds with the light off, then followed by the safety belt warning light flashing four times per second for three seconds again.”

2. I’m sure the community can help with that one!

3. If they’re equipped, turn off auto sensor wipers, powerfold the side mirrors, and remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a car wash.

The following can be found in the same owner guide as above under the ALUMINUM WHEELS AND WHEEL COVERS section:

“Some automatic car washes may cause damage to the finish on your wheel rims or covers. Industrial-strength (heavy-duty) cleaners, or cleaning chemicals, in combination with brush agitation to remove brake dust and dirt, could wear away the clear coat finish over time.”

...The best thing I like is the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). I use it quite often. It takes a little getting used to at first but it is a great feature. Just to let you know, that if you get into a situation where the ACC actually has to apply the brakes, the brake lights do come on...

4. I’m a huge fan of the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), like Peter mentioned.

Here's the whole mess of owners manuals and such for the 2012 Explorer:

2012 Ford Explorer...

Thanks for posting the link, VinceL!

Cory

 

[sjones0812]

Cool, thanks.

Downloaded and reading now .... Lots of stuff this truck can do.

I passed on the ACC on my BMW because I could not see paying the huge about they wanted...but if Ford is putting in in anyway I bet I will like it.

On the ACC what happens if someone slows down to a stop, will the truck keep slowing down and stop?? (not looking to have the car drive itself...was just wondering)

 

[dutchman71]

On the ACC what happens if someone slows down to a stop, will the truck keep slowing down and stop?? (not looking to have the car drive itself...was just wondering)

Never let it go al the way to a stop, but it will hit the brakes and sound and show the heads up "alarm".

 

[peterk9]

Cool, thanks.

Downloaded and reading now .... Lots of stuff this truck can do.

I passed on the ACC on my BMW because I could not see paying the huge about they wanted...but if Ford is putting in in anyway I bet I will like it.

On the ACC what happens if someone slows down to a stop, will the truck keep slowing down and stop?? (not looking to have the car drive itself...was just wondering)

ACC will disengage when your speed drops below 16mph (26km/h) and an audible alram will sound briefly when it disengages. Any ACC braking action will also be released. I believe the heads up alarm dutchman71 is speaking of is the Collision Warning alarm on the top of the dash. It will sound if the vehicle detects a possible collision and the flashing red lights will also be refelcetd onto the lower part of the windshield on the driver's side.

Peter

 

[Sgt1411]

Then after you set everything up go let the vehicle park itself and see if that freaks you out the first time.

Works bang on every time.

 

[FordService]

Cool, thanks.

Downloaded and reading now .... Lots of stuff this truck can do...

On the ACC what happens if someone slows down to a stop, will the truck keep slowing down and stop?? (not looking to have the car drive itself...was just wondering)

You got it, sjones0812. The Owner Guide really is a great way to learn your new ride.

This can be found in the section appropriately titled “ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC) (IF EQUIPPED)” on page 102 of the 2012 Explorer Owner Guide 2nd Printing:

“The vehicle will maintain a constant distance between the vehicle ahead until:
• The vehicle in front of you accelerates to a speed above the set speed.
• The vehicle in front of you moves out of your lane or out of view.
• The vehicle speed falls below 16 mph (26 km/h).
• A new gap distance is set.
The vehicle brakes will be automatically applied to slow the vehicle to maintain a safe distance between the vehicle in front. The maximum braking which is applied by the ACC system is limited and can be overridden by the driver applying the brakes.
If the ACC system predicts that its maximum braking level will not be sufficient, an audible warning will sound while the ACC continues to brake. This is accompanied by a
heads-up display; a red warning bar illuminating on the windshield. The driver should take immediate action.”

Never let it go al the way to a stop, but it will hit the brakes and sound and show the heads up "alarm".

ACC will disengage when your speed drops below 16mph (26km/h) and an audible alram will sound briefly when it disengages...

You guys are fast!

Then after you set everything up go let the vehicle park itself and see if that freaks you out the first time.

Works bang on every time.

Oh yeah, Sgt1411; I forgot about that feature. I might want to change my vote.

Cory