How to do cruise control on Ford Explorer?
Use the Ford Explorer’s cruise control by turning the system on, setting your speed, and (if your model has Adaptive Cruise Control) selecting a following distance so the vehicle can automatically adjust to traffic ahead. This guide walks you through basic cruise control and the adaptive features available on recent Explorers.
What to know about Explorer cruise control
Most newer Ford Explorers are equipped with cruise control, and many trims add Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop-and-Go. ACC uses radar and camera sensors to maintain a chosen speed and a safe distance from vehicles ahead, sometimes bringing you to a stop and resuming automatically. Controls are typically located on the steering wheel, with On, Off, Set, Resume, Cancel, and Distance buttons or indicators on the gauge cluster.
Basic cruise control operation
The following steps describe how to engage standard cruise control features and set a steady speed. These apply to Explorers with basic cruise control and to models that include Adaptive Cruise Control in its non-Stop-and-Go mode.
- Start the engine and accelerate to the desired cruising speed using the accelerator pedal.
- Press the On/Off button on the steering wheel to activate cruise control. The cruise indicator should illuminate on the instrument cluster.
- Press the SET or SET+ button to lock in the current speed as your cruising speed.
- To adjust speed, use RES+/SET− to nudge the speed up or down. Hold briefly for small changes; hold longer for larger adjustments.
- To temporarily disengage, press the brake pedal or press the CANCEL button. The system remains available to resume.
- To resume at the previously set speed, press RES or press the accelerator briefly if your model supports resume from stop.
- To turn the system off completely, press the On/Off button again or switch off via the steering controls.
These steps provide a straightforward way to use cruise control on most Ford Explorers. Model-year differences may exist, but the basic controls are consistent across recent vehicles.
Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and distance settings
For Explorers equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go, you can set a following distance so the vehicle automatically slows or speeds to maintain that gap. The system relies on radar and camera data and can handle slow or stopped traffic in many scenarios, though it may require driver intervention in complex conditions.
- Activate ACC using the same On/Off control used for basic cruise control. An ACC icon will appear on the instrument cluster when active.
- Set your desired cruising speed with SET or SET+ once you’re at that speed.
- Choose a following distance with the Distance control (often a button with a car icon and distance bars). Distances typically range from near to farther gaps, displayed on the cluster.
- In moderate to heavy traffic, ACC will adjust speed to maintain the selected gap; some generations can bring the vehicle to a complete stop and resume automatically when traffic moves again.
- To override ACC, press the accelerator pedal, press CANCEL, or brake; the system can be re-engaged by pressing RES or SET once conditions permit.
Remember that Adaptive Cruise Control is a convenience feature designed to assist, not replace, active driving. Road conditions, weather, and sensor coverage affect performance, so stay attentive and ready to take manual control at any time.
Safety and limitations
Cruise control and ACC are most effective on well-marked highways and in clear weather. They may not function properly in rain, snow, fog, heavy traffic, or construction zones. Always keep hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, prepared to take immediate manual control if needed.
Summary
For Ford Explorer drivers, cruise control offers a convenient way to maintain a steady speed, with Adaptive Cruise Control adding automatic distance management from vehicles ahead. Start the system, set your speed, choose a following distance if equipped, and use resume/cancel as needed. Stay vigilant—cruise control assists but does not replace attentive driving.
