Ford Explorer: General Information / Description and Operation - Important Safety Instructions

COLLISION, DAMAGE OR FIRE EVENT

  WARNING: Service of this electric vehicle is restricted to qualified personnel. The required qualifications vary by region. Always observe local laws and legislative directives regarding electric vehicle service. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury or death.

  WARNING: Before beginning any service procedure in this manual, refer to health and safety warnings in section 100-00 General Information. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

For additional information, refer to: Health and Safety Precautions (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).

Guidance for Ford Motor Company Electric and Hybrid-Electric Vehicles Equipped With High-Voltage Batteries (Vehicle Owner/Operator/General Public) Electric and Hybrid-Electric Vehicle Considerations In the Event of Damage or Fire Involving an Electric Vehicle (EV) or Hybrid-Electric Vehicle (HEV):

• Always assume the high-voltage battery and associated components are energized and fully charged.
• Exposed electrical components, wires and high-voltage batteries present potential high-voltage shock hazards.
• Venting and off-gassing, high-voltage battery vapors are potentially toxic and flammable.
• Physical damage to the vehicle or high-voltage battery may result in immediate or delayed release of toxic, flammable gases and fire.

Vehicle Information and General Safety Practices

• Know the make and model of your vehicle.
• Review the owner’s manual and become familiar with your vehicle’s safety information and recommended safety practices.
• Do not attempt to repair damaged electric and hybrid-electric vehicles yourself. Contact an authorized Ford Dealer or vehicle manufacturer representative for service.

Crashes

• A crash or impact significant enough to require an emergency response for conventional vehicles would also require the same response for an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle.

If possible

• Move your car to a safe, nearby location and remain on the scene.
• Roll down the windows before shutting your vehicle off.
• Place your vehicle in park (P), set the parking brake, switch off the vehicle, activate the hazard lights and move your key(s) at least 5.5  yd ( 5  m) away from the vehicle.

Always

• Call emergency assistance if needed and advise that an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle is involved.
• Do not touch exposed electrical components or the engine compartment, as a shock hazard may exist.
• Avoid contact with leaking fluids and gases, and remain out of the way of oncoming traffic until emergency responders arrive.
• When emergency responders arrive, tell them that the vehicle involved is an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle.

Fires

As with any vehicle, call emergency assistance immediately if you see sparks, smoke or flames coming from the vehicle.

• Exit the vehicle immediately.
• Advise emergency assistance that an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle is involved.
• As with any vehicle fire, do not inhale smoke, vapors or gas from the vehicle, as they may be hazardous.
• Remain a safe distance from the vehicle and try to stay clear of the smoke.
• Stay out of the roadway and stay out of the way of any oncoming traffic while awaiting the arrival of emergency responders.

Post-Incident

• Do not store a severely damaged vehicle with a lithium-ion battery inside a structure or within 16.4  yd ( 15  m)of any structure or vehicle.
• Make sure that passenger and cargo compartments remain ventilated. For example, open a window, door or trunk.
• Notify your local Ford Customer Contact Centre (see your Service Portfolio) and an authorized Ford dealer as soon as possible. There may be other steps to secure and discharge the high-voltage battery.
• Call emergency assistance if you observe leaking fluids, sparks, smoke or flames, or hear gurgling or bubbling from the high-voltage battery.