User manual FORD EXPLORER - 1999

Contents Before driving Introduction Instrumentation Controls and features Seating and safety restraints Starting and driving Starting Driving Roadside emergencies Servicing Maintenance and care Capacities and specifications Customer assistance Reporting safety defects Index 195 243 252 264 265 139 144 175 2 4 19 113 All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system or translation in whole or part is not permitted without written authorization from Ford Motor Company. Copyright 1999 Ford Motor Company 1 Introduction ICONS Indicates a safety alert. Read the following section on Warnings. Indicates vehicle information related to recycling and other environmental concerns will follow. Correct vehicle usage and the authorized disposal of waste cleaning and lubrication materials are significant steps towards protecting the environment. Indicates a message regarding child safety restraints. Refer to Seating and safety restraints for more information. Indicates that this Owner Guide contains information on this subject. Please refer to the Index to locate the appropriate section which will provide you more information. WARNINGS Warnings provide information which may reduce the risk of personal injury and prevent possible damage to others, your vehicle and its equipment. BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE There are no particular breaking-in rules for your vehicle. During the first 1 600 km (1 000 miles) of driving, vary speeds frequently. This is necessary to give the moving parts a chance to break in. 2 Introduction INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GUIDE The information found in this guide was in effect at the time of printing. Ford may change the contents without notice and without incurring obligation. SPECIAL NOTICES Notice to owners of utility type vehicles Before you drive your vehicle, please read this Owner's Guide carefully. Your vehicle is not a passenger car. As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an accident. Be sure to read Driving off road in the Driving chapter as well as the "Four Wheeling" supplement included with 4WD and utility type vehicles. Using your vehicle as a snowplow Do not use this vehicle for snowplowing. Using your vehicle as an ambulance Do not use this vehicle as an ambulance. Your vehicle is not equipped with the Ford Ambulance Preparation package. 3 Instrumentation Instrument cluster (pg. 6) Speed control* (pg. 80) CHECK GAGE DOOR AJAR 4 H CHECK ENGINE 5 6 40 30 20 10 50 60 60 70 000 80 100 120 140 80 90 160 3 2 1 RPMx1000 C 40 000000 100 1 10 H L H CHECK SUSP SPEED CONT 20 180 FUEL RESET F E ABS 0 ! MPH km/h 120 L O/D OFF OFF RSM ON SET ACC OFF COAST Headlamp control (pg. 19) Instrument panel dimmer switch (pg. 20) Tilt steering wheel lever (pg. 85) Turn signal and wiper/washer control (pg. 85) Driver side air bag (pg. 126) * if equipped 4 Instrumentation Electronic sound system (pg. 33) Gearshift (includes overdrive button) (pg. 152) Rear window/washer control (pg. 86) Rear window defroster control (pg. 30) 4WD LOW OD ON/OFF VOL - PUSH ON AM FM BASS TREB BAL FADE OFF R. WIPE ON CLK TAPE AMS PUSH CD SEEK TUNE SCAN EJ SIDE 1 - 2 REW FF DISCS CD CD COMP SHUFFLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 OFF A/C MAX A/C Climate controls (pg. 87) Foglamp Control* (pg. 19) 5 Instrumentation WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES CHECK GAGE DOOR AJAR 4 H CHECK ENGINE 5 6 40 30 20 10 50 60 60 70 000 80 100 120 140 80 90 160 3 2 1 RPMx1000 C 40 000000 100 1 10 H L H CHECK SUSP SPEED CONT 4WD HIGH 4WD LOW 20 180 FUEL RESET F E ABS 0 ! BRAKE MPH km/h 120 THEFT P RND 21 L O/D OFF Check engine Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine's CHECK emission control system. This ENGINE system is commonly known as the On Board Diagnostics System (OBD II). This OBD II system protects the environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet government emission standards. The OBD II system also assists the service technician in properly servicing your vehicle. The Check Engine indicator light illuminates when the ignition is first turned to the ON position to check the bulb. If it comes on after the engine is started, one of the engine's emission control systems may be malfunctioning. The light may illuminate without a driveability concern being noted. The vehicle will usually be drivable and will not require towing. What you should do if the check engine light illuminates Light turns on solid: This means that the OBD II system has detected a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause your Check Engine light to illuminate. Examples are: 1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run poorly.) 2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel. 6 Instrumentation 3. The fuel cap may not have been properly installed and securely tightened. These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank with good quality fuel and/or properly installing and securely tightening the gas cap. After three driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions present, the Check Engine light should turn off. (A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required. If the Check Engine light remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity. Light is blinking: Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter. You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity. Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire. Fuel reset Illuminates when the ignition is turned to the ON position and the fuel pump shut-off switch has been triggered. For more information, refer to Fuel pump shut-off switch in the Roadside emergencies chapter. Air bag readiness Momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned ON. If the light fails to illuminate, continues to flash or remains on, have the system serviced immediately. FUEL RESET 7 Instrumentation Safety belt Momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned to the ON position to remind you to fasten your safety belts. For more information, refer to the Seating and safety restraints chapter. Brake system warning Momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned to the ON position ! and the engine is off. If the brake BRAKE warning lamp does not illuminate at this time, seek service immediately. Also illuminates when the parking brake is engaged. Illumination after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the brake system should be inspected immediately. Anti-lock brake system (ABS) Momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned to the ON position ABS and the engine is off. If the light remains on, continues to flash or fails to illuminate, have the system serviced immediately. With the ABS light on, the anti-lock brake system is disabled and normal braking is still effective unless the brake warning light also remains illuminated with parking brake released. Turn signal Illuminates when the left or right turn signal or the hazard lights are turned on. If one or both of the indicators stay on continuously or flash faster, check for a burned-out turn signal bulb. Refer to Exterior bulbs in the Maintenance and care chapter. 8 Instrumentation High beams Illuminates when the high beam headlamps are turned on. Anti-theft system (if equipped) Refer to SecuriLock passive anti-theft system in the Controls and features chapter. THEFT Charging system Illuminates when the ignition is turned to the ON position and the engine is off. The light also illuminates when the battery is not charging properly, requiring electrical system service. Check gauge Illuminates when the engine coolant CHECK temperature is high, the engine oil pressure is low or the fuel gauge is GAGE at or near empty. The ignition must be in the ON position for this lamp to illuminate. The lamp will also illuminate for several seconds after the ignition is turned to the ON position. Refer to Engine coolant temperature gauge, Engine oil pressure gauge or Fuel gauge in this chapter for more information. Four wheel drive low (if equipped) This light momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned to ON. Illuminates when four-wheel drive low is engaged. If the light continues to flash have the system serviced. 4WD LOW 9 Instrumentation Four wheel drive high (if equipped) This light momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned to ON. Illuminates when four-wheel drive high is engaged. If the light continues to flash have the system serviced. Door ajar Illuminates when the ignition is in the ON or START position and any door is open. 4WD HIGH DOOR AJAR O/D off (if equipped) Illuminates when the transmission control switch has been pushed. O/D When the light is on, the OFF transmission does not shift into overdrive. If the light does not come on when the transmission control switch is depressed or if the light flashes when you are driving, have your vehicle serviced. Check air suspension (if equipped) Illuminates momentarily when the ignition is turned to the ON position and the engine is OFF. The light also illuminates when the air suspension system requires servicing. For information, refer to Air suspension system in the Driving chapter. CHECK SUSP Speed control This light comes on when either the SPEED SET/ACCEL or RESUME controls are pressed. It turns off when the CONT speed control OFF control is pressed, the brake is applied or the ignition is turned to the OFF position. 10 Instrumentation Safety belt warning chime Chimes to remind you to fasten your safety belts. For information on the safety belt warning chime, refer to the Seating and safety restraints chapter. Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning chime For information on the SRS warning chime, refer to the Seating and safety restraints chapter. Key-in-ignition warning chime Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC position and the driver's door is opened. Headlamps on warning chime Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are on, the ignition is off (and the key is not in the ignition) and the driver's door is opened. GAUGES CHECK GAGE DOOR AJAR 4 H CHECK ENGINE 5 6 40 30 20 10 50 60 60 70 000 80 100 120 140 80 90 160 3 2 1 RPMx1000 C 40 000000 100 1 10 H L H CHECK SUSP SPEED CONT 4WD HIGH 4WD LOW 20 180 FUEL RESET F E ABS 0 ! BRAKE MPH km/h 120 THEFT P RND 21 L O/D OFF 11 Instrumentation Speedometer Indicates the current vehicle speed. 50 40 60 60 70 000 80 100 120 140 80 90 160 30 20 10 40 000000 100 1 10 20 180 MPH km/h 120 Engine coolant temperature gauge Indicates the temperature of the engine coolant. At normal operating temperature, the needle remains within the normal area (the area between the "H" and "C"). If it enters the red section, the engine is overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, switch off the engine immediately and let the engine cool. Refer to Engine coolant in the Maintenance and care chapter. H C Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is running or hot. This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level the gauge indication will not be accurate. 12 Instrumentation Odometer Registers the total kilometers (miles) of the vehicle. 40 60 50 30 20 10 60 70 000 80 100 120 140 80 90 160 40 000000 100 1 10 20 180 MPH km/h 120 Trip odometer Registers the kilometers (miles) of individual journeys. To reset, depress the control. 20 10 50 40 60 60 70 000 80 100 120 140 80 90 160 30 40 000000 100 1 10 20 180 MPH km/h 120 Tachometer Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute. Driving with your tachometer pointer continuously at the top of the scale may damage the engine. 4 3 2 1 0 5 6 RPMx1000 13 Instrumentation Battery voltage gauge This gauge shows the battery voltage when the ignition is in the ON position. If the pointer moves and stays outside the normal operating range (as indicated), have the vehicle's electrical system checked as soon as possible. H L Engine oil pressure gauge This shows the engine oil pressure in the system. Sufficient pressure exists as long as the needle remains in the normal range (the area between the "L" and "H"). H If the gauge indicates low pressure, stop the vehicle as soon as safely L possible and switch off the engine immediately. Check the oil level. Add oil if needed (refer to Engine oil in the Maintenance and care chapter). If the oil level is correct, have your vehicle checked at your dealership or by a qualified technician. Fuel gauge Displays approximately how much fuel is in the fuel tank (when the key is in the ON position). The fuel gauge may vary slightly when the vehicle is in motion. The ignition should be in the OFF position while the vehicle is being refueled. When the gauge first indicates empty, there is a small amount of reserve fuel in the tank. When refueling the vehicle from empty indication, the amount of fuel that can be added will be less than the advertised capacity due to the reserve fuel. The FUEL DOOR icon and arrow indicates which side of the vehicle the fuel filler door is located. F E 14 Instrumentation MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED) With the ignition in the ON position, the message center displays important vehicle information through a constant monitor of vehicle systems. You may select display features on the message center for a display of status preceded by a brief indicator chime. The system will also notify you of potential vehicle problems with a display of system warnings. Selectable features FUEL ENGLISH METRIC RANGE STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM CHECK OIL CHANGE RESET English/metric display Press to toggle the message center display between metric or English units. FUEL ENGLISH/ METRIC RANGE STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM CHECK OIL CHANGE RESET Fuel range Press once to display the approximate kilometers (miles) left to drive before the fuel tank is empty. Press again to display the distance driven since this function was last manually reset. FUEL ENGLISH/ METRIC RANGE STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM CHECK OIL CHANGE RESET 15 Instrumentation For maximum accuracy of this display feature, the ignition should be in the OFF position during fueling. The display FUEL LEVEL ERROR indicates a problem with the fuel indication system. See your dealer or qualified service technician for system maintenance. Fuel status Press once to display the approximate amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank. Press again to display the approximate amount of fuel used since the system was last reset. FUEL ENGLISH/ METRIC RANGE STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM CHECK OIL CHANGE RESET Fuel economy Press to display your vehicle's average fuel economy in liters/100 km or (miles/gallons). FUEL ENGLISH/ METRIC RANGE STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM CHECK OIL CHANGE RESET Reset Press the reset control to reset the current feature being displayed. Warnings, distance driven, average fuel economy, fuel used and personalized oil reset percentage are the only features that respond to reset. FUEL ENGLISH/ METRIC RANGE STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM CHECK OIL CHANGE RESET 16 Instrumentation System check Press the system check control to display the status of the following systems: · engine oil life left · engine oil level · voltage level · engine coolant temperature · washer fluid level · fuel level The engine oil life left has two phases. The first display will indicate the oil change status (OK, SOON, REQUIRED). The second display will indicate the percentage of oil life remaining. The display OIL TEMP SIGNAL ERROR indicates a problem with the system. Following this display, contact your dealer or qualified service technician for system maintenance. FUEL ENGLISH/ METRIC RANGE STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM CHECK OIL CHANGE RESET Operating the message center during system check The message center controls can be operated as follows during the system check sequence: 1. Press the system check controls to advance to the next display. 2. Press the reset control to immediately conclude the system check. 3. Press the range, fuel status or fuel economy control to conclude the system check and display the requested feature. 4. Press the metric/English control to conclude the system check and change the previous display to the new mode. 5. Press the oil change reset control to conclude the system check and begin the oil change reset procedure. An oil change is recommended whenever indicated by the message center. Use only recommended engine oils. The message center will tell you the percent of oil life left during system check. This percentage is based on your driving history and the time since your last oil change. In order to ensure accurate oil life left indications, you should only perform the following procedure after you have the oil changed. 17 Instrumentation Oil change reset Press the OIL CHANGE RESET control to reset the oil life feature to 100% (or your personalized oil reset percentage) (at optimal driving conditions, 100% oil life is equivalent to a maximum of 12 000 kilometers [7 500 miles]). After you have the oil changed, you must press and hold the OIL CHANGE RESET control for five seconds. The message center will count down for five seconds. After a successful reset, the message center will display OIL LIFE RESET TO 100%. (If you have established a personalized oil reset percentage, the display will show that percentage instead of 100%.) This reset procedure should be performed only after an oil change to ensure accurate oil life indications. Your personalized oil reset percentage allows you to establish a smaller oil change interval than the manufacturer's recommended interval. To establish your personalized oil reset percentage: 1. Press and hold the OIL CHANGE RESET control and press the RESET control while the display is still counting down the 5 seconds to reset. The display will change to START OIL LIFE AT XXX%. 2. Press the OIL CHANGE RESET control until the displayed percentage is the personalized oil reset percentage you desire. Your choices are 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40% and 30%. 3. Press the RESET control to complete the procedure. Pressing any control other than RESET or OIL CHANGE RESET will abort this procedure and will not establish your new personalized oil reset percentage. When your personalized oil reset percentage has been established, it will be used beginning with the completion of your next OIL CHANGE RESET procedure. FUEL ENGLISH/ METRIC RANGE STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM CHECK OIL CHANGE RESET FUEL ENGLISH/ METRIC RANGE STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM CHECK OIL CHANGE RESET 18 Controls and features HEADLAMP CONTROL Rotate the headlamp control to the first position to turn on the parking lamps. Rotate to the second position to also turn on the headlamps. OFF Foglamp control (if equipped) Turn on the low-beam headlamps and press the foglamp control to activate the foglamps. The foglamp control will illuminate when the foglamps are on. Press the foglamp control a second time to deactivate the foglamps. Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped) Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output. To activate: · the engine must be running and · the headlamp control is in the OFF or Parking lamps position. Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during inclement weather. The Daytime Running Light (DRL) System does not activate your tail lamps and generally may not provide adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision. High beams Push forward to activate. 19 Controls and features Flash to pass Pull toward you to activate and release to deactivate. PANEL DIMMER CONTROL Use to adjust the brightness of the instrument panel during headlamp and parklamp operation. · Rotate up to brighten. · Rotate down to dim. · Rotate to full down position to turn off. CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM DIM Manual heating and air conditioning system (if equipped) OFF A/C MAX A/C Fan speed control Controls the volume of air circulated in the vehicle. 20