User manual FORD EXPLORER

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 Reporting safety defects Index 156 197 205 206 99 104 135 2 4 21 72 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 1997 Ford Motor Company Elemental Chlorine Free 1 Introduction ICONS Indicates a warning. Read the following section on Warnings for a full explanation. 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. 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. If possible, you should avoid full use of the brakes for the first 1 600 km (1 000 miles). 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. 2 Introduction 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. 11) 4 5 6 50 60 70 40 oooo 100 80 60 40 120 H C 2 1 3 UNLEADED FUEL ONLY 80 140 30 20 10 20 H 90 180 000000 160 100 110 200 F E 0 H OFF RSM ON SET ACC OFF COAST SRS Headlamp control (pg. 21) Tilt steering wheel lever (pg. 41) Instrument panel dimmer switch (pg. 22) Turn signal and wiper/washer control (pg. 35) Driver side air bag (pg. 82) 4 Instrumentation Electronic sound system; refer to Audio Guide (pg. 34) Rear window defroster control (pg. 34) Rear window/washer control (pg. 42) Gearshift (includes overdrive button) (pg. 108) OD ON/OFF VOL ­ PUSH ON AM FM BASS TREB FM 1 CLK BAL FADE AUTO SET PUSH SEEK TUNE DISCS SCAN EJ DOLBY SYSTEM TAPE CD REW 1 FF 2 SIDE 1-2 3 4 COMP 5 SHUFFLE 6 LO OFF HI Climate controls (pg. 43) Foglamp control* (page 21) 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 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. 6 Instrumentation 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. 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 key 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. FUEL RESET 7 Instrumentation 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. Safety belt Momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned ON 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 ON and the engine is off. Also illuminates when the parking brake is engaged. Illumination after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level. Anti-lock brake system (ABS) Momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned on and the engine is off. If the light remains on, continues to flash or fails to illuminate, have the system serviced immediately. ! BRAKE ABS 8 Instrumentation 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, check for a burned-out turn signal bulb. Refer to Exterior bulbs in the Maintenance and care chapter. High beams Illuminates when the high beam headlamps are turned on. Anti-theft system (if equipped) Refer to Anti-theft system in the Controls and features chapter. THEFT Charging system Momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned ON and the engine is off. The light also illuminates when the battery is not charging properly, requiring electrical system service. 9 Instrumentation Check gage Illuminates when the key is in the CHECK ON position and the engine coolant temperature is high, the engine oil GAGE pressure is low or the fuel level is near empty. 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) Illuminates when four-wheel drive low is engaged. 4WD LOW Four wheel drive high (if equipped) Illuminates when four-wheel drive high is engaged. 4WD HIGH Door ajar Illuminates when the ignition switch is in the ON or START position and any door is open. DOOR AJAR 10 Instrumentation O/D off (if equipped) Illuminates when the transmission control switch has been pushed. When the light is on, the 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. Speed control (if equipped) This light comes on when either the SET/ACCEL or RESUME controls are pressed. It turns off when the speed control OFF control is pressed, the brake is applied or the ignition is turned to the OFF position. O/D OFF SPEED CONT 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. 11 Instrumentation 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 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 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 12 Instrumentation 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 ignition and let the engine cool. Refer to Engine coolant in the Maintenance and care chapter. Never remove the coolant recovery 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 or mixture, the gauge indication will not be accurate. Odometer Registers the total kilometers (miles) of the vehicle. 40 60 H C 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 13 Instrumentation 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 in the red zone may damage the engine. 4 3 2 1 0 5 6 RPMx1000 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 14 Instrumentation 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 ``H'' and ``L''). 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 Checking and adding 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 15 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. FUEL ENGLISH METRIC RANGE STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM CHECK OIL CHANGE RESET Selectable features 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 16 Instrumentation 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. 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 ENGLISH/ METRIC RANGE STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM CHECK OIL CHANGE RESET 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 17 Instrumentation Fuel economy Press once to display your vehicle's average fuel economy in kilometers/liters (miles/gallons). Press again to display the fuel economy that your vehicle is getting at that particular time. Your vehicle must be moving in order for this display to function properly. 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 18 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 · automatic ride control (if equipped) · 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 19 Instrumentation indications, you should only perform the following procedure after you have the oil changed. Oil change reset Press the OIL CHANGE RESET control to reset the oil life feature to 100% (or your personalized oil reset percentage). 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%. 1. 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 20 Controls and features HEADLAMP CONTROL Rotate the headlamp control clockwise to the first position to turn on the parking lamps only. 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 button 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 highbeam headlamps on with a reduced output. To activate: · the engine must be running · the headlamp control is in the OFF or Parking lamps position. The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system will not illuminate the tail lamps and parking lamps. Turn on your headlamps at dusk. Failure to do so may result in a collision. 21 Controls and features High beams Push forward to activate. 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 headlight and parklamp operation. · Rotate up to brighten. · Rotate down to dim. Use to control the dome lamps. · Rotate all the way up to turn on. · Rotate all the way down to override. DIM 22 Controls and features CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM 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. Temperature control knob Controls the temperature of the airflow inside the vehicle. Mode selector control Controls the direction of the airflow to the inside of the vehicle. OFF A/C MAX A/C The air conditioning compressor will operate in all modes except . However, the air conditioning will only function if the outside temperature is about 10°C (50°F) or above. and 23 Controls and features Since the air conditioner removes considerable moisture from the air during operation, it is normal if clear water drips on the ground under the air conditioner drain while the system is working and even after you have stopped the vehicle. Under normal conditions, your vehicle's climate control system should be left in any position other than MAX A/C or OFF when the vehicle is parked. This allows the vehicle to ``breathe'' through the outside air inlet duct. · MAX A/C-Uses recirculated air to cool the vehicle. MAX A/C is noisier than A/C but more economical and will cool the inside of the vehicle faster. Airflow will be from the instrument panel registers. This mode can also be used to prevent undesirable odors from entering the vehicle. · A/C-Uses outside air to cool the vehicle. It is quieter than MAX A/C but not as economical. Airflow will be from the instrument panel registers. (Vent)-Distributes outside air through the instrument panel · registers. However, the air will not be cooled below the outside temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in this mode. · OFF-Outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate. For short periods of time only, use this mode to prevent undesirable odors from entering the vehicle. (Panel and floor)-Distributes outside air through the instrument · panel registers and the floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning capabilities are provided in this mode. For added customer comfort, when the temperature control knob is anywhere in between the full hot and full cold positions, the air distributed through the floor ducts will be slightly warmer than the air sent to the instrument panel registers. (Floor)-Allows for maximum heating by distributing outside air · through the floor ducts. However, the air will not be cooled below the outside temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in this mode. · (Floor and defrost)-Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster ducts and the floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning capabilities are provided in this mode. For added customer comfort, when the temperature control knob is anywhere in between the full hot and full cold positions, the air distributed through 24 Controls and features the floor ducts will be slightly warmer than the air sent to the instrument panel registers. If the temperature is about 10°C (50°F) or higher, the air conditioner will automatically dehumidify the air to prevent fogging. · -Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster ducts. It can be used to clear ice or fog from the windshield. If the temperature is about 10°C (50°F) or higher, the air conditioner will automatically dehumidify the air to prevent fogging. Operating tips · In humid weather, select before driving. This will prevent your windshield from fogging. After a few minutes, select any desired position. · To prevent humidity buildup inside the vehicle, don't drive with the climate control system in the OFF position. · Don't put objects under the front seat that will interfere with the airflow to the back seats. · Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area (at the bottom of the windshield under the hood). · If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during hot weather, the air conditioner will do a much faster job of cooling if you drive for two or three minutes with the windows open. This will force most of the hot, stale air out of the vehicle. Then operate your air conditioner as you would normally. · When placing objects on top of your instrument panel, be careful to not place them over the defroster outlets. These objects can block airflow and reduce your ability to see through your windshield. Also, avoid placing small objects on top of your instrument panel. These objects can fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow and possibly damage your climate control system. 25 Controls and features Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC) system (if equipped) The EATC system will maintain a °F selected temperature and AUTO automatically control airflow. You can override automatic operation with any of the override controls, the fan speed control or the steering wheel controls. REAR FAN OFF MAX A/C VENT PNL · FLR FLOOR FLR · DEF OFF HI AUTOMATIC DEF LO Turning the EATC on Press AUTOMATIC, any of the override controls or the fan speed control. The EATC will only operate when the ignition is in the ON position. °F REAR FAN OFF OFF HI AUTO AUTOMATIC MAX A/C VENT PNL · FLR FLOOR FLR · DEF DEF LO Turning the EATC off Press OFF. OFF HI AUTOMATIC FLR · DEF DEF LO Automatic operation Press AUTOMATIC and select the desired temperature. The selected temperature and the word AUTO will appear in the display window. The EATC system will either heat or cool to achieve the selected temperature. The system will automatically determine fan speed, airflow location and if fresh outside air or recirculated air is required. Fan speed 26 Controls and features remains automatic unless the fan speed thumbwheel is turned or the steering wheel fan speed control is pressed. When in AUTOMATIC and weather conditions require heat, air will be sent to the floor. However, if the engine is not warm enough to provide heat, the fan will be at a low speed and the air will be directed to the windshield. In 3½ minutes or less, the fan speed will start to increase and the airflow location will change to the floor area. If unusual conditions exist (i.e.-window fogging, etc.), the manual override controls allow you to select airflow locations and the fan control allows you to adjust fan speed as necessary. Temperature selection The display window indicates the selected temperature, function (AUTO or one of the override controls) and manual control of fan speed ( ) if automatic fan speed is not desired. To control the temperature, select any temperature between 18°C (65°F) and 29°C (85°F) by pressing the blue (cooler) or red (warmer) buttons. REAR FAN OFF °F AUTO MAX A/C VENT PNL · FLR For continuous maximum cooling, push the blue button until 16°C (60°F) is shown in the display window. The EATC will continue maximum cooling (disregarding the displayed temperature) until a warmer temperature is selected by pressing the red button. For continuous maximum heating, push the red button until 32°C (90°F) is shown in the display window. The EATC will continue maximum heating (disregarding the displayed temperature) until a cooler temperature is selected by pressing the blue button. 27 Controls and features Temperature conversion Press MAX A/C and DEF at the same time (for one second) to switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius. OFF HI REAR FAN OFF AUTO AUTOMATIC MAX A/C VENT PNL · FLR FLOOR FLR · DEF DEF LO If your vehicle has an English/Metric (E/M) control, this control will also change the temperature display Fan speed ( ) When AUTOMATIC is pressed, fan speed is adjusted automatically for existing conditions. You can override fan speed at any time. To control fan speed manually, use the thumbwheel or steering wheel control to cancel automatic fan speed operation. Rotate the thumbwheel up for higher fan speed or down for lower fan speed. Press the steering wheel fan speed control up for higher fan speed or down for lower fan speed. to indicate The display will show manual fan operation. OFF HI AUTOMATIC FLR · DEF DEF LO °F AUTO To return to automatic fan operation, press AUTOMATIC. 28 Controls and features Manual override controls The override controls are located at the bottom of the EATC and allow you to determine where airflow is directed. To return to full automatic control, press AUTOMATIC. °F REAR FAN OFF OFF