FORD EXPLORER 1998 2.G Owners Manual

Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could result in
engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss of
control, and personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer, and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your dealer or a reliable trailer
dealer if you require assistance.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10 ± 15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
Use a frame-mounted weight distributing hitch for trailers over
907 kg (2 000 lb).
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the vehicle. To connect the
trailer's safety chains, cross the chains under the trailer tongue and allow
slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type brakes are safe if
installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and Federal regulations.
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
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Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Never connect any trailer lighting to the vehicle's taillamp
circuits, because it may damage the electrical system resulting in
fire. Contact your local Ford dealership for assistance in proper trailer
tow wiring installation. Additional electrical equipment may be
required.
Using a step bumper
The rear bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and requires only a
ball with a 19 mm (3/4 inch) shank diameter. The bumper has a 1 590 kg
(3 500 lb.) trailer weight and 159 kg (350 lb.) tongue weight capability.
Use a frame-mounted weight distributing hitch for trailers over 1 590 kg
(3 500 lb).
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h (55 mph) when towing a trailer.
Speed control may shut off if you are towing on long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
²Use a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills. This will
eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to the Severe Duty Schedule in your
``Service Guide'' for more information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area before starting on
a trip to get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other
obstacles.
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²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or 1 (First)
(manual transmissions) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval,
²Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper and
²Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (six inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
If the rear axle is submerged in water, the rear axle lubricant should be
checked and changed, if necessary. The rear axle is filled with a
synthetic lubricant and does not normally require a lubricant change for
the life of the vehicle. Rear axle lubricant quantities should not need to
be checked unless a leak is suspected.
Recreational towing (all wheels on the ground)
(Neutral tow kit accessory)
On vehicles equipped with a 4.0L engine, an accessory is available that
allows you to tow your vehicle, behind another vehicle, with all the
wheels on the ground. Contact your dealer for more details. Do not tow
your vehicle with all wheels on the ground unless you install the neutral
tow kit as vehicle damage may occur.
LUGGAGE RACK
Maximum load is 45 kg (100 lbs), evenly distributed. If it is not possible
to distribute the load, position it as far rearward as possible. Adjustable
tie down loops must be used to secure the load.
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To adjust cross-bar position:
1. Loosen the thumbwheel at both
ends of the cross-bar (both
cross-bars are adjustable).
2. Slide cross-bar to the desired
location.
3. Tighten thumbwheel at both ends
of the cross-bar.
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Fuel economy can be improved by avoiding:
²lack of regular, scheduled maintenance.
²excessive speed.
²rapid acceleration.
²extended idle.
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HAZARD LIGHTS CONTROL
Use only in an emergency to warn traffic of vehicle breakdown,
approaching danger, etc. The hazard flashers can be operated when the
ignition is off.
²The hazard lights control is
located on top of the steering
column.
²Depress hazard lights control to
activate all hazard flashers
simultaneously.
²Depress control again to turn the
flashers off.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
If the engine cranks but does not start after a collision, the fuel pump
shut-off switch may have been activated. The ``Fuel Reset'' indicator light
will illuminate in the instrument cluster. The shut-off switch is a device
intended to stop the electric fuel pump when your vehicle has been
involved in a substantial jolt.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
2. Check the fuel system for leaks.
3. If no fuel leak is apparent, reset the fuel pump shut-off switch by
pushing in the button on the switch.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. Pause for a few seconds
and return the key to the OFF position.
5. Make a further check for leaks in the fuel system.
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The fuel pump shut-off switch is
located in the passenger's foot well,
behind the kick panel.
FUSES AND RELAYS
Fuses
If electrical components in the
vehicle are not working, a fuse may
have blown. Blown fuses are
identified by a broken wire within
the fuse. Check the appropriate
fuses before replacing any electrical
components.
Always replace a fuse with one that has the specified amperage
rating. Using a fuse with a higher amperage rating can cause
severe wire damage and could start a fire.
1515
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136

Standard fuse amperage rating and color
Fuse rating Color
5 amp Tan
7.5 amp Brown
10 amp Red
15 amp Light blue
20 amp Yellow
20 amp fuse link Light blue
25 amp Natural
30 amp Light green
30 amp fuse link Pink
40 amp fuse link Green
50 amp fuse link Red
60 amp fuse link Yellow
80 amp fuse link Black
100 amp fuse link Dark blue
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Passenger compartment fuse panel
The fuse panel is located on the left
hand side of the instrument panel
facing the driver's side door. Pull the
panel cover outward to access the
fuses.
To remove a fuse use the fuse puller tool provided on the fuse panel
cover.
1 234
5 678
9 101112
13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24
25 26
29 30
35 36
313233
34
27 28
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The fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
1 7.5A Power Mirror Switch, Power Antenna
2 7.5A Blower Motor Relay, Air Bag Diagnostic
Monitor
3 7.5A Left Stop/Turn Trailer Tow Connector
4 10A Left Headlamp
5 10A Data Link Connector (DLC)
6 7.5A Rear Blower Motor (Without EATC)
7 7.5A Right Stop/Turn Trailer Tow Connector
8 10A Right Headlamp, Foglamp Relay
9 7.5A Brake Pedal Position Switch
10 7.5A Speed Control/Amplifier Assembly, Brake
Pressure Switch, Generic electronic
Module (GEM), Shift Lock Actuator,
Blend Door Actuator, A/C - Heater
Assembly, Flasher
11 7.5A Instrument Cluster
12 7.5A Power Window Relay, Washer Pump
Relay
13 20A Brake Pedal Position Switch, Brake
Pressure Switch
14 10A 4 Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System
(4WABS) Module, 4WABS Main Relay
15 7.5A Instrument Cluster
16 30A Windshield Wiper Motor, Wiper Hi-Lo
Relay, Wiper Run/Park Relay
17 25A Cigar Lighter
18 25A Drivers Unlock Relay, All Unlock Relay,
All Lock Relay
19 25A PCM Power Diode
20 7.5A RAP Module, Generic Electronic Module
(GEM), Radio, Cellular Phone
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
21 15A Flasher (Hazard)
22 20A Auxiliary Power Socket
23 - NOT USED
24 7.5A Clutch Pedal Position (CPP) Switch,
Starter Interrupt Relay, Anti-Theft
25 7.5A Generic Electronic Module (GEM),
Instrument Cluster, Securi-Lock
26 10A Battery Saver Relay, Electronic Shift
Relay, Interior Lamp Relay, Power
Window Relay, Electronic Shift Control
Module
27 15A DRL, Backup Lamps Switch, DTR
Sensor, GEM, Electric Shift
28 7.5A Generic Electronic Module (GEM),
Radio, Memory Seat
29 25A Radio
30 15A Park Lamp/Trailer Tow Relay
31 - NOT USED
32 10A Heated Mirror
33 15A Headlamps, Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) Module, Instrument Cluster
34 7.5A Rear Integrated Control Panel, CD
35 7.5A Rear Blower Motor (With EATC)
36 7.5A EATC Memory, CD, Rear Integrated
Control Panel, Memory Seat, Message
Center
Roadside emergencies
140