check oil FORD EXPLORER 2011 5.G Owners Manual
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Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Service Engine SoonEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check Fuel CapLow Tire Pressure
Warning
Introduction
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Charging system (RTT):
Illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly. If it stays on
while the engine is running, there
may be a malfunction with the charging system. Contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible. This indicates a problem with the electrical
system or a related component.
Engine oil pressure (RTT):
Illuminates when the oil pressure
falls below the normal range, refer
toEngine oilin theMaintenance
and Specificationschapter.
AdvanceTrac:Displays when the
AdvanceTrac/Traction control is
active. If the light remains on, have
the system serviced immediately,
refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
AdvanceTracoff light:
Illuminates when
AdvanceTrac/Traction control has
been disabled by the driver. Refer to
theDrivingchapter for more
information.
Low tire pressure warning:
Illuminates when your tire pressure
is low. If the light remains on at
start up or while driving, the tire
pressure should be checked. Refer
toInflating your tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. When
the ignition is first turned to on, the light will illuminate for 3 seconds to
ensure that it is working. If the light does not turn on or begins to flash,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. For more information
on this system, refer toTire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)in
theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Low fuel (RTT):Illuminates when
the fuel level in the fuel tank is at
or near empty. Refer toFuel gauge
in this chapter.
OFF
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Settings (cont’d)
MyKey Create MyKey™ Hold OK to Create MyKey
Traction Control Always On or User Selectable
Max Speed 80 MPH (130 km/h) or Off
Speed Warning 45 mph (75 km/h), 55 mph
(90 km/h), 65 mph (105 km/h) or
Off
Volume Limiter
Clear MyKeys Hold OK to Clear MyKeys
System Reset Hold OK to
Reset System to
Factory DefaultFactory Default
System Check*
Oil Life
Washer Fluid
Doors
Liftgate
Blind spot
Cross Traffic
Brakes
Fuel
The number of warnings will be listed first. All active warnings will
display first if applicable. The system check menu may appear different
based upon equipment options and current vehicle status. Use the
up/down arrow buttons to scroll through the list; press the right arrow
button to display specific information on the highlighted warning.
System warnings and status messages
System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your
vehicle’s operating systems.
In the event of a multiple warning situation, the message center will
cycle the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for four
seconds.
The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages.
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SERVICE ADVANCETRAC— Displayed when the AdvanceTrac
system has detected a condition that requires service. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
SHIFT TO PARK— Displayed when the start/stop button is pressed to
shut off the engine with the shift select lever in any position other than
P (Park). Refer toFast restart featureinPush button start systemin
theDrivingchapter for more information.
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE— Stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible, turn off the engine. Check the oil level. SeeChecking the
engine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on with your engine running,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON— Displayed when the engine oil life
remaining is 10% or less.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED— Displayed when the oil life left reaches 0%.
ENGINE COOLANT OVER TEMP— Displayed when the engine
coolant temperature is excessively high.
WASHER FLUID LEVEL LOW— Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is
less than one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluidin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
TURN POWER OFF TO SAVE BATTERY (if equipped)— Displayed
when the electrical system determines that the battery is at a low level.
Turn off as many of the electrical loads as soon as possible to prevent
automatic shutdown of certain vehicle accessories.
LOW BATTERY FEATURES TEMPORARILY TURNED OFF (if
equipped)— Displayed when the electrical system determines that the
battery is at a low level. Various vehicle features will be disabled to help
preserve the battery. When the vehicle is started or if the battery power
has recovered, the accessories will operate again as normal.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT— Displayed when the tire pressure
monitoring system is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or continues to
come on, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT— Displayed when a tire pressure
sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more information
on how the system operates under these conditions, refer to
Understanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or continues
to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
BUCKLE UP TO UNMUTE AUDIO— Displayed when a MyKey™ is in
use and Belt-Minderis activated. Refer toMyKey™in theLocks and
Securitychapter for more information.
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Units
Distance Miles & Gallons / Kilometers & Liters
Temperature Fahrenheit (°F) / Celsius (°C)
Restore defaults
Hold OK to Restore Settings to Factory Defaults
Information
In this mode, you can view different vehicle system information and
perform a system check.
When Press OK for info is displayed, pressing OK will give you
information on the currently selected/displayed options. Information is
only available when traveling less than 3 mph (5 km/h).
MyKey
Admin Keys (Number of admin keys)
MyKeys (Number of MyKeys programmed)
MyKey Miles (km) (Distance traveled using a programmed MyKey)
System Check*
Oil Life
Wash Fluid
Doors
Liftgate
Blind spot
Cross Traffic
Brakes
Fuel (distance to empty)
*Some items will only display during a system check if a problem has
been detected. If an issue exists on one of the monitored systems, the
message center will display the number of warnings that need immediate
attention in amber. Use the up/down arrow buttons to scroll through the
list.
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CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM— Displayed when the brake system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED— Displayed when the parking brake is set,
the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than 3 mph
(5 km/h). If the warning stays on after the parking brake is released,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM— Displayed when the charging system
needs servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact
your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
TURN POWER OFF TO SAVE BATTERY (if equipped)— Displayed
when the electrical system determines that the battery is at a low level.
Turn off as many of the electrical loads as soon as possible to prevent
automatic shutdown of certain vehicle accessories.
LOW BATTERY FEATURES TEMPORARILY TURNED OFF (if
equipped)— Displayed when the electrical system determines that the
battery is at a low level. Various vehicle features will be disabled to help
preserve the battery. When the vehicle is started or if the battery power
has recovered, the accessories will operate again as normal.
SERVICE ADVANCETRAC— Displayed when the AdvanceTrac
system has detected a condition that requires service. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
SHIFT TO PARK— Displayed when the start/stop button is pressed to
shut off the engine with the shift select lever in any position other than
P (Park). Refer toFast restart featureinPush button start systemin
theDrivingchapter for more information.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON— Displayed when the engine oil life
remaining is 10% or less.
ENGINE COOLANT OVER TEMP— Displayed when the engine
coolant temperature is excessively high.
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE— Stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible, turn off the engine. Check the oil level. SeeChecking the
engine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on with your engine running,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED— Displayed when the oil life left reaches
0%.
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Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of all the bulbs frequently.
Replacing headlamp bulbs
1. Make sure that the headlamp control is in the off position.
2. Open the hood.
3. Remove the bulb cover.
4. Turn the bulb holder
counterclockwise and remove it.
5. Disconnect the electrical connector.
WARNING:Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep
out of children’s reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base
and do not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the
bulb to break the next time the headlamps are operated.
Reverse steps to reinstall bulb(s).
Replacing HID headlamp bulbs (if equipped)
The headlamps on your vehicle use a “high intensity discharge” source.
These lamps operate at a high voltage. When the bulb is burned out, the
bulb and starter capsule assembly must be replaced by your authorized
dealer.
Lights
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•If a ring forms on the fabric after spot cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately (but do not oversaturate) or the ring will set.
•Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of
the seat materials.
WARNING:Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the
vehicle’s safety belts, as these actions may weaken the belt
webbing.
WARNING:On vehicles equipped with seat-mounted airbags, do
not use chemical solvents or strong detergents. Such products
could contaminate the side-airbag system and affect performance of
the side airbag in a collision.
LEATHER SEATS
(IF EQUIPPED, EXCEPT FOR THE KING RANCHEDITION)
For King Ranchleather seats, refer to a separate section in this
chapter.
•Clean spills and stains as quickly as possible.
•For routine cleaning, wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth. For
more thorough cleaning, wipe the surface with a mild soap and water
solution. In Canada, use MotorcraftVinyl Cleaner (CXC-93). Dry the
area with a soft cloth.
•If the leather cannot be completely cleaned using a mild soap and
water solution, the leather may be cleaned using a commercially
available leather cleaning product designed for automotive interiors.
•To check for compatibility, first test any cleaner or stain remover on
an inconspicuous part of the leather.
•Do not use household cleaning products, alcohol solutions, solvents or
cleaners intended for rubber, vinyl and plastics, or oil/petroleum-based
leather conditioners. These products may cause premature wearing or
damage to the leather.
Cleaning
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3. To attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm, align the slot (1) and
cross pin (2) and firmly press the
wiper arm into the wiper blade until
a click is heard.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil level dipstick. See
Identifying components in the
engine compartmentin this
chapter for location of dipstick.
6. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert the dipstick fully, then remove it again.
•If the oil level isbetween the lower and upper holes,the oil level
is acceptable,DO NOT ADD OIL.
•If the oil level is below the lower hole, add enough oil to raise the
level within the lower and upper holes.
•Oil levels above the upper hole may cause engine damage. Some oil
must be removed from the engine by an authorized dealer.
7. Put the dipstick back in and ensure it is fully seated.
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Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
upper hole on the engine oil level dipstick.
4. Install the dipstick and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
until three clicks can be heard.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level dipstick and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Engine oil and filter recommendations
Look for this certification
trademark.
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil
Only use oils certified for gasoline engines by the American Petroleum
Institute (API). An oil with this trademark symbol conforms to the
current engine and emission system protection standards and fuel
economy requirements of the International Lubricant Standardization and
Approval Committee (ILSAC), comprised of U.S. and Japanese
automobile manufacturers.
To protect your engine and engine’s warranty, use MotorcraftSAE
5W-20 or an equivalent SAE 5W-20 oil meeting Ford specification
WSS-M2C930-A.SAE 5W-20 oil provides optimum fuel economy and
durability performance meeting all requirements for your
vehicle’s engine.Refer toMaintenance product specifications and
capacitieslater in this chapter for more information.
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