check engine FORD EXPEDITION 1997 1.G User Guide

are never needed and could, under
certain conditions, lead to engine
damage which is not covered by
your Ford warranty.
Synthetic engine oils which are
CERTIFIED and of the preferred
viscosity may be used in your
engine. The engine oil and oil filter
must still be changed according to
the ªService Guideº.
Checking the engine oil
Check the engine oil each time you
fuel your vehicle.
To check the oil:
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level
ground. If the engine is running,
turn the engine off and wait a few
minutes for the oil to drain into
the oil pan.
2. Set the parking brake and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P.
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself
from engine heat.
exd_checking_engine_oil
Maintenance and care
160

4. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil dipstick.
5. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert
the dipstick fully, then remove it
again. The oil level should be in
the range shown on the dipstick.
6. If the oil level is below the
minimum line, add engine oil as
necessary. If the oil level is beyond
the maximum line, engine damage
or high oil consumption may occur
and some oil must be removed
from the engine by a service
technician.
7. Put the dipstick back in and
ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For
instructions, refer toChecking the
engine oilin this chapter.
2. If the fluid level is not within
the normal range, add only
certified engine oil of the preferred
viscosity. Add engine oil through
the oil filler cap. Remove the filler
cap and use a funnel to pour oil in
the opening.
3. Recheck the oil level. Make sure
the oil level is not above the full
mark on the dipstick.
Continuous contact with
usedmotor oil has caused
cancer in laboratory mice.
FULL ADD
com_adding_engine_oil.01
com_oil_and_filter_change.01
Maintenance and care
161

Changing the engine oil and
filter
Change your engine oil and filter
according to the following
kilometers (mileage) and time
requirements, whichever occurs
first:
²Normal Schedule ± 8,000 km
(5,000 miles) or six months.
²Severe Duty Schedule ± 5,000
km (3,000 miles) or three
months. Severe duty operation
would include extensive idling,
trailer towing, driving in severe
dust and police, taxi or delivery
service.
Ford production and aftermarket
(Motorcraft) oil filters are designed
for added engine protection and
long life. If a replacement oil filter
is used that does not meet Ford
material and design specifications,
startup engine noises or knock
may be experienced.
It is recommended you use the
appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford
specifications) for your engine
application.
Checking and adding brake
fluid
Brake fluid should be checked and
refilled as needed at least once
each year:
exd_fix-me
com_checking-adding_fluid.01
Maintenance and care
162

Washer fluid in the liftgate
reservoir
Washer fluid for liftgate wiper and
washer operation is supplied by
the washer fluid reservoir located
in the engine compartment. For
information on adding fluid to this
main reservoir, refer toWasher
fluid in the windshield reservoir
in this chapter.
CHECKING AND ADDING
ENGINE COOLANT
Adding engine coolant
Do not put engine coolant
in the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
If sprayed on the windshield,
engine coolant could make it
difficult to see through the
windshield.
When the engine is cool, add a
50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and water to the engine coolant
recovery reservoir Ð DO NOT
ADD DIRECTLY TO THE
RADIATOR. Add straight water
only in an emergency, but you
should replace it with a 50/50
mixture of coolant and distilled
water as soon as possible.
COOLANT FILL
LEVEL
exd_coolant
exd_adding_coolant
Maintenance and care
165

Check the coolant level in the
coolant recovery reservoir the next
few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough of a 50/50
mixture of coolant and water to
bring the liquid level to the fill line
on the reservoir.
Never remove the coolant
recovery cap while the
engine is running or hot.
If you must remove the coolant
recovery cap, follow these steps to
avoid personal injury:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn
the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a
thick cloth around the cap. Slowly
turn cap counterclockwise to the
first stop.
3. Step back while the pressure
releases.
4. When you are sure that all the
pressure has been released, use
the cloth to press the cap down,
turn it counterclockwise and
remove it.
Use Ford Premium Cooling System
Fluid E2FZ-19549±AA (in Canada,
Motorcraft CXC-8±B) or an
equivalent premium engine coolant
that meets Ford Specification
ESE-M97B44±A. Ford Premium
Engine Coolant is an optimized
formula that will protect all metals
and rubber elastomers used in
Ford cooling systems for 4 years or
80,000 km(50,000 miles).
Maintenance and care
166

Do not use alcohol or methanol
antifreeze or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. Do not use
supplemental coolant additives in
your vehicle. These additives may
harm your engine cooling system.
The use of an improper coolant
may void the warranty of your
vehicle's engine cooling system.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends
that Ford and Lincoln-Mercury
dealers use recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved
processes. Not all coolant recycling
processes produce coolant which
meets Ford specification
ESE-M97B44±A, and use of such
coolant may harm engine and
cooling system components.
Always dispose of used
automotive fluids in a responsible
manner. Follow your community's
regulations and standards for
recycling and disposing of
automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your
vehicle's cooling system can hold,
refer toRefill capacitiesin the
Capacities and specifications
chapter.
Have your dealer check the engine
cooling system for leaks if you have
to add more than a liter (quart) of
engine coolant per month.
exd_recycled_coolant
exd_refill_capacity
exd_winter_climate
Maintenance and care
167

Severe winter climate
If you drive in extremely cold
climates [less than 36ÉC (34ÉF)], it
may be necessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.
Refer to the chart on the coolant
container to ensure the coolant
concentration in your vehicle is such
that the coolant will not freeze at
the temperature level in which you
drive during winter months. Never
increase the engine coolant
concentration above 60%. Leave a
50/50 mixture of engine coolant and
water in your vehicle year-round in
non-extreme climates.
Checking the cooling system
hoses
Inspect all engine and heater system
hoses and hose connections for:
com_checking_hoses.01
Maintenance and care
168

²deterioration
²leaks
²loose hose clamps
What you should know about
fail-safe cooling
Vehicles equipped with 4.6L, and
5.4L engines have a fail-safe
cooling mode. If the engine coolant
supply is depleted, this feature
allows the vehicle to be driven
temporarily before incremental
component damage is incurred.
The ªfail safeº distance depends on
ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
When fail-safe mode is
activated
²Pull off the road as soon as
possible.
²Immediately turn the engine off
to prevent severe engine
damage.
²Wait for the engine to cool.
²Check the coolant level.
exd_failsafe_cooling
com_activated_failsafe.01
exd_how_failsafe
Maintenance and care
169

How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine overheats, the engine
will automatically switch from
eight to alternating four cylinder
operation. Each disabled cylinder
acts as an air pump and cools the
engine.
When this occurs, the engine
coolant temperature gauge will
move into the red area and the
light illuminates.
The service engine soon light will
illuminate, indicating that vehicle
service is required.
The vehicle will still operate, but
will have limited engine power and
no air conditioning capability.
Continued operation will increase
engine temperature and cause the
engine to completely shut down.
The vehicle will coast to a stop.
As the engine temperature cools,
the engine may be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as
soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
CHECKING AND ADDING
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid
level at least twice a year.
1. Start the engine.
CH
exd_power_steering
Maintenance and care
170

CHECKING AND ADDING
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking and adding automatic
transmission fluid (if equipped)
Service the automatic transmission
according to the scheduled
intervals in the9Service Guide.9
Before adding any fluid, make sure
the correct type will be used. This
information is indicated on the
dipstick.
²4R7OW automatic transmissions
are used with 4.6 L engine
applications.
²E4OD automatic transmissions
are used with 5.4 L engine
applications.
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is below the bottom hole on
the blade type dipstick (4R70W
transmission) or below the COLD
area on the bullet type dipstick
(E4OD transmission) and outside
temperatures are above 10ÉC
(50ÉF).
Your vehicle does not use up
transmission fluid. However, it is
recommended that you check the
transmission fluid at least twice a
year. The fluid level should be
checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the
transmission slips or shifts slowly
or if you notice some sign of fluid
leakage.
It is preferable to check the
transmission fluid level at normal
operating temperature, afterexd_checking_adding_autotrans
Maintenance and care
172