engine FORD EXPLORER 1997 2.G Owner's Manual

Make sure the following lights
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is
fastened, the
light does not
illuminate.
STARTING
Special conditions when
starting
Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 5 (Start)
without pressing the accelerator
and release as soon as the engine
starts. The key will return to 4
(On).
2. If the engine does not start
within five seconds, wait ten
seconds and try again.
3. If the engine does not start in
two attempts OR the temperature
is below Ð12ÉC (10ÉF), depress
0ABS
- +
P RND21RPM x 1000
12345
6- +
H
H
L LH
C
F
E
!BRAKE
CHECK
GAGE
0
20
1030405060
70
80
90
110
120000000
oooo
10020406080100
120
140
160
180
MPH km/hDOOR
AJARCHECK
GAUGE
O/D
OFF4WD
LOW 4WD SPEED
CONT
3
2
1
5
4
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Starting
115

accelerator and start the engine
while holding the accelerator
down. Release accelerator when
engine starts.
4. After idling for a few seconds,
apply the brake and release the
parking brake.
Using the engine block heater
(if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the
engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine
faster and allows the
heater-defroster system to respond
quickly. They are strongly
recommended if you live in a
region where temperatures reach
Ð23ÉC (±10ÉF) or below.
For best results, plug the heater in
at least three hours before starting
the vehicle. Using the heater for
longer than three hours will not
harm the engine, so the heater can
be plugged in the night before
starting the vehicle.
To prevent electrical
shock, do not use your
heater with ungrounded
electrical systems or
two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
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Starting
116

UNDERSTANDING THE
TRACTION-LOKTREAR AXLE
(IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction
on slippery surfaces, particularly
when one or more wheels are on a
surface with poor traction.
Extended use of other than
matching size tires on a
Traction-Loktrear axle could
result in a permanent reduction in
effectiveness. This loss of
effectiveness does not affect
normal driving and should not be
noticeable to the driver.
To avoid injury, never run
the engine with one wheel
off the ground, such as when
changing a tire.
AUTOMATIC RIDE CONTROL
SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The Automatic Ride Control
System is designed to improve
ride, handling and general vehicle
performance for both on and
off-road conditions by adjusting
vehicle ride height and shock
dampening (firm or soft).
The system automatically controls
vehicle ride height over a range
based on vehicle speed and the
selections of four wheel drive
modes or the Ride Control switch.
The system keeps the vehicle at a
constant level if a load is added or
removed from the vehicle. Shock
dampening is automatically set
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Driving
119

the brake pedal is depressed. If
you cannot move the gearshift
lever from P (Park) with the brake
pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition key to Lock,
then remove the key.
3. Insert the key and turn the
ignition off.
4. Apply the brake pedal and shift
into N (Neutral).
5. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use this
procedure to move the gearshift
lever , it is possible that a fuse
may have blown and the vehicle's
brakelamps may not be working.
Refer toFuses and relaysin the
Roadside emergencieschapter.
Driving (4R70W
transmission-5.0L engines only)
DOverdriveThe normal driving
position for the best fuel economy.
Transmission operates in gears one
through four.
Dcan be deactivated by pressing
the switch selector lever. The
O/D
OFFlight will illuminate.
D DriveNot shown on the display.
Activate by pressing the
transmission control switch.
O/D
OFFwill illuminate in the
instrument cluster. Transmission
operates in gears one through
three. D (Drive) provides more
engine braking than
D(Overdrive) and is useful when
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Driving
122

towing a trailer or heavy loads
through heavy terrain.
To return to
D(Overdrive)
mode, press the transmission
control switch.
O/D
OFFwill remain off.
When starting your vehicle, the
transmission will automatically
return to normal
D(Overdrive)
mode.
2 SecondUse the 2 (Second)
position to start-up on slippery
roads or to provide additional
braking on downgrades.
Transmission operates in gears one
and two.
1 LowUse the 1 (Low) position to
provide maximum engine braking
on steep downgrades. Upshifts may
be made by shifting to the 2
(Second) position or to
D(Overdrive). Selecting the 1
(Low) position at higher speeds
causes the transmission to
downshift through the gears and
will shift to 1 (Low) after the
vehicle decelerates to the proper
speed.
Driving (5R55E
transmission-4.0L engines only)
DOverdriveThe normal driving
position for the best fuel economy.
Transmission operates in gears one
through five.
Dcan be deactivated by pressing
the transmission control switch on
the selector lever. The
O/D
OFFwill
illuminate.
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Driving
123

D DriveNot shown on the display.
Activate by pressing the
transmission control switch.
O/D
OFFwill illuminate in the
instrument cluster. Transmission
operates in gears one through four.
D (Drive) provides more engine
braking than
D(Overdrive) and
is useful when towing a trailer or
heavy loads through heavy terrain.
To return to
D(Overdrive)
mode, press the transmission
control switch.
O/D
OFFwill turn off.
When starting your vehicle, the
transmission will automatically
return to normal
D(Overdrive)
mode.
2 SecondUse the 2 (Second)
position to start-up on slippery
roads or to provide additional
braking on downgrades.
Transmission operates in third
gear.
1 LowUse the 1 (Low) position to
provide maximum engine braking
on steep downgrades. Upshifts may
be made by shifting to the 2
(Second) position or to
D(Overdrive). Selecting the 1
(Low) position at high speeds
causes the transmission to
downshift through the gears and
will shift to 1 (Low) after the
vehicle decelerates to the proper
speed.
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Driving
124

Driving a manual transmission
(if equipped)
Using the clutch
Vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission have a starter
interlock that prevents cranking
the engine unless the clutch pedal
is fully depressed.
When starting a vehicle with a
manual transmission:
1. Put the gearshift lever in N
(Neutral).
2. Hold down the brake pedal.
3. Depress the clutch pedal.
4. Crank the engine and let it idle
for a few seconds.
²Put the gearshift in 1 (First) or
R (Reverse).
5. Release the clutch slowly while
pressing gradually down on the
accelerator pedal.
²Do not drive with your foot
resting on the clutch pedal. Do
not use the clutch to hold your
vehicle at a standstill while
waiting on a hill. These actions
may reduce clutch life.
Recommended shift speeds
Upshifts when accelerating (for best fuel economy)
Shift from:Transfer case position
4AUTO or 4H 4L
1-214 km/h (10
mph)5 km/h (4 mph)
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Driving
125

Driving Through Water
Do not drive quickly through
standing water, especially if the
depth is unknown. Traction or
brake capability may be limited
and if the ignition system gets wet,
your engine may stall. Water may
also enter your engine's air intake
and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of
the hubs (truck) / wheel rims
(car).
Once through the water, always try
the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry
brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while
applying light pressure on the
brake pedal.
Driving on hill or slope terrain
When driving on a hill, avoid
driving crosswise or turning on
steep slopes. You could lose
traction and slip sideways. Drive
straight up, straight down or avoid
the hill completely. Know the
conditions on the other side of a
hill before driving over the crest.
When climbing a steep hill, start in
a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from
a higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibility of
stalling.
Driving
132

Allow more stopping distance and
drive slower than usual. Consider
using one of the lower gears.
Control trac system indicator
lights
4WD and 4WD LOW indicator
lights are located in the instrument
cluster. If either light flashes, see
your dealer or qualified service
technician.
The indicator lights will also
illuminate under the following
conditions:
²4WD AUTO modeÐ Neither
light will illuminate.
²4WD HIGH modeÐ Only the
4WD high light illuminates.
²4WD LOW modeÐ The 4WD
LOW light illuminates.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD)
SYSTEM (5.0L ENGINES ONLY)
Your vehicle is equipped with an
all wheel drive (AWD) transfer
case. Power is constantly supplied
to all four wheels through the
transfer case. The AWD system is
full time and has no external
controls.
Like all utility type vehicles, your
AWD vehicle has special design
and equipment features that make
it capable of performing in a
variety of off-road applications.
Specific design characteristics give
these vehicles higher centers of
gravity than ordinary passenger
cars.
4WD
4WD
LOW
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Driving
134

²GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) ÐCarrying capacity
for each axle system (front and
rear). The GAWR is specific to
each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label on the driver door pillar.
²GCW (Gross Combined
Weight) ÐThe GCW is the
maximum combined weight of
the towing vehicle (including
passengers and cargo) and the
loaded trailer. The GCW is
specified by the manufacturer to
indicate the combined maximum
loaded weight that the vehicle is
designed to tow.
Payload = GVWR minus Base
curb weight
To obtain the correct weights for
your vehicle, try taking your
vehicle to a shipping company or
an inspection station for trucks.
Do not use replacement tires with
lower weight capacities than the
originals because they might lower
the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR.
(Replacement tires with a higher
weight limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR or the
GAWR limitations.)
In high altitudes, engines will lose
power at a rate of 3% power per
300 m (1000 ft) increase in
elevation. A reduction in GVW and
GCW is recommended for
maximum vehicle performance.
Driving
136