tow FORD EXPLORER 1997 2.G Owner's Guide

²Never wash or rinse the engine
while it is running; water in the
running engine may cause
internal damage.
Cleaning plastic exterior parts
Use a vinyl cleaner for routine
cleaning of plastic. Clean with a tar
remover if necessary. Do not clean
plastic parts with thinners,
solvents or petroleum-based
cleaners.
Cleaning the exterior lamps
Wash the exterior lamps with the
same detergent you used to wash
the exterior of your vehicle. Use
glass cleaner or tar remover if
necessary.
To avoid scratching the lamps, do
not use a dry paper towel,
chemical solvents or abrasive
cleaners to clean the lamps.
Cleaning the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not wipe
properly, clean both the windshield
and wiper blades using undiluted
com_plastic_exterior.01
uno_exterior_lamps
uno_wiper_cleaning
Maintenance and care
218

Air bag supplemental restraint
system
and child safety seats ..............90
description ................................89
disposal ......................................94
indicator light ...........................93
passenger air bag .....................91
Air cleaner filter .......................192
replacing ..................................193
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning
system ...................28,29,30,31,32
Air suspension ...........................119
All wheel drive (AWD) .............134
Anti-theft system ........................65
arming the system ....................66
disarming a triggered system ..68
disarming an untriggered
system .......................................68
warning light .............................67
Autolamp system (see
Headlamps) .................................49
Automatic dimming mirror ...47,48
Battery .......................................188
battery saver ...........................192
servicing ....................188,189,190
Brakes
adjustment ..............................117
anti-lock ...................................117
fluid, checking and adding ....177
parking ....................................118
Break-in period .............................2
Built-in child seat .......102,107,108
Bulbs,
replacing ........208,210,211,212,213
specifications ..........................213
Capacities for refilling fluids ....225
Cargo area shade ........................64
Childproof locks ..........................55
Cleaning your vehicle ...............215
built-in child seat ...................220engine compartment ..............216
fabric ........................................219
instrument panel ....................219
plastic parts ............................218
safety belts ..............................220
tail lamps .................................218
washing ....................................215
waxing .....................................215
wheels ......................................216
Climate control system ..............28
automatic temperature
control ...................32,33,34,35,36
defrosting .............................59,60
Clutch
fluid ..........................................177
Compass, electronic ....................50
calibration .................................51
set zone adjustment .................51
Console, description ..............58,61
Control trac 4WD system .........128
Controls ..................................58,59
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
proper solution .......................181
Daytime running light system ...26
Differential fluid ........................187
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke .............................176,187
Driving under special
conditions ..................................130
high water ...............................131
slippery roads ..................132,133
towing a trailer .......................144
Emission control system ..........206
Engine .................................228,231
service points ............170,171,172
Engine block heater .................116
Engine coolant
checking and adding .......180,183
checking hoses .......................184
disposal ....................................182
refill capacities ........................182
Index
233

Power door locks ........................54
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....184
Rear window
wiper .....................................37,38
Refill capacities for fluids ........223
Relays ..........................149,150,153
Remote entry system .................69
locking/unlocking doors ......69,70
panic alarm ...............................70
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................73
replacing the batteries .............72
Reporting safety defects ..........232
Restraints, safety (see Safety
restraints)
head ...........................................78
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts ....86,87
energy absorbing sew
pattern ..................................88,89
for children ...............................95
proper use ..................83,84,85,86
Safety seats for children
attaching with tether straps ..101
automatic locking mode
(retractor) ............................97,98
Seats ............................................79
adjusting the seat, power ........80
bench (60-40 split) ..................79
Servicing your vehicle ..............165
precautions when servicing ...165
servicing when you tow .........145
Snowplowing .................................4
Special notice ................................3
ambulance conversions ..............3
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart, lubricants .225
Speed control ..............................40
indicator light ........................8,43
Speedometer ...............................14
Starting your vehicle ................110preparing to start your
vehicle .....................................112
starting a warm engine ..........115
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................44
Storage compartments
overhead storage
compartment .............................52
Tachometer
mechanical cluster ...................15
Tires
changing ..................................156
checking the pressure ............197
inspection and maintenance ..195
replacing ..................................199
rotating ....................................198
snow tires and chains ............201
spare tire .................................156
tire grades ...............................195
treadwear ................................196
Traction-lok rear axle ...............119
Trailer towing ............................138
safety chains ...........................143
tips ....................................139,144
trailer brakes ...........................143
trailer lamps ............................143
Transfer case (see Differential
fluid) ..........................................188
Transmission
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................186
Trip odometer .............................14
Turn signal
indicator lights ............................9
Two step lock ..............................54
Vehicle dimensions ...................228
Vehicle headlamp aiming
device (VHAD) .........................214
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................230
Ventilating your vehicle ...........111
Index
235

Voltmeter (see Battery voltage
gauge) ..........................................15
Warning chimes
headlamps on ............................11
key in ignition ...........................12
safety belt .................................12
Washer fluid
reservoir ..................................179
Windows
power windows, operating .......56Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ........................................193
checking and adding fluid .....178
checking and replacing wiper
blades ...............................193,194
liftgate reservoir .....................179
operation ...................................46
specifications ..........................178
Wrecker towing .........................163
236