change wheel FORD EXPLORER 1997 2.G Owners Manual

From 1,600 km (1,000 miles)
onwards you can gradually
increase the performance of your
vehicle up to the permitted
maximum speeds.
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS
GUIDE
The information found in this
guide was in effect at the time of
printing. Ford may change the
contents without notice and
without incurring obligation.
SPECIAL NOTICES
Notice to owners of utility type
vehicles
Before you drive your vehicle,
please read this owner's guide
carefully. Your vehicle is not a
passenger car. As with other
vehicles of this type, failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may
result in loss of control or an
accident. Be sure to readControl
Trac ± Automatic Four±Wheel
Drive System (if equipped)in the
Drivingchapter as well as the
special ªFour Wheelingº
supplement included with AWD
and 4WD vehicles.
Using your vehicle as an
ambulance
Do not use this vehicle as
an ambulance.
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Introduction
3

Ride control switch (All wheel
drive vehicles with Automatic
Ride Control only)
The Ride Control switch provides
direct control of the Automatic
Ride Control system. The switch
doesnotcontrol or change the
performance of the All Wheel
Drive system.
The switch should be placed in the
Normal position for all on road and
most dirt, gravel or snow covered
roads. For severe off-road
conditions where additional body
ground clearance is desired and
vehicle speeds are below 30 mph,
the Off-road position should be
selected.
Service switch
The Automatic Ride Control
service switch is mounted in the
jack storage area. The switch
should be turned off to deactivate
the system during jacking, hoisting,
towing or transport of the vehicle
to avoid unexpected vehicle
movement.
TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Driving an automatic
transmission (if equipped)
Brake-shift interlock
Vehicles equipped with an
automatic transmission are
equipped with a brake-shift
interlock feature that prevents the
gearshift lever from being moved
from the P (Park) position unless
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Driving
121

Driving off-road with 4WD
Your vehicle is specially equipped
for driving on snow, sand, mud or
other rough terrain and has
operating characteristics that differ
from those of other conventional
vehicles.
When using 4WD, maintain
steering wheel control at all times,
especially in rough terrain. Since
sudden changes in terrain can
result in abrupt steering motion,
always grip the steering wheel
from the outside. Do not grip the
spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle
damage from road debris such as
rocks or stumps. Be sure to map
out your route before driving in
any off road area.
For more information on driving
off-road and proper operation of
your 4WD vehicle, refer the ªFour
Wheelingº supplement in your
Owners Portfolio.
Driving over sand
When driving over sand, try to
keep all four wheels on the most
solid area of the trail. Do not
reduce the tire pressures but shift
to a lower gear and drive steadily
through the terrain. Apply the
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Driving
130

accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning the wheels.
Driving through mud and water
After driving through mud, clean
off residue stuck to rotating
driveshafts and tires. Excess mud
stuck on tires and rotating
driveshafts causes an imbalance
that could damage drive
components.
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle may stall.
Once through 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.
If the transmission and transfer
case are submerged in water, their
fluids should be checked and
changed, if necessary.
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.
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Driving
131

working properly, the warning
lights in the instrument cluster
may not work properly.
Using a hitch
Do not use hitches that:
²clamp onto the vehicle bumper
²attach to the axle.
Distribute the load so that only 10
to 15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue. tie down
the load so that it does not shift
and change the weight on the
hitch. Follow the towing
instructions of a reputable rental
agency.
Driving while towing a trailer
Do not drive faster than 70 km/h
(45 mph) while towing a 454 kg
(1000 lb) trailer. Do not drive
faster than 72 km/h (45 mph) with
any weight trailer while towing in
hilly terrain or on hot days.
Speed control (if equipped) may
not work properly while towing on
long, steep grades.
If driving with an automatic
transmission:
²use D or L rather than while
towing up or down steep hills
²anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
Towing behind another vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle, such as an RV,
unless front wheel dollies are used.
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Driving
144

Engine oil
changing oil and oil filter .......175
specifications ..........................173
Entry system
illumination ...............................66
Exhaust fumes ..........................112
Flashing the lights ......................45
Floor mats ..............................62,63
Foglamps .....................................27
Ford Extended Service Plan ....129
Four way head restraints ...........78
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
control trac ........................38,128
driving off road .......................130
Fuel ............................................202
calculating fuel economy .......206
improving fuel economy ........146
octane rating ...........................204
quality ......................................205
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................202
Fuel gauge ...................................15
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......147
Fuses ..........................................148
Gauges, Mechanical
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................13
engine oil pressure gauge ........13
Hazard flashers ....................44,147
Head restraints ...........................78
Hitch ..........................................144
Hood ..........................................169
Identification Number, Vehicle
(VIN) ..........................................230
Ignition
positions of the ignition ...........39
Jack ..............................................63
Jump-starting your vehicle 160,162
attaching cables ......................161
disconnecting cables ..............162
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................76keypad .......................................74
locking and unlocking doors ....74
programming entry code .........75
Lamps
instrument panel, dimming .....26
Liftgate ........................................57
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ........................................11
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ............11
anti-theft .....................................9
brake ..........................................11
charging system ........................10
check engine ...............................9
door ajar ....................................10
four-wheel drive ..........................9
fuel reset ...................................10
high beam .................................11
overdrive off ................................8
safety belt .......................11,87,88
Luggage rack .............................146
Manual transmission
driving .......................121,125,127
fluid, checking and adding ....187
Message center ..16,17,18,19,20,52
air ride switch off .....................21
change oil soon .........................21
check air ride system ...............20
check charging system .............22
check engine temperature .......22
check exterior lamps ................22
door ajar ....................................24
low fuel level .............................24
low oil level ...............................24
low washer fluid .......................24
warning messages .....................20
Moon roof ....................................54
Motorcraft parts ........................222
Odometer .....................................14
Overdrive ................................45,46
Overhead console
storage compartment ...............52
Parking brake ..............................28
Index
234