traction control FORD EXPLORER 1997 2.G Owners Manual

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

You can shift into R (Reverse) only
by moving the gearshift from left
of 3 (Third) and 4 (Fourth) gears
before you shift into R (Reverse).
This is s special lockout feature
that protects you from accidently
shifting into R (Reverse) when you
downshift from 5 (Overdrive).
USING THE CONTROL TRAC
4WD SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
Positions of the Control Trac
system
4WD AUTOÐ Full power
delivered to front and rear axles
for increased traction. Use this
mode for normal on-road operating
conditions such as dry road
surfaces, wet pavement, snow and
gravel.
4WD HIGHÐ 4WD with full
power to the rear axle and higher
continuous power level to the front
axle than 4WD AUTO. Use this
mode for severe winter or off-road
conditions such as deep snow, ice,
shallow sand.
4WD LOWÐ Full power to both
axles, including a lower gear ratio
for low-speed. Use this mode for
off-raod applications that require
extra power such as deep sand,
steep grades and pulling a boat out
of the water. 4WD LOW operation
is not recommended on dry
pavement.
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Driving
128

tires, space-saver or temporary use
spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or
limited production tires as defined
in Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of
Transportation-Tire quality
grades:The U.S. Department of
Transportation requires Ford to
give you the following information
about tire grades exactly as the
government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire grade 150
would wear one and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire grade
100. The relative performance of
tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices,
and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction A B C
The traction grades, from highest
to lowest are A, B, and C, and they
represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured
under test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
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Maintenance and care
196

Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
braking (straightahead) traction
tests and does not include
cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing
the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature
can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required
by law.
The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a
tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
Checking the tire pressure
Check the tire pressure
periodically and inflate tires as
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Maintenance and care
197

them. If this does not work,
remove the chains to prevent
vehicle damage.
²Avoid overloading your vehicle.
²Remove the tire chains when
they are no longer needed. Do
not use chains on dry roads.
²The suspension insulation and
bumpers will help prevent
vehicle damage. Do not remove
these components from the
vehicle when using snow tires
and chains.
If equipped with 110 cm (17 inch)
tires, your vehicle will not
accommodate snow chains. Consult
your dealer for information on
other Ford approved methods of
traction control.
IMPORTANT FUEL
INFORMATION
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel
tank. The pressure in an
overfilled tank may cause
leakage and lead to fuel spray
and fire.
If you do not use the
proper fuel cap, the
pressure in the fuel tank can
damage the fuel system or cause
it to work improperly in a
collision.
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Maintenance and care
202

in water. For Traction-Lok rear
axles, add 4 ounces of additive
friction modifier C8AZ-19B546-A,
Ford specification EST-M2C118±A,
whenever the lubricant is changed.
4Refer to your ªService Guideº for
axle fluid change intervals.
SPECIFICATIONS
Lubricant specifications
ItemFord Part
NameFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Windshield
washer fluid
reservoirFord Ultra-Clear
Windshield
Washer Fluid
ConcentrateC9AZ-19550-AA
OR -BAESR-M17P5-A
Body hinges,
latches, door
stricker plates
and rotors, seat
tracks, fuel filler
door hinge and
spring, hood
latch, auxiliary
latchMulti-Purpose
GreaseD7AZ-19584-AA
OR
D0AZ-19584-AAESR-M1C159-A
AND
ESB-M1C93-B
Steering column
u-joints, parking
brake linkage
pivots and
clevises,
transmission
control and
clutch linkage
pivotsPremium Life
Long GreaseXG-1-C ESA-M1C75-B
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Capacities and specifications
225

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