warning FORD EXPLORER 1998 2.G User Guide

Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped vehicles
For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles, see your local
dealership or qualified technician. Air bags MUST BE disposed of by
qualified personnel.
SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR CHILDREN
Important child restraint precautions
You are required by law to use safety restraints for children in the U.S.
and Canada. If small children ride in your vehicle (generally children who
are four years old or younger and who weigh 18 kg [40 lbs] or less), you
must put them in safety seats made especially for children. Check your
local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements regarding the
safety of children in your vehicle.
Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the
vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from
injury in a collision.
Always follow the instructions and warnings that come with any infant or
child restraint you might use.
When possible, place children in the rear seat of your vehicle. Accident
statistics suggest that children are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seating position.
Children and safety belts
Children who are too large for child safety seats (as specified by your
child safety seat manufacturer) should always wear safety belts.
Follow all the important safety restraint and air bag precautions that
apply to adult passengers in your vehicle.
If the shoulder belt portion of a combination lap and shoulder belt can
be positioned so it does not cross or rest in front of the child's face or
neck, the child should wear the lap and shoulder belt. Moving the child
closer to the center of the vehicle may help provide a good shoulder belt
fit.
If the shoulder belt cannot be properly positioned:
²move the child to one of the seats with a lap belt only (if equipped) or
²if the child is the proper size, restrain the child in a safety seat.
Seating and safety restraints
86

BRAKES
Your brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to the ``Service Guide'' for scheduled
maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal and often does not indicate a
performance concern with the vehicle's brake system. In normal
operation, automotive brake systems may emit occasional or intermittent
squeal or groan noises when the brakes are applied. Such noises are
usually heard during the first few brake applications in the morning;
however, they may be heard at any time while braking and can be
aggravated by environmental conditions such as cold, heat, moisture,
road dust, salt or mud. If a ``metal-to-metal'', ``continuous grinding'' or
``continuous squeal'' sound is present while braking, the brake linings
may be worn-out and should be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
On vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a noise
from the hydraulic pump motor and pulsation in the pedal may be
observed during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled with noise
while braking under panic conditions or on loose gravel, bumps, wet or
snowy roads is normal and indicates proper functioning of the vehicle's
anti-lock brake system. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or shudder
while braking, felt mainly in the steering wheel, the vehicle most likely
needs service.
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lock up during brake
applications and compensating for
this tendency. The front wheels are
prevented from locking even when
the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts
the advantage of an ABS equipped
vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during
hard braking.
ABS warning lamp
The
ABSwarning lamp in the instrument cluster illuminates for about
five seconds when starting the vehicle. If an ABS fault is detected, the
Driving
104

light will remain on and your vehicle should be serviced as soon as
possible.
Normal braking is still effective
unless the BRAKE warning lamp is
also illuminated.
Using ABS
²In an emergency or when maximum efficiency from the ABS is
required, apply continuous full force on the brake. The ABS will be
activated immediately, thus allowing you to retain full steering control
of your vehicle and, providing there is sufficient space, will enable you
to avoid obstacles and bring the vehicle to a controlled stop.
²We recommend that you familiarize yourself with this braking
technique. However, avoid taking any unnecessary risks.
Parking brake
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked. To set the
parking brake, press the parking
brake pedal down until the pedal
stops.
The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned ON) until the
parking brake is released.
!
BRAKE
!
BRAKE
Driving
105

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
²Use only unleaded fuel.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
²Have the services listed in your ``Service Guide'' performed according
to the specified schedule.
The Scheduled Maintenance Services listed in the ``Service Guide'' are
required because they are considered essential to the life and
performance of your vehicle and to its emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss of oil pressure, the
charging system warning light, the ``Check Engine'' light or the
temperature warning light. These events could indicate that the emission
control system is not working properly.
If you smell exhaust fumes of any kind inside your vehicle, have
the dealer inspect and fix your vehicle immediately. Do not drive
if you smell exhaust fumes. These fumes are harmful and could kill
you.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle's emission system is on
Maintenance and care
185

the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ``Warranty Guide'' for complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II) system. If your ``check engine/service
engine soon'' light is on, reference the applicable light description in the
Warning Lights and Chimessection of your owners guide. Your vehicle
may not pass the I/M test with the ``check engine/service engine soon''
light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the OBD-II system is reset to a ``not ready for I/M test'' condition. To
ready the OBD-II system for I/M testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city
and highway driving is necessary as described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop and go, city type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
EXTERIOR BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps frequently:
²headlamps
²foglamps
²high-mount brakelamp
²brakelamps
²turn signals
²license plate lamp
²tail lamps
Maintenance and care
186

Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........................82
and child safety seats ..............83
description ................................82
disposal ......................................86
indicator light ...........................85
passenger air bag .....................84
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system ............23,25
Air suspension
description ..............................106
All wheel drive (AWD) .............121
Ambulance packages ....................3
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description ..............................104
Anti-theft system ........................67
Autolamp system (see
Headlamps) .................................48
Automatic dimming mirror ...48,49
Battery .......................................175
voltage gauge ............................14
Brake fluid
checking and adding ..............164
Brakes ........................................104
anti-lock ...................................104
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................104
fluid, checking and adding ....164
Brake-shift interlock .................107
Break-in period .............................2
Bulbs, replacing ........................186
headlamps ...............................187
specifications ..........................188
Cargo cover .................................57
Changing a tire .........................144
Child safety seats ........................87
built-in child seat ......91,92,96,97
Childproof locks ..........................52
Chime
headlamps on ............................11
Cleaning your vehicle ...............191built-in child seat ...................195
engine compartment ..............192
fabric ........................................194
instrument panel ....................194
plastic parts ............................194
safety belts ..............................194
tail lamps .................................194
washing ....................................191
waxing .....................................192
wheels ......................................194
windows ..................................196
woodtone trim ........................196
Climate control system
automatic temperature
control .........26,27,28,29,30,31,32
Clutch
fluid ..........................................165
Compass, electronic ...............45,46
calibration .................................48
set zone adjustment .................47
Console, description ...................54
Control trac 4WD system .........116
Controls ..................................53,54
Cupholder (s) .............................55
Defrost
rear window ..............................34
Driving under special
conditions .........................120,122
high water ........................120,123
slippery roads ....120,121,123,124
Emission control system ..........185
Engine ........................................202
service points ............158,159,160
Engine block heater .................102
Engine coolant
checking and adding .......166,167
disposal ....................................168
refill capacities ........................168
Engine oil ...........................160,163
changing oil and oil filter .......163
checking and adding .......160,162
Exhaust fumes ..........................103
Index
206

Floor mats ...................................55
Foglamps .....................................21
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
control trac ........................34,116
special driving
instructions ......................118,119
Fuel
calculating fuel economy .......184
improving fuel economy ........134
octane rating ...........................183
quality ......................................184
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................182
Fuel gauge ...................................15
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......135
Fuse panels
instrument panel ....................138
power distribution box ...........141
Fuses ...................................136,137
Gauges, Mechanical ....................12
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................13
Hazard flashers .........................135
Head restraints ...........................74
Headlamps ...................................21
daytime running lights .............21
flashing ......................................22
high beam .................................22
Heating ........................................23
High beams
indicator light .............................9
Hood
release lever ............................157
Ignition
positions of the ignition ...........35
Instrument panel
lighting up panel and interior .22
Jump-starting
your vehicle .....................149,151
attaching cables ......................149
disconnecting cables ..............151Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................63
keypad .......................................64
locking and unlocking doors ....66
programming entry code ....65,66
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............11
Liftgate ........................................55
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............8
anti-theft .....................................9
brake ............................................8
charging system ..........................9
check engine ............................6,7
cruise indicator .........................11
door ajar ....................................10
fuel reset .....................................7
overdrive off ..............................11
safety belt ...................................8
turn signal indicator ...................9
Load limits
trailer towing ..........................126
Lubricant specifications ...........200
Luggage rack .............................133
Manual transmission
driving .......................113,114,115
Message center ...........................16
economy button ........................18
english/metric button ..........16,17
reset button ..............................18
system check button ...........19,20
Mirrors
cleaning ...................................196
heated ........................................53
side view mirrors (power) .......52
Moon roof ....................................45
Motorcraft parts ........................197
Odometer .....................................13
Off road driving,
4-wheel drive ......................119,122
Index
207

Overhead console
compass/temperature display ..44
storage compartment ...............44
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................60
Parking brake ............................105
Power door locks ........................51
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....169
Rear window
washer .......................................42
Recreational towing, all wheels
on the ground ...........................133
Refill capacities for fluids ........198
Relays ........................................136
Remote entry system .................58
illuminated entry ......................63
locking/unlocking doors ...........59
replacement/additional
transmitters ..........................62,63
replacing the batteries .............62
Reporting safety defects ..........205
Safety restraints
automatic locking mode
(retractor) ............................78,79
extension assembly ..................80
for children ...............................86
lap and shoulder belts ........77,78
maintenance ..............................81
proper use .................................76
warning light and chime .........11,
80,81
Safety seats for children
attaching with tether straps ....91
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................88
tether anchorage hardware .....91
Seats ............................................72
adjusting the seat, power ........72
folding rear seats ......................75
lumbar support .........................74
rear seat access ........................74Servicing your vehicle ..............156
precautions when servicing ...156
Snowplowing .................................3
Special notice
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Speed control ..............................36
canceling a set speed ...............39
indicator light ...........................40
resuming a set speed ...............40
tap up/tap down .......................38
turning off .................................36
Speedometer ...............................12
Starting your vehicle ...........99,102
Storage compartments
overhead storage
compartment .............................44
Tachometer
mechanical cluster ...................14
Tilt steering wheel ......................41
Tires ....................................177,178
checking the pressure ............178
replacing ..................................180
rotating ....................................179
snow tires and chains ............181
treadwear ................................177
Traction-lok rear axle ........124,175
Trailer towing ............................126
tips ...........................................132
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................173
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................174
Transmission .............................170
automatic operation .......107,108,
109,110,111,112
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................170
Trip odometer .............................14
Turn signal
lever ...........................................35
Vehicle dimensions ...................202
Index
208

Vehicle headlamp aiming
device (VHAD) .........................189
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................204
Vehicle loading ..........................124
Ventilating your vehicle ...........103
Warning chimes .............................6
Windows
power windows, operating .......50Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....166
checking and replacing wiper
blades ......................................176
operation ...................................42
Wrecker towing .........................154
Index
209