automatic transmission fluid FORD EXPLORER 1998 2.G Owners Manual

Mud and water
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.
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 the transmission and transfer case are submerged in water, their fluids
should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Water intrusion into the transmission may damage the
transmission.
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.
Driving on hilly or sloping 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.
When descending a steep hill, avoid sudden braking. Rapid pumping of
the brake pedal will help slow the vehicle and still maintain steering
control.
When speed control is on and you are driving uphill, your vehicle speed
may drop considerably, especially if you are carrying a heavy load.
If vehicle speed drops more than 16 km/h (10 mph), the speed control
will cancel automatically. Resume speed with accelerator pedal.
Driving
123

If speed control cancels after climbing the hill, reset speed by pressing
and holding the SET ACCEL button (to resume speeds over 50 km/h (30
mph).
Automatic transmissions may shift frequently while driving up steep
grades. Eliminate frequent shifting by shifting out of
(Overdrive) into
D (Drive).
Driving on snow and ice
An AWD vehicle has advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
When braking, apply the brakes as you normally would. In order to allow
the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to operate properly, keep steady
pressure on the brake pedal.
Allow more stopping distance and drive slower than usual. Consider
using one of the lower gears.
TRACTION-LOK AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
Traction-Lok axle functions like a standard rear axle.
Extended use of other than the manufacturer's specified size tires on a
Traction-Lok rear 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.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
²Base Curb Weight: Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include passengers or
aftermarket equipment.
Driving
124

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine compartment for easy
location.
²We provide a ``Service Guide'' which makes tracking routine service
easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your dealership can provide
necessary parts and service. Check your ``Warranty Guide'' to find out
which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
²When the engine is running, make sure that loose clothing, jewelry or
long hair does not get caught up in moving parts.
²Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open flames and other lit material away from
the battery and all fuel related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must ``relearn'' its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive properly, as explained inBattery
in this chapter.
Working with the engine off
²Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and
ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
²Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Depress the clutch and place the gearshift in 1 (First).
Maintenance and care
156

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
4.0L EFI engine
1. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2. Engine oil fill cap
3. Transmission fluid dipstick (automatic transmission only)
4. Engine oil dipstick
5. Power steering fluid reservoir
6. Brake fluid reservoir
7. Clutch fluid reservoir (manual transmission only)
8. Battery
9. Air filter assembly
10. Engine coolant reservoir
10
1235674
89
Maintenance and care
158

5.0L engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
3. Engine oil fill cap
4. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Battery
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Air filter assembly
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Check the engine oil each time you fuel your vehicle.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
1
23
6
54
879
Maintenance and care
160

²5.0L engine
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge will be near the
center of the NORMAL band).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir.
5.If your vehicle is equipped with a 4.0L EFI engine,the fluid level
should be in the FULL HOT range. Do not add fluid if the level is in this
range.
6.If your vehicle is equipped with a 4.0L SOHC engine or a 5.0L
engine,the fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX lines. Do
not add fluid if the level is in this range.
7. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the correct operating range. Be sure to put the
cap back on the reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking and adding automatic transmission fluid
Follow the scheduled service intervals outlined in the ``Service Guide''.
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and/or dipstick handle
and also in theLubricant specificationssection in theCapacities and
specificationschapter.
Maintenance and care
170

REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part Name Application Capacity
Engine oil
(including
filter
change)Motorcraft 5W30
Super Premium
Motor OilAll engines
4.7L (5.0
quarts)
Brake fluid Ford High
Performance DOT
3 Brake FluidAll
Fill to line in
reservoir
Power
steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FAll Fill to line on
reservoir or
dipstick
Transmission
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT F5-speed manual
2.6L (5.6 pints)
Motorcraft
MERCONtVATF4R70W Automatic
(5.0L engines
only)13.1L (13.9
quarts)
5R55E Automatic
with 4.0L EFI
engine (4x2)9.0L (9.5
quarts)
5R55E Automatic
with 4.0L SOHC
engine (4x2)9.25L (9.75
quarts)
5R55E Automatic
with 4.0L EFI
engine (4x4)9.3L (9.8
quarts)
5R55E Automatic
with 4.0L SOHC
engine (4x4)9.55L (10.0
quarts)
Transfer
caseMotorcraft
MERCONtAT F4WD 1.4L (1.5
quarts)
AWD 1.25L (1.3
quarts)
Engine
coolantFord Premium
Cooling System
Fluid4.0L engine 7.4L (7.8
quarts)
5.0L engine 12.1L (12.8
quarts)
Capacities and specifications
198

LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
FluidFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Windshield
washer fluid
reservoirFord Ultra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
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
Hydraulic clutch
master cylinder
and brake
master cylinderHigh
Perfromance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidC6AZ-19542-AB ESZ-M6C25-A
Driveshaft, slip
spline, universal
jointsPremium Long
Life GreaseXG-1-C or K ESA-M1C75-B
Engine coolantFord Premium
Cooling System
FluidE2FZ-19549-AA ESE-M97B44-A
Engine oilMotorcraft 5W30
Super Premium
Motor OilXO-5W30-QSPWSS-M2C153-G
with API
Certification
Mark
Automatic
transmission
(4R7OW)Motorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FXT-5-QM MERCONtV
Automatic
transmission
(5R55E)Motorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FXT-5-QM MERCONtV
Capacities and specifications
200

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

Recommended fuel Unleaded fuel only - 87 octane
Fuel tank capacity (2 door) 66.2L (17.3 gallons)
Fuel tank capacity (4 door) 79.5L (20.8 gallons)
Engine oil capacity (with filter
change)4.7L (5.0 quarts). Use Motorcraft
5W30 Super Premium Motor Oil,
Ford Specification WSS-M2C153-G
Tire size and pressure See Safety Compliance
Certification Label on inside of
driver door.
Hood release Pull handle under the left side of
the instrument panel
Coolant capacity-(4.0L engines) 7.4L (7.8 quarts)
Coolant capacity (5.0L engines) 12.1L (12.8 quarts)
Power steering fluid capacity Fill to line on reservoir or dipstick
Manual transmission fluid capacity 2.6L (2.8 quarts)
Automatic transmission fluid
capacity (4R70W transmission)
(5.0L engines only)13.1L (13.9 quarts)
Automatic transmission fluid
capacity (4x2 vehicles with 5R55E
transmission and 4.0L SOHC
engine)9.25L (9.75 quarts)
Automatic transmission fluid
capacity (4x4 vehicles with 5R55E
transmission and 4.0L SOHC
engine)9.5L (10.0 quarts)
Ensure correct automatic transmission fluid is used for a specific
application. Check the container to verify the fluid is MERCONtand/or
MERCON Vtapproved. Some fluids have been approved as meeting both
MERCONtand MERCONtV requirements and will be labeled as such.
Fluids labeled as meeting only MERCONtor only MERCONtV
requirements must not be used interchangeably. DO NOT mix MERCONt
and MERCONtV. Transmission fluid requirements are indicated on the
dipstick or on the dipstick handle. Refer to your ``Service Guide'' to
determine the correct service interval.
Filling station information
216