FORD EXPLORER 1999 2.G Owners Manual

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 4
Controls and features 19
Seating and safety restraints 113
Starting and driving
Starting 139
Driving 144
Roadside emergencies 175
Servicing
Maintenance and care 195
Capacities and specifications 243
Customer assistance 252
Reporting safety defects 264
Index 265
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including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval
system or translation in whole or part is not permitted without written
authorization from Ford Motor Company.
Copyright
r1999 Ford Motor Company
Contents
1

ICONS
Indicates a safety alert. Read the
following section onWarnings.
Indicates vehicle information related
to recycling and other
environmental concerns will follow.
Correct vehicle usage and the
authorized disposal of waste
cleaning and lubrication materials are significant steps towards
protecting the environment.
Indicates a message regarding child
safety restraints. Refer toSeating
and safety restraintsfor more
information.
Indicates that this Owner Guide
contains information on this subject.
Please refer to the Index to locate
the appropriate section which will
provide you more information.
WARNINGS
Warnings provide information which may reduce the risk of personal
injury and prevent possible damage to others, your vehicle and its
equipment.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in rules for your vehicle. During the
first 1 600 km (1 000 miles) of driving, vary speeds frequently. This is
necessary to give the moving parts a chance to break in.
Introduction
2

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 readDriving off roadin theDrivingchapter as well as the
ªFour Wheelingº supplement included with 4WD and utility type vehicles.
Using your vehicle as a snowplow
Do not use this vehicle for snowplowing.
Using your vehicle as an ambulance
Do not use this vehicle as an ambulance.
Your vehicle is not equipped with the Ford Ambulance Preparation
package.
Introduction
3

OFFRSM
SET
ACC
COAST OFF ON
C
012345
6
RPMx1000
ABS!
CHECK
ENGINE
FUEL
RESET
EFH
H
H
SPEED
CONT
O/D
OFF
L
L
10MPH 205060
70
304080
90
km/h
0 0 0
10 100
1
20
10 0 0 0 0 0406080100
120
140
160
180
20
DOOR
AJAR
CHECK
GAGE
CHECK
SUSP
* if equipped
Instrument
cluster
(pg. 6)Speed control*
(pg. 80)
Driver side air
bag
(pg. 126) Headlamp
control
(pg. 19)
Instrument panel
dimmer switch
(pg. 20)Tilt steering
wheel lever
(pg. 85)
Turn signal and
wiper/washer
control
(pg. 85)
Instrumentation
4

PUSH
OD
ON/OFF4WD
LOW
OFF ONR. WIPE
FFREWSIDE1 - 2
BASS TREB BAL FADE
TAPE
AMSAM
FM
CDCLK
VOL - PUSH ON
SHUFFLE COMP CD
EJ
CDSCAN
DISCS
TUNESEEK
3 2 1456
OFFA/CMAX
A/C
Gearshift
(includes
overdrive button)
(pg. 152)Electronic sound
system
(pg. 33)Rear
window/washer
control
(pg. 86)
Rear window
defroster control
(pg. 30)
Climate controls
(pg. 87)Foglamp
Control*
(pg. 19)
Instrumentation
5

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Check engine
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitors the engine's
emission control system. This
system is commonly known as the
On Board Diagnostics System (OBD
II). This OBD II system protects the environment by ensuring that your
vehicle continues to meet government emission standards. The OBD II
system also assists the service technician in properly servicing your
vehicle.
TheCheck Engineindicator light illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the ON position to check the bulb. If it comes on after the
engine is started, one of the engine's emission control systems may be
malfunctioning. The light may illuminate without a driveability concern
being noted. The vehicle will usually be drivable and will not require
towing.
What you should do if the check engine light illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause yourCheck Enginelight to
illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
C
012345
6
RPMx1000
ABS!BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
FUEL
RESET
EFH
H
H
PRN D 2 1THEFT
SPEED
CONT
4WD
HIGH
4WD
LOW
O/D
OFFL
L
10MPH 205060
70
304080
90
km/h
0 0 0
10 100
1
20
1
0 0 0 0 0 0406080100
120
140
160
180
20
DOOR
AJAR
CHECK
GAGE
CHECK
SUSP
CHECK
ENGINE
Instrumentation
6

3. The fuel cap may not have been properly installed and securely
tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly installing and securely tightening
the gas cap. After three driving cycles without these or any other
temporary malfunctions present, theCheck Enginelight should turn off.
(A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theCheck Enginelight remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the
first available opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter.
You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and
deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Fuel reset
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and the
fuel pump shut-off switch has been
triggered. For more information,
refer toFuel pump shut-off switch
in theRoadside emergencieschapter.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to flash
or remains on, have the system
serviced immediately.
FUEL
RESET
Instrumentation
7

Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
to remind you to fasten your safety
belts. For more information, refer to
theSeating and safety restraints
chapter.
Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is off. If the brake
warning lamp does not illuminate at
this time, seek service immediately.
Also illuminates when the parking brake is engaged. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the brake
system should be inspected immediately.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is off. If the light
remains on, continues to flash or
fails to illuminate, have the system
serviced immediately. With the ABS light on, the anti-lock brake system
is disabled and normal braking is still effective unless the brake warning
light also remains illuminated with parking brake released.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right
turn signal or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or both of the
indicators stay on continuously or
flash faster, check for a burned-out
turn signal bulb. Refer toExterior bulbsin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
!
BRAKE
ABS
Instrumentation
8

High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Refer toSecuriLockypassive
anti-theft systemin theControls
and featureschapter.
Charging system
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
Check gauge
Illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature is high, the engine oil
pressure is low or the fuel gauge is
at or near empty. The ignition must
be in the ON position for this lamp to illuminate. The lamp will also
illuminate for several seconds after the ignition is turned to the ON
position. Refer toEngine coolant temperature gauge, Engine oil
pressure gaugeorFuel gaugein this chapter for more information.
Four wheel drive low (if equipped)
This light momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned to ON.
Illuminates when four-wheel drive
low is engaged. If the light continues
to flash have the system serviced.
THEFT
CHECK
GAGE
4WD
LOW
Instrumentation
9

Four wheel drive high (if equipped)
This light momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned to ON.
Illuminates when four-wheel drive
high is engaged. If the light
continues to flash have the system
serviced.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the ignition is in
the ON or START position and any
door is open.
O/D off (if equipped)
Illuminates when the transmission
control switch has been pushed.
When the light is on, the
transmission does not shift into
overdrive. If the light does not come
on when the transmission control switch is depressed or if the light
flashes when you are driving, have your vehicle serviced.
Check air suspension (if equipped)
Illuminates momentarily when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is OFF. The light
also illuminates when the air
suspension system requires
servicing.
For information, refer toAir suspension systemin theDrivingchapter.
Speed control
This light comes on when either the
SET/ACCEL or RESUME controls
are pressed. It turns off when the
speed control OFF control is
pressed, the brake is applied or the ignition is turned to the OFF
position.
4WD
HIGH
DOOR
AJAR
O/D
OFF
CHECK
SUSP
SPEED
CONT
Instrumentation
10