air suspension FORD EXPLORER 1999 2.G Owners Manual

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

²underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
²high crown in center of road
²high crosswinds
²wheels out of alignment
²loose or worn components in steering linkage
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The load leveling feature of the air suspension automatically keeps the
vehicle at a constant level if a load is added or removed from the vehicle.
This system maintains the vehicle height at a constant level by
automatically adding air or releasing air from the springs to offset
changes in vehicle loads.
When ever a door is opened (including the liftgate) the system
memorizes and maintains the height of the vehicle until all doors are
closed.
It is normal to hear a buzz or clicking from the air compressor on the
vehicle when the ignition is turned off. The system stays energized for 40
minutes after the ignition is turned off to compensate for any load
changes made after the vehicle is parked.
The air suspension shut-off switch is
located in the cargo area behind the
left rear quarter trim panel.
On vehicles equipped with
Air Suspension, turn OFF
the Air Suspension switch prior to
jacking, hoisting or towing your
vehicle.
Normal vehicle operation does not
require any action by the driver.
Driving
148

Removing the spare tire
1. Insert the jack handle into the
rear bumper opening.
The handle will stop moving and
forward resistance to turning will be
felt when properly engaged.
2. Turn the handle counterclockwise
until tire is lowered to the ground,
the tire can be slid rearward and the
cable is slightly slack.
3. Remove the retainer from the spare tire.
Stowing the spare
1. Lay the tire on the ground with the valve stem facing up.
2. Slide the wheel under the vehicle
and install the retainer through the
wheel center.
3. Turn the jack handle clockwise
until the tire is raised to its original
position underneath the vehicle. The
jack handle ratchets when the tire is
raised to the stowed position. It will
not allow you to overtighten.
Tire change procedure
To prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be
sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both directions) the
wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be
seriously injured.
On vehicles equipped with Air Suspension, turn OFF the Air
Suspension switch prior to jacking, hoisting or towing your
vehicle.
Roadside emergencies
188

6. Turn OFF the air suspension
switch (if equipped). Refer toAir
suspension systemin theDriving
chapter.
7. Position the jack according to the
following guides and turn the jack
handle clockwise until the tire is a
maximum of 25 mm (1 inch) off the
ground.
²Front
²Rear
Roadside emergencies
190

To lessen the risk of
personal injury, do not put
any part of your body under the
vehicle while changing a tire. Do
not start the engine when your
vehicle is on the jack. The jack is
only meant for changing the tire.
²Never use the front or rear
differential as a jacking point.
8. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
9. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem is
facing outward. Reinstall the lug nuts, cone side in, until the wheel is
snug against the hub. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel
has been lowered.
10. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
11. Remove the jack and fully
tighten the lug nuts in the order
shown.
12. Stow the flat tire, jack and lug
wrench. Make sure the jack is
fastened so it does not rattle when
you drive.
13. Turn ON the air suspension
switch (if equipped).
14. Unblock the wheels.
1
4 3
52
Roadside emergencies
191

If equipped with air suspension, the air suspension control must be
turned to the OFF position.
The Ford approved towing procedure is flatbed or wheel lift with
dollies.
On 4x2 vehicles, it is acceptable to tow the vehicle with the front wheels
on the ground (without dollies) and the rear wheels off the ground.
On 4x4 vehicles, it is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a
wheel lift and dollies or flatbed equipment with all the wheels off the
ground.
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not approved a
slingbelt towing procedure.
A towing manual is available from Ford Motor Company for all authorized
tow truck operators. Have your tow truck driver refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Roadside emergencies
199

Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................................126
and child safety seats ............128
description .......................127,130
disposal ....................................133
indicator light ..................130,132
passenger air bag ............128,131
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control system .23,24,25,26,27,28
rear seat controls .....................29
Air suspension
description ..............................148
warning light .............................10
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................162
Armrests ....................................102
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .....150,151,152,153,154
Axle
refill capacities ........................247
Battery
voltage gauge ............................14
Brakes ........................................145
anti-lock ............................145,146
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................146
fluid, checking and adding ....208
shift interlock ..........................149
Break-in period ..........................2,3
Cargo area shade ......................104
Cargo cover ...............................104
CD player .....................75,77,78,79
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps ..138
in rear seat ..............................136
tether anchorage hardware ...138
Cleaning your vehicle ...............241
engine compartment ..............242
exterior .............................242,244
exterior lamps .........................244interior ..............................245,246
plastic parts ............................244
washing ....................................241
waxing .....................................242
wheels ......................................244
windows ..................................246
wiper blades ............................245
woodtone trim ........................246
Clutch
fluid ..........................................209
operation while driving ...154,155
recommended shift speeds ....156
Compass, electronic ....................90
calibration .................................92
set zone adjustment .................91
Console ...............................101,102
overhead ...............................87,88
rear ..........................................102
Controls
power seat ...............................117
Coolant ...............................212,213
checking and adding ..............211
refill capacities ........................213
Defrost
rear window ..............................30
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................219
Driving under special
conditions ...........................161,164
sand ..................................160,163
snow and ice ......160,162,163,164
through water ..................160,163
Emission control system ..........234
Engine
check engine/service engine
soon light ....................................6
coolant .....................................210
idle speed control ...................219
service points ............203,204,205
starting after a collision .........178
Engine block heater .................143
Index
257