coolant level FORD EXPLORER 2000 2.G Owners Manual

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Child Safety Door
Lock/Unlock
Interior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check fuel cap
Introduction
5

Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the
coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level the gauge indication
will not be accurate.
Odometer
Registers the total kilometers
(miles) of the vehicle.
Trip odometer
Registers the kilometers (miles) of
individual journeys. To reset,
depress the control.
Tachometer
Indicates the engine speed in
revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer
pointer continuously at the top of
the scale may damage the engine.
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
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
0 12345
6
RPMx1000
Instrumentation
15

System check
Press the system check control to
display the status of the following
systems:
²engine oil life left
²engine oil level
²voltage level
²engine coolant temperature
²washer fluid level
²fuel level
The engine oil life left has two phases. The first display will indicate the
oil change status (OK, SOON, REQUIRED). The second display will
indicate the percentage of oil life remaining. The display OIL TEMP
SIGNAL ERROR indicates a problem with the system. Following this
display, contact your dealer or qualified service technician for system
maintenance.
Operating the message center during system check
The message center controls can be operated as follows during the
system check sequence:
1. Press the system check controls to advance to the next display.
2. Press the reset control to immediately conclude the system check.
3. Press the range, fuel status or fuel economy control to conclude the
system check and display the requested feature.
4. Press the metric/English control to conclude the system check and
change the previous display to the new mode.
5. Press the oil change reset control to conclude the system check and
begin the oil change reset procedure.
An oil change is recommended whenever indicated by the message
center. Use only recommended engine oils.
The message center will tell you the percent of oil life left during system
check. This percentage is based on your driving history and the time
since your last oil change. In order to ensure accurate oil life left
indications, you should only perform the following procedure after you
have the oil changed.
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
Instrumentation
19

5.0L V8 engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Power distribution box
7. Battery
8. Power steering fluid reservoir
9. Engine oil dipstick
10. Air filter assembly
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
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
7
564
9810
Maintenance and care
217

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Checking and adding washer fluid
Check the washer fluid whenever
you stop for fuel. The reservoir is
highlighted with a
symbol.
If the level is low, add enough fluid
to fill the reservoir. In very cold
weather, do not fill the reservoir all
the way.
Only use a washer fluid that meets Ford specifications. Refer to
Lubricant specificationsin theCapacities and specificationschapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging the
vehicle's paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling
system components.
Checking and adding washer fluid for the liftgate
Washer fluid for the liftgate is supplied by the same reservoir as the
windshield.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
Your engine's cooling system has been factory-filled with a 50/50 mixture
of distilled water and Ford G05 Engine Coolant (yellow in color) per ford
specification WSS-M97B51±A1.
RADIATOR
COOLANT
ONLY
WASHERFLUIDONLY
Maintenance and care
223

A50/50 mixtureof distilled water and Ford G05 Engine Coolant
provides:
²maximum cooling system efficiency.
²freeze protection down to -36É C (-34É F).
²boiling protection up to 129É C (265É F).
²protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
²an accurate temperature readout from the engine coolant
gauge.
The engine coolant must be maintained at the correct fluid level
and concentration to work properly. If the engine coolant fluid
level and concentration is not maintained correctly, damage to
the engine and cooling system may result.
When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
²The engine coolant should be at the ªcold fill levelº or within the ªcold
fill rangeº as listed on the engine coolant reservoir (depending upon
application).
²Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for service interval
schedules.
²Be sure to read and understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If the reservoir is
low or empty, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer toAdding
engine coolantin this chapter.
RADIATOR
COOLANT
ONLY
WASHERFLUIDONLY
Maintenance and care
224

Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its
specified function and vehicle location.
Adding engine coolant
Use only Ford Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (in
Canada, Motorcraft CXC-10) or a premium engine coolant that
meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A. Use only Ford G05
Engine Coolant WSSÐM97B51±A1 (in Canada, Motorcraft
CXC-10) or a premium engine coolant that meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44-A.
²DO NOT USE Ford Extended Life Engine Coolant
F6AZ-19544-AA (orange in color).
²DO NOT USE a DEX-COOLtengine coolant or an equivalent
engine coolant that meets Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D.
²DO NOT USE alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any engine
coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze.
²DO NOT USE supplemental coolant additives in your vehicle.
These additives may harm your engine's cooling system.
²DO NOT MIX recycled coolant and conventional coolant
together in your vehicle. Mixing of engine coolants may harm
your engine's cooling system.
²The use of an improper coolant may harm engine and cooling
system components and may void the warranty of your vehicle's
engine cooling system. If you are unsure which type of coolant
your vehicle requires, contact your local dealer.
Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer fluid
reservoir. If engine coolant is sprayed onto the windshield, it
could make it difficult to see through the windshield.
When the engine is cool, add a50/50 mixtureof engine coolant and
distilled water to the engine coolant reservoir, until the coolant is at the
ªcold fill levelº or within the ªcold fill rangeº as listed in the engine
coolant reservoir (depending upon application).
²NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
²NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
Maintenance and care
225

²Engine coolant concentrations above 60% or below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
Plain water may be added in an emergency, but youmustreplace it with
a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible.
Check the coolant level in the reservoir before you drive your vehicle the
next few times (with the engine cool). If necessary, add a50/50
mixtureof engine coolant and distilled water to the engine coolant
reservoir until the coolant level is at the ªcold fill levelº or within the
ªcold fill rangeº as listed on the reservoir (depending upon application).
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if you have
to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per month.
To avoid scalding hot steam or coolant from being released from
the engine cooling system, never remove the reservoir cap while
the engine is running or hot. Failure to follow this warning may result
in damage to the engine's cooling system and possible severe personal
injury.
If you must remove the coolant cap, follow these steps to avoid personal
injury:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the cap. Slowly
turn cap counterclockwise until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends the use of a recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved processes.
Not all coolant recycling processes produce coolant which meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44-A. Use of a recycled engine coolant which
does not meet the Ford specification may harm engine and cooling
system components.
Maintenance and care
226

²5.0L V8 engine
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4.If your vehicle is equipped with a 4.0L OHV V6 engine,check the
fluid level on the dipstick. It should be within the FULL HOT range. Do
not add fluid if the level is within this range.
5.If your vehicle is equipped with a 4.0L SOHC V6 or a 5.0L V8
engine,check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is within this range.
6. 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 automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been operated for
an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot weather or
Maintenance and care
229

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Front axle
lubricantMotorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle Lubricant4x4 vehicles 1.7L
(1.8 quarts)
Rear axle
lubricant
5Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle LubricantRefer to
Footnote 62.9-3.1L
(5.5-5.8 pints)
Motorcraft SAE
75W-140 High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantRefer to
Footnote 7
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 2.6L
(2.7 quarts)
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. MERCONtand MERCONtV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONtand MERCONtV. Refer to your scheduled maintenance
guide to determine the correct service interval.
2Service refill capacity is determined by filling the transmission to the
bottom of the filler hole with the vehicle on a level surface.
3Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may
vary based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The
amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the
indication on the dipstick's normal operating range.
4Use Ford Premium Engine Coolant (green in color). DO NOT USE Ford
Extended Life Engine Coolant (orange in color). Refer toAdding engine
coolant, in the Maintenance and Care chapter.
5Fill to 6 mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below bottom of fill hole.
Capacities and specifications
268