4WD FORD EXPLORER 2002 3.G Owners Manual

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
recommended to give the moving parts a chance to break in.
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.
EMISSION WARRANTY
The New Vehicle Limited Warranty includes Bumper to Bumper Coverage,
Safety Restraint Coverage, Corrosion Coverage, and 7.3L Power Stroke
Diesel Engine Coverage. In addition, your vehicle is eligible for Emissions
Defect and Emissions Performance Warranties. For a detailed description
of what is covered and what is not covered, refer to theWarranty Guide
that is provided to you along with your Owner's Guide.
SPECIAL NOTICES
Notice to owners of pickup trucks and utility type vehicles
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of 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 with 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

Gearshift (including
overdrive button)
(pg. 182)
Message center
(pg. 19)Electronic sound system
(pg. 51)
4wd control*
(pg. 188) Climate controls
(pg. 33)
Power adjustable
foot pedals*
(pg. 30)
Instrumentation
7

To stop the air from flowing through the floor console:
1. slide the mode selector control to
.
2. manually close the registers.
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
The rear defroster control is located
on the instrument panel.
Press the rear defroster control to
clear the rear window of thin ice
and fog.
²A small LED will illuminate when
the rear defroster is activated.
The ignition must be in the ON position to operate the rear window
defroster.
The defroster turns off automatically after 10 minutes or when the
ignition is turned to the OFF position. To manually turn off the defroster
before 10 minutes have passed, push the control again.
4WD CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
This control operates the 4WD.
Refer to theDrivingchapter for
more information.
R
4X4
Low4X4
High4X4
Auto
Controls and features
50

Upshifts when cruising (recommended for best fuel economy)
Shift from: Transfer case position (if equipped)
AUTO or HIGH LOW
1 - 2 16 km/h (10 mph) 6 km/h (4 mph)
2 - 3 26 km/h (16 mph) 10 km/h (6 mph)
3 - 4 43 km/h (27 mph) 16 km/h (10 mph)
4 - 5 (Overdrive) 68 km/h (42 mph) 26 km/h (16 mph)
Maximum downshift speeds
Shift from: Transfer case position (if equipped)1
AUTO or HIGH LOW
5 (Overdrive) - 4 88 km/h (55 mph) 34 km/h (21 mph)
4 - 3 72 km/h (45 mph) 27 km/h (17 mph)
3 - 2 56 km/h (35 mph) 21 km/h (13 mph)
2 - 1 32 km/h (20 mph) 11 km/h (7 mph)
Reverse
Ensure that the vehicle is at a complete stop before shifting into R
(Reverse). Failure to do so may damage the transmission.
Put the gearshift lever into N and wait at least several seconds before
shifting into R.
You can shift into R (Reverse) only by moving the gearshift lever from
left of 3 (Third) and 4 (Fourth) gears before you shift into R (Reverse).
This is a special lockout feature that protects you from accidentally
shifting into R (Reverse) when you downshift from 5 (Overdrive).
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
For important information regarding safe operation of this type
of vehicle, seePreparing to drive your vehiclein this chapter.
When Four-wheel drive (4WD) is engaged, power is supplied to all four
wheels through a transfer case. 4WD power can be selected when
additional driving power is desired.
If equipped with the Electronic Shift 4WD System, and the 4x4
Low button is pressed while the vehicle is moving, the system will
not engage and no damage will occur to the 4WD system.
Driving
187

4x4 High and 4x4 Low operation is not recommended on dry
pavement. Doing so could result in difficult disengagement of the
transfer case, increased tire wear and decreased fuel economy.
Control-Trac automatic four-wheel drive system (if equipped)
The 4WD system uses all four wheels to power the vehicle. This
increases traction, enabling you to drive your 4x4 over terrain and road
conditions not normally traveled by two-wheel drive vehicles.
Power is supplied to all four wheels through a transfer case that allows
you to select a four-wheel drive mode best suited for your current
driving conditions.
Positions of the Control-Trac system
The Control-Trac system functions in three modes:
²The 4x4 Auto mode provides
four-wheel drive with full power
delivered to the rear axle, and to
the front axle as required for
increased traction. This is
appropriate for normal on-road
operating conditions, such as dry
road surfaces, wet pavement,
snow and gravel.
4X4
Low4X4
High4X4
Auto
Driving
188

²The 4x4 High mode provides
four-wheel drive with full power
to both axles. It is only intended
for severe winter or off-road
conditions, such as deep snow
and ice (where no dry or wet
pavement remains uncovered),
and shallow sand.
²The 4x4 Low mode supplies
four-wheel drive with full power
to both axles and includes a
lower gear ratio for low-speed. It
is only intended for off-road
applications that require extra
power including deep sand, steep
grades and pulling a boat and
trailer out of the water.
The vehicle should not be operated in 4x4 High and 4x4 Low on
dry or merely wet pavement. Doing so will produce excessive
noise, increase tire wear and may damage driveline components.
These modes are intended for use only on consistently slippery or
loose surfaces.
If your vehicle is equipped with 4WD, a spare tire of a different
size than the road tires should never be used. Such a tire could
result in damage to driveline components and make the vehicle
difficult to control.
4X4
Low4X4
High4X4
Auto
4X4
Low4X4
High4X4
Auto
Driving
189

The 4X4 LOW button will flash if:
1. The system is waiting for driver input (brake and/or neutral gear). OR
2. There is a 4X4 low shift in progress.
If the driver inputs are not engaged, the button selection will time-out
and the 4X4 system will reamin in its current mode.
Shifting from 4x4 Low to 4x4 Auto or 4x4 High
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral)
(automatic transmission) or depress
the clutch (manual transmission).
4. Press the 4x4 Auto or the 4x4
High button. When 4x4 Auto is
engaged NO indicator lights will
illuminate. When 4x4 High is
engaged the 4x4 High instrument
cluster light will illuminate.
The 4X4 LOW button will flash if:
1. The system is waiting for driver input (brake and/or neutral gear). OR
2. There is a 4X4 low shift in progress.
If the driver inputs are not engaged, the button selection will time-out
and the 4X4 system will reamin in its current mode.
Driving off-road with 4WD
Your vehicle is specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and has operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
4X4
Low4X4
High4X4
Auto
Driving
191

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 the strain on the engine.
When descending a steep hill, avoid sudden braking. Shift to a lower gear
when added engine braking is desired.
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.
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 ofD(Overdrive) into
D (Drive).
Driving on snow and ice
A 4WD 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.
Driving
193

Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) 4x2 vehicles
This applies to all 4x2 trucks/sport utilities with rear wheel drive
capability.
An example of recreational towing is towing your vehicle behind a
Motorhome. The following recreational towing guidelines are designed to
ensure that your transmission is not damaged.
²Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
²Maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph).
²Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles).
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of 56 km/h (35 mph) must
be exceeded, you must disconnect the driveshaft. Ford recommends the
driveshaft be removed/installed only by a qualified technician. See your
local dealer for driveshaft removal/installation.
Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft can cause
transmission fluid loss, damage to the driveshaft and internal
transmission components.
4x4 vehicles with electronic shift transfer case (Neutral tow kit
accessory)
On vehicles equipped with 4WD, an accessory is available that allows you
to tow your vehicle, behind another vehicle, with all the wheels on the
ground. Contact your dealer for more details. Do not tow your vehicle
with all wheels on the ground unless you install the neutral tow kit as
vehicle damage may occur.
Driving
203

Auxiliary relay box (trailer tow)
The relay box is located on the front right fender well underneath the
speed control module.
The relays are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay Location Description
Relay 64 Trailer Tow (left turn)
Relay 65 Trailer Tow (right turn)
Relay 66 Not Used
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Spare tire information
The spare tire can be used as a spare or a regular tire. The spare is
identical to the other tires on your vehicle, although the wheel will not
match.
If your vehicle is equipped with 4WD or AWD, a spare tire of a
different size than the road tires should not be used. Such a tire
could result in damage to driveline components and make the
vehicle difficult to control.
Roadside emergencies
217