check oil FORD EXPLORER 2003 3.G User Guide

•4.0L SOHC V6 engine
•4.6L V8 engine
•Oil levels above the MAX mark may cause engine damage. Some oil
must be removed from the engine by a service technician.
7. Put the indicator back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
Maintenance and Specifications
224

3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
MAX hole on the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
4. Install the indicator and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
1/4 of a turn or until three clicks can be heard.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level indicator and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Engine Oil Recommendations
4.6L Engine
Look for this certification
trademark.
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended.
Only use oils“Certified For Gasoline Engines”by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). Use Motorcraft or an equivalent oil meeting
Ford Specification WSS-M2C153–H.SAE 5W-20 oil provides optimum
fuel economy and durability performance meeting all
requirements for your vehicle’s engine.
Change your engine oil and filter according to the appropriate schedule
listed in the scheduled maintenance guide.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, oil treatments or engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could, under certain conditions,
lead to engine damage which is not covered by your warranty.
Maintenance and Specifications
225

If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance guide. The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled water,
which equates to a freeze point of -36°C (-34°F). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the“cold full”of“cold fill range”level in the
coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions
in theAdding engine coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50–50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -36°C (-34°F).
•Boiling protection up to 129°C (265°F).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and Specifications
229

Driving style—good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
Maintenance and Specifications
243

plastic parts ............................212
washing ....................................210
waxing .....................................210
wheels ......................................211
wiper blades ............................213
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............28
Compass, electronic ....................60
calibration .................................61
set zone adjustment ...........60, 63
Console ........................................44
overhead ....................................45
rear ......................................45, 47
Controls
power seat .................................93
steering column ........................53
Coolant
checking and adding ..............229
refill capacities ................233, 254
specifications ..................257, 259
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................50
Customer Assistance ................176
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .............................215, 263
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................203
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................207
Getting roadside assistance ...176
Getting the service you
need .........................................201
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................208
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................203
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................206D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................33
Defrost
rear window ..............................32
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................247
engine oil .................................221
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........257
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................248
Driving under special
conditions ..147, 152, 155, 161, 163
sand .................................154, 162
snow and ice ...................156, 164
through water .........155, 163, 167
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) ...........................28
E
Electronic message center .........62
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................195
Emission control system ..........244
Engine ........................................259
cleaning ...................................211
coolant .....................................229
fail-safe coolant ......................234
idle speed control ...................227
lubrication
specifications ..................257, 259
refill capacities ........................254
service points ..................219–220
starting after a collision .........177
Engine block heater .................137
Index
268

Engine oil ..................................221
checking and adding ..............221
dipstick ....................................221
filter, specifications ........225, 254
recommendations ...................225
refill capacities ........................254
specifications ..................257, 259
Exhaust fumes ..........................137
F
Fail safe cooling ........................234
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....235
Floor mats ...................................73
Fluid capacities .........................254
Foglamps .....................................33
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......149
driving off road ...............151, 159
indicator light .........................150
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................142
Fuel ............................................235
calculating fuel
economy ............................64, 241
cap ...........................................240
capacity ...................................254
choosing the right fuel ...........238
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................244
detergent in fuel .....................240
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................235, 240–241
filter, specifications ........241, 254
fuel pump shut-off switch .....177
improving fuel economy ........241
octane rating ...................238, 259
quality ......................................239
running out of fuel .................240
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................235Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .................................235, 238
Fuses ..................................178, 180
G
Garage door opener ..............46, 56
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............240
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................241
Gauges .........................................14
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................167
calculating ...............................169
definition .................................167
driving with a heavy load ......167
location ....................................167
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................167
calculating .......................167, 169
definition .................................167
driving with a heavy load ......167
location ....................................167
H
Head restraints ...........................91
Headlamps
aiming ........................................35
bulb specifications ....................38
daytime running lights .............33
flash to pass ..............................34
high beam .................................34
Heating
heating and air
conditioning system ...........27–28
HomeLink universal
transceiver (see Garage
door opener) .........................56, 59
Index
269

Hood ..........................................217
I
Ignition ...............................134, 259
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................124
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................245
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................213
cluster ........................................10
J
Jack ....................................188, 190
positioning .......................188, 191
storage .............................188–190
Jump-starting your vehicle ......195
K
Keyless entry system .................83
Keys
positions of the ignition .........134
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ............37–38
daytime running light ...............33
fog lamps ...................................33
high beams ................................34
instrument panel, dimming .....35
interior lamps ...........................37
Liftgate ..................................73, 79
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........138
Limited-slip axle .......................149Load limits .................................167
GAWR ......................................167
GVWR ......................................167
trailer towing ..........................167
Loading instructions .................169
Locks
childproof ..................................78
doors ..........................................77
Lubricant specifications ...257, 259
Lumbar support, seats ...............95
M
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................254
lubricant specifications ..........259
Message center ...........................62
english/metric button ...............67
system check button ................67
warning messages .....................68
Mirrors .........................................47
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................46
fold away ...................................49
heated ........................................49
programmable memory ............80
side view mirrors (power) .......49
Moon roof ....................................55
Motorcraft parts ................241, 254
O
Octane rating ............................238
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................221
P
Parking brake ............................138
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....254
Index
270