recommended oil FORD EXPLORER 2003 3.G Owners Manual

contact your dealer for service as soon as possible. For further
information, refer toAdvanceTrac
stability enhancement systemin
theDrivingchapter.
ADVTRAC OFF T/C ON.Displayed on 4x4 vehicles only when 4x4 Low
Range is selected. In this mode, the stability enhancement portion of the
AdvanceTrac
is disabled, but the traction enhancement feature remains
enabled. For further information, refer toAdvanceTrac
stability
enhancement systemin theDrivingchapter.
DOOR AJAR.
Displayed when a door or liftgate is not completely closed.
CHANGE OIL SOON/OIL CHANGE REQUIRED.Displayed when the
engine oil life remaining is 5 percent or less. When oil life left is between
5% and 0%, the CHANGE OIL SOON message will be displayed. When oil
life left reaches 0%, the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message will be
displayed.
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center.
USE ONLY RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
To reset the oil monitoring system to 100% after each oil change
[approximately 8,000 km (5,000 miles) or 180 days] perform the
following:
1. Press the SETUP control to
access the System Check function.
2. Press and release the RESET
control to display“OIL LIFE XX%
HOLD RESET NEW”.
3. Press and hold the RESET
control for 2 seconds to display“IF
NEW OIL HOLD RESET”.
4. Press and hold the RESET
control to display OIL LIFE SET TO
100%. Your oil life is now reset.
Driver Controls
71

•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

4.0L Engine
Look for this certification
trademark.
SAE 5W-30 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-M2C205–H.
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.
Change your engine oil according to the appropriate schedule listed in
the scheduled maintenance guide.
Engine Oil Filter Recommendation
Change your engine oil filter according to the appropriate schedule listed
in the scheduled maintenance guide. Ford production and aftermarket
(Motorcraft) oil filters are designed for added engine protection and long
life. If a replacement oil filter is used that does not meet Ford Material
and design specifications, start-up engine noises or knock may be
experienced.
It is recommended you use the appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford specifications) for your engine.
Maintenance and Specifications
226

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