steering FORD EXPLORER 2004 3.G Owner's Guide

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
4.0L SOHC V6 engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Power steering fluid reservoir
4. Brake fluid reservoir
5. Power distribution box
6. Battery
7. Engine oil dipstick
8. Air filter assembly
9. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
227

4.6L V8 engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Engine oil dipstick
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Power distribution box
5. Battery
6. Power steering fluid reservoir
7. Engine oil filler cap
8. Air filter assembly
9. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
228

How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•HIGH TEMP LOW OIL (if
equipped) or CHECK GAUGE (if
equipped) will illuminate.
•The “Service Engine Soon”
indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset
over-temperature condition, the engine will automatically switch to
alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled cylinder acts as an air
pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature:
•The engine will completely shut down.
•Steering and braking effort will increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
241

present, theCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonlight should turn off.
(A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonlight remains on, have your
vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your “Check Engine/Service Engine
Soon” light is on, refer to the description in theWarning lights and
chimessection of theInstrument clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the “Check Engine/Service Engine Soon” light on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a “not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use
only MERCONAT F.
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
253

•4.0L SOHC V6 engine
•4.6L 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. Check the fluid level in the reservoir.
5. The fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in 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.
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
254

REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Brake fluid Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Engine oil
(including filter
change)
5
Motorcraft SAE
5W-30 Super
Premium Motor
Oil4.0L 4.7L (5.0
quarts)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)4.6L 5.7L (6.0
quarts)
Fuel tank N/A All 85.2L (22.5
gallons)
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FAll Fill between the
MIN and MAX
lines on
reservoir
Transmission
fluid
1Motorcraft
MERCONV
AT FAutomatic
transmissions12.0L (12.7
quarts)2
Transfer case Motorcraft
MERCONAT F4WD 1.4L (1.5
quarts)
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
272

ItemFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Driveshaft, slip
spline, universal
jointsPremium Long
Life GreaseXG-1-C or
XG-1-KESA-M1C75-B
Engine coolant Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7–A WSS-
M97B51-A1
4.0L Engine oilMotorcraft SAE
5W30 Super
Premium Motor
OilXO-5W30-QSPWSS-M2C205-A
with API
Certification
Mark
4.6L Engine oilMotorcraft SAE
5W20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)XO -5W20-QSP
(US)
CXO-5W20–LSP12
(Canada)WSS-M2C153–H
with API
Certification Mark
Automatic
transmission1
Motorcraft
MERCONV
AT FXT-5-QM MERCONV
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCON
Multi-Purpose
AT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Rear axles75W-90 Fuel
Efficient High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle Lubricant
2
XY-75W90–QFEHP—
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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Interior style
Cell phone holders
Electrochromatic compass/temperature interior mirrors
Floor mats
Interior trim kits
Leather wrapped steering wheels
Scuff plates
Lifestyle
Bike racks
Cargo organization and management
Engine block heaters and blankets
Rear seat entertainment systems
Towing mirrors
Trailer hitches, wiring harnesses and accessories
Peace of mind
Airbag anti-theft locks
First aid and safety kits
Full vehicle covers
Locking gas cap
Navigation systems
Remote start
Vehicle security systems
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Accessories
283

interior .....................................223
interior trim ............................222
plastic parts ............................222
safety belts ..............................223
washing ....................................219
waxing .....................................219
wheels ......................................220
wiper blades ............................222
Climate control
(see Air conditioning or
Heating) .......................................32
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................25
AM/FM/CD .................................21
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................29
Compass, electronic ....................64
calibration .................................65
set zone adjustment ...........64, 67
Console ........................................48
overhead ....................................49
rear ......................................49, 51
Controls
power seat .................................96
steering column ........................57
Coolant
checking and adding ..............236
refill capacities ................240, 272
specifications ..................274, 276
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................54
Customer Assistance ................181
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................224
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................212
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................216
Getting roadside assistance ...181
Getting the service you
need .........................................210Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................217
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................212
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................215
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................37
Defrost
rear window ..............................36
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................255
engine oil .................................229
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........274
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................256
Driving under special
conditions ..151, 156, 160, 165, 167
sand .................................158, 166
snow and ice ...................161, 168
through water .........159, 167, 171
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) ...........................32
E
Electronic message center .........66
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................203
Emergency Flashers .................182
Emission control system ..........251
Engine ................................276–277
cleaning ...................................220
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
286

Motorcraft parts ................247, 271
O
Octane rating ............................245
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................229
P
Parking brake ............................142
Parts
(see Motorcraft parts) ..............271
Pedals
(see Power adjustable foot
pedals) .........................................54
Power adjustable foot
pedals ...........................................54
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................189
Power door locks ........................81
Power point .................................51
Power steering ..........................145
fluid, checking and adding ....253
fluid, refill capacity ................272
fluid, specifications .........274, 276
Power Windows ...........................52
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................146
R
Radio ................................18, 21, 25
Rear window defroster ...............36
Relays ................................183, 192
Remote entry system .................83
illuminated entry ......................86
opening the trunk .....................83
Reverse sensing system ...........151Roadside assistance ..................181
Roof rack .....................................79
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........115
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..........103, 106–109, 111
Safety Canopy ...................120–121
Safety defects, reporting ..........218
Safety restraints ........103, 106–111
belt minder .............................112
extension assembly ................111
for adults .........................107–109
for children .............................124
safety belt maintenance .........115
warning light and
chime
...............................111–112
Safety seats for children ..........127
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............103
Seats ............................................94
child safety seats ....................127
front seats .................................95
heated ........................................98
memory seat .......................84, 97
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................21
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................25
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................29
Snowplowing .................................7
Spark plugs,
specifications .............271, 276–277
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................274, 276
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
289