power steering FORD EXPLORER 2005 3.G User Guide

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.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, avoid locking of the wheels. Use
a “squeeze” technique, push on the brake pedal with a steadily increasing
force which allows the wheels to brake yet continue to roll so that you
may steer in the direction you want to travel. If you lock the wheels,
release the brake pedal and repeat the squeeze technique. If your vehicle
is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), apply the
brake steadily. Do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of
this chapter for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock
brake system.
Never drive with chains on the front tires of 4WD vehicles without also
putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and
swing around during braking.
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will roll over as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or pickup box
cover).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-road usage.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Explorer(exp), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driving
225

ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a full-time All Wheel Drive (AWD)
transfer case. With the AWD option, power is supplied to all four wheels
all the time with no need to shift between two-wheel drive and
four-wheel drive.
For the lubricant specification and refill capacity of the AWD transfer
case refer toMaintenance and specificationschapter.
If your vehicle is equipped with AWD, a spare tire of a different
size than the road tires should never be used. Such a tire could
make the vehicle difficult to control as well as result in damage to
driveline components.
Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenotdesigned for
cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more than
low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers in these
vehicles.
Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles
AWD vehicles are specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and have operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from some other vehicles. Your
vehicle may be higher to allow it to travel over rough terrain without
getting hung up or damaging underbody components.
The differences that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle
differently than an ordinary passenger car.
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.
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. To maintain
steering and braking control of your vehicle, you must have all four
wheels on the ground and they must be rolling, not sliding or spinning.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Explorer(exp), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driving
226

Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can’t turn and if
they aren’t turning, you won’t be
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
AWD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
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.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although an AWD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, avoid locking of the wheels. Use
a “squeeze” technique, push on the brake pedal with a steadily increasing
force which allows the wheels to brake yet continue to roll so that you
may steer in the direction you want to travel. If you lock the wheels,
release the brake pedal and repeat the squeeze technique. If your vehicle
is equipped with a four wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS), apply the
REVIEW COPY
2005 Explorer(exp), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driving
231

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
REVIEW COPY
2005 Explorer(exp), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
270

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
REVIEW COPY
2005 Explorer(exp), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
271

What you should know about fail-safe cooling (4.6L V8 engine
only)
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
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.
•TheService 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.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Explorer(exp), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
285

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.
•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.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Explorer(exp), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
298

2For spark plug replacement, see your dealer or a qualified service
technician. Refer to theScheduled Maintenance Guidefor the
appropriate intervals for changing the spark plugs.
Replace the spark plugs with ones that meet Ford material and
design specifications for your vehicle, such as Motorcraft or
equivalent replacement parts. The customer warranty may be
void for any damage to the engine if such spark plugs are not
used.
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 5.0 quarts
(4.7L)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)4.6L 6.0 quarts
(5.7L)
Fuel tank N/A All 22.5 gallons
(85.2L)
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FAll Fill between the
MIN and MAX
lines on
reservoir
REVIEW COPY
2005 Explorer(exp), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
302

ItemFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Driveshaft, slip
spline, universal
jointsPremium Long
Life GreaseXG-1-C or XG-1-K ESA-M1C75-B
Engine coolant Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7-A (U.S.,
except CA and
OR), VC-7-B (CA
and OR only)WSS- M97B51-A1
4.0L Engine oilMotorcraft SAE
5W30 Super
Premium Motor
OilXO-5W30-QSPWSS-M2C929-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-M2C930-Awith
API Certification
Mark
Automatic
transmission
1
Motorcraft
MERCONV
AT FXT-5-QM MERCONV
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCON
Multi-Purpose
AT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Rear axles75W-140 High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle Lubricant
2
XY-75W140–QL WSL-M2C192_A
Front axle
(4X4)Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle LubricantXY-80W90-QL WSP-M2C197-A
Transfer case
(4X4)Motorcraft
MERCON
Multi-Purpose
AT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
REVIEW COPY
2005 Explorer(exp), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
305

waxing .....................................262
wheels ......................................263
wiper blades ............................265
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............48
Clock ............................................36
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .................23, 32, 42
AM/FM/CD .................................18
AM/FM/Tape/CD .................27, 36
Compass, electronic ....................81
calibration .................................82
set zone adjustment ...........82, 84
Console ........................................64
overhead ..............................65–66
rear ............................................65
Controls
power seat ...............................114
steering column ........................74
Coolant
checking and adding ..............280
refill capacities ................284, 302
specifications ..................304, 306
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................71
Customer Assistance ................233
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................267
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................259
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................260
Getting roadside assistance ...233
Getting the service you
need .........................................253
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................261
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................255Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................259
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................53
Defrost
rear window ..............................52
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................299
engine oil .................................273
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........304
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................301
Driving under special
conditions ..214, 220, 223, 227, 230
sand .................................222, 229
snow and ice ...................224, 231
through water .........223, 229, 232
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) ...........................48
DVD system .................................44
E
Electronic message center .........83
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................246
Emergency Flashers .................234
Emission control system ..........296
Engine ................................306–307
cleaning ...................................263
coolant .....................................280
fail-safe coolant ......................285
REVIEW COPY
2005 Explorer(exp), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Index
314