service FORD EXPLORER 2006 4.G Owner's Guide

AdvanceTractwith RSC Features
Button
functionsªSliding
carº iconRSC ESCEngine
Traction
ControlBrake
Traction
Control
Default at
start-upIlluminated
during bulb
checkEnabled Enabled Enabled Enabled
Button
pressed
momentarilyIlluminated
solidDisabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)Enabled
Button
pressed and
held more
than five
secondsFlashes
then
illuminated
solidDisabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)
Do not alter or modify your vehicle's suspension or steering; the
resulting changes to the vehicle's handling can adversely affect
the AdvanceTractwith RSC system.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of a AdvanceTractwith
RSC event is an indication that at least some of the tires have
exceeded their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and
death. If you experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
If a failure is detected in the AdvanceTractwith RSC system, and the
AdvanceTractwith RSC button has not been pushed, the warning
indicator light in the instrument cluster will stay on. If the warning
indicator light in the instrument cluster remains on while the engine is
running, have the system serviced by an authorized dealer immediately.
STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
²Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running
²Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
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²Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check
for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
authorized dealer.
²Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power steering
pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your authorized dealer.
²Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX mark on
the reservoir, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort. If the
steering wanders or pulls, check for:
²an improperly inflated tire
²uneven tire wear
²loose or worn suspension components
²loose or worn steering components
²improper steering alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
PREPARING TO DRIVE
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a safety belt.
Your vehicle has larger tires and increased ground clearance, giving the
vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger car.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed 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, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
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If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your authorized dealer.
Driving with a 5±speed automatic transmission
This vehicle is equipped with an adaptive Transmission Shift Strategy.
Adaptive Shift Strategy offers the optimal transmission operation and
shift quality. When the vehicle's battery has been disconnected for any
type of service or repair, the transmission will need to relearn the normal
shift strategy parameters, much like having to reset your radio stations
when your vehicle battery has been disconnected. The Adaptive
Transmission Strategy allows the transmission to relearn these operating
parameters. This learning process could take several transmission
upshifts and downshifts; during this learning process, slightly firmer
shifts may occur. After this learning process, normal shift feel and shift
scheduling will resume.
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how much air is released from your tires and/or how long you drive the
vehicle under these conditions.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even 4WD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
ªTread Lightlyº is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by ªtreading lightly.º
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ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Getting roadside assistance
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor
Company offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This
program is separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service
is available:
²24±hours, seven days a week
²for the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period of three years or 36,000
miles (60,000 km), whichever occurs first on Ford and Mercury
vehicles, and four years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km) on Lincoln
vehicles.
Roadside assistance will cover:
²a flat tire change with a good spare (except Ford GT which has a tire
inflation kit)
²battery jump start
²
lock-out assistance (key replacement cost is the customer's responsibility)
²fuel delivery ± Independent Service Contractors, if not prohibited by
state, local or municipal law shall deliver up to 2.0 gallons (7.5L) of
gasoline or 5 gallons (18.9L) of diesel fuel to a disabled vehicle.
²winch out ± available within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of a paved or
county maintained road, no recoveries.
²towing ± Ford/Mercury/Lincoln eligible vehicle towed to a
Ford/Mercury/Lincoln dealer within 35 miles (56.3 km) of the
disablement location or to the Nearest Qualified Ford/Mercury/Lincoln
dealer. If a member requests to be towed to a Ford/Mercury/Lincoln
dealer more than 35 miles (56.3 km) from the disablement location,
the member shall be responsible for any mileage costs in excess of 35
miles (56.3 km).
Trailers shall be covered up to $100 if the disabled eligible vehicle
requires service at the Nearest Qualified Ford/Mercury/Lincoln Dealer. If
the trailer is disabled, but the towing vehicle is operational, the trailer
does not qualify for any roadside services.
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
24 2A Cluster, Theft LED
25 15A Trailer park, Trailer electronic
brake module
26 15A License plate/rear park lamp,
Front park lamps, Manual climate
27 15A Tricolor stop
28 10A Manual/DEATC
CB1 25A Windows
The following relays are located on either side of the passenger
compartment fuse panel. See your authorized dealer for service of these
relays.
Fuse/Relay Location Description
Relay 1 Delayed ACC
Relay 2 Rear defrost
Relay 3 Park lamps
Relay 4 RUN/START
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Have a flat serviced by an authorized dealer in order to prevent damage
to the TPMS sensor, refer toChanging tires with TPMSin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter. Replace the spare tire with a road tire as
soon as possible.
The use of tire sealants may damage your tires. The use of tire
sealants may also damage your Tire Pressure Monitoring System
and should not be used.
Refer toTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for important information. If
the tire pressure monitor sensor becomes damaged, it will no longer
function.
Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information
Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
If you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel, then it is intended for
temporary use only. This means that if you need to use it, you should
replace it as soon as possible with a road tire/wheel that is the same size
and type as the road tires and wheels that were originally provided by
Ford. If the dissimilar spare tire or wheel is damaged, it should be
replaced rather than repaired.
A dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that
is different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels
and can be one of three types:
1.T-type mini-spare:This spare tire begins with the letter ªTº for tire
size and may have ªTemporary Use Onlyº molded in the sidewall
2.Full-size dissimilar spare with label on wheel:This spare tire has
a label on the wheel that states: ªTHIS TIRE AND WHEEL FOR
TEMPORARY USE ONLYº
When driving with one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above,do not:
²Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
²Load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
²Tow a trailer
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When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel additional
caution should be given to:
²Towing a trailer
²Driving vehicles equipped with a camper body
²Driving vehicles with a load on the cargo rack
Drive cautiously when using a full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel and
seek service as soon as possible.
Stopping and securing the vehicle
1. 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.
2. Park on a level surface, activate
the hazard flashers and set the
parking brake.
3. Place gearshift lever in P (Park)
and turn engine OFF.
When one of the rear wheels is off the ground, the transmission
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the
jack, even if the transmission is in P (Park).
Note:Passengers should not remain
in the vehicle when the vehicle is
being jacked.
4. Block the wheel that is diagonally
opposite of the flat tire using the
wheel chock provided with your
vehicle.
Location of the spare tire and tools
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with the tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS), the system indicator light will illuminate when the spare
is in use. To restore the full functionality of the TPMS system, all road
wheels equipped with the tire pressure monitoring sensors must be
mounted on the vehicle
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If your vehicle is equipped with TPMS, have a flat tire serviced by an
authorized dealer in order to prevent damage to the TPMS sensor, refer
toChanging tires with TPMSin theTires, Wheels and Loading
chapter. Replace the spare tire with a road tire as soon as possible.
The spare tire and tools for your vehicle are stowed in the following
locations:
Tool Location
Spare tire Under the vehicle, just in front of
the rear bumper. The spare tire
winch drive nut is located at the
rear center of the cargo area
under a lid.
Jack, lug nut wrench, jack handle,
wheel chockBehind the rear seat under the
carpeted floor lid in the cargo
floor. The tools are located in a
bag attached to the jack.
Removing the jack and tools
1. Open liftgate and remove the
carpeted floor lid, then the jack.
2. Unscrew the wing bolt to detach
the tether from the jack.
3. Turn jack screw eyelet
counterclockwise and remove the
jack from the bracket.
4. Remove the tools from the
provided bag.
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the tire is raised to the maximum tightness. Tighten to the best of your
ability, to the point where the ratchet/slip occurs, if possible. The spare
tire carrier will not allow you to overtighten. If the spare tire carrier
ratchets or slips with little effort, take the vehicle to your authorized
dealer for assistance at your earliest convenience.
4. Check that the tire lies flat against the frame and is properly
tightened. Try to push or pull, then turn the tire to be sure it will not
move. Loosen and retighten, if necessary. Failure to properly stow the
spare tire may result in failure of the winch cable and loss of the tire.
5. If your vehicle is equipped with a spare tire lock and key, be sure to
install the spare tire lock into the bumper drive tube with the spare tire
lock key and jack handle.
6. Repeat this tightness check procedure when servicing the spare tire
pressure (every six months, perscheduled maintenance information),
or at any time that the spare tire is disturbed through service of other
components.
Re-stowing the jack and tools
1. Unblock the wheels.
2. Stow the wheel ornament (if removed) in a safe location in the vehicle
(such as the glove box or jack stowage compartment) so it will not
become damaged. Re-install the wheel ornament onto the wheel once the
tire is repaired or replaced.
3. Stow the jack and tools in their respective locations, making sure they
are fully secured so they do not rattle when you drive.
WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque at 50±100 miles (80±160
km) after any wheel disturbance (rotation, flat tire, wheel removal, etc.).
Lug nut socket
size/Bolt sizeWheel lug nut torque*
lb.ft. N²m
Lug nut socket size:
3¤4º (19 mm) hex
Bolt size:1¤2x20100 135
* Torque specifications are for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and
rust. Use only Ford recommended replacement fasteners.
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