octane FORD EXPLORER 2006 4.G Owners Manual

Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
ªRegularº unleaded gasoline with
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend the use of
gasolines labeled as ªRegularº that
are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your authorized dealer to
prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems, try a different brand of unleaded gasoline. ªPremiumº unleaded
gasoline is not recommended for vehicles designed to use ªRegularº
unleaded gasoline because it may cause these problems to become more
pronounced. If the problems persist, see your authorized dealer.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system.
Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your
fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
Many of the world's automakers approved the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated ªcleaner-burningº gasolines to
improve air quality.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
effect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
²You may need to cycle the ignition from off to on several times after
refueling, to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and Specifications
298

²Theindicator may come on. For more information on the ªCheck
Engineº or the ªService engine soonº indicator, refer toWarning
lights and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend taking
fuel economy measurements during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 2,000 miles-3,000 miles (3,000 km±5,000 km).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill capacities
section of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
²Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
²Use the same filling rate setting (low Ð medium Ð high) each time
the tank is filled.
²Allow no more than two automatic click-offs when filling.
²Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
²Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
²Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
Maintenance and Specifications
299

ENGINE DATA
Engine 4.0L SOHC V6
engine4.6L 3V V8
engine
Cubic inches 245 281
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Ignition system EDIS Coil on Plug
Spark plug gap 0.052±0.056 inch
(1.32±1.42 mm)0.040±0.050 inch
(1.02±1.27 mm)
1
Compression ratio 9.7:1 9.8:11Spark plug gap is not adjustable
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Dimensions 4-Door 4x2 or 4x4 XLT Model -
Inches (mm)
(1) Overall length 193.4 (4912.3)
(2) Overall width 73.7 (1872.5)
(3) Maximum height* 72.8 (1849.1)
(4) Wheelbase 113.7 (2888.7)
(5) Track width, front 60.9 (1547.5)
(5) Track width, rear 62 (1574.3)
* Height includes roof rack and corss bars with P235/65R18 tire
Maintenance and Specifications
313

checking and adding ..............281
dipstick ....................................281
filter, specifications ........284, 307
recommendations ...................284
refill capacities ........................308
specifications ..................310, 313
Exhaust fumes ..........................209
F
Fail safe cooling ........................293
Floor mats ...................................94
Fluid capacities .........................308
Foglamps .....................................42
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......226
driving off road .......................227
indicator light .........................226
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................216
Fuel ............................................294
calculating fuel
economy ......................71, 82, 299
cap ...........................................296
capacity ...................................308
choosing the right fuel ...........297
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................302
detergent in fuel .....................298
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................294, 296, 299
filter, specifications ........294, 307
fuel pump shut-off switch .....237
improving fuel economy ........299
octane rating ...................298, 313
quality ......................................298
running out of fuel .................298
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................294
Fuses ..................................238, 240G
Garage door opener ....................54
Garage Door Opener
(see Homelink wireless
control system) ...........................65
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............296
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................299
Gauges .........................................18
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)
calculating ...............................199
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)
calculating ...............................199
H
Hazard flashers .........................237
Head restraints .........................114
Headlamps
aiming ........................................44
bulb specifications ....................47
daytime running lights .............43
flash to pass ..............................43
high beam .................................43
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................35, 37
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................65
Hood ..........................................277
I
Ignition ...............................207, 313
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................160
Index
322

Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................304
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................272
cluster ........................................12
J
Jack ....................................246, 250
positioning .......................246, 252
storage .....................246, 249±250
Jump-starting your vehicle ......256
K
Keyless entry system ...............106
autolock ...........................108±109
Keys
positions of the ignition .........207
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ............46±47
daytime running light ...............43
fog lamps ...................................42
interior lamps ...........................46
Liftgate ................................96, 102
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........210
Load limits .................................192
Loading instructions .................199
Locks
autolock ...........................108±109
childproof ................................100
doors ..........................................98
Lubricant specifications ...310, 313
Lug nuts ....................................255Luggage rack ...............................97
Lumbar support, seats .....116, 119
M
Message center ...............69, 80±81
english/metric button .........73, 85
system check button ..........72, 84
warning messages ...............77, 91
Mirrors .........................................53
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................58
fold away ...................................59
heated ........................................59
side view mirrors (power) .......58
Moon roof ....................................64
Motorcraft parts ........274, 294, 307
N
Navigation system .......................34
O
Octane rating ............................298
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................281
P
Parking brake ............................211
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....307
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................127
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................59
Power adjustable foot pedals .....59
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................243
Power door locks ........................98
Index
323