overheating FORD EXPLORER 2009 4.G Owners Manual

Speedometer:Indicates the
current vehicle speed.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge:Indicates engine coolant
temperature. At normal operating
temperature, the needle will be in
the normal range (between “H” and
“C”). If it enters the red section, the
engine is overheating; refer to
Engine coolantin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter. Stop the vehicle as soon as
safely possible, switch off the engine and let the engine cool.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
Odometer:Registers the total miles (kilometers) of the vehicle.
•Standard instrument cluster
•Optional instrument cluster
Refer toMessage centerin the
Driver Controlschapter on how to
switch the display from English to
Metric.
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Instrument Cluster
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HomeLink
should now activate your rolling code equipped device. To
program additional HomeLink
buttons begin with Step 1 in this section.
For questions or comments, please contact HomeLink at
www.homelink.comor1–800–355–3515.
Gate Operator & Canadian Programming
Console mount
Visor mount
During programming, your hand-held transmitter may automatically stop
transmitting — not allowing enough time for HomeLink
to accept the
signal from the hand-held transmitter.
After completing Step 1 outlined in theProgrammingsection, replace
Step 2 with the following:
Note:If programming a garage door opener or gate operator, it is
advised to unplug the device during the “cycling” process to prevent
overheating.
•Continue to press and hold the HomeLink
button (note Step 2 in the
Programmingsection) while you press and release —every two
seconds(“cycle”) your hand-held transmitter until the frequency
signal has been accepted by the HomeLink
. The indicator light will
flash slowly and then rapidly after HomeLink
accepts the radio
frequency signal.
•Proceed with Step 3 in theProgrammingsection.
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4x2
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weight
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Trailer weight
range-lb. (kg)
(0-Maximum)
4.0L SOHC Class
II towing3.55 8500 (3856) 0–3500 (0–1588)
4.6L* Class II
towing3.55 8500 (3856) 0–3500 (0–1588)
4.0L SOHC Class
III/IV towing3.73 10000 (4536) 0–5375 (0–2438)
4.6L* Class III/IV
towing3.55 12000 (5443) 0–7285 (0–3304)
Notes:- For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 1,000 ft.
(300 meters) elevation. For definitions of terms used in this table and
instructions on how to calculate your vehicle load, refer toVehicle
loadingin this chapter. Maximum trailer weights shown. The combined
weight of the completed towing vehicle and the loaded trailer must not
exceed the GCWR.
* -When towing maximum loads under high outside temperatures and
on steep grades, the A/C system may cycle on and off to protect the
engine from overheating. This may result in a temporary increase of
interior temperatures.
4X4 and AWD
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weight
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Trailer weight
range-lb. (kg)
(0-Maximum)
4.0L SOHC Class
II towing3.55 8500 (3856) 0–3500 (0–1588)
4.6L* Class II
towing3.55 8500 (3856) 0–3500 (0–1588)
4.0L SOHC Class
III/IV towing3.73 10000 (4536) 0–5205 (0–2361)
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4X4 and AWD
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weight
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Trailer weight
range-lb. (kg)
(0-Maximum)
4.6L* Class III/IV
towing3.55 12000 (5443) 0–7115 (0–3227)
Notes:- For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 1,000 ft.
(300 meters) elevation. For definitions of terms used in this table and
instructions on how to calculate your vehicle load, refer toVehicle
loadingin this chapter. Maximum trailer weights shown. The combined
weight of the completed towing vehicle and the loaded trailer must not
exceed the GCWR
* -When towing maximum loads under high outside temperatures
and/or on steep grades, the A/C system may cycle on and off to protect
the engine from overheating. This may result in a temporary increase
of interior temperatures.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. Contact your authorized dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer as soon as possible if you require assistance.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10–15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue, not to exceed
the maximum tongue loads as stated:
•Class II receiver: 350 lb. (159 kg)
•Class III/IV receiver: 500 lb. (227 kg) (weight carrying); 740 lb.
(336 kg) (weight distributing)
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
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possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill,
start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a
higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to
turn around because you might roll
over. It is better to back down to a
safe location.
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. Rapid pumping of the brake pedal will help you slow the vehicle
and still maintain steering control.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
AWD and 4WD 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.
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Driving
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Adding engine coolant
When adding coolant, make sure it is a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and distilled water.When the engine is cool,add the mixture to the
coolant reservoir until the appropriate fill level is obtained.
WARNING:Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot.
Steam and scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system
can burn you badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts.
WARNING:Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer
fluid container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant
could make it difficult to see through the windshield.
•Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant or equivalent
meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1.Refer to
Maintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
Note:Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets or an
equivalent product meeting Ford specification WSS-M99B37-B6, may
darken the color of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from
yellow to golden tan.
•Do not add/mix an orange-colored, extended life coolant such
as Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant, meeting Ford
specification WSS-M97B44-D, or DEX-COOL
brand with the
factory-filled coolant.Mixing Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine
Coolant or any orange-colored extended life product such as
DEX-COOL
brand with your factory filled coolant can result in
degraded corrosion protection.
•A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
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Your cooling system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low
level of coolant can result in engine overheating and possible engine
damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling system can hold, refer
toMaintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this section.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than –34°F [–36°C]):
•It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
•NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
•Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
•NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
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