check transmission fluid FORD EXPLORER SPORT 2001 1.G Owners Manual

You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. For more
information on driving off-road, read the ªFour Wheelingº supplement in
your owner's portfolio.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck it may be rocked out by shifting from forward and
reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a steady pattern. Press lightly
on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Do not reduce the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
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.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to the driveshafts and
tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving
139

²do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage.
Replace the rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
Recreational towing
All Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) vehicles with automatic transmissions
This applies to all cars and 4x2 trucks/sport utilities with rear wheel
drive capability.
An example of recreational towing is towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome. The following recreational towing guidelines are designed to
ensure that your transmission is not damaged.
²Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
²Maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph).
²Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles).
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of 56 km/h (35 mph)
must be exceeded, you must disconnect the driveshaft. Ford
recommends the driveshaft be removed/installed only by a
qualified technician. See your local dealer for driveshaft
removal/installation.
Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft can cause
transmission fluid loss, damage to the driveshaft and internal
transmission components.
In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access
to wheel dollies, a car hauling trailer or a flatbed transport vehicle), your
vehicle can be flat towed (all wheels on the ground) under the following
conditions:
²Release the parking brake.
²Turn the ignition to the OFF position.
Driving
149

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 MERCONtAT F.
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. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is within this range.
5. 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.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
DONOTOVERFILLPOWERSTEERINGFLUID
Maintenance and care
188

operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about 30
minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km (20
miles) of driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 10ÉC (50ÉF). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC
[150ÉF-170ÉF]).
Maintenance and care
189

A
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................................103, 109
and child safety seats ............105
description ......................103, 109
disposal ....................................112
driver air bag ..................106, 110
indicator light ...........12, 108, 111
operation .........................106, 110
passenger air bag ...........106, 110
side air bag ..............................109
Air cleaner filter ...............182, 224
Air conditioning ..........................22
rear seat controls .....................25
Ambulance packages ....................4
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................183
Anti-lock brake system (see
Brakes) ..............................125±126
Anti-theft system
warning light .............................13
Audio system (see Radio) .........28
Automatic transmission ............129
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................130
fluid, adding ............................188
fluid, checking ........................188
fluid, refill capacities ..............224
fluid, specification ..................228
Auxiliary power point .................72
Axle
lubricant specifications ..226, 228
refill capacities ........................224
traction lok ..............................128B
Battery .......................................192
acid, treating emergencies .....192
charging system warning
light ............................................13
jumping a disabled battery ....166
maintenance-free ....................192
replacement, specifications ...224
servicing ..................................192
voltage gauge ............................18
Belt minder .................................99
Brakes ........................................125
anti-lock ...........................125±126
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .....................12, 126
brake warning light ..................12
fluid, checking and adding ....180
fluid, refill capacities ..............224
fluid, specifications .........226, 228
lubricant specifications ..226, 228
parking ....................................126
shift interlock ..........................129
Break-in period .............................3
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....224
Cargo area shade ........................74
Cargo cover .................................74
Cassette tape player ...................37
Certification Label ....................231
Child safety restraints ..............112
child safety belts ....................112
Child safety seats ......................113
attaching with tether straps ..117
in front seat ............................115
in rear seat ..............................115
Index
245

Cleaning your vehicle ...............218
engine compartment ..............220
exterior ....................................219
exterior lamps .........................221
instrument cluster lens ..........222
instrument panel ....................221
interior .....................................222
mirrors .....................................223
plastic parts ............................221
safety belts ..............................223
washing ....................................218
waxing .....................................219
wheels ......................................220
windows ..................................223
wiper blades ............................221
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............22
Clock ......................................35, 50
Clutch
fluid ..........................................181
operation while driving ..........133
recommended shift speeds ....134
Compass, electronic ....................66
calibration .................................68
set zone adjustment .................67
Console ........................................71
overhead ....................................64
Controls
power seat .................................89
Coolant
checking and adding ..............183
refill capacities ................187, 224
specifications ..................226, 228
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................57
Customer Assistance ................151
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................240Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................232
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................238
Getting roadside assistance ...151
Getting the service you
need .........................................232
Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................242
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................235
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................238
D
Daytime running lamps (see
Lamps) .........................................20
Defrost
rear window ..............................26
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................188
engine oil .................................177
Doors
door ajar warning .....................14
lubricant specifications ..........226
Driving under special
conditions ..........................139±140
mud ..........................................139
sand .........................................139
snow and ice ...........................140
through water .................139, 143
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................166
Emission control system ..........210
Index
246

charging system ........................13
check coolant ............................13
check engine .............................10
cruise indicator .........................15
door ajar ....................................14
fuel cap light .............................11
high beam .................................13
overdrive off ..............................14
safety belt .................................12
speed control ............................61
turn signal indicator .................13
Load limits .................................141
GAWR ......................................141
GVWR ......................................141
trailer towing ..........................141
Loading instructions .................142
Locks
autolock .....................................82
doors ..........................................70
Lubricant specifications ...226, 228
Lumbar support, seats ...............90
M
Manual transmission .................133
fluid capacities ........................224
lubricant specifications ..........228
reverse .....................................134
Mirrors
cleaning ...................................223
fold away ...................................71
side view mirrors (power) .......70
Moon roof ....................................65
Motorcraft parts ................206, 224
O
Octane rating ............................203Odometer .....................................17
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................177
Overdrive .....................................63
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................77
Parking brake ............................126
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....224
Power distribution box (see
Fuses) ........................................158
Power door locks ........................70
Power steering ..........................127
fluid, checking and adding ....188
fluid, refill capacity ................224
fluid, specifications .........226, 228
Preparing to drive your vehicle 128
R
Radio ............................................28
Rear window defroster ...............26
Relays ........................................154
Remote entry system ...........75, 77
illuminated entry ......................79
locking/unlocking doors .....76, 79
panic alarm ...............................77
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................78
replacing the batteries .............77
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ........................15, 93±98
Safety defects, reporting ..........244
Index
249

Safety restraints ....................93±98
belt minder ...............................99
cleaning the safety belts .......102,
223
extension assembly ..................98
for adults .............................94±97
for children .............................112
warning light and chime ...12, 15,
98±99
Safety seats for children ..........113
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................93
Seats
child safety seats ....................113
cleaning ...................................222
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ....................................83±85
Servicing your vehicle ..............174
Snowplowing .................................4
Spark plugs, specifications ......224,
228±229
Special notice ................................4
ambulance conversions ..............4
utility-type vehicles ....................5
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................226, 228
Speed control ..............................57
Speedometer ...............................16
Starting your vehicle ........120, 122
jump starting ..........................166
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................62T
Tachometer .................................18
Tires ...........................161, 195±196
changing ..........................161, 163
checking the pressure ............196
replacing ..................................198
rotating ....................................197
snow tires and chains ............199
tire grades ...............................196
treadwear ................................195
Towing .......................................143
recreational towing .................149
trailer towing ..........................143
wrecker ....................................172
Traction-lok rear axle ...............128
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................191
Transmission
automatic operation ...............129
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................188
fluid, refill capacities ..............224
lubricant specifications ..226, 228
manual operation ....................133
Trip odometer .............................17
Turn signal ............................13, 56
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................229
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................231
Vehicle loading ..........................141
Ventilating your vehicle ...........124
Index
250