load capacity FORD EXPLORER SPORT 2001 1.G Owners Manual

VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
²Base Curb Weight:Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include occupants or
aftermarket equipment.
²Payload:Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, occupants
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
²GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.
²GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating):Maximum permissable total
weight of the base vehicle, occupants, optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Certification Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating):Carrying capacity for each axle
system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Certification Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GCW (Gross Combined Weight):The combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo) and the loaded trailer.
²GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating):Maximum permissable
combined weight of towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo)
and the loaded trailer
²Maximum Trailer Weight Rating:Maximum weight of a trailer the
vehicle is permitted to tow. The maximum trailer weight rating is
determined by subtracting the vehicle curb weight for each
engine/transmission combination, any required option weight for trailer
towing and the weight of the driver from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.
²Maximum Trailer Weight:Maximum weight of a trailer the loaded
vehicle (including occupants and cargo) is permitted to tow. It is
determined by subtracting the weight of the loaded trailer towing
vehicle from the GCWR for the towing vehicle.
²Trailer Weight Range:Specified weight range that the trailer must
fall within that ranges from zero to the maximum trailer weight rating.
Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.
Driving
141

Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than the
originals because they may lower the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
The Safety Certification Label, found on the driver's door pillar, lists
several important vehicle weight rating limitations. Before adding any
additional equipment, refer to these limitations. If you are adding weight
to the front of your vehicle, (potentially including weight added to the
cab), the weight added should not exceed the front axle reserve capacity
(FARC). Additional frontal weight may be added to the front axle reserve
capacity provided you limit your payload in other ways (i.e. restrict the
number of occupants or amount of cargo carried).
Always ensure that the weight of occupants, cargo and equipment being
carried is within the weight limitations that have been established for
your vehicle including both gross vehicle weight and front and rear gross
axle weight rating limits. Under no circumstance should these limitations
be exceeded. Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation could result
in serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
Special loading instructions for owners of pickup trucks and
utility-type vehicles
For important information regarding safe operation of this type
of vehicle, see thePreparing to drive your vehiclesection
intheDrivingchapter of this owner guide.
Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity, may handle
differently than unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as
slower speeds and increased stopping distance, should be taken when
driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle has the capability to haul more cargo and people than most
passenger cars. Depending upon the type and placement of the load,
hauling cargo and people may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
Driving
142

²Five tire rotation
Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial bias-belted, or
bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the
Certification Label. Make sure that all tires are the same size, speed
rating, and load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire combinations
recommended on the label. If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
Maintenance and care
198

Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g., ªAll Terrainº, etc.),
as originally offered by Ford.
Do not replace your tires with ªhigh performanceº tires or larger
size tires.
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle and make it easier for the driver to lose
control and roll over.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
USING SNOW TIRES AND TRACTION DEVICES
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, using snow tires or traction
devices may be necessary. Ford offers tire cables as a Ford approved
accessory and recommends use of these or SAE class ªSº. See your
dealer or qualified service technician for more information on tire cables
for your vehicle.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and traction devices:
²Cables or chains should only be used on the rear wheels.
²Install cables or chains securely, verifying that the cables or chains do
not touch any wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
²Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables or chains rub or bang against
the vehicle, stop and retighten them. If this does not work, remove the
cables or chains to prevent vehicle damage.
²Avoid overloading your vehicle.
²Remove the cables or chains when they are no longer needed.
²Do not use cables or chains on dry roads.
Maintenance and care
199

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 ofthe Capacities and specificationschapter.
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 2 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.
²Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in kilometers or miles).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in liters
or gallons).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
Maintenance and care
207

Engine ................................228±229
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
cleaning ...................................220
coolant .....................................183
idle speed control ...................192
lubrication
specifications ..................226, 228
refill capacities ........................224
service points ..........................176
starting after a collision .........152
Engine block heater .................123
Engine oil ..................................177
checking and adding ..............177
dipstick ....................................177
filter, specifications ........179, 224
recommendations ...................179
refill capacities ........................224
specifications ..................226, 228
Exhaust fumes ..........................124
F
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....200
Floor mats ...................................73
Fluid capacities .........................224
Foglamps .....................................20
Four-Wheel Drive
vehicles ................................14, 135
control trac ...............................27
description ..............................136
driving off road .......................138
electronic shift ..................27, 136
indicator light .........................136
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................128
Fuel ............................................200
calculating fuel economy .......206
cap .....................................11, 205capacity ...................................224
choosing the right fuel ...........203
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................209
detergent in fuel .....................205
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................200, 205, 207
filter, specifications ........206, 224
fuel pump shut-off switch .....152
gauge .........................................19
improving fuel economy ........206
octane rating ...........203, 228±229
quality ......................................204
running out of fuel .................205
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................200
Fuses ..................................154±155
G
Garage door opener ....................64
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......11, 205
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................206
Gauges .........................................16
battery voltage gauge ...............18
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................17
engine oil pressure gauge ........18
fuel gauge ..................................19
odometer ...................................17
speedometer .............................16
tachometer ................................18
trip odometer ............................17
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................141
calculating ...............................143
definition .................................141
driving with a heavy load ......141
location ....................................141
Index
247

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