run flat FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC 2008 Owners Manual

Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
Low tire pressure warning:
Illuminates when your tire pressure
is low. If the light remains ON at
start up or while driving, the tire
pressure should be checked. Refer
toInflating Your Tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
When the ignition is first turned to ON, the light will illuminate for 3
seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does not turn ON,
have the system inspected by your authorized dealer. For more
information on this system, refer toUnderstanding Your Tire Pressure
Monitoring Systemin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Check fuel cap:Illuminates when the fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with this light on may cause the Service
engine soon warning light to come on. Refer toFuel filler capin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter.
•Standard instrument cluster
•Optional instrument cluster
Speed control:Illuminates when
the speed control is activated. Turns
off when the speed control system
is deactivated.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Instrument Cluster
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•PC configuration — Encoding MP3 files requires intensive use of your
computer’s resources. Follow the PC configuration recommendations
of the encoder software vendor. We recommend that you avoid
running other software applications on your PC during MP3 encoding
to avoid undesirable noise and distortion.
CD, MP3 and CD player care
•Handle discs by their edges only. Never touch the playing surface.
•Do not expose discs to direct sunlight or heat sources for extended
periods of time.
•Do not insert more than one disc into the slot of the CD player (if
equipped).
•Always store discs out of direct sunlight. Excessive heat may damage
or warp discs.
•Use care when handling and playing CD-R and CD-RW discs, which
are more susceptible to damage from heat, light and stress than are
regular CDs.
•Always insert and remove a disc by holding the disc flat, with the
playing surface facing down, in order to prevent damage to the disc or
the player.
•Never insert any object other than a compact disc (CD) or digital
versatile disc (DVD) into the player, as doing so may damage the
player and may cause injury to you.
•Do not disassemble the player. The laser used in disc playback is
extremely harmful to the eyes.
The FES DVD system is designed to play commercially pressed 12
cm (4.75 in) audio compact discs and digital versatile discs (DVD)
only. Due to technical incompatibility, certain recordable and
re-recordable compact discs may not function correctly when
used in Ford CD and DVD players. Irregular shaped CDs or DVDs,
CDs or DVDs with a scratch protection film attached, and CDs
with homemade paper (adhesive) labels should not be inserted
into the FES DVD system. The label may peel and cause the CD
or DVD to become jammed. It is recommended that homemade
CDs or DVDs be identified with permanent felt tip marker rather
than adhesive labels. Ball point pens may damage CDs or DVDs.
Please contact your authorized dealer for further information.
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Entertainment Systems
69

CLEAR OBJECTS BY PASS SEAT.Displayed when objects are by the
passenger seat. After the objects are moved away from the seat, if the
warning stays on or continues to come on contact your authorized dealer.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage when the engine is running. If you are
operating electrical accessories when the engine is idling at a low speed,
turn off as many of the electrical loads as soon as possible. If the
warning stays on or comes on when the engine is operating at normal
speeds, have the electrical system checked as soon as possible.
FUEL LEVEL LOW.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel condition.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED.Displayed when the manual park brake is
set, the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than 3 mph
(5 km/h). If the warning stays on after the park brake is released,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM.Displayed when the braking system is not
operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK PARK AID (if equipped).Displayed when the transmission is
in R (Reverse) and the Reverse Sensing System (Park Aid) is disabled.
Refer toReverse Sensing System (Park Aid)in this section to enable.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE.Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating Your Tiresin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE MONITOR FAULT.Displayed when the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or continues to come
on, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
TIRE SENSOR FAULT.Displayed when a tire pressure sensor is
malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more information on how
the system operates under these conditions, refer toUnderstanding
Your Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, have
the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and
the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake fluid
reservoirin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHECK HEADLAMP.Displayed when the headlamps are activated and
at least one bulb is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as possible and
have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer toReplacing headlamp bulbs
in theLightschapter.
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Driver Controls
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CLEAR OBJECTS BY PASS SEAT.Displayed when objects are by the
passenger seat. After the objects are moved away from the seat, if the
warning stays on or continues to come on contact your authorized dealer.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as soon as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on
when the engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical
system checked as soon as possible.
FUEL LEVEL LOW.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel condition.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED.Displayed when the manual park brake is
set, the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than 3 mph (5
km/h). If the warning stays on after the park brake is released, contact
your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM.Displayed when the braking system is not
operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK PARK AID (if equipped).Displayed when the transmission is
in R (Reverse) and the Reverse Sensing System (Park Aid) is disabled.
Refer toReverse Sensing System (Park Aid)in this section to enable.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE.Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating Your Tiresin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE MONITOR FAULT.Displayed when the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or continues to come
on, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
TIRE SENSOR FAULT.Displayed when a tire pressure sensor is
malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more information on how
the system operates under these conditions, refer toUnderstanding
Your Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, have
the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and
the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake fluid
reservoirin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHECK HEADLAMP.Displayed when the headlamps are activated and
at least one bulb is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as possible and
have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer toReplacing headlamp bulbs
in theLightschapter.
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Driver Controls
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The tire pressure sensors mounted in the wheels (originally installed on
your vehicle) are not designed to be used in aftermarket wheels.
The use of wheels or tires not recommended by Ford Motor Company
may affect the operation of your Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
If the TPMS indicator is flashing, your TPMS is malfunctioning. Your
replacement tire might be incompatible with your TPMS, or some
component of the TPMS may be damaged.
Safety practices
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
•Observe posted speed limits
•Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
•Avoid potholes and objects on the road
•Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking
If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,do notrapidly
spin the tires; spinning the tires can tear the tire and cause an
explosion. A tire can explode in as little as three to five seconds.
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Highway hazards
No matter how carefully you drive there’s always the possibility that you
may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tires for damage. If a tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and replace it with your spare tire and wheel. If
you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest repair
facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
Tire and wheel alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or cause damage to your tires. If your
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
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STEERING
To help prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
•Some 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.
•Heavy 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.
•Do 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:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper 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 seat belt.
Utility vehicles and trucks have larger tires and increased ground
clearance, giving the vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger
car.
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Driving
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•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example; bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
authorized dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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Starting your
vehicle ........................248–249, 251
jump starting ..........................299
Steering wheel
controls ....................................109
tilting .........................................96
T
Tailgate ......................................137
Tilt steering wheel ......................96
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Driving .....................................276
Roadside Emergencies ...........290
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....229
Warning Displays ......12, 120, 133
Tires ...........................214–216, 290
alignment ................................222
care ..........................................219
changing ..........................290, 294
checking the pressure ............219
inflating ...................................217
label .........................................228
replacing ..........................220, 294
rotating ....................................223
safety practices .......................222
sidewall information ...............224
snow tires and chains ............234
spare tire .........................290, 292
terminology .............................216
tire grades ...............................215
treadwear ........................215, 219
Tonneau cover ...........................140
Towing .......................................241
recreational towing .................247
trailer towing ..........................241
wrecker ....................................304Transfer case
fluid checking .........................352
Transmission .............................261
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....261
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................351
fluid, refill capacities ..............355
lubricant specifications ..........355
Trunk .........................................142
Turn signal ..................................89
U
USB port ......................................44
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................359
Vehicle loading ..........................234
camper bodies ........................246
Ventilating your vehicle ...........251
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................325
Water, Driving through .............279
Windows
power .......................................100
Windshield
defrosting ..................................83
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................95
checking and adding fluid .....325
replacing wiper blades ...........326
Wrecker towing .........................304
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
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