lock FORD POSTAL EXPLORER 2000 2.G Owner's Manual

ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator fully, then remove it
again.
²If the oil level isbetween the MIN and MAX marks,the oil level is
acceptable.DO NOT ADD OIL.
²If the oil level is below the MIN mark, add enough oil to raise the level
within the MIN-MAX range.
²Oil levels above the MAX mark may cause engine damage. Some oil
must be removed from the engine by a qualified service technician.
7. Put the indicator back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
MAX mark on the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
4. Install the indicator and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
until three clicks are heard or until it is latched.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level indicator and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Maintenance and care
48

²Engine coolant concentrations above 60% or below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
Plain water may be added in an emergency, but youmustreplace it with
a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible.
Check the coolant level in the reservoir before you drive your vehicle the
next few times (with the engine cool). If necessary, add a50/50
mixtureof engine coolant and distilled water to the engine coolant
reservoir until the coolant level is at the ªcold fill levelº or within the
ªcold fill rangeº as listed on the reservoir (depending upon application).
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if you have
to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per month.
To avoid scalding hot steam or coolant from being released from
the engine cooling system, never remove the reservoir cap while
the engine is running or hot. Failure to follow this warning may result
in damage to the engine's cooling system and possible severe personal
injury.
If you must remove the coolant cap, follow these steps to avoid personal
injury:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the cap. Slowly
turn cap counterclockwise until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends the use of a recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved processes.
Not all coolant recycling processes produce coolant which meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44-A. Use of a recycled engine coolant which
does not meet the Ford specification may harm engine and cooling
system components.
Maintenance and care
54

²The vehicle may need to be driven to relearn the idle and fuel trim
strategy.
²If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the
transmission must relearn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation to its
optimum shift feel.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
²Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
²Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and care
61

Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
affect 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.
²Your ªCheck Engineº indicator may come on. For more information on
the ªCheck Engineº indicator, refer to theInstrumentationchapter.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a 1/8 turn on/off
feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops.
If the ªService Engine Soon/Check Engineº indicator comes on and stays
on after you start the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly
installed. Turn off the engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap
properly and reinstall it.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford or Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
Maintenance and care
69

Air cleaner filter .........................72
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ..................51
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ...........................22,23
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ...................................26
fluid, adding ..............................56
fluid, checking ..........................56
fluid, refill capacities ................72
fluid, specification ....................74
Axle
lubricant specifications .......73,74
refill capacities ..........................72
Battery .........................................59
acid, treating emergencies .......59
charging system warning light ..9
jumping a disabled battery ......37
maintenance-free ......................59
replacement, specifications .....72
servicing ....................................59
voltage gauge ............................11
Brakes ..........................................22
anti-lock ................................22,23
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ..............8,23
brake warning light ....................7
fluid, checking and adding ......50
fluid, refill capacities ................72
fluid, specifications ..............73,74
lubricant specifications .......73,74
shift interlock ............................25
Break-in period .............................3
Capacities for refilling fluids ......72
Coolant
checking and adding ................51
refill capacities .....................55,72
specifications .......................73,74
Dipstick
automatic transmission fluid ...56
engine oil ...................................48Doors
lubricant specifications ............73
Driveline universal
joint and slip yoke ......................58
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ............................37
Emission control system ............70
Engine ..........................................74
check engine/service engine
soon light ....................................6
coolant .......................................51
idle speed control .....................59
lubrication specifications ....73,74
refill capacities ..........................72
service points ............................47
starting after a collision ...........29
Engine oil ....................................48
checking and adding ................48
dipstick ......................................48
filter, specifications .............49,72
recommendations .....................49
refill capacities ..........................72
specifications .......................73,74
Exhaust fumes ............................20
Fluid capacities ...........................72
Fuel ..............................................65
cap .............................................69
capacity .....................................72
choosing the right fuel .............67
detergent in fuel .......................68
filling your
vehicle with fuel ..................65,69
filter, specifications .............70,72
fuel pump shut-off switch .......29
gauge .........................................12
octane rating ........................68,74
quality ........................................68
running out of fuel ...................69
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ..................65
Fuses .......................................29,30
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ..............69
Index
76

Gauges ...........................................9
battery voltage gauge ...............11
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................10
engine oil pressure gauge ........11
fuel gauge ..................................12
odometer ...................................10
speedometer ...............................9
trip odometer ............................11
Headlamps ...................................13
flash to pass ..............................14
high beam ..............................8,13
turning on and off ....................13
Ignition ....................................14,74
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ..........................................71
Instrument panel
cluster ..........................................6
lighting up
panel and interior .....................13
Jump-starting your vehicle ........37
Keys
positions of the ignition ...........14
Lamps
cargo lamps ...............................13
headlamps .................................13
headlamps, flash to pass ..........14
instrument panel, dimming .....13
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................16
Lights, warning and indicator ......6
anti-lock brakes (ABS) .........8,23
brake ............................................7
charging system ..........................9
high beam ...................................8
overdrive off ................................8
safety belt ...................................7
service engine soon ....................6
turn signal indicator ...................8
Lubricant specifications ........73,74
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ..........................72lubricant specifications ............74
Motorcraft parts .....................70,72
Octane rating ..............................68
Odometer .....................................10
Oil (see Engine oil) ....................48
Overdrive .....................................16
Parking brake ..............................23
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ......72
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .................................32
Power steering ............................24
fluid, checking and adding ......56
fluid, refill capacity ..................72
fluid, specifications ..............73,74
Relays .....................................29,34
Safety defects, reporting ............75
Safety restraints
warning light and chime .........7,9
Servicing your vehicle ................46
Spark plugs, specifications ....72,74
Special notice ................................3
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart,
lubricants ................................73,74
Speedometer .................................9
Starting your vehicle .............17,19
jump starting ............................37
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................15
Tires ..............................35,61,62,63
changing ....................................35
checking the pressure ..............63
replacing ....................................64
rotating ......................................63
snow tires and chains ..............64
tire grades .................................62
treadwear ..................................62
Towing .........................................63
wrecker ......................................43
Transmission ...............................25
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ...............................56
Index
77