light FORD POSTAL EXPLORER 2001 2.G Owner's Manual

Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use Fuel Ethanol (E85), ªRegularº unleaded
gasoline or any percentage of the two fuels combined.
The fuel tank in your vehicle may contain any percentage of ethanol
from zero to 85 percent or more. Any fuel blends containing ethanol and
unleaded gasoline should be treated the same as ªFuel Ethanol (E85)º
Use ªRegularº unleaded gasoline
with an (R+M)/2 octane rating of
87. We do not recommend the use
of gasolines labeled as ªRegularº
that are sold with octane ratings of
86 or lower in high altitude areas.
Use only the highest quality fuel ethanol to optimize the performance of
your vehicle.
U.S. government regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to have a small, square, orange and black label with the
common abbreviation E85 or the appropriate percentage for that
region. Use of other fuels such as Fuel Methanol may cause
powertrain damage, a loss of vehicle performance, and your
warranty may be invalidated.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician to prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
Many of the world's automakers
issued the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline
specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control
system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-wide
Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier
about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter. In Canada,
look for fuels that display theAuto Makers' Choiceylogo.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and care
75

Fuel Filter
Your vehicle is equipped with a fuel filter which is fuel ethanol
compatible. charging system warning light, Refer to the scheduled
maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals for changing the fuel
filter.
Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
²Use only the specified fuels listed.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
²Have the items listed in your scheduled maintenance guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the scheduled maintenance
guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the ªCheck Engineº light, charging system warning light
or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control system is
not working properly.
Maintenance and care
78

Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle's emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine
Soonº light is on, refer to the description in theWarning Lights and
Chimessection of theInstrumentationchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
Maintenance and care
79

A
Air cleaner filter .........................80
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ..................57
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..........................23±24
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ...................................27
fluid, adding ..............................62
fluid, checking ..........................62
fluid, refill capacities ................80
fluid, specification ....................82
Axle
lubricant specifications ......81±82
refill capacities ..........................80
B
Battery .........................................65
acid, treating emergencies .......65
charging system warning light ..9
jumping a disabled battery ......43
maintenance-free ......................65
replacement, specifications .....80
servicing ....................................65
voltage gauge ............................11
Brakes ..........................................23
anti-lock ...............................23±24
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .............8, 24
brake warning light ....................7
fluid, checking and adding ......56
fluid, refill capacities ................80
fluid, specifications .............81±82
lubricant specifications ......81±82
shift interlock ............................26
Break-in period .............................3C
Capacities for refilling fluids ......80
Coolant
checking and adding ................57
refill capacities ....................61, 80
specifications ......................81±82
D
Dipstick
automatic transmission fluid ...62
engine oil ...................................54
Doors
lubricant specifications ............81
Driveline universal
joint and slip yoke ......................64
Driving under special
conditions ....................................32
mud ......................................31±32
sand ...........................................32
snow and ice .......................31, 33
through water ...........................32
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ............................43
Emission control system ............78
Engine ..........................................82
check engine/
service engine soon light ...........6
coolant .......................................57
idle speed control .....................65
lubrication specifications ...81±82
refill capacities ..........................80
service points ............................53
starting after a collision ...........34
Engine oil ....................................54
Index
84

checking and adding ................54
dipstick ......................................54
filter, specifications ............55, 80
recommendations .....................55
refill capacities ..........................80
specifications ......................81±82
Exhaust fumes ............................21
F
Fluid capacities ...........................80
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .........30
control trac ...............................17
description ................................30
driving off road .........................31
electronic shift ..........................17
Fuel ..............................................71
cap .............................................77
capacity .....................................80
choosing the right fuel .............74
detergent in fuel .......................76
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..............................71, 77
filter, specifications ............78, 80
fuel pump shut-off switch .......34
gauge .........................................12
octane rating .......................75, 82
quality ........................................75
running out of fuel ...................76
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ..................71
Fuses ......................................34±35
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ..............77
Gauges ...........................................9
battery voltage gauge ...............11
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................10engine oil pressure gauge ........11
fuel gauge ..................................12
odometer ...................................10
speedometer ...............................9
trip odometer ............................11
H
Headlamps ...................................13
flash to pass ..............................14
high beam .............................8, 13
turning on and off ....................13
I
Ignition ...................................14, 82
Inspection/
maintenance (I/M) testing .........79
Instrument panel
cluster ..........................................6
lighting up
panel and interior .....................13
J
Jack ..............................................40
positioning .................................40
storage .......................................40
Jump-starting your vehicle ........43
K
Keys
positions of the ignition ...........14
L
Lamps
cargo lamps ...............................13
headlamps .................................13
Index
85

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, 24
brake ............................................7
charging system ..........................9
high beam ...................................8
overdrive off ................................8
safety belt ...................................7
service engine soon ....................6
turn signal indicator ...................8
Lubricant specifications .......81±82
M
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ..........................80
lubricant specifications ............82
Motorcraft parts ....................78, 80
O
Octane rating ..............................75
Odometer .....................................10
Oil (see Engine oil) ....................54
Overdrive .....................................16
P
Parking brake ..............................24
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ......80
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .................................37Power steering ............................25
fluid, checking and adding ......62
fluid, refill capacity ..................80
fluid, specifications .............81±82
R
Relays ....................................34, 39
S
Safety defects, reporting ............83
Safety restraints
warning light and chime ........7, 9
Servicing your vehicle ................52
Spark plugs, specifications ...80, 82
Special notice ................................3
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart,
lubricants ...............................81±82
Speedometer .................................9
Starting your vehicle ............18±21
jump starting ............................43
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................15
T
Tires .................................40, 67±69
changing ....................................40
checking the pressure ..............69
replacing ....................................70
rotating ......................................69
snow tires and chains ..............71
tire grades .................................68
treadwear ..................................68
Towing .........................................69
wrecker ......................................49
Index
86

Transmission ...............................26
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ...............................62
fluid, refill capacities ................80
lubricant specifications ......81±82
Trip odometer .............................11
Turn signal ..............................8, 16
V
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) .............................82Ventilating your vehicle .............22
W
Warning chimes .............................9
Warning lights (see Lights) .........6
Washer fluid ................................57
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .......57
operation ...................................16
Wrecker towing ...........................49
Index
87