automatic transmission fluid FORD POSTAL EXPLORER 2001 2.G Owners Manual

The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned ON) until the
parking brake is released.
The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or in 1 (First) (manual transmission).
Push the control on the end of the
parking brake and push the handle
down to release the brake. Driving
with the parking brake on will cause
the brakes to wear out quickly and
reduce fuel economy.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to help steer the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
²Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left
for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
²Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on 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.
!
BRAKE
Driving
25

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 rotating 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.
Water intrusion into the transmission may damage the
transmission.
If the rear axle is submerged in water, the rear axle lubricant should be
checked and changed, if necessary. The rear axle is filled with a
synthetic lubricant and does not normally require a lubricant change for
the life of the vehicle. Rear axle lubricant quantities should not need to
be checked unless a leak is suspected.
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
When climbing a steep hill, start in a lower gear rather than downshifting
to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has started. This
reduces the strain on the engine.
When descending a steep hill, avoid sudden braking. Shift to a lower gear
when added engine braking is desired.
Automatic transmissions may shift frequently while driving up steep
grades. Eliminate frequent shifting by shifting out of
(Overdrive) into
D (Drive).
Driving
32

Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do
not remove it while the engine is running.
IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
4.0L SOHC V6 ENGINE
1. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2. Power distribution box
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Engine oil dipstick
5. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
6. Engine oil filler cap
7. Battery
8. Radiator cap
9. Power steering fluid reservoir
10
123456
978
Maintenance and care
53

Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guidefor 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.
5. The fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
6. 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
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
DONOTOVERFILLPOWERSTEERINGFLUID
Maintenance and care
62

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 warmed up
(approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been 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 outside temperatures are
above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperatures 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km (20
miles) of driving. However, you can check the fluid without driving if the
ambient temperatures are above 10ÉC (50ÉF). If fluid is added at this
time, an overfill condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal
operating temperature.
H
Maintenance and care
63

The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC
[150ÉF-170ÉF]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transmission failure.
An overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or
possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and also in the
Lubricant specificationssection in theCapacities and specifications
chapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 250 mL (1/2 pint) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified
technician.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND SLIP YOKE
Your vehicle may be equipped with universal joints that require
lubrication. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for maintenance
intervals. If the original universal joints are replaced with universal joints
equipped with grease fittings, lubrication will also be necessary.
H
H
H
Maintenance and care
64

MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 4.0L SOHC V6 engine
Air filter element FA-1658
Fuel filter FG-1002
Battery BXT-65-650
Oil filter FL-820
PCV valve EV-245
Spark plugs* AGSF-22PP
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part Name Capacity
Brake fluid High Performance DOT 3
Motor Vehicle Brake FluidFill to line on
reservoir.
Engine oil (including
filter change)Motorcraft SAE 5W-30
Super Premium Motor Oil4.7L (5.0 quarts)
Fuel tank N/A 78.7L
(20.8 gallons)
Power steering fluid Motorcraft MERCONt
AT FFill to MAX line on
reservoir.
Transmission fluid Motorcraft MERCONtV
AT F
19.5L
(10.0 quarts)2
Engine coolant3Premium Engine Coolant 13.2L
(14.0 quarts)
Rear axle lubricant
4,5Motorcraft SAE 80W-90
Premium Rear Axle
Lubricant2.9-3.1L
(5.5-5.8 pints)
Windshield washer
fluidUltra-Clear Windshield
Washer Concentrate2.6L (2.7 quarts)
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. MERCONtand MERCONtV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONtand MERCONtV. Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide to determine the correct service interval.
Capacities and specifications
80

2Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may
vary based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The
amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the
indication on the dipstick's normal operating range.
3Use Ford Premium Engine Coolant (green in color). DO NOT USE Ford
Extended Life Engine Coolant (orange in color). Refer toAdding engine
coolant, in the Maintenance and Care chapter.
4Fill to 6 mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below bottom of fill hole.
5Your vehicle is equipped with a conventional rear axle. Refer to your
scheduled maintenance guide for axle fluid change intervals.
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
Item Ford Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Automatic
transmissionMotorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FXT-5-QM MERCONtV
Brake fluid High
Perfromance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidC6AZ-19542-AB ESA-M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Driveshaft, slip
spline, universal
jointsPremium Long
Life GreaseXG-1-C or
XG-1-T or
XG-1-KESA-M1C75-B
Engine coolant
1Ford Premium
Engine CoolantE2FZ-19549-AA
(in Canada,
Motorcraft
CXC-8-B)ESE-M97B44-A
Engine oil Motorcraft SAE
5W-30 Super
Premium Motor
OilXO-5W30-QSP WSS-M2C153-H
with API
Certification
Mark
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Capacities and specifications
81

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

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