1996 FORD EXPLORER check engine light

350
[SV14425( X)12/95]
7-1/2 pica art:0090215-B
Engine oil dipstick Ð 5.0L engine
[SV14500(ALL)10/94]6.
Carefully, pull the dipstick out again. If the oil level is below
the ªADDº line, add engine oil as necessary. If the oil level
is beyond the letter ªFº in Full, engine damage or high oil
consumption may occur and some oil must be removed from
the engine.
*
[SV14600(ALL)01/95]7.
Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is fully seated.
*
[SV14800(ALL)01/95]
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil changes. Make
sure you use a CERTIFIED engine oil of the preferred viscosity.
Your vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if engine
damage is caused by the use of improper engine oil.
*
[SV15000(ALL)03/95]
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap highlighted in yellow.
To add oil, remove the filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil
into the opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine. Recheck
the oil level after you finish adding oil.
File:15unsvx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:20:34 1996

364
*
[SV26470(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine with one wheel off
the ground, such as when changing a tire.
%*
[SV26500(ALL)02/95]
Tire Rotation
*
[SV26600(ALL)03/95]
Because your vehicle's front and rear tires perform different
jobs, they often wear differently. To make sure your tires wear
evenly and last longer, rotate them at the mileage shown in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet which came with your
vehicle.
*
[SV26700(ALL)07/92]
Rotate the tires according to the following diagram. If you
notice that the tires wear unevenly, have them checked. If your
light truck has a temporary spare tire, do not include it in the
tire rotation pattern.
*
[SV26750(ALL)03/90]
In situations where the tires differ from front to rear
(snow/traction), simply rotate using a side to side pattern.
File:15unsvx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:20:34 1996

Servicing Your Explorer
379
[SV37500(ALL)04/94]
7-1/2 pica art:0020382-C
Brake master cylinder
%*
[SV37600(ALL)03/95]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[SV37700(ALL)01/95]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at least twice a
year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
%*
[SV37800(ALL)03/95]
Checking and Adding Power Steering Fluid
*
[SV37900(ALL)02/95]1.
Start the engine and let it run until the power steering fluid
reaches normal operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when the engine
coolant temperature gauge in the instrument cluster is near
the center of the NORMAL operating temperature range.
*
[SV38000(ALL)01/95]2.
While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel back and
forth several times. Make sure that the cap assembly is
installed at this time.
*
[SV38100(ALL)05/95]3.
Turn the engine off.
%*
[SV38200(ALL)03/94]4.
Check the fluid level on the dipstick (which is highlighted in
yellow in your vehicle). The fluid level should be between
the arrows in the FULL HOT range, which is marked on the
side of the dipstick, opposite the side marked FULL COLD.
Do not add fluid if the level is within the FULL HOT range.
File:15unsvx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:20:34 1996

388
%*
[SV42200(ALL)06/95]
Checking and Replacing Fuses
*
[SV42300(ALL)02/95]
If you need to check a fuse, follow these steps:
[SV43000(ALL)01/95]1.
Find the fuse panel, which is located in the left end of the
instrument panel. The power distribution box (described
earlier in this section) is found in the engine compartment,
mounted on a bracket attached to the left fender apron.
[SV43100(ALL)10/94]
To access the fuse panel, remove the fuse panel cover by
inserting your finger in the divot and pulling on the cover.
The underside of the cover contains four spare fuses. A fuse
pulling tool is located in the lower right corner of the fuse
panel in case you need to replace a blown fuse.
*
[SV43200(ALL)03/94]
The spare fuses for your vehicle are color coded as follows:
10 amp Ð red, 15 amp Ð light blue, 20 amp Ð natural, 30
amp Ð light green.
*
[SV43300(ALL)06/95]2.
On the fuse panel cover, find the number of the fuse you
want to check. The diagram on the cover tells you where to
locate the fuse on the panel.
*
[SV43400(ALL)06/95]3.
Check the fuse to see if it is blown. Look through the clear
side of the fuse to see if the metal wire inside is separated. If
it is, the fuse is blown and should be replaced.
[SV43500(ALL)04/94]
7-1/2 pica art:0021196-A
The side view of a fuse
File:15unsvx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:20:34 1996

400
*
[SV49300(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
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.
*
[SV49400(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
On vehicles without original equipment floor covering or
insulation, do not let passengers ride in your truck in a
manner that allows contact between skin and the metal
floor.
*
[SV49500(ALL)05/95]
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss of oil pressure,
the charge warning light, the check engine light, or the
temperature warning light. These sometimes indicate that the
emission system is not working properly.
*
[SV49600(ALL)01/95]
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or
engine. Changes that cause more unburned fuel to reach the
exhaust system can increase the temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
*
[SV49700(ALL)01/95]
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases,
trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles is not permitted
to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent it
from working. In some of the United States and in Canada,
vehicle owners may be liable if their emission control device is
removed or is prevented from working.
File:15unsvx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:20:34 1996

Index
421
A
Accessory position on the ignition............. 67
Accessory power source, power point outlet....... 204
Additives, engine oil.................. 348
Air bag supplemental restraint system
and child safety seats..............26±27, 52
description.................... 24,28
disposal....................... 32
driver air bag................... 24,28
indicator light..................... 83
operation....................... 28
passenger air bag................. 26,28
proper seating.................... 26
service and information labels............. 28
tone generator.................. 30,32
wearing safety belts.................. 25
Air cleaner filter
location...................... 336
specifications.................... 405
Air suspension, check air ride system warning,
message center................. 100
Alarm, activating remote personal............ 162
All wheel drive.................... 258
Ambulance packages................... 5
Antenna, radio (see Electronic sound system). . . 207, 213, 241
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)............. 352
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)............. 352
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description..................... 261
noise........................ 263
see also Brake.................... 261
Anti-theft system
arming the system.................. 167
description..................... 167
disarming an untriggered system........... 168
disarming a triggered system............. 168
File:unixx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:21:09 1996

426
Convenience kit in cargo area............. 301
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
checking and adding................ 352
drain and flush................... 356
preparing for storage................ 410
refill capacities................... 356
specifications.................... 406
temperature gauge.................. 92
warnings...................... 352
Cooling fan...................... 334
Crankcase emission filter................ 405
Cruise control (see Speed control)............ 141
Customer Assistance Centre, Ford of Canada...... 324
D
Dashboard (see Instrument panel)............ 109
Daytime running light system............. 132
Defects, reporting................... 323
Defrost
rear window.................... 126
windshield..................... 113
Dipstick....................... 349
automatic transmission fluid...........373, 375
engine oil..................... 349
power steering fluid................. 379
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)............. 311
Dispute Settlement Board............... 319
Doors........................ 147
lubricant specifications................ 406
Driveline universal joint and slip yoke......... 377
Driving under special conditions
bad weather.................... 269
heavy load..................... 271
high speed..................... 268
high water..................... 270
slippery roads................... 269
tips for safe driving................. 267
towing a trailer................... 272
File:unixx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:21:09 1996

427
Index
E
Electrical system
fuses......................381, 388
operating when the engine is off............ 67
power point outlet................. 204
relays....................... 389
Electronic message center (see Message center)....... 96
Electronic sound system
accessory delay.................... 67
antenna...................... 213
atenna....................... 213
radio reception................... 241
tuning the radio...............210, 223, 238
warranty and service information........... 243
Electronic stereo cassette radio (see Electronic
sound system)...............209, 222
Electronic stereo radio (see Electronic sound system) . 209, 222
Emergencies, roadside
assistance...................... 317
battery acid spills................295, 373
fuel........................ 344
jump-starting.................... 295
towing....................... 311
Emergency brake (parking brake)............ 266
Emission control system
catalytic converter.................. 399
emissions warranty................ 3,399
Engine
check engine warning light............... 84
does not start................... 72,74
fuel injected engine, starting............70±71
fuel pump shut-off switch............... 74
preparing to start................... 70
service points.................... 336
File:unixx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:21:09 1996