Page 409 of 444
![FORD EXPLORER 1996 2.G Owners Manual Servicing Your Explorer
409
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[SV56500(ALL)01/95]
n
If vehicles are stored outside, they require regular
maintenance to protect against rust and damage.
*
[SV56600(ALL)01/95]
Body
*
[SV56700(ALL)01/95 FORD EXPLORER 1996 2.G Owners Manual Servicing Your Explorer
409
*
[SV56500(ALL)01/95]
n
If vehicles are stored outside, they require regular
maintenance to protect against rust and damage.
*
[SV56600(ALL)01/95]
Body
*
[SV56700(ALL)01/95](/manual-img/11/4952/w960_4952-408.png)
Servicing Your Explorer
409
*
[SV56500(ALL)01/95]
n
If vehicles are stored outside, they require regular
maintenance to protect against rust and damage.
*
[SV56600(ALL)01/95]
Body
*
[SV56700(ALL)01/95]
n
Wash vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt, grease, oil, tar or
mud from exterior surfaces, rear wheel housing and
underside of front fenders.
*
[SV56800(ALL)01/95]
n
Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed locations.
*
[SV56900(ALL)01/95]
n
Touch-up raw or primed metal to prevent rust.
*
[SV57000(ALL)01/95]
n
Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a thick coat of
auto wax to prevent discoloration. Re-wax as necessary when
the vehicle is washed.
*
[SV57100(ALL)04/95]
n
Lubricate all hood, door and trunk lid hinges and latches
with a light grade oil.
*
[SV57200(ALL)01/95]
n
Cover interior soft trim to prevent fading.
*
[SV57300(ALL)01/95]
n
Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.
%*
[SV57350(ALL)01/95]
Engine
*
[SV57400(ALL)01/95]
n
Start engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle until it reaches
normal operating temperature.
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[SV57500(ALL)01/95]
n
With your foot on the brake, shift through all the gears
while the engine is running.
%*
[SV57600(ALL)01/95]
Fuel system
%*
[SV57700(ALL)07/94]
n
Fill fuel tank with high-quality unleaded fuel until the first
automatic shutoff of the fuel pump nozzle.
*
[SV57900(ALL)03/95]
NOTE: During extended periods of vehicle storage (60 days or
more), fuel may deteriorate due to oxidation. This can
damage rubber and other polymers in the fuel system
and may also clog small orifices.
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Page 421 of 444

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
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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
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428
Engine (continued)
starting..................... 67,71
starting after a collision................ 74
storing your vehicle...............408±409
Engine block heater................... 73
Engine coolant
checking and adding................ 352
checking hoses................... 355
disposal..................334, 351, 375
drain and flush................... 356
preparing for storage................ 410
recovery reservoir.................. 336
refill procedure................... 356
specifications.................... 406
temperature gauge.................. 92
Engine coolant temperature gauge
description...................... 92
mechanical...................... 92
Engine coolant temperature guage:electronic........ 92
Engine fan...................... 334
Engine:idle speed control................. 72
Engine oil
changing oil and oil filter............349, 351
checking and adding................ 349
dipstick...................... 349
disposal..................334, 351, 375
engine oil pressure gauge............... 90
filter, specifications................. 405
specifications..................348, 406
synthetic oil.................... 348
ªbreak-inº oils.................... 5
viscosity...................... 348
Entry system
illuminated..................... 166
keyless....................... 156
remote....................... 161
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430
Fuel cap
removing...................... 339
replacing....................339, 341
Fuel filler door
override, manual.................. 340
remote release................... 339
Fuel filter, specifications................ 405
Fuel gauge....................... 91
Fuel pump shut-off switch
engine does not start................. 74
starting after a collision................ 74
Fuse panels
instrument panel.................. 388
power distribution box............... 386
Fuses
charts.....................381, 388
checking and replacing............... 388
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap)................. 339
Gas mileage (see Fuel economy).........99,342, 346
Gasoline (see Fuel).................. 339
Gauges, Electronic
engine coolant temperature gauge........... 92
fuel gauge...................... 91
odometer....................... 94
speedometer..................... 93
Gauges, Mechanical
battery voltage gauge................. 89
charging system gauge................ 89
engine coolant temperature gauge........... 92
engine oil pressure gauge............... 90
fuel gauge...................... 91
odometer....................... 94
speedometer..................... 93
tachometer...................... 94
trip odometer..................... 94
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434
Lamps (continued)
interior lamps.................127, 132
replacing bulbs................... 392
trailer....................... 290
Lane change indicator (see Turn signal)......... 135
Lights, warning and indicator
airbag........................ 83
anti-theft....................... 88
brake........................ 81
charging system................... 87
check engine..................... 84
engine oil pressure.................. 90
hazard warning light................ 139
high beam...................... 91
low washer fluid.................. 104
oil pressure...................... 90
overdrive off..................... 86
safety belt...................... 82
service engine soon.................. 84
theft system..................... 88
turn signal indicator................. 135
Load limits
GAWR....................... 271
GVWR....................... 271
trailer towing.................... 272
Lubricant specifications................ 406
Lug nuts
standard...................... 307
tightening sequence................. 304
M
Maintenance schedule and record (see separate Maintenance
Schedule and Record booklet)........... 3
Maintenance (see Servicing).............. 333
Manual transmission
clutch.....................251, 376
fluid, checking and adding.............. 376
lubricant specifications................ 406
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435
Index
Manual transmission (continued)
shifting gears.................... 251
shift speeds..................... 253
Master cylinder, brakes................. 377
Message center
low washer fluid.................. 104
system check button................. 100
Methanol in fuel.................... 344
Mileage, calculating fuel economy...........99,346
Mirrors
automatic dimming rearview mirror......... 188
dual electric remote control............. 191
rearview...................... 188
side view mirrors.................. 188
side view mirrors (power).............. 191
vanity mirror.................... 190
vanity mirror, illuminated.............. 190
Moon roof...................... 192
Motorcraft parts.................... 405
N
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration..... 323
New vehicle break-in.................. 5
O
Octane rating..................... 342
Odometer
description...................... 94
trip odometer..................... 94
Off road driving, 4-wheel drive............. 259
Oil filter.....................351, 405
Oil (see Engine oil).................. 348
Oil viscosity...................... 348
On-board diagnostic (OBD II) system.......... 401
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441
Index
Trailer towing
calculating maximum trailer weight.......... 277
safety chains.................... 290
trailer brakes.................... 290
trailer lamps.................... 290
Transaxle
automatic operation................. 246
lubricant specifications................ 406
Transaxle control switch................ 248
Transfer case, fluid checking.............. 376
Transmission
automatic operation................. 246
fluid, checking and adding (automatic)........ 374
fluid, checking and adding (manual)......... 376
lubricant specifications................ 406
Transmission control switch.............. 248
Transmitter (see Remote entry)............. 161
Trip odometer...................... 94
Tune-up specifications (VECI).............. 401
Turn signal...................... 135
indicator lights................... 135
lever........................ 135
U
Used engine oil, disposal............334, 351, 375
V
Vanity mirror..................... 190
Variable interval wipers................ 136
VECI (Vehicle Emission Control Information) decal.... 401
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)........... 318
Vehicle loading.................... 272
calculating the load................. 277
understanding loading information.......... 271
Vehicle storage.................... 408
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