1996 FORD EXPLORER instrument panel

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[PI02300(ALL)05/95]
Table of ContentsIntroductory Information................ 1
Safety Restraints.................... 9
Starting Your Explorer................. 67
Warning Lights and Gauges............... 79
Instrument Panel Controls............... 109
Steering Column Controls............... 135
Features....................... 147
Electronic Sound Systems............... 207
Driving Your Explorer................. 245
Roadside Emergencies................. 295
Customer Assistance................. 317
Reporting Safety Defects.............. 323
Accessories...................... 327
Servicing Your Explorer................ 333
Quick Index..................... 411
Index......................... 421
Service Station Information.............. 444
File:01unpix.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 10:03:21 1996

Safety Restraints
27
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[SR12290( X)07/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a right front passenger air bag.
Air bags deploy with great force, faster than the blink of an eye.
Front passengers, especially children and small adults, must
never sit on the front edge of the seat, stand near the glove
compartment of the instrument panel, or lean over near the air
bag cover when the vehicle is moving. All occupants should sit
with their backs against the seatback, move the seat to the most
rearward position if possible and use the safety belts. Children
weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg) always should use child or
infant seats.
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[SR12300( X)07/95]
RWARNING
When using forward-facing child seats move the
passenger seat as far back from the instrument panel as
possible. NEVER SECURE REAR-FACING INFANT
SEATS IN THE FRONT SEAT.
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[SR12310( X)11/95]
The force of the rapidly inflating passenger air bag could push
the top of the rear-facing seat against the vehicle seatback,
armrests or console. Rear-facing infant seats must always be
secured in the rear seat.
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[SR12400( X)07/95]
RWARNING
Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the
air bag cover on the steering wheel or in front seat areas
that may come in contact with a deploying air bag.
Failure to follow this instruction may increase the risk of
personal injury in the event of a collision.
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[SR12500( X)08/95]
For additional important safety information on the proper use of
seat belts, child seats, and infant seats, please read the other
sections of this chapter of the Owner Guide, especially sections
entitledSafety Belts for ChildrenandSafety Seats for Children.
File:03unsrx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:02:31 1996

28
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[SR12600( X)07/95]
For further information about the proper mounting of
equipment in the front seat of this vehicle, please refer to Ford's
brochure entitledSome Important Information About Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint Systemwhich can be obtained by calling
Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356. Ask for brochure FPS-8602.
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[SR12700(ALL)01/95]
How the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
Operates
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[SR12800( X)06/95]
The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System consists of the
driver and passenger air bags, impact sensors, a system
diagnostic module, a readiness light and tone, and the electrical
wiring which connects the components.
[SR12900(ALL)06/95]
The driver air bag is in the center of the steering wheel. The
right front passenger seat air bag (if equipped) is in the upper
right hand section of the instrument panel ledge above the
glove compartment.
File:03unsrx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:02:31 1996

Safety Restraints
53 information on top tether straps seeAttaching Safety Seats With
Tether Strapsin this chapter.
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[SR16025(ALL)08/95]
When installing a child safety seat, be sure to use the correct
safety belt buckle for that seating position, and make sure the
tongue is securely fastened in the buckle. For a shoulder/lap
belt combination with a sliding tongue, make sure the retractor
is in the automatic locking mode.
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[SR16090(ALL)07/95]
All child restraint systems are designed to be secured in vehicle
seats by lap belts or by the lap portion of a lap-shoulder belt.
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[SR16100(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
If you do not properly secure the safety seat, the child
occupying the seat may be injured during a collision or
sudden stop. An unsecured safety seat could also injure
other passengers.
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[SR16140( X)06/95]
Children weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg) should use child or
infant seats. Forward facing child seats must have the passenger
seat moved as far back from the instrument panel as possible.
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[SR16150( X)05/95]
RWARNING
REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS SHOULD NEVER BE
USED IN THE FRONT SEAT. REAR-FACING INFANT
SEATS MUST ALWAYS BE PLACED IN THE REAR
SEAT. Failure to follow these instructions could result in
serious injury.
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[SR16200(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Carefully follow all of the manufacturer's instructions
included with the safety seat you put in your vehicle. If
you do not install and use the safety seat properly, the
child may be injured in a sudden stop or collision.
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Update:Thu Feb 29 09:02:31 1996

Safety Restraints
55
[SR16290( X)02/96]
Safety Seats for Children
[SR16300( X)02/96]
Use a safety seat that is recommended for the size and weight
of the child. Always follow the safety seat manufacturer's
instructions when installing and using a safety seat.
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[SR16310(ALL)02/96]
When possible, put children in the rear seat of your vehicle.
Accident statistics suggest that children are safer when properly
restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating
positions.
[SR16320( X)02/96]
Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat having a top
tether strap. Install the child safety seat in a seating position
which is capable of providing a tether anchorage. For more
information on top tether straps see your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
[SR16330( X)02/93]
When installing a child safety seat, be sure to use the correct
safety belt buckle for that seating position, and make sure the
tongue is securely fastened in the buckle.
[SR16340( X)02/96]
Children weighing less than 40 lb. (18 kg) should use child or
infant seats. Forward facing child seats must have the passenger
seat moved as far back from the instrument panel as possible.
[SR16350( X)02/96]
RWARNING
REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS SHOULD NEVER BE
PLACED IN THE FRONT SEAT. REAR-FACING
INFANT SEATS MUST ALWAYS BE PLACED IN THE
REAR SEAT. Failure to follow these instructions could
result in serious injury.
[SR16360( X)02/96]
All child restraint systems are designed to be secured in vehicle
seats by lap belts or by the lap portion of a lap-shoulder belt.
File:03unsrx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:02:31 1996

Starting Your Explorer
71
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[ST06000(ALL)03/95]
Before you start your vehicle, you should test the warning lights
on the instrument panel to make sure that they work. Refer to
theWarning Lights and Gaugeschapter.
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[ST06200(ALL)02/95]
Starting Your Engine
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[ST06300(ALL)06/95]
To start your engine:
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[ST06400(ALL)05/95]1.
Follow the steps underPreparing to Start Your Vehicleat the
beginning of this section.
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[ST06425(ALL)03/95]2.
Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
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[ST06451(ALL)06/95]3.
DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when starting your
engine. DO NOT use the accelerator while the vehicle is
parked.
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[ST06475(ALL)02/95]4.
Turn the key to the START position (cranking) until the
engine starts. Allow the key to return to the ON position
after the engine has started.
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[ST06501(ALL)02/95]
If you have difficulty in turning the key, rotate the steering
wheel slightly because it may be binding.
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[ST06510(ALL)04/95]
For a cold engine:
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[ST06515(ALL)06/95]
n
At temperatures10ÊF (-12ÊC) andbelow:If the engine does
not start infifteen (15) secondson the first try, turn the key
to OFF, wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not
flood the engine, then try again.
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[ST06520(ALL)04/95]
n
At temperaturesabove10ÊF(-12ÊC):If the engine does not
start infive (5) secondson the first try, turn the key to OFF,
wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not flood the
engine, then try again.
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Update:Thu Feb 29 09:22:05 1996

79
Warning Lights and Gauges
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[LG00400(ALL)01/95]
The instrument panel (dashboard) on your vehicle is divided
into several different sections. The illustrations on the following
pages show the major parts of the instrument panel that are
described in this chapter. Some items shown may not be on all
vehicles.
[LG00550( X)11/89]
In your vehicle, the warning lights and gauges are grouped
together on the instrument panel. We call this grouping a
cluster. Your vehicle has a mechanical cluster with tachometer.
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Update:Thu Feb 29 09:04:08 1996

Warning Lights and Gauges
101 for service as soon as possible. For Fuel Level, the first message
will indicate the fuel level status (OK or LOW) and the second
message will indicate the range (distance to empty).
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[LG37500( X)01/95]
Message center operation during system check
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[LG37550( X)01/95]
The M/C switches will operate as follows during the System
Check sequence:
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[LG37600( X)01/95]1.
A press of the SYSTEM CHECK switch will advance the
cycle to the next system message without waiting the two
seconds.
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[LG37650( X)01/95]2.
A press of the RESET switch anytime during this sequence
will cause the SYSTEM CHECK cycle to conclude
immediately and the last displayed feature before pressing
SYSTEM CHECK will be displayed.
[LG37700( X)04/94]3.
A press of the RANGE, FUEL STATUS, OR FUEL
ECONOMY, switch will conclude the SYSTEM CHECK cycle
and the requested feature will be displayed.
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[LG37750( X)01/95]4.
A press of the ENGLISH/METRIC switch will halt the
SYSTEM CHECK cycle and display, in the new mode, the
last displayed feature before pressing the SYSTEM CHECK
switch.
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[LG37800( X)01/95]5.
A press of the OIL CHANGE RESET switch during the
sequence will cause the SYSTEM CHECK cycle to conclude
and the Oil Change Reset Procedure will begin.
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[LG37850( X)01/95]
System Warnings
[LG37900( X)01/95]
System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions
in your vehicle's operating systems. There are twelve warning
messages which can be displayed by the Message Center (M/C)
to show the status of the monitored systems. When a warning
occurs, the warning message is displayed and a tone sounds.
The warning message will appear at a brighter level if the
instrument panel is dimmed.
File:05unlgx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:04:08 1996