1997 FORD EXPLORER Owners Manual

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 5
Controls and features 25
Seating and safety restraints 78
Starting and driving
Starting 110
Driving 117
Roadside emergencies 147
Servicing
Maintenance and care 165
Capacities and specifications 222
Reporting safety defects 232
Index 233
Contents
1

ICONS
Indicates a warning. Read the
following section onWarningsfor
a full explanation of them.
Indicates that vehicle information
related to recycling and other
environmental concerns will follow.
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment.
Correct vehicle usage and the
authorized disposal of waste
cleaning and lubrication materials
are significant steps towards this
aim.
WARNINGS
How can you reduce the risk of
personal injury and prevent
possible damage to others, your
vehicle and its equipment?
In this owner's guide, answers to
such questions are contained in
comments highlighted by the
warning triangle symbol.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in
rules for your vehicle. Simply avoid
driving too briskly during the first
1,600 km (1,000 miles) of driving.
Vary speeds frequently. This is
necessary to give the moving parts
a chance to break in.
If possible, you should avoid full
use of the brakes for the first
1,600 km (1,000 miles).com_icons.01
com_warn.01
com_breaking_vehicle.01
Introduction
2

From 1,600 km (1,000 miles)
onwards you can gradually
increase the performance of your
vehicle up to the permitted
maximum speeds.
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS
GUIDE
The information found in this
guide was in effect at the time of
printing. Ford may change the
contents without notice and
without incurring obligation.
SPECIAL NOTICES
Notice to owners of utility type
vehicles
Before you drive your vehicle,
please read this owner's guide
carefully. Your vehicle is not a
passenger car. As with other
vehicles of this type, failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may
result in loss of control or an
accident. Be sure to readControl
Trac ± Automatic Four±Wheel
Drive System (if equipped)in the
Drivingchapter as well as the
special ªFour Wheelingº
supplement included with AWD
and 4WD vehicles.
Using your vehicle as an
ambulance
Do not use this vehicle as
an ambulance.
com_info_guide.01
uno_special_title
uno_notice_utility
uno_ambulance
uno_snowplow
Introduction
3

Using your vehicle as a
snowplow
Do not use this vehicle for
snowplowing.
Introduction
4

012345
6
H
C
F
E
OFF
20
1030405060
70
80
90
110
200000000
oooo
10020406080100
120
140
160
180UNLEADED
FUEL ONLY
RSM
SET
ACC
COAST OFF ON
SRS
H
H
Speed
control
(pg. 40) Tachometer
(pg. 15)
Driver air bag
(pg. 89)
Turn signal and
wiper/washer control
(pg. 46) Instrument panel
dimmer switch
(pg. 26) Headlamp control
(pg. 25)
Tilt steering
wheel lever
(pg. 44)
Instrumentation
6

* if equipped
HI LO
OFF
REW
1FF
2SIDE 1-2
3
FM 1VOL – PUSH ON
AM
FMBASS TREBBAL FADE
AUTO
SET CLK
SEEKTUNE
DISCSSCAN
4
DOLBY SYSTEMEJTAPE CD
COMP5SHUFFLE
6
PUSH
OD
ON/OFF
Rear wiper/washer
control (pg. 37)
Fog lamp
control*
(pg. 27) Electronic sound
system; refer to
Audio Guide (pg. 36)
Climate controls
(pg. 28) Gearshift (includes
overdrive button)
(pg. 121)
Instrumentation
7

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Speed control (if equipped)
Illuminates when either the SET
ACC or RSM switches are pressed
and remains illuminated until the
speed control is either disengaged
or turned off.
O/D off indicator
O/D
OFFilluminates when the
Transmission Control Button on
the end of the gearshift lever is
pressed and the
D(Overdrive)
mode is turned off.
O/D
OFFindicates the status of the
transmission and may flash steadily
if a malfunction is detected. If the
flashing persists, have your
transmission serviced by your
dealer or qualified service
technician as soon as possible.
If the condition persists, your
transmission may be damaged.
C
012345
6
RPMx1000ABS
!PBRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
DOOR
AJAR
EFH
H
H
PRN D 2 1THEFT
SPEED
CONTROL
4WD
4WD
LOW
O/D
OFFL
L
10MPH 205060
70
304080
90
km/h
0 0 0
10 100
1
20
1
0 0 0 0 0 0406080100
120
140
160
180
20
SPEED
CONT
O/D
OFF
uno_lights_chimes_title
uno_speed_control
uno_od_off
uno_check_engine
Instrumentation
8

Check engine
Illuminates when the engine's
Emission Control System requires
service. It will also illuminate when
the ignition key is in the On
position and the engine is Off.
Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Illuminates when the anti-theft
system is arming and flashes when
the anti-theft system is armed.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right
turn signal or the hazard lights are
turned on.
Four wheel drive indicator
(if equipped)
Illuminates when four wheel drive
is activated in the high range
mode.
Four wheel drive Ð low
(if equipped)
Illuminates when four wheel drive
is activated in the low range mode.
CHECK
ENGINE
THEFT
4WD
4WD
LOW
uno_anti-theft_alarm
com_turn_signal.01
uno_four_wheel
uno_4wd_low
uno_door_ajar
Instrumentation
9