1997 FORD EXPLORER check engine

CHECKING AND ADDING
ENGINE OIL
Use WSS-M2C153±F motor oil
CERTIFIED FOR GASOLINE
ENGINES by the American
Petroleum Institute.
Engine oils with an SAE 5W-30
viscosity and displaying the
American Petroleum Institute
certification mark are preferred for
your vehicle. They provide the best
engine performance, fuel economy
and engine protection for all
climates down to ±25ÉC (-15ÉF).
Do not use:
²ªnon-detergentº oils
²oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD,
SE, SF or SG
²additional engine oil additives,
oil treatments or engine
treatments
Additional engine oil additives, oil
treatments or engine treatments
are never needed and could, under
certain conditions, lead to engine
damage which is not covered by
your Ford warranty.
Synthetic engine oils which are
CERTIFIED and of the preferred
viscosity may be used in your
engine. The engine oil and oil filter
must still be changed according to
the ªService Guideº.
Checking the engine oil
Check the engine oil each time you
fuel your vehicle.
To check the oil:
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1. Make sure the vehicle is on level
ground. If the engine is warm, turn
the engine off and wait a few
minutes for the oil to drain into
the oil pan.
2. Set the parking brake and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself
from engine heat.
4. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil dipstick.
5. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert
the dipstick fully, then remove it
again. If the oil level falls between
the MIN and MAX markings, there
is no need to refill..
6. If the oil level is below the
minimum line, add engine oil as
necessary. If the oil level is above
the maximum line, engine damage
or high oil consumption may occur
and some oil must be removed
from the engine by a service
technician.
7. Put the dipstick back in and
ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For
instructions, refer toChecking the
engine oilin this chapter.
MAX MIN
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2. If the fluid level is not within
the normal range, add only
certified engine oil of the preferred
viscosity. Add engine oil through
the oil filler cap. Remove the filler
cap and use a funnel to pour oil in
the opening.
3. Recheck the oil level. Make sure
the oil level is not above the full
mark on the dipstick.
Your vehicle has an OIL LIFE
LEFT function if you have the
Vehicle Message Center. This
device displays the percent of
useful engine oil life left and when
an oil change is required. Use of a
CERTIFIED oil of the preferred
viscosity is required for this device
to work properly. Change your
engine oil and oil filter when the
Message Center displays CHANGE
OIL SOON or OIL CHANGE
REQUIRED. If the Message Center
malfunctions, you may determine
your oil change interval based on
the following guidelines.
The Vehicle Message Center may
be manually reset by depressing
the Oil Change Reset switch for
five seconds.
Continuous contact with
usedmotor oil has caused
cancer in laboratory mice.
Changing the engine oil and
filter
Change your engine oil and filter
according to the following
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kilometers (mileage) and time
requirements, whichever occurs
first:
²Normal Schedule ± 8,000 km
(5,000 miles) or six months.
²Severe Duty Schedule ± 5,000
km (3,000 miles) or three
months. Severe duty operation
would include extensive idling,
trailer towing, driving in severe
dust and police, taxi or delivery
service.
Ford production and aftermarket
(Motorcraft) oil filters are designed
for added engine protection and
long life. If a replacement oil filter
is used that does not meet Ford
material and design specifications,
startup engine noises or knock
may be experienced.
It is recommended you use the
appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford
specifications) for your engine
application.
DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT
AND SLIP YOKE
The universal joints standard with
your vehicle do not require
lubrication. If the original
equipment universal joints are
replaced with universal joints
equipped with grease fittings,
lubrication will be necessary at the
intervals shown in the ªService
Guideº supplement.
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Checking and adding washer
fluid for the windshield
If a visual inspection shows that
washer fluid needs to be added to
the reservoir:
1. Lift the windshield reservoir
cover.
2. Add enough washer fluid to fill
the reservoir.
Checking and adding washer
fluid for the rear window
The washer fluid for both the
windshield and rear window is
contained in the engine
compartment reservoir. For
information on checking and
adding washer fluid to this
reservoir, refer to Checking and
adding washer fluid for the
windshield above.
WASHERFLUIDONLY
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ENGINE COOLANT
MAINTENANCE
Checking and adding engine
coolant
Check the level of the coolant in
the reservoir at least once a
month. Be sure to read and
understandPrecautions when
servicing your vehiclein this
chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been
checked for a long period of time,
the engine coolant reservoir may
eventually empty. If this occurs,
add engine coolant to the coolant
reservoir. For more information on
engine coolant maintenance, refer
toAdding engine coolantin this
chapter.
Automotive fluids are not
interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield
washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
RADIATOR
COOLANT
ONLY
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Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends
that Ford and Lincoln-Mercury
dealers use recycled engine
coolant produced by
Ford-approved processes. Not all
coolant recycling processes
produce coolant which meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44±A, and
use of such coolant may harm
engine and cooling system
components.
Always dispose of used
automotive fluids in a responsible
manner. Follow your community's
regulations and standards for
recycling and disposing of
automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your
vehicle's cooling system can hold,
refer toRefill capacitiesin the
Capacities and specifications
chapter.
Have your dealer check the engine
cooling system for leaks if you
have to add more than a liter
(quart) of engine coolant per
month.
Severe winter climate
If you drive in extremely cold
climates [less than ±36ÉC (±34ÉF)],
it may be necessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.
Refer to the chart on the coolant
container to ensure the coolant
concentration in your vehicle is
such that the coolant will not
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freeze at the temperature level in
which you drive during winter
months. Never increase the engine
coolant concentration above 60%.
Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine
coolant and water in your vehicle
year-round in non-extreme
climates.
Adding engine coolant
1. Before removing the engine
coolant recovery cap, turn the
engine off and allow it to cool.
2. When the engine is cool, lift and
remove the cap.
²Step back for a moment while
the pressure in the reservoir is
released.
²Stand away from the reservoir
opening, hot steam or coolant
spray may be released.
3. Add engine coolant until the
fluid level in the reservoir is
between the MAX and MIN lines
on the reservoir.
Follow the recommended service
interval for changing engine
coolant as outlined in the ªService
Guideº. Refer to theCapacities
and specificationschapter for
more information on engine
coolant specifications.
RADIATOR
COOLANT
ONLY
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