1997 FORD EXPLORER charging

Door ajar
Illuminates when the ignition
switch is in the ON or START
position and any door or the
liftgate is open.
Check gage
Illuminates when the key is in the
ON position and the engine coolant
temperature gauge, the engine oil
pressure gauge and the fuel level
gauge need to be checked. Refer
toEngine coolant temperature
gauge, Engine oil pressure gauge
orFuel gaugein the
Instrumentationchapter for more
information.
Charging system
Briefly illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
Fuel reset
Illuminates when the ignition key
is turned to the ON position and
the fuel pump shut-off switch has
been triggered. For more
information, refer toFuel pump
shut-off switchin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
DOOR
AJAR
CHECK
GAGE
FUEL
RESET
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Instrumentation
10

Tachometer
Indicates the engine speed in
revolutions per minute.
Charging system gauge
This gauge shows the battery
voltage when the ignition key is in
the ON position. If the pointer
moves and stays outside of the
normal range, have the vehicle's
electrical system checked as soon
as safely possible.
Fuel gauge
The fuel gauge displays the
approximate level of usable fuel
left in the fuel reservoir.
0RPM x 1000
12345
6
- +H
L
F
E
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Instrumentation
15

change to ªSTART OIL LIFE AT
XXX%.º
3. Press the OIL CHANGE RESET
control until the displayed
percentage is the Personalized Oil
Reset Percentage you desire.
Check charging system
The electrical system is not
maintaining a proper voltage. Have
the electrical system checked as
soon as safely possible.
Check engine temp
The engine coolant is overheating.
Refer toEngine coolant
temperature gaugein the
Instrumentationchapter for more
information regarding the engine
coolant system.
Check exterior lamps
At least one brake lamp, rear side
marker or low beam headlamp is
burned out. To determine which
lamp is burned out:
1. Turn ignition switch to OFF to
reset M/C.
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L
H
C
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Instrumentation
22

water. If necessary, distilled water
may be substituted with tap water
that is not hard and does not have
high mineral or alkali content. If
the battery needs water often,
have the charging system checked
for a possible malfunction.
Relearning the idle function
Because your vehicle's engine is
electronically controlled, some
control conditions are maintained
by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a
new battery is installed, the
computer must ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle can
drive properly. To begin this
process:
Maintenance and care
190

Watch for fluid leaks, strange
odors, smoke, loss of oil pressure,
the charging system warning light,
the ªService Engine Soonº light or
the temperature warning light.
These events could indicate that
the emission control system is not
working properly.
If you smell exhaust fumes
of any kind inside your
vehicle, have the dealer inspect
and fix your vehicle immediately.
Do not drive if you smell exhaust
fumes. These fumes are harmful
and could kill you.
Do not make any unauthorized
changes to your vehicle or engine.
By law, vehicle owners and anyone
who manufactures, repairs,
services, sells, leases, trades
vehicles, or supervises a fleet of
vehicles are not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission
control device or prevent it from
working. Information about your
vehicle's emission system is on the
Vehicle Emission Control
Information Decal located on or
near the engine. This decal
identifies engine displacement and
gives some tune up specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty
Guideº for complete emission
warranty information.
Readiness for
inspection/maintenance testing
In some localities, it may be a legal
requirement to pass an I/M test of
com_ready-test
Maintenance and care
208

Engine oil
changing oil and oil filter .......175
specifications ..........................173
Entry system
illumination ...............................66
Exhaust fumes ..........................112
Flashing the lights ......................45
Floor mats ..............................62,63
Foglamps .....................................27
Ford Extended Service Plan ....129
Four way head restraints ...........78
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
control trac ........................38,128
driving off road .......................130
Fuel ............................................202
calculating fuel economy .......206
improving fuel economy ........146
octane rating ...........................204
quality ......................................205
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................202
Fuel gauge ...................................15
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......147
Fuses ..........................................148
Gauges, Mechanical
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................13
engine oil pressure gauge ........13
Hazard flashers ....................44,147
Head restraints ...........................78
Hitch ..........................................144
Hood ..........................................169
Identification Number, Vehicle
(VIN) ..........................................230
Ignition
positions of the ignition ...........39
Jack ..............................................63
Jump-starting your vehicle 160,162
attaching cables ......................161
disconnecting cables ..............162
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................76keypad .......................................74
locking and unlocking doors ....74
programming entry code .........75
Lamps
instrument panel, dimming .....26
Liftgate ........................................57
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ........................................11
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ............11
anti-theft .....................................9
brake ..........................................11
charging system ........................10
check engine ...............................9
door ajar ....................................10
four-wheel drive ..........................9
fuel reset ...................................10
high beam .................................11
overdrive off ................................8
safety belt .......................11,87,88
Luggage rack .............................146
Manual transmission
driving .......................121,125,127
fluid, checking and adding ....187
Message center ..16,17,18,19,20,52
air ride switch off .....................21
change oil soon .........................21
check air ride system ...............20
check charging system .............22
check engine temperature .......22
check exterior lamps ................22
door ajar ....................................24
low fuel level .............................24
low oil level ...............................24
low washer fluid .......................24
warning messages .....................20
Moon roof ....................................54
Motorcraft parts ........................222
Odometer .....................................14
Overdrive ................................45,46
Overhead console
storage compartment ...............52
Parking brake ..............................28
Index
234