1997 FORD EXPLORER check transmission fluid

accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning the wheels.
Driving through mud and water
After driving through mud, clean
off residue stuck to rotating
driveshafts and tires. Excess mud
stuck on tires and rotating
driveshafts causes an imbalance
that could damage drive
components.
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the
brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes.
Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying
light pressure on the brake pedal.
If the transmission and transfer
case are submerged in water, their
fluids should be checked and
changed, if necessary.
If the rear axle is submerged in
water, the rear axle lubricant
should be checked and changed, if
necessary. The rear axle is filled
with a synthetic lubricant and does
not normally require a lubricant
change for the life of the vehicle.
Rear axle lubricant quantities
should not need to be checked
unless a leak is suspected.
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Driving
131

5.0L engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Windshield washer fluid
reservoir
3. Engine oil fill cap
4. Transmission fluid dipstick
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Power distribution box
7. Battery
8. Radiator cap
9. Power steering fluid reservoir
10. Engine oil dipstick
11. Ignition coil packs
12. Air filter assembly
1
236
7
54
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Maintenance and care
172

4. Visually inspect the fluid level in
the power steering reservoir.
5. If necessary, add power steering
fluid until the fluid level reaches
MAX. Do not overfill the reservoir.
²As a maintenance precaution,
visually inspect the lines and
hoses of the power steering
system for leaks and damage.
²If new fluid is frequently
required, consult a qualified
service technician.
TRANMISSION MAINTENANCE
Checking and adding automatic
transmission fluid
Check the automatic transmission
fluid according to the scheduled
intervals in the ªService Guideº.
Before adding any fluid, make sure
the correct type will be used. This
information is stamped on the
dipstick.
Check the fluid after your vehicle
has reached normal operating
temperature, which is reached
after driving approximately 32 km
(20 miles).
Add fluid in .25L (1/2 pint)
increments through the filler tube
MAX
MIN
DONOTOVERFILLPOWERSTEERINGFLUID
ADD FULL
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Maintenance and care
186

until the level is at the correct
area on the dipstick. If an overfill
occurs, excess fluid should be
removed by a qualified technician.
Checking and adding manual
transmission fluid (if equipped)
1. Clean the filler plug.
2. Remove the filler plug and
inspect the fluid level.
²The fluid level should be at the
bottom of the opening.
3. Add enough fluid through the
filler opening so that the fluid level
is at the bottom of the opening.
Use only fluid that meets Ford
specifications. Refer to the
Capacities and specifications
chapter for more information on
manual transmission fluid.
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 theService
Guidesupplement.
Constant velocity or double
carden joint (if equipped)
This component may be fitted with
a flush-type grease fitting that
requires an adaptor to permit
proper lubrication. If replaced,
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Maintenance and care
187

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

Power door locks ........................54
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....184
Rear window
wiper .....................................37,38
Refill capacities for fluids ........223
Relays ..........................149,150,153
Remote entry system .................69
locking/unlocking doors ......69,70
panic alarm ...............................70
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................73
replacing the batteries .............72
Reporting safety defects ..........232
Restraints, safety (see Safety
restraints)
head ...........................................78
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts ....86,87
energy absorbing sew
pattern ..................................88,89
for children ...............................95
proper use ..................83,84,85,86
Safety seats for children
attaching with tether straps ..101
automatic locking mode
(retractor) ............................97,98
Seats ............................................79
adjusting the seat, power ........80
bench (60-40 split) ..................79
Servicing your vehicle ..............165
precautions when servicing ...165
servicing when you tow .........145
Snowplowing .................................4
Special notice ................................3
ambulance conversions ..............3
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart, lubricants .225
Speed control ..............................40
indicator light ........................8,43
Speedometer ...............................14
Starting your vehicle ................110preparing to start your
vehicle .....................................112
starting a warm engine ..........115
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................44
Storage compartments
overhead storage
compartment .............................52
Tachometer
mechanical cluster ...................15
Tires
changing ..................................156
checking the pressure ............197
inspection and maintenance ..195
replacing ..................................199
rotating ....................................198
snow tires and chains ............201
spare tire .................................156
tire grades ...............................195
treadwear ................................196
Traction-lok rear axle ...............119
Trailer towing ............................138
safety chains ...........................143
tips ....................................139,144
trailer brakes ...........................143
trailer lamps ............................143
Transfer case (see Differential
fluid) ..........................................188
Transmission
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................186
Trip odometer .............................14
Turn signal
indicator lights ............................9
Two step lock ..............................54
Vehicle dimensions ...................228
Vehicle headlamp aiming
device (VHAD) .........................214
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................230
Ventilating your vehicle ...........111
Index
235