1997 FORD EXPLORER engine overheat

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
GAUGES
Engine coolant temperature
gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal
operating temperature, the needle
remains within the ªNORMº area. If
it enters the red section, the
engine is overheating. Switch off
the ignition and let it cool. Refer to
Checking and adding engine
coolantin theMaintenance and
carechapter.
Engine oil pressure gauge
This shows the engine oil pressure
in the system. Sufficient pressure
exists as long as the needle
remains in the ªNORMº range.
If the gauge indicates constantly
low pressure at normal engine
speed, refer toChecking and
adding engine oilin the
Maintenance and carechapter. If
the gauge indicates a low pressure
and the engine oil level is correct,
switch off the engine immediately
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Instrumentation
13

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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Instrumentation
22

When adding engine coolant
Ford recommends Ford Premium
Cooling System Fluid, which is an
optimized formula that will protect
all metals and rubber elastomers
used in Ford engines for four years
or 80,000 km (50,000 miles).
It is neither necessary nor
recommended to use supplemental
coolant additives in your
gasoline-powered vehicle. These
additives may harm your engine
cooling system.
When you change or add engine
coolant, it is important to maintain
engine coolant concentration
between 40% (-24ÉC [-11ÉF]) and
60% (-52ÉC [-62ÉF]), depending on
your local climate conditions.
A coolant concentration below 40%
will result in a loss of freeze
protection. A concentration above
60% may cause the engine to
overheat on a warm day.
Refer toLubricant specifications
in theSpecifications and
capacitieschapter. Use only a
premium nationally-recognized
brand name engine coolant or
equivalent.
Always dispose of used
automotive fluids in a responsible
manner. Follow your community's
standards for disposing of these
types of fluids. Call your local
recycling center to find out more
about recycling automotive fluids.
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Maintenance and care
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