1997 FORD EXPLORER four wheel drive

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.
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Introduction
3

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
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Instrumentation
9

UNDERSTANDING THE
TRACTION-LOKTREAR AXLE
(IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction
on slippery surfaces, particularly
when one or more wheels are on a
surface with poor traction.
Extended use of other than
matching size tires on a
Traction-Loktrear axle could
result in a permanent reduction in
effectiveness. This loss of
effectiveness does not affect
normal driving and should not be
noticeable to the driver.
To avoid injury, never run
the engine with one wheel
off the ground, such as when
changing a tire.
AUTOMATIC RIDE CONTROL
SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The Automatic Ride Control
System is designed to improve
ride, handling and general vehicle
performance for both on and
off-road conditions by adjusting
vehicle ride height and shock
dampening (firm or soft).
The system automatically controls
vehicle ride height over a range
based on vehicle speed and the
selections of four wheel drive
modes or the Ride Control switch.
The system keeps the vehicle at a
constant level if a load is added or
removed from the vehicle. Shock
dampening is automatically set
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Driving
119

Driving off-road with 4WD
Your vehicle is specially equipped
for driving on snow, sand, mud or
other rough terrain and has
operating characteristics that differ
from those of other conventional
vehicles.
When using 4WD, maintain
steering wheel control at all times,
especially in rough terrain. Since
sudden changes in terrain can
result in abrupt steering motion,
always grip the steering wheel
from the outside. Do not grip the
spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle
damage from road debris such as
rocks or stumps. Be sure to map
out your route before driving in
any off road area.
For more information on driving
off-road and proper operation of
your 4WD vehicle, refer the ªFour
Wheelingº supplement in your
Owners Portfolio.
Driving over sand
When driving over sand, try to
keep all four wheels on the most
solid area of the trail. Do not
reduce the tire pressures but shift
to a lower gear and drive steadily
through the terrain. Apply the
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Driving
130

Allow more stopping distance and
drive slower than usual. Consider
using one of the lower gears.
Control trac system indicator
lights
4WD and 4WD LOW indicator
lights are located in the instrument
cluster. If either light flashes, see
your dealer or qualified service
technician.
The indicator lights will also
illuminate under the following
conditions:
²4WD AUTO modeÐ Neither
light will illuminate.
²4WD HIGH modeÐ Only the
4WD high light illuminates.
²4WD LOW modeÐ The 4WD
LOW light illuminates.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD)
SYSTEM (5.0L ENGINES ONLY)
Your vehicle is equipped with an
all wheel drive (AWD) transfer
case. Power is constantly supplied
to all four wheels through the
transfer case. The AWD system is
full time and has no external
controls.
Like all utility type vehicles, your
AWD vehicle has special design
and equipment features that make
it capable of performing in a
variety of off-road applications.
Specific design characteristics give
these vehicles higher centers of
gravity than ordinary passenger
cars.
4WD
4WD
LOW
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Driving
134

Utility and four-wheel
drive vehicles are NOT
designed for cornering at speeds
as high as passenger cars any
more than low-slung sports cars
are designed to perform
satisfactorily under off-road
conditions. Avoid sharp turns or
abrupt maneuvers in these
vehicles.
LOADING YOUR VEHICLE
Before loading your vehicle,
familiarize yourself with these
terms:
²Base curb weight ÐWeight of
the vehicle including any
standard equipment, fluids,
lubricants, etc. It does not
include passengers or
aftermarket equipment.
²Payload ÐCombined
maximum allowable weight of
passengers, cargo and optional
equipment.
²GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
ÐBase curb weight plus the
payload weight. The GVW is not
a limit or a specification.
²GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) ÐMaximum total
weight of the base vehicle,
passengers, optional equipment
and cargo. The GVWR is specific
to each vehicle and is listed on
the Safety Compliance
Certification Label on the
driver's door pillar.
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Driving
135

ItemFord Part
NameFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Accelerator
throttle lever
ball studPremium Long
Life GreaseXG-1-C ESA-M1C175-B
Ford
conventional and
traction lok rear
axlesMotorcraft SAE
Premium Rear
Axle LubricantXY-80W90-QL
123WSP-M2C197-A
Dana axles
(front)4x4 Gear Oil F1TZ-19580-A WSL-M2C191-A
Transfer case -
Four wheel
driveMotorcraft
MERCONt
Automatic
Transmission
FluidXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Brake and
clutch pedal
shaftPremium
Long-life GreaseXG-1-C or K ESA-M1C75-B
5-speed manual
transmissionMotorcraft
MERCON
tAutomatic
transmission
fluidXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Trnafer case
Front Output
Slip ShaftPremium
Long-Life GreaseXG-1-G or K ESA-M1C75-B
14.0 L Explorer Conventional and
Traction-lok rear axles are filled
with XY-80W90±QL, Ford
specification WSP-M2C197±A.
25.0 L Explorer Conventional and
Traction-Lok rear axles are filled
with Motorcraft Premium Synthetic
rear axle lubricant, F1TZ-19580±B,
Ford specification WSL-M2C192±A.
Capacities and specifications
227

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