1998 FORD EXPEDITION brakes

the hubs (truck)/wheel rims (car).
Once through the 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.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize
yourself with the following terms:
²Base Curb Weight: Weight of
the vehicle including any
standard equipment, fluids,
lubricants, etc. It does not
include passengers or
aftermarket equipment.
²Payload: Combined maximum
allowable weight of cargo,
passengers and optional
equipment. The payload equals
the gross vehicle weight rating
minus base curb weight.
²GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):
Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit
or a specification.
²GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating): Maximum 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 Label on the
driver's door pillar.
²GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating): Carrying capacity for
each axle system. The GAWR is
Driving
115

Trailer towing with your vehicle
may require the use of a trailer
tow option package.
Trailer towing puts additional loads
on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires,
and suspension. For your safety
and to maximize vehicle
performance, be sure to use the
proper equipment while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure
safe towing procedure:
²Stay within your vehicle's load
limits. If exceeded, cargo should
be removed from the trailer
and/or the vehicle until all
weights are within specified
limits.
²Thoroughly prepare your vehicle
for towing. Refer toPreparing
to towin this chapter.
²Use extra caution when driving
while trailer towing. Refer to
Driving while you towin this
chapter.
²Service your vehicle more
frequently if you tow a trailer.
Refer to the severe duty
schedule in the ªService Guideº.
²Do not tow a trailer until your
vehicle has been driven at least
800 km (500 miles).
²Refer to the instructions
included with towing accessories
for the proper installation and
adjustment specifications.
Driving
118

If your vehicle is equipped with
the optional heavy duty trailer tow
wiring, it is pre-wired for trailer
towing. An electrical connector is
provided under the instrument
panel for installing a
customer-supplied electric brake
controller. Another electrical
connector is provided at the hitch.
This connector provides power to
the trailer for taillamps, stop and
turn lamps, back up lamps, battery
charge, electric brakes (when a
customer provided controller is
installed) and ground. The kit
included with your vehicle
provides you with adaptors to
attach the brake controller and
convert the hitch connector for
Class I trailer usage.
Trailer towing table (with heavy
duty trailer tow option)
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
Rating)/trailer weights
EngineRear
axle
ratioTire sizeMaximum
GCWRTrailer weight
range
(0 - maximum)
4x2
4.6L 3.3140.6 cm
(16 in)4 990 kg
(11 000 lbs.)0-2676 kg
(0-5 900 lbs.)
5.4L 3.3140.6 cm
(16 in)5 443 kg
(12 000 lbs.)0-3 039 kg
(0-6 700 lbs.)
5.4L 3.7340.6 cm
(16 in)6 123 kg
(13 500 lbs.)0-3 628 kg
(0-8 000 lbs.)
Driving
119

4. Attach the trailer to the vehicle
and adjust the hitch equalizers so
that the front bumper height is
within 0±13 mm (0.5 in) of the
reference point. After proper
adjustment, the rear bumper
should be no higher than in Step 3.
5. Turn the air suspension (if
equipped) control to ON.
Adjusting an equalizing
hitch so the rear bumper
of the vehicle is lower or higher
than it was unloaded will defeat
the function of the load
equalizing hitch and may cause
unpredictable handling.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety
chains to the vehicle. To connect
the trailer's safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and
allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow
the instructions that the rental
agency gives to you.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual,
automatic or surge-type brakes are
safe if installed properly and
adjusted to the manufacturer's
specifications. The trailer brakes
must meet local and Federal
regulations.
Driving
122

BRAKE FLUID
Checking and adding brake
fluid
Brake fluid should be checked and
refilled as needed at least once
each year:
1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt or water
from entering the reservoir.
2. Visually inspect the fluid level.
3. If necessary, add brake fluid
until the level reaches MAX. Do
not fill above this line.
4. Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid
certified to meet Ford
specifications. Refer toLubricant
specificationsin theCapacities
and specificationschapter.
Brake fluid is toxic.
If you use a brake fluid
that is not DOT 3, you will
cause permanent damage to your
brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for
the master cylinder run
dry. This may cause the brakes
to fail.
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and care
157

CLEANING AND CARING FOR
YOUR VEHICLE
Refer to the ªCustomer Assistance
Guideº for a list of Ford-approved
cleaners, polishes and waxes.
Washing your vehicle
Wash your vehicle regularly with
cold or lukewarm water. Never use
strong detergents or soap. If your
vehicle is particularly dirty, use a
quality car wash detergent. Always
use a clean sponge, washing glove
or similar device and plenty of
water for best results. To avoid
spots, avoid washing when the
hood is still warm, immediately
after or during exposure to strong
sunlight.
During winter months, it is
especially important to wash the
vehicle on a regular basis. Large
quantities of dirt and road salt are
difficult to remove and also cause
damage to the vehicle. Remove any
exterior accessories, such as
antennas, before entering a car
wash.
After washing, apply the brakes
several times to dry them.
Waxing your vehicle
Wax when water stops beading on
the surface. This could be every
three or four months, depending
on operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or
synthetic-based waxes. Remove
Maintenance and care
194

Aiming headlamps ....................193
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................78
and child safety seats ..............80
description ................................79
disposal ......................................83
indicator light ...........................82
passenger air bag .....................81
Air cleaner filter .......................170
Air conditioning
auxiliary heater and air
conditioner ................................29
manual heating and air
conditioning system ..23,24,26,28
Air suspension
description ..............................102
warning light .............................11
Ambulance packages ....................3
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description ................................99
Battery .......................................168
voltage gauge ............................16
Brake fluid
checking and adding ..............157
Brakes ..........................................98
anti-lock .....................................98
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .............................99
fluid, checking and adding ....157
Brake-shift interlock .................104
Break-in period .............................2
Bulbs, replacing ........................186
headlamps ...............................187
rear lamps ........................191,192
Changing a tire .........................138
Child safety seats ........................86
Childproof locks ..........................50
Chime
headlamps on ............................13
Cleaning your vehicle ...............194
engine compartment ..............195
fabric ........................................197instrument panel ....................197
plastic parts ............................196
safety belts ..............................197
tail lamps .................................196
washing ....................................194
waxing .....................................194
wheels ......................................195
Compass, electronic ....................42
calibration .................................44
set zone adjustment .................43
Control trac 4WD system .........108
Controls ..................................51,52
Daytime running light system ...20
Defrost
rear window ..............................22
Driving under special
conditions ..................................111
high water ...............................112
slippery roads ..................113,114
Electronic sound system ............52
Emission control system ..........183
Engine ........................................204
check engine temperature
warning, message center .......152
service points ..........................152
Engine block heater ...................96
Engine coolant
checking and adding .......158,159
disposal ....................................161
refill capacities ........................161
Engine oil ...........................153,155
changing oil and oil filter .......156
checking and adding .......153,155
Exhaust fumes ............................96
Fail safe cooling ........................162
Floor mats ...................................53
Foglamps ...................................190
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
control trac ........................23,108
indicator light ...........................11
special driving
instructions ......................109,110
Index
208

Fuel
calculating fuel economy .......182
improving fuel economy ........126
octane rating ...........................180
quality ......................................180
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................177
Fuel gauge ...................................13
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......127
Fuse panels
instrument panel ....................129
power distribution box ....133,137
Fuses ............................128,129,136
Gauges, Mechanical ....................13
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................14
Hazard flashers .........................127
Head restraints ...........................63
Headlamps
autolamp system .......................21
flashing ......................................39
high beam .................................39
turning on and off ....................20
Heating ........................................23
High beams
indicator light .............................9
Hood
release lever ............................152
Ignition
positions of the ignition ...........32
Instrument panel
lighting up panel and interior .21
Jump-starting your vehicle 145,147
attaching cables ......................146
disconnecting cables ..............147
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............13
Lamps
interior lamps .........................193
map lamps ...............................193
parking lamps .........................189
Liftgate ........................................53Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............9
anti-theft ...................................10
brake ............................................9
charging system ........................10
check engine ............................6,7
door ajar ....................................12
engine oil pressure ...................10
four-wheel drive ........................11
fuel reset ................................6,12
safety belt ...................................8
turn signal indicator ...................9
Load limits
trailer towing ..........................117
Lubricant specifications ...........202
Luggage rack .............................126
Message center ......................16,42
english/metric button ...............17
menu button .............................17
Mirrors
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................46
heated ........................................51
side view mirrors (power) .......50
Moon roof ....................................42
Odometer .....................................15
Off road driving, 4-wheel drive 110
Overdrive ................................39,40
Overhead console
compass/temperature display ..40
storage compartment ...............41
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................56
Parking brake ............................100
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....200
Power door locks ........................48
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....163
Rear window
wiper ..........................................38
Refill capacities for fluids ........200
Index
209