1998 FORD EXPEDITION warning

Safety belt extension assembly
If the safety belt assembly is too
short, even when fully extended,
20 cm (8 inches) can be added to
the safety belt assembly by adding
a safety belt extension assembly
(part number 611C22). Safety belt
extension assemblies can be
obtained from your dealer at no
cost.
Use only extensions manufactured
by the same supplier as the safety
belt. Manufacturer identification is
located at the end of the webbing
on the label. Also, use the safety
belt extension only if the safety
belt is too short for you when fully
extended. Do not use extensions
to change the fit of the shoulder
belt across the torso.
Safety belt warning light and
indicator chime
The seat belt warning light
illuminates in the instrument
cluster and a chime sounds to
remind the occupants to fasten
their safety belts.
Seating and safety restraints
76

Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The driver's safety belt is not
buckled before the ignition key
is turned to ON...The safety belt warning light
illuminates for one to two minutes and
the warning chime sounds for four to
eight seconds.
The driver's safety belt is
buckled while the indicator
light is illuminated and the
warning chime is sounding...The safety belt warning light turns off.
The driver's safety belt is
buckled before the ignition key
is turned to ON...The safety belt warning light remains
off.
Safety belt maintenance
Check the safety belt systems
periodically to make sure they
work properly and are not
damaged. Check the safety belts to
make sure there are no nicks,
wears or cuts. All safety belt
assemblies, including retractors,
buckles, front seat belt buckle
assemblies (slide bar)(if
equipped), shoulder belt height
adjusters (if equipped), child
safety seat tether bracket
assemblies (if equipped), and
attaching hardware, should be
inspected after a collision. Ford
recommends that all safety belt
assemblies used in vehicles
involved in a collision be replaced.
However, if the collision was minor
and a qualified technician finds
that the belts do not show damage
and continue to operate properly,
they do not need to be replaced.
Seating and safety restraints
77

If the air bag is inflated,
the air bag will not
function again and must be
replaced immediately.Ifthe
air bag is not replaced, the
unrepaired area will increase the
risk of injury in a collision.
The SRS consists of:
²driver and passenger air bag
modules (which include the
inflators and air bags),
²one or more impact and safing
sensors,
²a readiness light and tone
²and the electrical wiring which
connects the components.
The diagnostic module monitors its
own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical
system warning (including the
impact sensors), the system wiring,
the air bag system readiness light,
the air bag back up power and the
air bag ignitors.
Determining if the system is
operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in
the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the
system. Refer to theAir bag
readinesssection in the
Instrumentationchapter. Routine
maintenance of the air bag is not
required.
Seating and safety restraints
82

younger and who weigh 18 kg
[40 lbs] or less), you must put
them in safety seats made
especially for children. Check your
local and state or provincial laws
for specific requirements regarding
the safety of children in your
vehicle.
Never let a passenger hold
a child on his or her lap
while the vehicle is moving. The
passenger cannot protect the
child from injury in a collision.
Always follow the instructions and
warnings that come with any infant
or child restraint you might use.
When possible, place children in
the rear seat of your vehicle.
Accident statistics suggest that
children are safer when properly
restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating
position.
Children and safety belts
Children who are too large for
child safety seats (as specified by
your child safety seat
manufacturer) should always wear
safety belts.
Follow all the important safety
restraint and air bag precautions
that apply to adult passengers in
your vehicle.
If the shoulder belt portion of a
combination lap and shoulder belt
can be positioned so it does not
cross or rest in front of the child's
Seating and safety restraints
84

shudder while braking, felt mainly
in the steering wheel, the vehicle
most likely needs service.
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lock up during
brake applications and
compensating for this tendency.
The front wheels are prevented
from locking even when the brakes
are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts
the advantage of an ABS equipped
vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during
hard braking.
ABS warning lamp
The
ABSwarning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates for
about five seconds when starting
the vehicle. If an ABS fault is
detected, the light will remain on
and your vehicle should be
serviced as soon as possible.
Normal braking is still effective
unless the BRAKE warning lamp is
also illuminated.
Using ABS
²In an emergency or when
maximum efficiency from the
ABS is required, apply
continuous full force on the
brake. The ABS will be activated
immediately, thus allowing you
to retain full steering control of
your vehicle and, providing
!
BRAKE
Driving
99

there is sufficient space, will
enable you to avoid obstacles
and bring the vehicle to a
controlled stop.
²We recommend that you
familiarize yourself with this
braking technique. However,
avoid taking any unnecessary
risks.
Parking brake
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked. To set the
parking brake, press the parking
brake pedal down until the pedal
stops.
The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned ON) until the
parking brake is released.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
BRAKE
HOOD
!
BRAKE
Driving
100

²To help reduce early nozzle shut
off and fuel spillage, park your
vehicle so the fuel filler door is
level.
²Avoid excessively fast fuel
dispensing rates (over 38 L
[10 gallons] per minute).
²If you spill fuel on the body of
your vehicle, clean it off
immediately. The fuel may dull
or soften the paint if it is not
washed off promptly.
²To replace the fuel cap, align
the tabs on the cap with the
notches on the fuel filler pipe.
Turn it clockwise until it stops.
²Push the fuel door closed.
If the check engine warning light
illuminates and remains illuminated
while the engine is started, the
fuel cap may not be properly
seated. Turn off the engine,
remove the fuel cap and replace it,
being sure to align the cap
properly.
If the cap is lost, replace it with an
authorized Motorcraft or equivalent
part.
Calculating fuel economy
To accurately calculate your
vehicle's fuel economy:
1. Fill the tank completely and
record the initial odometer
reading.
2. Each time you fill the tank,
record the amount of fuel added
(in liters or gallons).
Maintenance and care
182

Guideº are required because they
are considered essential to the life
and performance of your vehicle
and to its emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or
Ford authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for
service of components affecting
emission control such non-Ford
parts should be equivalent to
genuine Ford Motor Company
parts in performance and
durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive
your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust
system, which can start a fire.
Watch for fluid leaks, strange
odors, smoke, loss of oil pressure,
the charging system warning light,
the ªCheck Engineº 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
Maintenance and care
184