1998 FORD EXPEDITION check transmission fluid

accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning the wheels.
Mud and water
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.
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 the transmission and transfer
case are submerged in water, their
fluids should be checked and
changed, if necessary.
Water intrusion into the
transmission may damage the
transmission.
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
Driving
112

2. Automatic transmission fluid
dipstick
3. Engine oil filler
4. Engine oil dipstick
5. Power steering fluid reservoir
6. Brake fluid reservoir
7. Power distribution box
8. Air filter assembly
9. Engine coolant recovery
reservoir
10. Windshield washer fluid
reservoir
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Check the engine oil each time you
fuel your vehicle.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level
ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a
few minutes for the oil to drain
into the oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself
from engine heat.
Maintenance and care
153

2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right
several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir. It should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in
small amounts, continuously
checking the level until it reaches
the range between the MIN and
MAX lines. Be sure to put the cap
back on the reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking and adding automatic
transmission fluid
Follow the scheduled service
intervals outlined in the ªService
Guide.º
Before adding any fluid, make sure
the correct type is used. The type
of fluid used is normally indicated
on the dipstick and/or dipstick
handle and also in theLubricant
specificationssection in the
MAX
MIN
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and care
164

Capacities and specifications
chapter.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement
concerns and/or possible
damage.
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is below the hole at the
bottom of the blade type dipstick
(4R70W transmission) or below
the COLD area on the bullet type
dipstick (E4OD transmission) and
outside temperatures are above
10ÉC (50ÉF) (see figure to the
right).
Your transmission does not use up
fluid. However, it is recommended
that you check the transmission
fluid at least twice a year. The
fluid level should be checked if the
transmission is not working
properly, i.e., if the transmission
slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Transmission fluid should be
checked at normal operating
temperatures 66ÉC-77ÉC
(150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface.
The normal operating temperature
can be reached after approximately
32 km (20 miles) of driving.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC
[150ÉF-170ÉF]) (see figure to the
right).
DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCHED AREA • CHECK WHEN HOT IDLING IN PARK
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCHED AREA • CHECK WHEN HOT IDLING IN PARK
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
Maintenance and care
165

The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at room temperature
(10ÉC-35ÉC [50ÉF-95ÉF]) (see
figure to the right).
If your vehicle has been operated
for an extended period at high
speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the
vehicle should be turned off for
about 30 minutes to allow the fluid
to cool before checking.
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface and engage the parking
brake.
2. With the parking brake engaged
and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the
gear ranges. Allow sufficient time
for each gear to engage.
3. Latch the gearshift lever in P
(Park) and leave the engine
running.
4. Remove the dipstick, wiping it
clean with a clean, dry lint free
rag.
5. Install the dipstick making sure
it is fully seated in the filler tube.
6. Remove the dipstick and inspect
the fluid level. The fluid level
should be in the crosshatched area
on the dipstick.DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCHED AREA • CHECK WHEN HOT IDLING IN PARK
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
P R N D 2 1
Maintenance and care
166

7. If necessary, add fluid in .25L
(1/2 pint) increments through the
filler tube until the level is correct.
8. If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified
technician.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement
concerns and/or possible
damage.
If the fluid level is above the top
notch of the hot range after driving
the vehicle for approximately 30
km (20 miles), excess fluid should
be removed by a qualified
technician.
DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT
AND SLIP YOKE
The universal joints standard with
your vehicle do not require
lubrication. If the original universal
joints are replaced with universal
joints equipped with grease
fittings, lubrication will be
necessary.
DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCHED AREA • CHECK WHEN HOT IDLING IN PARK
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
Maintenance and care
167

Relays .................................128,136
Remote entry system .................55
illuminated entry ......................58
locking/unlocking doors ......55,56
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................58
replacing the batteries .............57
Reporting safety defects ..........207
Safety restraints
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .......................72,73,74
extension assembly ..................76
for children ...............................83
lap and shoulder belts ........71,72
maintenance ..............................77
proper use .................................70
warning light and chime 12,76,77
Safety seats for children
attaching with tether straps ....90
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................87
tether anchorage hardware .....90
Seats ............................................60
adjusting the seat, manual .......60
adjusting the seat, power ........61
lumbar support .........................60
rear flip fold seat .................63,64
rear seat access ........................63
reclining the seat ......................65
third row seat ............65,66,67,68
Servicing your vehicle ..............150
precautions when servicing ...150
Side mirrors .................................51
Snowplowing .................................3
Special notice
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart, lubricants .202
Speed control ..............................33
canceling a set speed ...............36
resuming a set speed ...............37
tap up/tap down .......................35
turning off .................................33Speed sensitive steering ..........101
Speedometer ...............................14
Starting your vehicle ........92,93,95
Steering, power .........................101
Storage compartments
overhead storage
compartment .............................40
Tachometer
mechanical cluster ...................15
Tilt steering wheel ......................37
Tires ....................................172,174
checking the pressure ............174
replacing ..................................176
rotating ....................................175
snow tires and chains ............176
treadwear ................................173
Traction-lok rear axle ........103,167
Trailer towing
calculating maximum trailer
weight ......................................119
tips ...........................................124
Transmission .............................164
automatic
operation ............104,105,106,107
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................164
Trip odometer .............................15
Turn signal
lever ...........................................32
Vehicle dimensions ...................204
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................206
Vehicle loading ..........................115
Ventilating your vehicle .............97
Warning chimes .............................6
Washer fluid
rear window reservoir ............158
warning light .............................12
Windows
accessory delay .........................48
power windows, operating ..45,47
Index
210