1998 FORD EXPLORER ECU

10. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is
in the automatic locking mode (you should not be able to pull more belt
out). If the retractor is not locked, unbuckle the belt and repeat steps
two through nine.
Check to make sure the child seat is properly secured before each use.
Attaching safety seats with tether straps
Some manufacturers make safety seats that include a tether strap that
goes over the back of the vehicle seat and attaches to an anchoring
point. Other manufacturers offer the tether strap as an accessory.
Contact the manufacturer of your child safety seat for information about
ordering a tether strap.
Tether anchorage hardware
A tethered seat can be installed in the front seat. Put the tether strap
over the seatback and attach it to a anchor bracket.
An anchor bracket can be installed on the rear edge of the front seat
cushion.
The provision (attaching hole) is provided in the rear edge of the front
passenger seat cushion frame. The anchorbracket must be installed using
the instructions provided with the kit.
Tether anchorage hardware kits (part number 613D74) including
instructions, may be obtained at no charge from any Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
Tighten the anchor according to specifications. Otherwise, the
safety seat may not be properly secured and the child may be
injured in a sudden stop or collision.
BUILT-IN CHILD SEATS
Built-in child safety seat (if equipped)
The rear seat may include a built-in child seat. This child seat conforms
to all Federal and local motor vehicle safety standard. Read the labels
located on the child seat cushion and shoulder belt for information on
the built-in child seat.
Seating and safety restraints
91

Use the built-in child seatonlyif the child is at least 9 months old,
weighs 9±29 kg (20±60 lb) and the child's shoulders (top) are below the
shoulder harness slots in the built-in child seat.
Children not meeting these requirements should be secured in an
approved aftermarket seat. Refer toChildren and infant or child
safety seatsin this chapter.
Placing your child in the built-in child seat
Failure to follow all of the instructions on the use of this child
restraint system can result in your child striking the vehicle's
interior during a sudden stop or crash.
The second row seatback must be fully locked before operating
the child restraint system. Check the position of the seatback
release lever.
Never use the Built-In Child Seat as a booster cushion with the
adult safety belts. A child using the adult belts could slide
forward and out from under the safety belts.
1. Grasp the strap and pull toward
you approximately 25 mm (1 inch),
then slide hand under the head
restraint and slide upwards to the
full position.
Seating and safety restraints
92

9. Pull on the safety belt tongues to
ensure that they are both securely
latched. If they are not properly
latched, repeat steps seven and
eight.
If necessary, the shoulder belt may be put in automatic locking mode
(ALR) to limit the child's movement in the seat. The ALR mode should
be used if the child is sleeping or attempting to get out of the seat.
If not placed in ALR mode, the child seat shoulder belts are in vehicle
sensitive (emergency locking) mode, which allow some movement of the
shoulder belts (like adult shoulder belts).
In emergency locking mode, the shoulder belts of the child seat will lock
in response to hard braking, hard cornering or if your vehicle is involved
in a collision with an impact of 8 km/h (5 m.p.h.) or more.
Activating the automatic locking mode (ALR) on the built-in child
safety seat
1. Fully extend the right shoulder belt.
2. Allow the belts to tighten snugly against the child's shoulders.
Deactivating the automatic locking mode (ALR) on the built-in
child safety seat
1. Disconnect the chest clip and remove the left and right safety belt
tongues from the crotch buckle.
2. Allow the shoulder belts to fully retract.
Seating and safety restraints
96

Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or in 1 (First) (manual transmission).
The parking brake is not designed to stop a moving vehicle. However, if
the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop your
vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the rear
brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance will be adversely affected.
Pull the release lever to release the
brake. Driving with the parking
brake on will cause the brakes to
wear out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The air suspension system is designed to improve ride, handling and
general vehicle performance during:
²certain road conditions
²steering maneuvers
²braking
²accelerations
This system maintains the vehicle height at a constant level by
automatically adding air or releasing air from the springs to offset
changes in vehicle loads.
Driving
106

Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be damaged or the engine may
overheat.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you leave
your vehicle.
Driving with a 4±speed automatic transmission (5.0L engines only)
Understanding gearshift positions
Pull the gearshift lever towards you and downward to move the
automatic gearshift.
Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift lever
from position to position. If you do not hold the brake pedal
down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). Make
sure the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park).
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift in R (Reverse),
the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
Driving
108

P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into or out of P
(Park). Make sure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park).
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift in R (Reverse),
the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift in N (Neutral),
the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal
down while in this gear.
(Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through five.
(Overdrive) can be deactivated
by pressing the transmission control
switch on the end of the gearshift
lever.
O/D
ON/OFF
Driving
111

²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or 1 (First)
(manual transmissions) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval,
²Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper and
²Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (six inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
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 change for
the life of the vehicle. Rear axle lubricant quantities should not need to
be checked unless a leak is suspected.
Recreational towing (all wheels on the ground)
(Neutral tow kit accessory)
On vehicles equipped with a 4.0L engine, an accessory is available that
allows you to tow your vehicle, behind another vehicle, with all the
wheels on the ground. Contact your dealer for more details. Do not tow
your vehicle with all wheels on the ground unless you install the neutral
tow kit as vehicle damage may occur.
LUGGAGE RACK
Maximum load is 45 kg (100 lbs), evenly distributed. If it is not possible
to distribute the load, position it as far rearward as possible. Adjustable
tie down loops must be used to secure the load.
Driving
133

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
21 15A Flasher (Hazard)
22 20A Auxiliary Power Socket
23 - NOT USED
24 7.5A Clutch Pedal Position (CPP) Switch,
Starter Interrupt Relay, Anti-Theft
25 7.5A Generic Electronic Module (GEM),
Instrument Cluster, Securi-Lock
26 10A Battery Saver Relay, Electronic Shift
Relay, Interior Lamp Relay, Power
Window Relay, Electronic Shift Control
Module
27 15A DRL, Backup Lamps Switch, DTR
Sensor, GEM, Electric Shift
28 7.5A Generic Electronic Module (GEM),
Radio, Memory Seat
29 25A Radio
30 15A Park Lamp/Trailer Tow Relay
31 - NOT USED
32 10A Heated Mirror
33 15A Headlamps, Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) Module, Instrument Cluster
34 7.5A Rear Integrated Control Panel, CD
35 7.5A Rear Blower Motor (With EATC)
36 7.5A EATC Memory, CD, Rear Integrated
Control Panel, Memory Seat, Message
Center
Roadside emergencies
140