1998 FORD EXPLORER tow

Replacing the battery
The transmitter is powered by one coin type three-volt lithium battery
CR2032 or equivalent. Typical operating range will allow you to be up to
10 meters (33 feet) away from your vehicle. A decrease in operating
range can be caused by:
²battery weakness due to time and use
²weather conditions
²nearby radio towers
²structures around the vehicle
²other vehicles parked next to the vehicle
To replace the battery:
1. Twist a thin coin between the two halves of the transmitter near the
key ring. DO NOT TAKE THE FRONT PART OF THE TRANSMITTER
APART.
2. Place the positive (+ ) side of new battery in the same orientation.
Refer to the diagram inside the transmitter unit.
3. Snap the two halves back together.
Replacing lost transmitters
Take all your vehicle's transmitters
to your dealer for reprogramming if:
²a transmitter is lost or
²you want to purchase additional
transmitters (up to four may be
programmed).
To reprogram the transmitters, place
the key in the ignition and switch
from OFF to ON five times in rapid
succession (within 10 seconds).
After doors lock/unlock, press any
button on all transmitters (up to
four). When completed, switch the ignition to OFF.
All transmitters must be programmed at the same time.
Controls and features
62

Disarming the system
You can disarm the system by any of the following actions:
²Unlock the doors by using your
remote entry transmitter.
²Unlock the doors with a key. Turn the key full travel (toward the front
of the vehicle) to make sure the alarm disarms.
²Unlock the doors by using your
keyless entry keypad.
²Turn ignition to ACC or ON.
²Press the panic control on the
remote entry transmitter. This
will disarm the system only if the
alarm is sounding.
SecuriLockYanti-theft system
The SecuriLockyanti-theft system provides an advanced level of vehicle
theft protection. Your vehicle's engine can only be started with the two
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Controls and features
69

Folding rear seats (if equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with a
built-in child seat, the seatback
cannot be folded down unless the
built-in child seat is fully stowed.
1. Press the lower release control
downward to unlatch the seatback.
2. Rotate the seatback downward
into the load floor position.
3. Press down on the top outboard
area of the seatback until a click is
heard. The seat is now latched in
the floor position.
PUSH
PUSH
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5. To put the retractor in the
automatic locking mode, grasp the
shoulder portion of the belt and pull
downward until all of the belt is
extracted and a click is heard.
6. Allow the belt to retract. The belt will click as it retracts to indicate it
is in the automatic locking mode.
7. Pull the lap belt portion across
the child seat toward the buckle and
pull up on the shoulder belt while
pushing down with your knee on the
child seat.
8. Allow the safety belt to retract to
remove any slack in the belt.
9. Before placing the child in the
seat, forcibly tilt the seat forward
and back to make sure the seat is
securely held in place.
Seating and safety restraints
90

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.
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Removing your child from the built-in child safety seat
1. Disconnect the chest clip by
squeezing the release tabs together
and pulling the two sides apart.
2. Press the release button on the
crotch buckle.
3. Slide the shoulder belts off the
child's shoulders and remove the
child from the seat.
If ALR is activated, hold either the left or right shoulder belt out fully
while helping the child slide arms out of the belts.
4. Fold the cushion protector flap onto the child seat cushion. Slide the
belt tongues up and out of the way of the cushion, then return the child
seat cushion to the stowed (upright) position.
5. Slide the Velcrotstraps through the D-rings on the child seat cushion
and attach.
6. Slide the head restraint down until the top of the head restraint is
flush with the top of the adult seat back.
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97

7. Press firmly on the top center of
the built-in child safety seat head
restraint to ensure it is stowed
properly.
Inspecting the built-in child seat after a collision
Inspect all built-in child restraints, including seats, buckles, retractors,
seat latches. Interlocks and attaching hardware should be inspected by a
qualified technician after any collision. If the child seat was in use during
a collision, Ford recommends replacing it. Built-in child restraints not in
use during a collision should be inspected and replaced if either damage
or improper operation is noted.
Seating and safety restraints
98

The air suspension shut-off switch is
located in the cargo area behind the
left rear quarter trim panel.
On vehicles equipped with
Air Suspension, turn OFF
the Air Suspension switch prior to
jacking, hoisting or towing your
vehicle.
Normal vehicle operation does not
require any action by the driver.
TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Automatic transmission operation
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift from being moved from P (Park) unless the brake pedal is
depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift out of P (Park) with the brake pedal
depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to LOCK, then remove the
key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF. Apply the brake pedal and shift to N
(Neutral).
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift, it is
possible that a fuse has blown. Refer toFuses and relaysin the
Roadside emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears in a steady pattern. Press lightly
on the accelerator in each gear.
Driving
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