1998 FORD EXPLORER towing

Engine oil recommendations
Look for this certification mark.
Ford oil specification is WSS-M2C153-G.
Use SAE 5W-30 motor oil certified for gasoline engines by the American
Petroleum Institute.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, oil treatments or engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could, under certain conditions,
lead to engine damage which is not covered by your warranty.
Changing the engine oil and filter
Change your engine oil and filter according to the following mileage and
time requirements, whichever occurs first:
²Normal Schedule ± 8,000 km (5,000 miles) or six months.
²Severe Duty Schedule - 5,000 km (3,000 miles) or three months.
Severe duty operation would include extensive idling, trailer towing,
driving in severe dust and police, taxi or delivery service.
Ford production and aftermarket (Motorcraft) oil filters are designed for
added engine protection and long life. If a replacement oil filter is used
that does not meet Ford material and design specifications, startup
engine noises or knock may be experienced.
It is recommended you use the appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford specifications) for your engine application.
Maintenance and care
163

IDENTIFYING YOUR VEHICLE
Safety compliance label
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration Regulations require
that a Safety Compliance
Certification Label be affixed to a
vehicle and prescribe where the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label may be located. The Safety
Compliance Certification Label is
located on the front door latch pillar
on the driver's side.
Vehicle identification number
The vehicle identification number is
attached to a metal tag and is
located on the driver side
instrument panel.
Engine number
The engine number (the last eight numbers of the vehicle identification
number) is stamped on the engine block, transmission, frame and
transfer case (if so equipped).
MFD. BY FORD MOTOR CO. IN U.S.A.
EXT PNT: XXXXXX XXXXXX RC: XX DSO: XXXX F0000
BAR INT TR TP/PS R AXLE TR SPR T0000
X XX XXX X XX X XXXX
UTC
ÑFOHT-15294A10-GA
MAXIMUM LOAD=OCCUPANTS + LUGGAGE=XXXKG/XXXXLB
OCCUPANTS: X TOTAL X FR X 2ND X RR OCCUPANTS LUGGAGE
XX XXXKG/XXXXLB
TIRE: XXXX/XXXXX XXX X XXXKG/XXXXLB
PRESSURE (FR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
PRESSURE (RR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
TRAILER TOWING - SEE OWNER GUIDE
DATE: XXXXX GVWR:XXXXX LB/ XXXXX KG
VIN: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX TYPE: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX FGAWR: XXXXXX/XXXXXXX RGAWR: XXXXXXX/XXXXXXX
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE
DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
AIR BAG
Capacities and specifications
204

Floor mats ...................................55
Foglamps .....................................21
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
control trac ........................34,116
special driving
instructions ......................118,119
Fuel
calculating fuel economy .......184
improving fuel economy ........134
octane rating ...........................183
quality ......................................184
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................182
Fuel gauge ...................................15
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......135
Fuse panels
instrument panel ....................138
power distribution box ...........141
Fuses ...................................136,137
Gauges, Mechanical ....................12
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................13
Hazard flashers .........................135
Head restraints ...........................74
Headlamps ...................................21
daytime running lights .............21
flashing ......................................22
high beam .................................22
Heating ........................................23
High beams
indicator light .............................9
Hood
release lever ............................157
Ignition
positions of the ignition ...........35
Instrument panel
lighting up panel and interior .22
Jump-starting
your vehicle .....................149,151
attaching cables ......................149
disconnecting cables ..............151Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................63
keypad .......................................64
locking and unlocking doors ....66
programming entry code ....65,66
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............11
Liftgate ........................................55
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............8
anti-theft .....................................9
brake ............................................8
charging system ..........................9
check engine ............................6,7
cruise indicator .........................11
door ajar ....................................10
fuel reset .....................................7
overdrive off ..............................11
safety belt ...................................8
turn signal indicator ...................9
Load limits
trailer towing ..........................126
Lubricant specifications ...........200
Luggage rack .............................133
Manual transmission
driving .......................113,114,115
Message center ...........................16
economy button ........................18
english/metric button ..........16,17
reset button ..............................18
system check button ...........19,20
Mirrors
cleaning ...................................196
heated ........................................53
side view mirrors (power) .......52
Moon roof ....................................45
Motorcraft parts ........................197
Odometer .....................................13
Off road driving,
4-wheel drive ......................119,122
Index
207

Overhead console
compass/temperature display ..44
storage compartment ...............44
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................60
Parking brake ............................105
Power door locks ........................51
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....169
Rear window
washer .......................................42
Recreational towing, all wheels
on the ground ...........................133
Refill capacities for fluids ........198
Relays ........................................136
Remote entry system .................58
illuminated entry ......................63
locking/unlocking doors ...........59
replacement/additional
transmitters ..........................62,63
replacing the batteries .............62
Reporting safety defects ..........205
Safety restraints
automatic locking mode
(retractor) ............................78,79
extension assembly ..................80
for children ...............................86
lap and shoulder belts ........77,78
maintenance ..............................81
proper use .................................76
warning light and chime .........11,
80,81
Safety seats for children
attaching with tether straps ....91
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................88
tether anchorage hardware .....91
Seats ............................................72
adjusting the seat, power ........72
folding rear seats ......................75
lumbar support .........................74
rear seat access ........................74Servicing your vehicle ..............156
precautions when servicing ...156
Snowplowing .................................3
Special notice
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Speed control ..............................36
canceling a set speed ...............39
indicator light ...........................40
resuming a set speed ...............40
tap up/tap down .......................38
turning off .................................36
Speedometer ...............................12
Starting your vehicle ...........99,102
Storage compartments
overhead storage
compartment .............................44
Tachometer
mechanical cluster ...................14
Tilt steering wheel ......................41
Tires ....................................177,178
checking the pressure ............178
replacing ..................................180
rotating ....................................179
snow tires and chains ............181
treadwear ................................177
Traction-lok rear axle ........124,175
Trailer towing ............................126
tips ...........................................132
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................173
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................174
Transmission .............................170
automatic operation .......107,108,
109,110,111,112
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................170
Trip odometer .............................14
Turn signal
lever ...........................................35
Vehicle dimensions ...................202
Index
208

Vehicle headlamp aiming
device (VHAD) .........................189
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................204
Vehicle loading ..........................124
Ventilating your vehicle ...........103
Warning chimes .............................6
Windows
power windows, operating .......50Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....166
checking and replacing wiper
blades ......................................176
operation ...................................42
Wrecker towing .........................154
Index
209