1998 FORD EXPLORER change time

ICONS
Indicates a warning. Read the
following section onWarningsfor a
full explanation.
Indicates vehicle information related
to recycling and other
environmental concerns will follow.
Correct vehicle usage and the
authorized disposal of waste
cleaning and lubrication materials
are significant steps towards
protecting the environment.
WARNINGS
Warnings provide information which may reduce the risk of personal
injury and prevent possible damage to others, your vehicle and its
equipment.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in rules for your vehicle. During the
first 1 600 km (1 000 miles) of driving, vary speeds frequently. This is
necessary to give the moving parts a chance to break in.
If possible, you should avoid full use of the brakes for the first 1 600 km
(1 000 miles).
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The information found in this guide was in effect at the time of printing.
Ford may change the contents without notice and without incurring
obligation.
Introduction
2

Fuel economy
Press once to display your vehicle's
average fuel economy in
kilometers/liters (miles/gallons).
Press again to display the fuel
economy that your vehicle is getting
at that particular time. Your vehicle
must be moving in order for this
display to function properly.
Reset
Press the reset control to reset the
current feature being displayed.
Warnings, distance driven, average
fuel economy, fuel used and
personalized oil reset percentage are
the only features that respond to
reset.
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
Instrumentation
18

System check
Press the system check control to
display the status of the following
systems:
²engine oil life left
²engine oil level
²voltage level
²engine coolant temperature
²washer fluid level
²automatic ride control
(if equipped)
²fuel level
The engine oil life left has two phases. The first display will indicate the
oil change status (OK, SOON, REQUIRED). The second display will
indicate the percentage of oil life remaining. The display OIL TEMP
SIGNAL ERROR indicates a problem with the system. Following this
display, contact your dealer or qualified service technician for system
maintenance.
Operating the message center during system check
The message center controls can be operated as follows during the
system check sequence:
1. Press the system check controls to advance to the next display.
2. Press the reset control to immediately conclude the system check.
3. Press the range, fuel status or fuel economy control to conclude the
system check and display the requested feature.
4. Press the metric/English control to conclude the system check and
change the previous display to the new mode.
5. Press the oil change reset control to conclude the system check and
begin the oil change reset procedure.
An oil change is recommended whenever indicated by the message
center. Use only recommended engine oils.
The message center will tell you the percent of oil life left during system
check. This percentage is based on your driving history and the time
since your last oil change. In order to ensure accurate oil life left
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
Instrumentation
19

Temperature conversion
Press MAX A/C and DEFat the
same time (for one second) to
switch between Fahrenheit and
Celsius.
If your vehicle has an English/Metric (E/M) control, this control will also
change the temperature display
Fan speed ()
When AUTOMATIC is pressed, fan
speed is adjusted automatically for
existing conditions. You can override
fan speed at any time. To control
fan speed manually, use the
thumbwheel or steering wheel
control to cancel automatic fan
speed operation. Rotate the
thumbwheel up for higher fan speed
or down for lower fan speed. Press
the steering wheel fan speed control
up for higher fan speed or down for
lower fan speed.
The display will show
to indicate
manual fan operation.
To return to automatic fan operation, press AUTOMATIC.
VENT PNL • FLR FLOOR FLR • DEF DEF
HI
LO
MAX A/C
REAR FAN OFF AUTOMATICOFFAUTO
FLR • DEFDEF
HI
LO
AUTOMATICOFF
˚F
AUTO
Controls and features
28

Press the control once to unlock the
driver's door and move the memory
seat feature to the corresponding
memory position, just as if you had
pressed the memory control in the
vehicle.
When your dealer programs new
transmitters:
²the first transmitter programmed
will recall memory position one.
²the second transmitter
programmed will recall memory
position two.
²the third transmitter programmed recall memory position three.
²the fourth transmitter programmed will not recall a memory position.
Memory positions can be changed at any time. The memory feature can
be deactivated or reactivated by performing the following:
1. Make sure the alarm system (if equipped) is not armed or triggered,
the ignition is off and all doors and the liftgate window are closed.
2. Turn the ignition key from OFF to ON.
3. Press the power door unlock control three times.
4. Turn the ignition key from ON to OFF.
5. Press the power door unlock control three times.
6. Turn the ignition switch back to ON. The horn will chirp.
7. Press the power door unlock switch twice.
8. Press the unlock control two times, then press the lock control. The
horn will chirp twice if the remote memory seat feature was deactivated
or will sound three times (two short chirps followed by one long chirp) if
the feature was activated.
9. Turn the ignition to OFF. The horn will chirp once to confirm that you
activated or deactivated the remote memory seat feature.
The memory feature will continue to work from the door switch even
when deactivated at the remote entry module.
Controls and features
61

Guarding against exhaust fumes
Although odorless and colorless, carbon monoxide is present in exhaust
fumes. Take precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.
If you ever smell exhaust fumes of any kind inside your vehicle,
have your dealer inspect and fix your vehicle immediately. Do
not drive if you smell exhaust fumes. These fumes are harmful and
could kill you.
Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems checked whenever:
²the vehicle is raised for service.
²the sound of the exhaust system changes.
²the vehicle has been damaged in a collision.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped in an open area for
long periods of time, open the windows at least 2.5 cm (one inch).
Adjust the heating or air conditioning (if equipped) to bring in fresh air.
Improve vehicle ventilation by
keeping all air inlet vents clear of
snow, leaves and other debris.
Starting
103

Shifting from 4WD LOW to 4WD AUTO or 4WD HIGH
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral)
(automatic transmission) or depress
the clutch (manual transmission).
4. Move the 4WD control to the
4WD AUTO or 4WD HIGH position.
Driving off-road with 4WD
Your vehicle is specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and has operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. For more
information on driving off-road, read the ``Four Wheeling'' supplement in
your owner's portfolio.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck, shift the transmission in a steady motion between
forward and reverse gears. Allow the transmission to engage, then press
lightly on the accelerator.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be damaged or the engine can
overheat.
HIGH
LOW AUTO
Driving
119

reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
When descending a steep hill, avoid sudden braking. Rapid pumping of
the brake pedal will help slow the vehicle and still maintain steering
control.
When speed control is on and you are driving uphill, your vehicle speed
may drop considerably, especially if you are carrying a heavy load.
If vehicle speed drops more than 16 km/h (10 mph), the speed control
will cancel automatically. Resume speed with accelerator pedal.
If speed control cancels after climbing the hill, reset speed by pressing
and holding the SET ACCEL button (to resume speeds over 50 km/h (30
mph).
Automatic transmissions may shift frequently while driving up steep
grades. Eliminate frequent shifting by shifting out of
(Overdrive) into
D (Drive).
Driving on snow and ice
A 4WD vehicle has advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
When braking, apply the brakes as you normally would. In order to allow
the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to operate properly, keep steady
pressure on the brake pedal.
Allow more stopping distance and drive slower than usual. Consider
using one of the lower gears.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
(5.0L ENGINES ONLY)
Your vehicle is equipped with a full-time All Wheel Drive (AWD) transfer
case. Power is supplied to all four wheels all the time with no need to
shift between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive.
For the lubricant specification and refill capacity of the AWD transfer
case refer toCapacities and specificationschapter.
Driving
121