1998 FORD EXPLORER coolant

Check gage
Illuminates when the key is in the
ON position and the engine coolant
temperature is high, the engine oil
pressure is low or the fuel level is
near empty. Refer toEngine
coolant temperature gauge,
Engine oil pressure gaugeorFuel gaugein this chapter for more
information.
Four wheel drive low (if equipped)
Illuminates when four-wheel drive
low is engaged.
Four wheel drive high (if equipped)
Illuminates when four-wheel drive
high is engaged.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the ignition switch
is in the ON or START position and
any door is open.
CHECK
GAGE
4WD
LOW
4WD
HIGH
DOOR
AJAR
Instrumentation
10

Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal operating
temperature, the needle remains
within the normal area (the area
between the ``H'' and ``C''). If it
enters the red section, the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, switch off
the ignition and let the engine cool.
Refer toEngine coolantin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
Never remove the coolant
recovery cap while the
engine is running or hot.
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the
coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level or mixture, the
gauge indication will not be accurate.
Odometer
Registers the total kilometers
(miles) of the vehicle.
C
H
10MPH 205060
70
304080
90
km/h
0 0 0
10 100
1
20
1
0 0 0 0 0 0406080100
120
140
160
180
20
Instrumentation
13

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

STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Turn the key to 5 (START)
without pressing the accelerator
pedal and release as soon as the
engine starts. The key will return to
4 (ON).
2. If the engine does not start within five seconds, wait ten seconds and
try again.
3. If the engine does not start in two attempts or if the temperature is
below -12ÉC (10ÉF), depress the accelerator and start the engine while
holding the accelerator down. Release the accelerator when the engine
starts.
4. After idling for a few seconds, apply the brake and release the parking
brake.
Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine faster and allows the heater-defroster
system to respond quickly. They are strongly recommended if you live in
a region where temperatures reach -23ÉC (-10ÉF) or below.
For best results, plug the heater in at least three hours before starting
the vehicle. Using the heater for longer than three hours will not harm
the engine, so the heater can be plugged in the night before starting the
vehicle.
To prevent electrical shock, do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater)
adapters.
3
2
1
5
4
Starting
102

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
4.0L EFI engine
1. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2. Engine oil fill cap
3. Transmission fluid dipstick (automatic transmission only)
4. Engine oil dipstick
5. Power steering fluid reservoir
6. Brake fluid reservoir
7. Clutch fluid reservoir (manual transmission only)
8. Battery
9. Air filter assembly
10. Engine coolant reservoir
10
1235674
89
Maintenance and care
158

4.0L SOHC engine
1. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2. Transmission fluid dipstick
3. Engine oil fill cap
4. Engine oil dipstick
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Battery
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Air filter assembly
9. Engine coolant reservoir
9
13425
867
Maintenance and care
159

5.0L engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
3. Engine oil fill cap
4. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Battery
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Air filter assembly
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.
1
23
6
54
879
Maintenance and care
160

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Checking and adding washer fluid
Check the washer fluid whenever
you stop for fuel. The reservoir is
highlighted with a
symbol.
If the level is low, add enough fluid
to fill the reservoir. In very cold
weather, do not fill the reservoir all
the way.
Do not put engine coolant in the container for the windshield
washer fluid.
ENGINE COOLANT
Check the level of the coolant in the
reservoir at least once a month. Be
sure to read and understand
Precautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
RADIATOR
COOLANT
ONLY
WASHERFLUIDONLY
Maintenance and care
166