1998 FORD EXPLORER oil change

MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)
With the ignition in the ON position,
the message center displays
important vehicle information
through a constant monitor of
vehicle systems. You may select
display features on the message
center for a display of status
preceded by a brief indicator chime.
The system will also notify you of
potential vehicle problems with a
display of system warnings.
Selectable features
English/metric display
Press to toggle the message center
display between metric or English
units.
ENGLISH
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL CHANGE
RESETFUEL
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
Instrumentation
16

Fuel range
Press once to display the
approximate kilometers (miles) left
to drive before the fuel tank is
empty.
Press again to display the distance
driven since this function was last
manually reset.
For maximum accuracy of this
display feature, the ignition should
be in the Off position during fueling.
The display FUEL LEVEL ERROR
indicates a problem with the fuel
indication system. See your dealer or qualified service technician for
system maintenance.
Fuel status
Press once to display the
approximate amount of fuel
remaining in the fuel tank.
Press again to display the
approximate amount of fuel used
since the system was last reset.
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
Instrumentation
17

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

indications, you should only perform the following procedure after you
have the oil changed.
Oil change reset
Press the OIL CHANGE RESET
control to reset the oil life feature to
100% (or your personalized oil reset
percentage). After you have the oil
changed, you must press and hold
the OIL CHANGE RESET control
for five seconds. The message
center will count down for five
seconds. After a successful reset,
the message center will display OIL
LIFE RESET TO 100%. (If you have
established a personalized oil reset
percentage, the display will show
that percentage instead of 100%.) This reset procedure should be
performed only after an oil change to ensure accurate oil life indications.
Your personalized oil reset percentage allows you to establish a smaller
oil change interval than the manufacturer's recommended interval. To
establish your personalized oil reset percentage:
1. Press and hold the OIL CHANGE RESET control and press the RESET
control while the display is still counting down the 5 seconds to reset.
The display will change to START OIL LIFE AT XXX%.
2. Press the OIL CHANGE RESET control until the displayed percentage
is the personalized oil reset percentage you desire. Your choices are
100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40% and 30%.
1. Press the RESET control to
complete the procedure. Pressing
any control other than RESET or
OIL CHANGE RESET will abort this
procedure and will not establish
your new personalized oil reset
percentage.
When your personalized oil reset
percentage has been established, it
will be used beginning with the
completion of your next OIL
CHANGE RESET procedure.
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
Instrumentation
20

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

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
²Use only unleaded fuel.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
²Have the services listed in your ``Service Guide'' performed according
to the specified schedule.
The Scheduled Maintenance Services listed in the ``Service Guide'' are
required because they are considered essential to the life and
performance of your vehicle and to its emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss of oil pressure, the
charging system warning light, the ``Check Engine'' light or the
temperature warning light. These events could indicate that the emission
control system is not working properly.
If you smell exhaust fumes of any kind inside your vehicle, have
the dealer inspect and fix your vehicle immediately. Do not drive
if you smell exhaust fumes. These fumes are harmful and could kill
you.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle's emission system is on
Maintenance and care
185

REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part Name Application Capacity
Engine oil
(including
filter
change)Motorcraft 5W30
Super Premium
Motor OilAll engines
4.7L (5.0
quarts)
Brake fluid Ford High
Performance DOT
3 Brake FluidAll
Fill to line in
reservoir
Power
steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FAll Fill to line on
reservoir or
dipstick
Transmission
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT F5-speed manual
2.6L (5.6 pints)
Motorcraft
MERCONtVATF4R70W Automatic
(5.0L engines
only)13.1L (13.9
quarts)
5R55E Automatic
with 4.0L EFI
engine (4x2)9.0L (9.5
quarts)
5R55E Automatic
with 4.0L SOHC
engine (4x2)9.25L (9.75
quarts)
5R55E Automatic
with 4.0L EFI
engine (4x4)9.3L (9.8
quarts)
5R55E Automatic
with 4.0L SOHC
engine (4x4)9.55L (10.0
quarts)
Transfer
caseMotorcraft
MERCONtAT F4WD 1.4L (1.5
quarts)
AWD 1.25L (1.3
quarts)
Engine
coolantFord Premium
Cooling System
Fluid4.0L engine 7.4L (7.8
quarts)
5.0L engine 12.1L (12.8
quarts)
Capacities and specifications
198