1999 FORD EXPLORER warning light

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 or the vehicle's brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
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 between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be damaged or the engine may
overheat.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you leave
your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving
149

²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
²Have the items listed in your Scheduled Maintenance Guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the Scheduled Maintenance
Guide are 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.
Illumination of the charging system warning light,Check Engine
indicator light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange
odors, smoke or loss of oil pressure, could indicate that the emission
control system is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, items, 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 the
Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete emission warranty
information.
Maintenance and care
235

Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II) system. If your ªCheck Engine/Service
Engine Soonº light is on, refer to the description in theWarning Lights
and Chimessection of theInstrumentationchapter. Your vehicle may
not pass the I/M test with the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light
on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the OBD-II system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº condition. To
ready the OBD-II system for I/M testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city
and highway driving is necessary as described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
EXTERIOR BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps frequently:
²Headlamps
²Foglamps
²High-mount brakelamp
²Brakelamps
²Turn signals
²License plate lamp
²Tail lamps
²Back-up lamps
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless they can be replaced immediately with
new ones. If a bulb is removed for an extended period of time,
contaminants may enter the lamp housings and affect lamp performance.
Maintenance and care
236

Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................................126
and child safety seats ............128
description .......................127,130
disposal ....................................133
indicator light ..................130,132
passenger air bag ............128,131
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control system .23,24,25,26,27,28
rear seat controls .....................29
Air suspension
description ..............................148
warning light .............................10
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................162
Armrests ....................................102
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .....150,151,152,153,154
Axle
refill capacities ........................247
Battery
voltage gauge ............................14
Brakes ........................................145
anti-lock ............................145,146
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................146
fluid, checking and adding ....208
shift interlock ..........................149
Break-in period ..........................2,3
Cargo area shade ......................104
Cargo cover ...............................104
CD player .....................75,77,78,79
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps ..138
in rear seat ..............................136
tether anchorage hardware ...138
Cleaning your vehicle ...............241
engine compartment ..............242
exterior .............................242,244
exterior lamps .........................244interior ..............................245,246
plastic parts ............................244
washing ....................................241
waxing .....................................242
wheels ......................................244
windows ..................................246
wiper blades ............................245
woodtone trim ........................246
Clutch
fluid ..........................................209
operation while driving ...154,155
recommended shift speeds ....156
Compass, electronic ....................90
calibration .................................92
set zone adjustment .................91
Console ...............................101,102
overhead ...............................87,88
rear ..........................................102
Controls
power seat ...............................117
Coolant ...............................212,213
checking and adding ..............211
refill capacities ........................213
Defrost
rear window ..............................30
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................219
Driving under special
conditions ...........................161,164
sand ..................................160,163
snow and ice ......160,162,163,164
through water ..................160,163
Emission control system ..........234
Engine
check engine/service engine
soon light ....................................6
coolant .....................................210
idle speed control ...................219
service points ............203,204,205
starting after a collision .........178
Engine block heater .................143
Index
257

Engine oil
checking and adding ..............207
dipstick ....................................205
specifications ...................205,207
Exhaust fumes ..........................143
Floor mats .................................103
Four-Wheel Drive
vehicles ..............................9,10,157
control trac .............................157
description .......................157,159
driving off road ................160,162
electronic shift ..........................31
Fuel
choosing the right fuel ...........228
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................234
detergent in fuel .....................229
filling your vehicle
with fuel ...........................227,230
gauge .........................................14
quality ......................................229
running out of fuel .................230
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................227
Fuses ............................179,180,181
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .........231,232,
233,234
Gauges .........................................11
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................12
engine oil pressure gauge ........14
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
calculating ...............................167
Hazard flashers .........................178
Head restraints ...........116,118,119
Headlamps
aiming ......................................241
autolamp system .......................97
bulb specifications ..................240
high beam ..............................9,19warning chime ..........................11
Heating ........................................20
heating and air conditioning
system .............................20,21,22
Hood ..........................................201
Ignition .......................................252
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................236
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................245
Keyless entry system
autolock ............................109,110
keypad .....................................111
locking and unlocking doors ..112
programming entry
code ..................................111,112
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............11
positions of the ignition ...........79
Lamps
daytime running light ...............19
fog lamps ...................................19
headlamps .................................19
headlamps, flash to pass ..........20
instrument panel, dimming .....20
replacing bulbs ...............236,237,
238,239,240
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................79
Liftgate ......................................103
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................7
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............8
anti-theft .....................................9
brake ............................................8
charging system ..........................9
check coolant ..............................9
cruise indicator .........................10
door ajar ....................................10
fuel reset .....................................7
overdrive off ..............................10
safety belt ...................................8
Index
258

speed control ............................84
turn signal indicator ...................8
Locks
childproof ................................100
Lumbar support, seats ......116,118
Manual transmission
reverse .....................................156
Message center ...........................15
economy button ........................16
english/metric button ..........15,16
reset button ..............................16
system check button ...........17,18
Mirrors
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................98
cleaning ...................................246
heated ......................................101
side view mirrors (power) .....100
Moon roof ....................................89
Motorcraft parts ........................231
Octane rating ............................229
Odometer .....................................13
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ..............................106
Parking brake ............................146
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................184
Power door locks ........................99
Power steering ..........................147
fluid, checking and adding ....213
Radio ...33,34,35,36,37,38,40,41,42,
43,44,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,
53,54,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,
63,64,65,66,67,68
Relays ........................................179
Remote entry system .105,113,114
illuminated entry ....................109
locking/unlocking doors .........106
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................109
replacing the batteries ...........108
Reverse sensing system .............31Roof rack ...................................177
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............11
Safety restraints
cleaning the safety belts .126,246
extension assembly ................125
for children .............................133
warning light and chime ...11,125
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ......120,121,122,123,124
Seats ..........................................116
child safety seats ....................134
cleaning ............................245,246
memory seat ....................107,118
Servicing your vehicle .......200,201
Snowplowing .................................3
Spark plugs, specifications .......247
Special notice ................................3
ambulance conversions ..............3
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart, lubricants .250
Speed control ..............................80
Speedometer ...............................12
Starting your vehicle .........140,142
jump starting ............192,193,195
Steering wheel ............................86
tilting .........................................85
Tachometer .................................13
Tires .............................222,223,224
changing ...........................187,188
checking the pressure ............224
replacing ..................................225
rotating ....................................224
snow tires and chains ............226
tire grades ...............................223
treadwear ................................223
Towing ...........168,173,174,175,176
recreational towing .................176
wrecker ....................................198
Traction-lok rear axle ...............165
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................218
Index
259