1999 FORD EXPLORER transmission

If the rear axle is submerged in water, the rear axle lubricant should be
checked and changed, if necessary. The rear axle is filled with a
synthetic lubricant and does not normally require a lubricant change for
the life of the vehicle. Rear axle lubricant quantities should not need to
be checked unless a leak is suspected.
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
When driving on a hill, avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes. You could lose traction and slip sideways. Drive straight up,
straight down or avoid the hill completely. Know the conditions on the
other side of a hill before driving over the crest.
When climbing a steep hill, start in a lower gear rather than downshifting
to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has started. This
reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
When descending a steep hill, avoid sudden braking. Shift to a lower gear
when added engine braking is desired.
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
An AWD 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.
Driving
164

²Maximum Trailer Weight Rating: Maximum weight of a trailer the
vehicle is permitted to tow. The maximum trailer weight rating is
determined by subtracting the vehicle curb weight for each
engine/transmission combination, any required option weight for trailer
towing and the weight of the driver from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.
²Maximum Trailer Weight: maximum weight of a trailer the loaded
vehicle (including passengers and cargo) is permitted to tow. It is
determined by subtracting the weight of the loaded trailer towing
vehicle from the GCWR for the towing vehicle.
²Trailer Weight Range: Specified weight range that the trailer must
fall within that ranges from zero to the maximum trailer weight rating.
Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than the
originals because they may lower the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
The Certification Label, found on the inside pillar of the driver's door,
lists several important vehicle weight rating limitations. Before adding
any additional equipment, refer to these limitations. If you are adding
weight to the front of your vehicle, (potentially including weight added
to the cab), the weight added should not exceed the Front Axle Reserve
Capacity (FARC). Additional frontal weight may be added to the front
axle reserve capacity provided you limit your payload in other ways (i.e.
restrict the number of passengers or amount of cargo carried).
You may add equipment throughout your vehicle if the total weight
added is equal to or less than the Total Axle Reserve Capacity (TARC)
weight. You should NEVER exceed the Total Axle Reserve Capacity.
Always ensure that the weight of passengers, cargo and equipment being
carried is within the weight limitations that have been established for
your vehicle including both Gross Vehicle Weight and Front and Rear
Gross Axle Weight Rating limits. Under no circumstance should these
limitations be exceeded. Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation
could result in serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
Driving
166

Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow
1. Use the appropriate maximum gross combined weight rating (GCWR)
chart to find the maximum GCWR for your type engine and rear axle
ratio.
2. Weigh your vehicle as you customarily operate the vehicle without
cargo. To obtain correct weights, try taking your vehicle to a shipping
company or an inspection station for trucks.
3. Subtract your loaded vehicle weight from the maximum GCWR on the
following charts. This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow
and must fall below the maximum shown under maximum trailer weight
on the chart.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine's air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs.
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transmission is submerged
may allow water into the transmission and cause internal
transmission damage.
Driving
167

TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with your vehicle may require the use of a trailer tow
option package.
Trailer towing puts additional loads on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires, and suspension. For your safety and to
maximize vehicle performance, be sure to use the proper equipment
while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing procedure:
²Stay within your vehicle's load limits.
²Thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing. Refer toPreparing to
towin this chapter.
²Use extra caution when driving while trailer towing. Refer toDriving
while you towin this chapter.
²Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to the
severe duty schedule in the service guide and or maintenance guide.
²Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least 800 km
(500 miles).
²Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the
proper installation and adjustment specifications.
Do not exceed the maximum loads listed on the Safety Compliance
Certification label. For load specification terms found on the label, refer
toVehicle loadingin this chapter. Remember to figure in the tongue
load of your loaded vehicle when figuring the total weight.
Driving
168

Trailer towing table (4x2 manual transmission)
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer weights
EngineRear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Trailer weight
range-kg
(lbs.)
(0-Maximum)Maximum
frontal area of
trailer-m
2(ft2)
2-door
4.0L OHV 3.272 721
(6 000)0-907
(0-2 000)4.64
(50)
4.0L OHV 3.733 175
(7 000)0-1 433
(0-3 160)4.64
(50)
4-door
4.0L OHV 3.272 721
(6 000)0-889
(0-1 960)4.64
(50)
4.0L OHV 3.733 175
(7 000)0-1 343
(0-2 960)4.64
(50)
Notes:-For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 300
meters (1 800 ft) elevation. For definitions of terms used in this table
and instructions on how to calculate your vehicle load, refer toVehicle
loadingin this chapter. Maximum trailer weights shown. The
combined weight of the completed towing vehicle and the loaded
trailer must not exceed the GCWR.
Towing a trailer over 1 588 kg (3 500 lbs.) requires a weight
distributing hitch.
Driving
169

Trailer towing table (4x4 manual transmission)
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer weights
EngineRear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Trailer weight
range-kg
(lbs.)
(0-Maximum)Maximum
frontal area of
trailer-m
2(ft2)
2-door
4.0L OHV3.27 2 721
(6 000)0-880
(0-1 940)4.64
(50)
4.0L OHV3.55 2 948
(6 500)0-1 107
(0-2 440)4.64
(50)
4.0L OHV3.73 3 175
(7 000)0-1 334
(0-2 940)4.64
(50)
4.0L OHV4.10 3 175
(7 000)0-1 334
(0-2 940)4.64
(50)
4-door
4.0L OHV 3.552 948
(6 500)0-1 007
(0-2 220)4.64
(50)
4.0L OHV 3.733 175
(7 000)0-1 234
(0-2 720)4.64
(50)
Notes:- For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 300
meters (1 800 ft) elevation. For definitions of terms used in this table
and instructions on how to calculate your vehicle load, refer toVehicle
loadingin this chapter. Maximum trailer weights shown. The
combined weight of the completed towing vehicle and the loaded
trailer must not exceed the GCWR.
Towing a trailer over 1 588kg (3 500 lbs.) requires a weight distributing
hitch.
Driving
170

Trailer towing table (4x2 automatic transmission)
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer weights
EngineRear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Trailer Weight
Range-kg
(lbs.)
0-MaximumMaximum
frontal area of
trailer-m
2(ft2)
2-door
4.0L
SOHC3.27 3 402
(7 500)0-1 361
(0-3 000)4.64
(50)
4.0L
SOHC3.55 3 856
(8 500)0-2 041
(0-4 500)4.64
(50)
4.0L OHV3.73 4 082
(9 000)0-2 313
(0-5 100)4.64
(50)
4.0L
SOHC3.73 4 082
(9 000)0-2 313
(0-5 100)4.64
(50)
4-door
4.0L
SOHC3.554 082
(9 000)0-2 041
(0-4 500)4.64
(50)
4.0L OHV 3.734 082
(9 000)0-2 232
(0- 4 920)4.64
(50)
4.0L
SOHC3.734 535
(10 000)0-2 676
(0-5 900)4.64
(50)
4.0L
SOHC4.104 535
(10 000)0-2 676
(0-5 900)4.64
(50)
5.0L 3.734 990
(11 000)0-3 057
(0-6 740)4.64
(50)
Notes:For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 300 meters
(1 000 ft) elevation. For definition of terms and instructions on
calculating your vehicle's load, refer toVehicle loadingin this chapter.
Maximum trailer weights shown. The combined weight of the
completed towing vehicle and the loaded trailer must not exceed the
GCWR.
Towing a trailer over 1 588 kg (3 500 lbs.) requires a weight
distributing hitch.
Driving
171

Trailer towing table (4x4 and AWD with automatic
transmission)
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Trailer Weight
Range-kg
(lbs.)
0-MaximumMaximum
frontal area of
trailer-m
2(ft2)
2-door
4.0L
SOHC3.27 3 402
(7 500)0-1 533
(0-3 380)4.64
(50)
4.0L
SOHC3.55 3 856
(8 500)0-1 978
(0-4 380)4.64
(50)
4.0L OHV3.73 4 082
(9 000)0-2 214
(0-4 880)4.64
(50)
4.0L
SOHC3.73 4 082
(9 000)0-2 214
(0-4 880)4.64
(50)
4.0L OHV4.10 4 082
(9 000)0-2 214
(4 880)4.64
(50)
4.0L
SOHC4.10 4 082
(9 000)0-2 214
(4 880)4.64
(50)
4-door
4.0L
SOHC3.554 082
(9 000)0-2 041
(0-4 500)4.64
(50)
4.0L OHV 3.734 082
(9 000)0-2 123
(0-4 680)4.64
(50)
4.0L
SOHC3.734 535
(10 000)0-2 576
(0-5 680)4.64
(50)
4.0L
SOHC4.104 535
(10 000)0-2 576
(0-5 680)4.64
(50)
5.0L 3.734 990
(11 000)0-2 957
(6 520)4.64
(50)
Driving
172