2000 FORD EXPLORER octane

3. The fuel cap may not have been properly installed and securely
tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with high quality fuel of the recommended octane and/or properly
installing and securely tightening the gas cap. After three driving cycles
without these or any other temporary malfunctions present, theCheck
Enginelight should turn off. (A driving cycle consists of a cold engine
startup followed by mixed city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle
service is required.
If theCheck Enginelight remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the
first available opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter.
You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and
deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Check fuel cap
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
to ensure your bulb is working.
When this light turns on, check the
fuel filler cap. Continuing to operate the vehicle with the check fuel cap
light on, can activate theService Engine Soon/Check Enginewarning
light. When the fuel filler cap is properly re-installed, the light(s) will
turn off after a period of normal driving.
It may take a long period of time for the system to detect an
improperly install fuel filler cap.
For more information, refer toFuel filler capin theMaintenance and
carechapter.
CHECK
FUEL CAP
Instrumentation
9

Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based compounds containing MMT.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
ªRegularº unleaded gasoline with
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend the use of
gasolines labeled as ªRegularº that
are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician to prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of ªRegularº unleaded
gasoline. ªPremiumº unleaded gasoline is not recommended (particularly
in the United States) because it may cause these problems to become
more pronounced. If the problems persist, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system.
Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your
fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and care
246

Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill Capacities
section of theCapacities and specificationschapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
²Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
²Use the same filling rate setting (low Ð medium Ð high) each time
the tank is filled.
²Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
²Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
²Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
²Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
²Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in kilometers or miles).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in liters
or gallons).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
Maintenance and care
249

ENGINE DATA
Engine4.0L OHV V6
engine4.0L SOHC V6
engine5.0L V8 engine
Cubic inches 245 245 302
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark plug gap 1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-0.056
inch)1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-0.056
inch)1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-0.056
inch)
Ignition system EDIS EDIS EDIS
Compression
ratio9.0:1 9.7:1 9.15:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Dimensions 2-Door 4x2 XL Model
mm (in.)2-Door 4x4 Sport
Model mm (in.)
(1) Overall length 4 608 (181.4) 4 608 (181.4)
(2) Overall width 1 783 (70.2) 1 783 (70.2)
(3) Maximum
height1 704 (67.1) 1 779 (70.0)*
(4) Wheelbase 2 585 (101.8) 2 585 (101.8)
(5) Front track 1 486 (58.5) 1 486 (58.5)
(5) Rear track 1 487 (58.5) 1 487 (58.5)
* Height includes roof rack
Dimensions 4-Door 4x2 XL Model
mm (in.)4-Door 4x4 XLT
Model mm (in.)
(1) Overall length 4 857 (191.2) 4 857 (191.2)
(2) Overall width 1 783 (70.2) 1 783 (70.2)
(3) Maximum
height1 719 (67.7) 1 793 (70.6)*
(4) Wheelbase 2 835 (111.6) 2 835 (111.6)
(5) Front track 1 486 (58.5) 1 486 (58.5)
(5) Rear track 1 487 (58.5) 1 487 (58.5)
Capacities and specifications
272

Driving under special
conditions ..........................172, 175
mud ..........................171±172, 174
sand .................................172, 174
snow and ice ...171, 173±174, 176
through water .........172, 174, 179
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................204
Emission control system ..........252
Engine ........................................272
check engine/service engine
soon light ....................................8
cleaning ...................................260
coolant .....................................223
idle speed control ...................236
lubrication
specifications ..................269, 272
refill capacities ........................266
service points ..................215±217
starting after a collision .........190
Engine block heater .................153
Engine oil ..................................217
checking and adding ..............217
dipstick ....................................217
filter, specifications ........220, 266
recommendations ...................220
refill capacities ........................266
specifications ..................269, 272
Exhaust fumes ..........................153
F
Floor mats .................................105
Fluid capacities .........................266
Foglamps .....................................21
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles..12, 168control trac .......................33, 168
description ......................169±170
driving off road ...............171, 174
electronic shift ..........................33
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................158
Fuel ............................................244
calculating fuel
economy ............................18, 248
cap .......................................9, 247
capacity ...................................266
choosing the right fuel ...........246
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................251
detergent in fuel .....................247
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................244, 247, 249
filter, specifications ........248, 266
fuel pump shut-off switch .....190
gauge .........................................16
improving fuel economy ........248
octane rating ...................246, 272
quality ......................................246
running out of fuel .................247
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................244
Fuses ..................................191, 193
G
Garage door opener ..............90, 94
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ........9, 247
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................248
Gauges .........................................14
battery voltage gauge ...............16
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................14
engine oil pressure gauge ........16
fuel gauge ..................................16
Index
290

fog lamps ...................................21
headlamps .................................21
headlamps, flash to pass ..........22
instrument panel, dimming .....22
replacing bulbs ...............253±257
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................81
Liftgate ......................................105
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
air bag ........................................10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....10, 156
anti-theft ...................................11
brake ..........................................10
charging system ........................11
check coolant ............................11
check engine ...............................8
cruise indicator .........................13
door ajar ....................................12
fuel cap light ...............................9
high beam .................................11
overdrive off ..............................12
safety belt .................................10
speed control ............................86
turn signal indicator .................11
Load limits .................................176
GAWR ......................................176
GVWR ......................................176
trailer towing ..........................176
Loading instructions .................178
Locks
autolock ...................................114
childproof ................................102
Lubricant specifications ...269, 272
Lumbar support, seats .....122±123
M
Manual transmission .................166
fluid capacities ........................266lubricant specifications ..........272
reverse .....................................168
Message center ...........................17
english/metric button ...............17
reset button ..............................18
system check button ................19
Mirrors
automatic dimming
rearview mirror .......................100
cleaning ...................................265
fold away .................................103
heated ......................................103
side view mirrors (power) .....102
Moon roof ....................................91
Motorcraft parts ................248, 266
O
Octane rating ............................246
Odometer .....................................15
Off-Road Driving .......................174
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................217
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ..............................108
Parking brake ............................156
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....266
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................196
Power door locks ......................101
Power steering ..........................157
fluid, checking and adding ....228
fluid, refill capacity ................266
fluid, specifications .........269, 272
Index
292

Item Information
Required fuel Unleaded fuel only - 87 octane
Fuel tank capacity (2 door) 66.2L (17.5 gallons)
Fuel tank capacity (4 door) 75.5L (22.5 gallons)
4.0L Engine oil capacity (includes
filter change)4.7L (5.0 quarts). Use Motorcraft
SAE 5W-30 Super Premium Motor
Oil, Ford specification
WSS-M2C153-G.
4.6L Engine oil capacity (includes
filter change)4.7L (5.0 quarts). Use Motorcraft
SAE 5W-20 Super Premium Motor
Oil, Ford specification
WSS-M2C153-G.
Tire size and pressure Refer to the Certification Label on
inside of driver's door.
Hood release Pull handle under the instrument
panel.
Coolant capacity-(4.0L OHV V6
engine)
111.4L (12.0 quarts)
Coolant capacity-(4.0L SOHC V6
engine)
113.2L (14.0 quarts)
Coolant capacity (5.0L V8 engine)
114.9L (15.7 quarts)
Power steering fluid capacity Fill to line on reservoir or dipstick.
Use Motorcraft MERCONtAT F.
Manual transmission fluid capacity
22.6L (5.6 pints). Use Motorcraft
MERCONtAT F.
Automatic transmission fluid
capacity (4R70W with 5.0L V8
engine)
2
13.1L (13.9 quarts). Use
Motorcraft MERCONtV ATF.3
Automatic transmission fluid
capacity (4x2 vehicles with 5R55E
and 4.0L V6 engines)
2
9.5L (10.0 quarts). Use Motorcraft
MERCONtV ATF.3
Automatic transmission fluid
capacity (4x4 vehicles with 5R55E
and 4.0L V6 engines
2
9.8L (10.3 quarts). Use Motorcraft
MERCONtV ATF.3
Filling station information
295