2000 FORD POSTAL EXPLORER tow

The following warning may be required by California law:
CALIFORNIA Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING:Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and
certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known
to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
ICONS
Indicates a safety alert. Read the
following section onWarnings.
Indicates vehicle information related
to recycling and other
environmental concerns will follow.
Correct vehicle usage and the
authorized disposal of waste
cleaning and lubrication materials are significant steps towards
protecting the environment.
Indicates a message regarding child
safety restraints. Refer toSeating
and safety restraintsfor more
information.
Indicates that this Owner Guide
contains information on this subject.
Please refer to the Index to locate
the appropriate section which will
provide you more information.
Introduction
2

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Service engine soon
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitors the engine's
emission control system. This
system is commonly known as the
On Board Diagnostics System (OBD
II). The OBD II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle.
TheService Engine Soonindicator light illuminates when the ignition is
first turned to the ON position to check the bulb. If it comes on after the
engine is started, one of the engine's emission control systems may be
malfunctioning. The light may illuminate without a driveability concern
being noted. The vehicle will usually be drivable and will not require
towing.
What you should do if the Service Engine Soon light illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause yourService Engine Soonlight to
illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been properly installed and securely
tightened.
0 1020304050
60
70
80
90
10 0
20 km/h
406080
10 0
12 0
14 0
H
L
16 0
MPH
000000
0000
BRAKE
18
8
SERVICE
ENGINE SOON
FH
C
E
O/D
OFF
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Instrumentation
6

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 ªHº and ªCº). If it
enters the red section, the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, switch off
the engine immediately and let the
engine cool. Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir 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 the gauge indication
will not be accurate. If the gauge enters the red section, the oil
pressure/engine coolant andCheck Engine/Service Engine Soon
indicators illuminate, refer toWhat you should know about fail-safe
coolingin theMaintenance and care chapter.
Odometer
Registers the total kilometers
(miles) of the vehicle.
H
C
0 1020304050
60
70
80
90
10 0
20 km/h
406080
10 0
12 0
14 0
16 0
MPH
000000
0000
Instrumentation
10

HEADLAMP CONTROL
²Pull the headlamp control toward
you to the first position to turn
on the parking lamps, tail lamps,
license plate lamps and marker
lamps.
²Pull the headlamp control toward
you to the outer position to turn
on the headlamps (in addition to
the previous lamps).
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
To adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel:
²Rotate
clockwise/counterclockwise when
the headlamp control is in the
parking lamp or low-beam
position.
To turn on the courtesy lamp:
²Rotate fully counterclockwise.
High beams
Push forward to activate.
Pull toward you to deactivate.
HI
LO
F
S
OFF
Controls and features
13

Flash to pass
Pull toward you to activate and
release to deactivate.
POSITIONS OF THE IGNITION
1. LOCK, locks the steering wheel,
gearshift lever (automatic transaxle
only) and allows key removal. On
vehicles with a manual transaxle
push the key in while turning to
lock.
2. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.
3. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
4. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
HI
LO
F
S
OFF
LOCKACCONSTART0IIIIII4
3
2
1
Controls and features
14

TILT STEERING WHEEL
Pull the tilt steering control toward
you to move the steering wheel up
or down. Hold the control while
adjusting the wheel to the desired
position, then release the control to
lock the steering wheel in position.
Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving.
WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER CONTROLS
Rotate the windshield wiper control
to the desired interval, low or high
speed position.
The bars of varying length are for
intermittent wipers. When in this
position rotate the control upward for fast intervals and downward for
slow intervals.
Push the control on the end of the
stalk to activate washer. Push and
hold for a longer wash cycle. The
washer will automatically shut off
after ten seconds of continuous use.LOF
OFFS
HI
HI
LO
F
S
OFF
Controls and features
15

N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N
(Neutral), the vehicle can be started
and is free to roll. Hold the brake
pedal down while in this position.
(Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through five.
(Overdrive) can be deactivated
by pressing the transmission control
switch on the end of the gearshift
lever.
Drive± Not shown on the gearshift position display. Activate by pressing
the transmission control switch on the end of the gearshift lever with the
gearshift lever in the
position. The Transmission Control Indicator
Light (TCIL) will illuminate on the instrument cluster. The transmission
operates in gears one through four.
(Drive) provides more engine
braking than
(Overdrive) and is useful whenever driving conditions
(i.e., city traffic, hilly terrain, etc.) cause the transmission to excessively
shift between
(Overdrive) and(Drive). Also deactivate
(Overdrive) when:
²driving with a heavy load.
²towing a trailer up or down steep hills.
²additional engine braking is desired. If towing a trailer, refer to
Driving while you towin theTrailer Towingchapter.
To return to
(Overdrive) mode, press the transmission control
switch.
Each time the vehicle is started, the transmission will automatically
return to normal overdrive mode.
2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on
slippery roads or to provide
additional engine braking on
downgrades.
O/D
ON/OFF
Driving
27

To lessen the risk of
personal injury, do not put
any part of your body under the
vehicle while changing a tire. Do
not start the engine when your
vehicle is on the jack. The jack is
only meant for changing the tire.
²Never use the front or rear
differential as a jacking point.
6. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
7. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem is
facing outward. Reinstall the lug nuts, cone side in, until the wheel is
snug against the hub. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel
has been lowered.
8. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
9. Remove the jack and fully tighten
the lug nuts in the order shown.
10. Stow the flat tire, jack and lug
wrench. Make sure the jack is
fastened so it does not rattle when
you drive.
11. Unblock the wheels.
JUMP STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to flames,
sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result in injury or
vehicle damage.
Do not push start your vehicle. You could damage the catalytic
converter.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin, eyes, and
clothing, if contacted.
1
4 3
2 5
Roadside emergencies
37