2001 FORD EXPLORER automatic transmission

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
4.0L SOHC V6 engine
1. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Engine oil dipstick
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Power distribution box
7. Battery
8. Power steering fluid reservoir
9. Air filter assembly
10. Engine coolant reservoir
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Maintenance and care
209

5.0L V8 engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Power distribution box
7. Battery
8. Power steering fluid reservoir
9. Engine oil dipstick
10. Air filter assembly
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
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TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about
30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
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222

Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km (20
miles) of driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 10ÉC (50ÉF). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC
[150ÉF-170ÉF]).
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at ambient temperature
(10ÉC-35ÉC [50ÉF-95ÉF]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transmission failure.
An overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or
possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by
an overheating condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and also in the
Lubricant specificationssection in theCapacities and specifications
chapter.
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
Maintenance and care
223

Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 250 mL (1/2 pint) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified
technician.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement
concerns and/or possible
damage.
CHECKING AND ADDING TRANSFER CASE FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
1. Clean the filler plug.
2. Remove the filler plug and
inspect the fluid level.
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD

Maintenance and care
224

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Transmission
fluid
1Motorcraft
MERCONtV
AT F4R70W
Automatic with
5.0L V8 engine13.1L
(13.9 quarts)2
5R55E
Automatic with
4.0L SOHC V6
engine (4x2)9.5L
(10.0 quarts)2
5R55E
Automatic with
4.0L SOHC V6
engine (4x4)9.8L
(10.3 quarts)2
Transfer case Motorcraft
MERCONtAT F4WD 1.4L
(1.5 quarts)
AWD 1.25L
(1.3 quarts)
Engine coolant
3Premium Engine
Coolant4.0L SOHC V6
engine15.4L
(16.3 quarts)
5.0L V8 engine 14.9L
(15.7 quarts)
Front axle
lubricantMotorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle Lubricant4x4 vehicles 1.7L
(1.8 quarts)
Rear axle
lubricant
4Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle LubricantRefer to
Footnote 52.9-3.1L
(5.5-5.8 pints)
Motorcraft SAE
75W-140 High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantRefer to
Footnote 6
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 2.6L
(2.7 quarts)
Capacities and specifications
256

1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. MERCONtand MERCONtV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONtand MERCONtV. Refer to your scheduled maintenance
guide to determine the correct service interval.
2Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may
vary based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The
amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the
indication on the dipstick's normal operating range.
3Use Ford Premium Engine Coolant (green in color). DO NOT USE Ford
Extended Life Engine Coolant (orange in color). Refer toAdding engine
coolant, in the Maintenance and Care chapter.
4Fill to 6 mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below bottom of fill hole.
5Vehicles equipped with 4.0L SOHC V6 engines may be equipped with a
conventional rear axle. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
axle fluid change intervals.
6Vehicles equipped with 4.0L SOHC V6 engines and 3.73:1 or 4.10:1 rear
axle ratios or with a 5.0L V8 engine require synthetic rear axle lubricant.
Rear axles containing synthetic lubricant are lubricated for life. These
lubricants are not to be checked or changed unless a leak is suspected or
service is required. The axle lubricant should be changed any time the
axle has been submerged in water.
Add 118 ml (4 oz.) of Additive Friction Modifier C8AZ-19B546-A or
equivalent meeting Ford specification EST-M2C118±A for complete refill
of Traction-Lok axles.
Capacities and specifications
257

LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
ItemFord Part Name
or equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Body hinges,
latches, door
striker plates and
rotors, seat
tracks, fuel filler
door hinge and
spring, hood
latch, auxiliary
latch, seat tracksMulti-Purpose
GreaseD0AZ-19584-AA
or
F5AZ-19G209-AAESB-M1C93-B or
ESR-M1C159-A
Hydraulic clutch
fluid and brake
fluidHigh
Perfromance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidC6AZ-19542-ABESA-M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Driveshaft, slip
spline, universal
jointsPremium Long
Life GreaseXG-1-C or
XG-1-T or
XG-1-KESA-M1C75-B
Engine coolant
1Ford Premium
Engine CoolantE2FZ-19549-AA
(in Canada,
Motorcraft
CXC-10-c)ESE-M97B44-A
Engine oil
5.0L V8Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
OilXO-5W20-QSPWSS-M2C153-H
with API
Certification
Mark
Engine oil
4.0L SOHC V6MotorcraftSAE
5W-30 Super
Premium Motor
OilXO-5W30-QSPWSS-M2C153-G
with API
Certification
Mark
Lock cylindersMotorcraft
penetrating and
lock lubricantMotorcraft XL-1 none
Automatic
transmission
2Motorcraft
MERCONtVATFXT-5-QM MERCONtV
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Capacities and specifications
258