2001 FORD EXPLORER brake

The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned ON) until the
parking brake is released.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or in 1 (First) (manual transmission).
The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
Pull the release lever to release the
brake. Driving with the parking
brake on will cause the brakes to
wear out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to help steer the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
²Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left
for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
²Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
!
BRAKE
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PREPARING TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
Your vehicle has special design and equipment features to make it
capable of performing in a wide variety of circumstances. These special
design features, such as larger tires and increased ground clearance, give
the vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger car.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity, may handle
differently than unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as
slower speeds and increased stopping distance, should be taken when
driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle has the capability to haul more cargo and people than most
passenger cars. Depending upon the type and placement of the load,
hauling people and cargo may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
Use extra caution while becoming familiar with your vehicle. Know the
capabilities and limitations of both you as a driver and your vehicle.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the ON position unless brake pedal is depressed.
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If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the ON position and 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 lever,
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 if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur 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 with a 4±speed automatic transmission (if equipped)
To put your vehicle in gear, start the engine, depress the brake pedal,
then move gearshift lever out of P (Park).
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Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift lever
from P (Park) to another position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
Understanding gearshift positions
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). Make
sure the gearshift lever is securely
latched in P (Park). This position
locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from turning.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift
lever is latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you
leave your vehicle.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift in R (Reverse),
the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift in N (Neutral),
the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal
down while in this gear.
(Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through four.
(Overdrive) can be deactivated
by pressing the transmission control
switch on the gearshift lever.
O/D
ON/OFF
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Forced Downshifts
To gain acceleration in(Overdrive) or Drive (O/D OFF) when passing
another vehicle, push the accelerator to the floor. The transmission will
downshift to the appropriate gear: third, second or first gear.
Driving with a 5±speed automatic transmission (if equipped)
Your automatic transmission electronically controls the shift feel by using
an adaptive learning strategy. This feature is designed to increase
durability, and provide consistent shift feel over the life of the vehicle. It is
normal for a new transmission to shift firmly. This operation is considered
normal and will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Once
the vehicle is at operating temperature it may take several shifts at the
same operating condition for the transmission to properly adapt. Over time
the adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation. The
more varied the driving habits, speed and torque, the longer it may take to
adapt but the more complete the process will be.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the
transmission must learn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will fully update transmission operation to its optimum shift feel.
Understanding gearshift positions
Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift lever
from P (Park) to another position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
P (Park)
To put your vehicle in gear, start the engine, depress the brake pedal,
then move gearshift lever out of P (Park).
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). Make
sure the gearshift lever is securely
latched in P (Park). This position
locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from turning.
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.
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R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R
(Reverse), the vehicle will move
backward. Always come to a
complete stop before shifting into
and out of R (Reverse).
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.
The transmission control indicator
light (TCIL) will illuminate on the
instrument cluster.
Drive± Not shown on the display. Activate by pressing the transmission
control switch on the end of the gearshift lever with the gearshift in
the
(Overdrive) position. The TCIL will illuminate on the instrument
cluster. Transmission operates in gears one through four. Drive (O/D
OFF) 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 other
gears. 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.
O/D
ON/OFF
O/ D
OFF
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Shifting from 4WD AUTO or 4WD HIGH to 4WD LOW
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral).
4. Move the 4WD control to the
4WD LOW position.
Shifting from 4WD LOW to 4WD AUTO or 4WD HIGH
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral).
4. Move the 4WD control to the
4WD AUTO or 4WD HIGH position.
Driving off-road with 4WD
Your vehicle is specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and has operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. For more
information on driving off-road, read the ªFour Wheelingº supplement in
your owner's portfolio.
HIGH
LOW AUTO4x4
HIGH
LOW AUTO4x4
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If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by shifting
from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a steady
pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Do not reduce the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the hubs (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the
ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through 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.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Water intrusion into the transmission may damage the
transmission.
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