2001 FORD EXPLORER warning

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with applicable
exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic converter and
other emission control components continue to work properly:
²Use only the specified fuel listed.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
²Have the items listed in your scheduled maintenance guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the scheduled maintenance
guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the ªCheck Engineº light, charging system warning light
or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control system is
not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle's emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Maintenance and care
242

Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine
Soonº light is on, refer to the description in theWarning Lights and
Chimessection of theInstrumentationchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps frequently:
²Headlamps
²Foglamps
²High-mount brakelamp
²Brakelamps
²Turn signals
²License plate lamp
²Tail lamps
²Back-up lamps
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless they can be replaced immediately with
new ones. If a bulb is removed for an extended period of time,
contaminants may enter the lamp housings and affect lamp performance.
Maintenance and care
243

A
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................................137, 141
and child safety seats ............139
description ......................137, 141
disposal ....................................144
driver air bag ..................139, 142
indicator light ...........10, 141, 143
operation .........................139, 142
passenger air bag ...........139, 142
side air bag ..............................141
Air cleaner filter .......................255
Air conditioning ..........................23
automatic temperature
control system ..........................27
rear seat controls .....................32
Air suspension ...........................160
description ..............................160
warning light .............................12
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................173
Ambulance packages ....................3
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................216
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................157±158
Anti-theft system
warning light .............................11
Armrests ....................................107
Audio system (see Radio) .........36
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................162, 165
fluid, adding ............................222
fluid, checking ........................222
fluid, refill capacities ..............255fluid, specification ..................260
Auxiliary power point ...............106
Axle
lubricant specifications ..258, 260
refill capacities ........................255
traction lok ..............................175
B
Battery .......................................225
acid, treating emergencies .....225
charging system warning
light ............................................11
jumping a disabled battery ....199
maintenance-free ....................225
replacement, specifications ...255
servicing ..................................225
voltage gauge ............................16
Belt minder ...............................133
Brakes ........................................157
anti-lock ...........................157±158
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .....................10, 158
brake warning light ..................10
fluid, checking and adding ....214
fluid, refill capacities ..............255
fluid, specifications .........258, 260
lubricant specifications ..258, 260
parking ....................................158
shift interlock ..........................161
Break-in period .............................3
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....255
Cargo area shade ......................108
Cargo cover ...............................108
CD changer .................................78
Index
276

Certification Label ....................262
Child safety restraints ..............145
child safety belts ....................145
Child safety seats ..............145±146
attaching with tether straps ..149
in front seat ............................147
in rear seat ..............................147
Cleaning your vehicle ...............248
engine compartment ..............250
exterior ............................250±251
exterior lamps .........................251
instrument cluster lens ..........253
instrument panel ....................252
interior .............................252±253
mirrors .....................................254
plastic parts ............................251
safety belts ..............................253
washing ....................................249
waxing .....................................249
wheels ......................................251
windows ..................................254
wiper blades ............................252
woodtone trim ........................254
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............23
Clock ..........................42, 48, 58, 71
Compass, electronic ....................94
calibration .................................96
set zone adjustment .................95
Console ......................................105
overhead ....................................92
rear ..........................................106
Controls
power seat ...............................122
steering column ........................90
Coolant
checking and adding ..............216
refill capacities ................219, 255specifications ..................258, 260
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................84
Customer Assistance ................185
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................270
Ford Extended Service Plan....263
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................269
Getting roadside assistance ...185
Getting the service you need 263
Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................274
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................266
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................269
D
Daytime running lamps (see
Lamps) .........................................22
Defrost
rear window ..............................34
Dipstick
automatic transmission fluid....222
engine oil .................................210
Doors
door ajar warning .....................12
lubricant specifications ..........258
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................225
Driving under special
conditions ..........................172, 174
mud ..........................171, 173±174
sand .................................171, 174
snow and ice ...........171±173, 175
through water .........171, 174, 178
Index
277

definition .................................176
driving with a heavy load ......176
location ....................................176
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................176
calculating .......................176, 178
definition .................................176
driving with a heavy load ......176
location ....................................176
H
Hazard flashers .........................186
Head restraints .................121, 125
Headlamps ...................................22
aiming ......................................248
autolamp system .....................101
bulb specifications ..................248
daytime running lights .............22
flash to pass ..............................23
high beam ...........................11, 22
replacing bulbs .......................244
turning on and off ....................22
warning chime ..........................13
Heating ........................................23
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................23
HomeLink universal
transceiver (see Garage door
opener) ................................96±100
Hood ..........................................208
I
Ignition .................................83, 260
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .............145±146
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................243Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................252
cluster ..................................8, 253
lighting up panel and interior....23
location of components ..............8
J
Jack ............................................195
positioning ...............................195
storage .....................................195
Jump-starting your vehicle ......199
K
Keyless entry system ...............114
autolock ...................................116
keypad .....................................114
locking and unlocking doors ..115
programming entry code .......114
Keys ...................................117±119
key in ignition chime ...............13
positions of the ignition ...........83
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................248
cargo lamps ...............................23
daytime running light ...............22
fog lamps ...................................22
headlamps .................................22
headlamps, flash to pass ..........23
instrument panel, dimming .....23
replacing bulbs ...............243±247
Lane change indicator (see
Turn signal) .................................83
Liftgate ......................................107
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
Index
279

replacement/additional
transmitters .............................112
replacing the batteries ...........112
Reverse sensing system .............34
Roof rack ...................................184
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................13, 127±132
Safety defects, reporting ..........275
Safety restraints ................127±132
belt minder .............................133
cleaning the safety
belts .................................136, 253
extension assembly ................132
for adults .........................128±131
for children .....................144±145
warning light and
chime ...................10, 13, 132±133
Safety seats for children ..145±146
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................................127
Seats ..........................................121
child safety seats ............145±146
cleaning ...........................252±253
memory seat ...................111, 124
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ................................117±119
Servicing your vehicle ..............207
Snowplowing .................................3
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................255, 260
Special notice ................................3
ambulance conversions ..............3
utility-type vehicles ....................3Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................258, 260
Speed control ..............................84
Speedometer ...............................14
Starting your vehicle ........152, 154
jump starting ..........................199
Steering wheel
controls ......................................90
tilting .........................................89
T
Tachometer .................................15
Tires ...........................195, 228±230
changing ..........................195±196
checking the pressure ............230
replacing ..................................232
rotating ....................................230
snow tires and chains ............233
tire grades ...............................230
treadwear ................................229
Towing ...............................178, 230
recreational towing .................183
trailer towing ..........................178
wrecker ....................................206
Traction-lok rear axle ...............175
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................224
Transmission .............................161
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................222
fluid, refill capacities ..............255
lubricant specifications ..258, 260
Trip odometer .............................15
Turn signal ............................11, 83
Index
281

V
Vehicle dimensions ...................260
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................262
Vehicle loading ..........................176
Ventilating your vehicle ...........155
W
Warning chimes ...........................13
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Washer fluid ..............................215Water, Driving through .............178
Windows
power .......................................102
rear wiper/washer .....................90
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................90
checking and adding fluid .....215
checking and cleaning ............228
liftgate reservoir .....................216
operation ...................................89
replacing wiper blades ...........228
Wrecker towing .........................206
Index
282