2001 FORD EXPLORER check transmission fluid

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.
Driving
171

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,
halfshafts 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.
If the rear axle is submerged in water, the rear axle lubricant should be
checked and changed, if necessary. The rear axle is filled with a
synthetic lubricant and does not normally require a lubricant change for
the life of the vehicle. Rear axle lubricant quantities should not need to
be checked unless a leak is suspected.
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
When driving on a hill, avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes. You could lose traction and slip sideways. Drive straight up,
straight down or avoid the hill completely. Know the conditions on the
other side of a hill before driving over the crest.
Driving
174

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.
1
23
7
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9810
Maintenance and care
210

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
Maintenance and care
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

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

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