2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT checking oil

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.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator fully, then remove it
again.
²If the oil level is in the hashmarks, the oil level is acceptable.DO
NOT ADD OIL.
Maintenance and care
177

²If the oil level is below the ADD
mark or MIN mark, add enough
oil to raise the level within the
ADD-FULL range or MIN-MAX
range.
²Oil levels above the letter F in FULL or the MAX mark may cause
engine damage. Some oil must be removed from the engine by a
service technician.
7. Put the indicator back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
MAX mark or the letter F in FULL on the engine oil level indicator
(dipstick).
4. Install the indicator and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
until three clicks can be heard.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level indicator and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Maintenance and care
178

ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance guide. The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and water, which
equates to a freeze point of -36É C (-34É F). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014±R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the ªcold fullº of ªcold fill rangeº level in the
coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions
in theAdding Engine Coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50±50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
²Freeze protection down to -36É C (-34É F).
²Boiling protection up to 129É C (265É F).
²Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
²Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
²The engine coolant should be at the ªcold fill levelº or within the ªcold
fill rangeº as listed on the engine coolant reservoir (depending upon
application).
RADIATOR
COOLANT
ONLY
WASHERFLUIDONLY
Maintenance and care
183

Cleaning your vehicle ...............218
engine compartment ..............220
exterior ....................................219
exterior lamps .........................221
instrument cluster lens ..........222
instrument panel ....................221
interior .....................................222
mirrors .....................................223
plastic parts ............................221
safety belts ..............................223
washing ....................................218
waxing .....................................219
wheels ......................................220
windows ..................................223
wiper blades ............................221
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............22
Clock ......................................35, 50
Clutch
fluid ..........................................181
operation while driving ..........133
recommended shift speeds ....134
Compass, electronic ....................66
calibration .................................68
set zone adjustment .................67
Console ........................................71
overhead ....................................64
Controls
power seat .................................89
Coolant
checking and adding ..............183
refill capacities ................187, 224
specifications ..................226, 228
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................57
Customer Assistance ................151
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................240Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................232
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................238
Getting roadside assistance ...151
Getting the service you
need .........................................232
Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................242
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................235
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................238
D
Daytime running lamps (see
Lamps) .........................................20
Defrost
rear window ..............................26
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................188
engine oil .................................177
Doors
door ajar warning .....................14
lubricant specifications ..........226
Driving under special
conditions ..........................139±140
mud ..........................................139
sand .........................................139
snow and ice ...........................140
through water .................139, 143
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................166
Emission control system ..........210
Index
246

Engine ................................228±229
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
cleaning ...................................220
coolant .....................................183
idle speed control ...................192
lubrication
specifications ..................226, 228
refill capacities ........................224
service points ..........................176
starting after a collision .........152
Engine block heater .................123
Engine oil ..................................177
checking and adding ..............177
dipstick ....................................177
filter, specifications ........179, 224
recommendations ...................179
refill capacities ........................224
specifications ..................226, 228
Exhaust fumes ..........................124
F
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....200
Floor mats ...................................73
Fluid capacities .........................224
Foglamps .....................................20
Four-Wheel Drive
vehicles ................................14, 135
control trac ...............................27
description ..............................136
driving off road .......................138
electronic shift ..................27, 136
indicator light .........................136
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................128
Fuel ............................................200
calculating fuel economy .......206
cap .....................................11, 205capacity ...................................224
choosing the right fuel ...........203
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................209
detergent in fuel .....................205
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................200, 205, 207
filter, specifications ........206, 224
fuel pump shut-off switch .....152
gauge .........................................19
improving fuel economy ........206
octane rating ...........203, 228±229
quality ......................................204
running out of fuel .................205
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................200
Fuses ..................................154±155
G
Garage door opener ....................64
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......11, 205
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................206
Gauges .........................................16
battery voltage gauge ...............18
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................17
engine oil pressure gauge ........18
fuel gauge ..................................19
odometer ...................................17
speedometer .............................16
tachometer ................................18
trip odometer ............................17
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................141
calculating ...............................143
definition .................................141
driving with a heavy load ......141
location ....................................141
Index
247

charging system ........................13
check coolant ............................13
check engine .............................10
cruise indicator .........................15
door ajar ....................................14
fuel cap light .............................11
high beam .................................13
overdrive off ..............................14
safety belt .................................12
speed control ............................61
turn signal indicator .................13
Load limits .................................141
GAWR ......................................141
GVWR ......................................141
trailer towing ..........................141
Loading instructions .................142
Locks
autolock .....................................82
doors ..........................................70
Lubricant specifications ...226, 228
Lumbar support, seats ...............90
M
Manual transmission .................133
fluid capacities ........................224
lubricant specifications ..........228
reverse .....................................134
Mirrors
cleaning ...................................223
fold away ...................................71
side view mirrors (power) .......70
Moon roof ....................................65
Motorcraft parts ................206, 224
O
Octane rating ............................203Odometer .....................................17
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................177
Overdrive .....................................63
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................77
Parking brake ............................126
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....224
Power distribution box (see
Fuses) ........................................158
Power door locks ........................70
Power steering ..........................127
fluid, checking and adding ....188
fluid, refill capacity ................224
fluid, specifications .........226, 228
Preparing to drive your vehicle 128
R
Radio ............................................28
Rear window defroster ...............26
Relays ........................................154
Remote entry system ...........75, 77
illuminated entry ......................79
locking/unlocking doors .....76, 79
panic alarm ...............................77
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................78
replacing the batteries .............77
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ........................15, 93±98
Safety defects, reporting ..........244
Index
249