2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC weight

Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
²Ensure that you turn off your speed control. The speed control may
shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
²Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
²Use a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills. This will
eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Exceeding the GCWR rating may cause internal transmission
damage and void your warranty coverage.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
more information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be no more than 10±15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or N (Neutral)
(manual transmissions). This aids engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Driving
155

Habits
²Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
²Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
²Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
Maintenance and care
217

Protection and appearance equipment
Air bag anti-theft locks
Automatic headlamp system
Bed mats
Berber floor mats
Carpet floor mats
Cleaners, waxes and polishes
Door edge guards
Front end covers (full and mini)
Hood deflectors
Locking gas cap
Lubricants and oils
Molded splash guards
Molded vinyl floor mats
Rear window deflectors
Side window air deflectors
Skid plate kit
Spare tire lock
Tonneau covers (hard)
Touch-up paint
Truck covers
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
²When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
compliance certification label). Consult your dealer for specific weight
information.
²
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems - such as two-way radios, telephones and theft
alarms - that are equipped with radio transmitters. Any such equipment
installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC regulations
and should be installed only by a qualified service technician.
Customer assistance
250

lubrication
specifications ..................235, 238
refill capacities ........................233
service points ..........................184
starting after a collision .........159
Engine block heater .................130
Engine oil ..................................185
checking and adding ..............185
dipstick ....................................185
filter, specifications ........187, 233
recommendations ...................187
refill capacities ........................233
specifications ..................235, 238
Exhaust fumes ..........................131
F
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....208
Floor mats ...................................74
Fluid capacities .........................233
Foglamps .....................................18
Four-Wheel Drive
vehicles ................................12, 142
control trac ...............................27
description ..............................143
driving off road .......................145
electronic shift ..................27, 143
indicator light .........................143
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................135
Fuel ............................................208
calculating fuel economy .......215
cap .......................................9, 214
capacity ...................................233
choosing the right fuel ...........211
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................218
detergent in fuel .....................213filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................208, 214±215
filter, specifications ........215, 233
fuel pump shut-off switch .....159
gauge .........................................17
improving fuel economy ........215
octane rating ...................211, 238
quality ......................................212
running out of fuel .................213
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................208
Fuses ..................................161±162
G
Garage door opener ....................63
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ........9, 214
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................215
Gauges .........................................14
battery voltage gauge ...............16
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................15
engine oil pressure gauge ........16
fuel gauge ..................................17
odometer ...................................15
speedometer .............................14
tachometer ................................16
trip odometer ............................15
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................148
calculating ...............................150
definition .................................148
driving with a heavy load ......148
location ....................................148
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................148
calculating .......................148, 150
definition .................................148
Index
256