2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC warning

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
BRAKE
RELEASE
Driving
134

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 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 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.
Driving
137

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.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete emission warranty
information.
Maintenance and care
219

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
220

A
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................................112
and child safety seats ............114
description ..............................112
disposal ....................................117
driver air bag ..........................115
indicator light ...................10, 117
operation .................................115
passenger air bag ...................115
Air cleaner filter ...............190, 233
Air conditioning ..........................20
rear seat controls .....................23
Ambulance packages ....................3
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................191
Anti-lock brake system (see
Brakes) ..............................132±133
Anti-theft system
warning light .............................11
Audio system (see Radio) .........27
Automatic transmission ............136
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................137
fluid, adding ............................196
fluid, checking ........................196
fluid, refill capacities ..............233
fluid, specification ..................238
Auxiliary power point .................73
Axle
lubricant specifications ..235, 238
refill capacities ........................233
traction lok ..............................135
B
Battery .......................................200acid, treating emergencies .....200
charging system
warning light .............................11
jumping a disabled battery ....174
maintenance-free ....................200
replacement, specifications ...233
servicing ..................................200
voltage gauge ............................16
Belt minder ...............................108
Brakes ........................................132
anti-lock ...........................132±133
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .........10, 133
brake warning light ..................10
fluid, checking and adding ....188
fluid, refill capacities ..............233
fluid, specifications .........235, 238
lubricant specifications ..235, 238
parking ....................................133
shift interlock ..........................136
Break-in period .............................3
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....233
Cargo cage ...................................76
Cassette tape player ...................37
Certification Label ....................240
Child safety restraints ..............118
child safety belts ....................118
Child safety seats ......................119
attaching with tether straps ..124
in front seat ............................121
in rear seat ......................121, 123
Cleaning your vehicle ...............227
engine compartment ..............229
exterior ............................228, 232
exterior lamps .........................230
Index
254

instrument cluster lens ..........231
instrument panel ....................230
interior .....................................231
mirrors .....................................232
plastic parts ............................230
safety belts ..............................231
washing ....................................227
waxing .....................................228
wheels ......................................229
windows ..................................232
wiper blades ............................230
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............20
Clock ......................................35, 50
Clutch
fluid ..........................................189
operation while driving ..........140
recommended shift speeds ....141
Compass, electronic ....................65
calibration .................................67
set zone adjustment .................66
Console ........................................72
overhead ....................................63
Controls
power seat .................................98
Coolant
checking and adding ..............191
refill capacities ................195, 233
specifications ..................235, 238
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................56
Customer Assistance ................158
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................249
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................241
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................247Getting roadside assistance ...158
Getting the service
you need .................................241
Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................251
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................243
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................247
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................18
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................196
engine oil .................................185
Doors
door ajar warning .....................12
lubricant specifications ..........235
Driving under special
conditions ..........................146±147
mud ..........................................146
sand .........................................146
snow and ice ...........................147
through water .................146, 150
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................174
Emission control system ..........218
Engine ........................................238
check engine/service engine
soon light ....................................8
cleaning ...................................229
coolant .....................................191
idle speed control ...................200
Index
255

driving with a heavy load ......148
location ....................................148
H
Hazard flashers .........................159
Head restraints .....................96, 99
Headlamps ...................................18
aiming ..............................225±226
bulb specifications ..................224
daytime running lights .............18
flash to pass ..............................19
high beam ...........................11, 19
replacing bulbs .......................221
turning on and off ....................18
warning chime ..........................13
Heating ........................................20
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................20
Hood ..........................................183
I
Ignition .................................56, 238
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................119
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................220
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................230
cluster ..................................8, 231
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................19
location of components ..............8
J
Jack ............................................168
positioning ...............................168storage .....................................168
Jump-starting your vehicle ......174
K
Keyless entry system .................88
autolock .....................................91
keypad .......................................88
locking and unlocking doors ....90
programming entry code .........89
Keys .......................................92±94
key in ignition chime ...............13
positions of the ignition ...........56
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................224
cargo lamps ...............................19
daytime running light ...............18
fog lamps ...................................18
headlamps .................................18
headlamps, flash to pass ..........19
instrument panel, dimming .....19
interior lamps ...................67, 225
replacing bulbs ...............220±224
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................55
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
air bag ........................................10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....10, 133
anti-theft ...................................11
brake ..........................................10
charging system ........................11
check coolant ............................11
check engine ...............................8
cruise indicator .........................13
door ajar ....................................12
fuel cap light ...............................9
Index
257

for adults .........................103±105
for children .....................117±118
lap belt ....................................107
warning light and
chime ...................10, 13, 107±108
Safety seats for children ..........119
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................................102
Seats
child safety seats ....................119
cleaning ...................................231
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ....................................92±94
Servicing your vehicle ..............182
Snowplowing .................................3
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................233, 238
Special notice ................................3
ambulance conversions ..............3
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................235, 238
Speed control ..............................56
Speedometer ...............................14
Starting your vehicle ........127, 129
jump starting ..........................174
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................61
T
Tachometer .................................16
Tailgate ........................................75Tires ...........................168, 203±204
changing ..........................168, 171
checking the pressure ............204
replacing ..................................206
rotating ....................................205
snow tires and chains ............207
tire grades ...............................204
treadwear ................................203
Tonneau cover .............................80
Towing .......................................150
recreational towing .................156
trailer towing ..........................150
wrecker ....................................180
Traction-lok rear axle ...............135
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................199
Transmission
automatic operation ...............136
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................196
fluid, refill capacities ..............233
lubricant specifications ..235, 238
manual operation ....................140
Trip odometer .............................15
Trunk ...........................................83
Turn signal ............................11, 55
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................238
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................240
Vehicle loading ..........................148
Ventilating your vehicle ...........131
Index
259