2001 FORD POSTAL EXPLORER wheel

9. Remove the jack and fully tighten
the lug nuts in the order shown.
10. Stow the flat tire, jack and lug
wrench. Make sure the jack is
fastened so it does not rattle when
you drive.
11. Unblock the wheels.
JUMP STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to flames,
sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result in injury or
vehicle damage.
Do not push start your vehicle. You could damage the catalytic
converter.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin, eyes, and
clothing, if contacted.
Do not attempt to push start your vehicle. Automatic
transmissions do not have push-start capability.
Preparing your vehicle
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the
transmission must relearn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will not effect function or durability of the transmission. Over time, the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation to its
optimum shift feel.
1.Use only a 12±volt supply to start your vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle's electrical system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehiclesdo nottouch. Set the parking brake on
1
4 3
2 5
Roadside emergencies
43

WRECKER TOWING
If the vehicle needs towing, a wheel lift or flatbed equipment is
recommended.
If a slingbelt or J-hook method is used, towing the vehicle from the rear
is recommended.
If the vehicle must be towed from the front with a slingbelt or J-hook,
the air dam may be damaged unless it is protected by using a wooden
crossbeam and spacer block assembly.
Although not desired, it is permissible to tow with the rear wheels on the
ground with the speed and distance limitations.
²Place the transmission in N(Neutral).
²Do not exceed a distance of 80 km (50 miles).
²Do not exceed 56 km/h (35 mph) vehicle speed.
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) and/or a vehicle speed of 56 km/h (35
mph) must be exceeded, the drive shaft must be removed prior to
towing.
To protect the air dam, refer to the following instructions and
illustrations
1. Position the wooden crossbeam and spacer block assembly under the
frame rails, behind the front bumper and air dam.
2. Install the tow chains through the notches in the air dam and below
the crossbeam and spacer block assembly.
3. Hook the tow chains over the curved cradles on the top of the lower
suspension A-arms.
Roadside emergencies
49

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine compartment for easy
location.
²We provide a scheduled maintenance guide which makes tracking
routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your dealership can provide
the necessary parts and service. Check your ªWarranty Guideº to find out
which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
²When the engine is running, make sure that loose clothing, jewelry or
long hair does not get caught up in moving parts.
²Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open flames and other lit material away from
the battery and all fuel related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive properly, as explained inBattery
in this chapter.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Maintenance and care
52

Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guidefor the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONtAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir.
5. The fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
6. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the correct operating range. Be sure to put the
cap back on the reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
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
DONOTOVERFILLPOWERSTEERINGFLUID
Maintenance and care
62

Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the following
information about tire grades exactly as the government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Maintenance and care
68

checking and adding ................54
dipstick ......................................54
filter, specifications ............55, 80
recommendations .....................55
refill capacities ..........................80
specifications ......................81±82
Exhaust fumes ............................21
F
Fluid capacities ...........................80
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .........30
control trac ...............................17
description ................................30
driving off road .........................31
electronic shift ..........................17
Fuel ..............................................71
cap .............................................77
capacity .....................................80
choosing the right fuel .............74
detergent in fuel .......................76
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..............................71, 77
filter, specifications ............78, 80
fuel pump shut-off switch .......34
gauge .........................................12
octane rating .......................75, 82
quality ........................................75
running out of fuel ...................76
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ..................71
Fuses ......................................34±35
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ..............77
Gauges ...........................................9
battery voltage gauge ...............11
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................10engine oil pressure gauge ........11
fuel gauge ..................................12
odometer ...................................10
speedometer ...............................9
trip odometer ............................11
H
Headlamps ...................................13
flash to pass ..............................14
high beam .............................8, 13
turning on and off ....................13
I
Ignition ...................................14, 82
Inspection/
maintenance (I/M) testing .........79
Instrument panel
cluster ..........................................6
lighting up
panel and interior .....................13
J
Jack ..............................................40
positioning .................................40
storage .......................................40
Jump-starting your vehicle ........43
K
Keys
positions of the ignition ...........14
L
Lamps
cargo lamps ...............................13
headlamps .................................13
Index
85

headlamps, flash to pass ..........14
instrument panel, dimming .....13
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................16
Lights, warning and indicator ......6
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ........8, 24
brake ............................................7
charging system ..........................9
high beam ...................................8
overdrive off ................................8
safety belt ...................................7
service engine soon ....................6
turn signal indicator ...................8
Lubricant specifications .......81±82
M
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ..........................80
lubricant specifications ............82
Motorcraft parts ....................78, 80
O
Octane rating ..............................75
Odometer .....................................10
Oil (see Engine oil) ....................54
Overdrive .....................................16
P
Parking brake ..............................24
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ......80
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .................................37Power steering ............................25
fluid, checking and adding ......62
fluid, refill capacity ..................80
fluid, specifications .............81±82
R
Relays ....................................34, 39
S
Safety defects, reporting ............83
Safety restraints
warning light and chime ........7, 9
Servicing your vehicle ................52
Spark plugs, specifications ...80, 82
Special notice ................................3
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart,
lubricants ...............................81±82
Speedometer .................................9
Starting your vehicle ............18±21
jump starting ............................43
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................15
T
Tires .................................40, 67±69
changing ....................................40
checking the pressure ..............69
replacing ....................................70
rotating ......................................69
snow tires and chains ..............71
tire grades .................................68
treadwear ..................................68
Towing .........................................69
wrecker ......................................49
Index
86