2002 FORD EXPLORER check oil

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 hole 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
1/4 of a turn or 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.
Engine Oil Recommendations
4.6L Engine
Look for this certification
trademark.
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended.
Only use oils ªCertified For Gasoline Enginesº by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). Use Motorcraft or an equivalent oil meeting
Ford Specification WSS-M2C153±H.SAE 5W-20 oil provides optimum
fuel economy and durability performance meeting all
requirements for your vehicle's engine.
Change your engine oil and filter according to the appropriate schedule
listed in the scheduled maintenance guide.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, oil treatments or engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could, under certain conditions,
lead to engine damage which is not covered by your warranty.
Maintenance and care
238

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:
²maximum cooling system efficiency.
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 gages to function 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 rangeº as listed on the
engine coolant reservoir.
²Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for service interval
schedules.
²Be sure to read and understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty:
²If the reservoir is low, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer to
Adding engine coolantin this chapter.
Maintenance and care
242

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.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant Specifications.
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).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
Maintenance and care
267

Cleaning and maintaining the safety belts
Clean the safety belts with a mild soap solution recommended for
cleaning upholstery or carpets. Do not bleach or dye the belts, because
these actions may weaken the belt webbing.
Check the safety belt system periodically to make sure there are no
nicks, wear or cuts. If your vehicle has been involved in an accident,
refer to theSafety belt maintenancesection in theSeating and safety
restraintschapter.
Cleaning leather seats (if equipped)
To clean, simply use a soft cloth dampened with water and a mild soap.
Wipe the leather again with a damp cloth to remove soap residue. Dry
with a soft cloth. For tougher soiling concerns, Ford recommends using
the Deluxe Leather Care Kit F8AZ-19G253±AA, which is available from
your Ford Dealer. This mild cleaner and special pad, cleans the leather
and maintains its natural beauty. Follow the instructions on the cleaner
label. Regular cleaning of your leather upholstery helps maintain its
resiliency and color.
Do not use household cleaning products, alcohol solutions,
solvents or cleaners intended for rubber, vinyl or plastics.
Woodtone trim
Wipe stains with a soft cloth and a multi-purpose cleaning solution.
Inside windows
Use Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner (E4AZ-19C507±AA) for the inside
windows if they become fogged.
Cleaning mirrors
Do not clean your mirrors with a dry cloth or abrasive materials. Use a
soft cloth and mild detergent and water. Be careful when removing ice
from outside mirrors because you may damage the reflective surface.
Maintenance and care
282

Child safety seats ......................163
attaching with tether straps ..167
in front seat ............................165
in rear seat ..............................165
Cleaning your vehicle ...............277
engine compartment ..............278
exterior ....................................278
exterior lamps .........................280
instrument cluster lens ..........281
instrument panel ....................281
interior .....................................281
mirrors .....................................282
plastic parts ............................280
safety belts ..............................282
washing ....................................277
waxing .....................................278
wheels ......................................280
windows ..................................282
wiper blades ............................280
woodtone trim ........................282
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............33
Clock ..........................56, 62, 72, 86
Clutch
operation while driving ..........185
recommended shift speeds ....186
Compass, electronic ....................17
calibration .................................19
set zone adjustment ...........18, 20
Console ......................................112
overhead ..................................100
rear ..........................................113
Controls
power seat ...............................133
steering column ........................99
Coolant
checking and adding ..............241
refill capacities ................245, 283
specifications ..................285, 287Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................90
Customer Assistance ................205
Ford accessories
for your vehicle ......................298
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................291
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............297
Getting roadside assistance ...205
Getting the
service you need ....................291
Ordering additional
owner's literature ...................302
The Dispute
Settlement Board ...................294
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............297
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................28
Defrost
rear window ..............................50
Dipstick
automatic
transmission fluid ...................248
engine oil .................................235
Doors
door ajar warning .....................12
lubricant specifications ..........285
Driveline universal joint
and slip yoke .............................251
Driving under special
conditions ..................................193
mud ..........................................192
sand .........................................192
snow and ice ...................192±193
Index
305

through water .................192, 196
E
Electronic message center .........19
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................222
Emission control system ..........268
Engine ........................................287
check engine/
service engine soon light ...........8
cleaning ...................................278
coolant .....................................241
fail-safe coolant ......................246
idle speed control ...................251
lubrication
specifications ..................285, 287
refill capacities ........................283
service points ..................233±234
starting after a collision .........206
Engine block heater .................174
Engine oil ..................................235
checking and adding ..............235
dipstick ....................................235
filter, specifications ........238, 283
recommendations ...................238
refill capacities ........................283
specifications ..................285, 287
Exhaust fumes ..........................175
F
Fail safe cooling ........................246
Floor mats .................................114
Fluid capacities .........................283
Foglamps .....................................28
Four-Wheel Drive
vehicles ................................12, 187control trac .......................50, 188
description ......................188, 190
driving off road .......................191
electronic shift ..........................50
preparing to
drive your vehicle ...................179
Fuel ............................................259
calculating
fuel economy ....................22, 265
cap .....................................10, 264
capacity ...................................283
choosing the right fuel ...........261
comparisons with EPA
fuel economy estimates .........268
detergent in fuel .....................263
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................259, 264±265
filter, specifications ........265, 283
fuel pump shut-off switch .....206
gauge .........................................17
improving fuel economy ........265
octane rating ...................262, 287
quality ......................................262
running out of fuel .................263
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................259
Fuses ..................................207, 209
G
Garage door opener ..........101, 103
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......10, 264
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................265
Gauges ...................................13±14
battery voltage gauge ...............16
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................14
engine oil pressure gauge ........16
fuel gauge ..................................17
Index
306

fog lamps ...................................28
headlamps .................................28
headlamps, flash to pass ..........29
instrument panel, dimming .....29
interior lamps .........................102
replacing bulbs ...............270±274
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................89
Liftgate ..............................114, 117
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
air bag ........................................10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....11, 177
anti-theft ...................................11
brake ..........................................10
charging system ........................11
cruise indicator .........................12
door ajar ....................................12
fuel cap light .............................10
high beam .................................11
overdrive off ..............................12
safety belt .................................10
service engine soon ....................8
speed control ............................95
turn signal indicator .................11
Load limits .................................194
GAWR ......................................194
GVWR ......................................194
trailer towing ..........................194
Loading instructions .................196
Locks
autolock ...................................124
childproof ................................110
doors ........................................109
Lubricant specifications ...285, 287
Lumbar support, seats .............135
M
Manual transmission .................185fluid capacities ........................283
lubricant specifications ..........287
reverse .....................................187
Message center ...........................19
english/metric button ...............23
system check button ................24
warning messages .....................24
Mirrors .......................................108
automatic dimming
rearview mirror .......................107
cleaning ...................................282
fold away .................................111
heated ......................................111
programmable memory ..........117
side view mirrors (power) .....110
Moon roof ..................................102
Motorcraft parts ................265, 283
O
Octane rating ............................262
Odometer .....................................15
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................235
P
Panic alarm feature,
remote entry system ................117
Parking brake ............................177
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....283
Pedals (see Power
adjustable foot pedals) ...............30
Power adjustable foot pedals .....30
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................213
Power door locks ......................109
Power steering ..........................178
Index
308