2002 FORD EXPLORER service interval

Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Never connect any trailer lighting to the vehicle's taillamp
circuits, because it may damage the electrical system resulting in
fire. Contact your local Ford dealership for assistance in proper trailer
tow wiring installation. Additional electrical equipment may be
required.
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.
Driving
201

BRAKE FLUIDAND CLUTCH FLUID
Checking and adding brake fluid/clutch fluid
When equipped with a manual
transmission, your vehicle uses the
same reservoir for brake and clutch
fluid.
Brake/clutch fluid should be
checked and refilled as needed.
Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval
schedules.
1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt or water from entering the reservoir.
2. Visually inspect the fluid level.
3. If necessary, add brake/clutch
fluid from a clean un-opened
container until the level reaches
MAX. Do not fill above this line.
4. Use only a DOT 3 brake/clutch
fluid certified to meet Ford specifications. Refer toLubricant
specificationsin theCapacities and specificationschapter.
Brake fluid/clutch fluid is toxic. If brake/clutch fluid contacts the
eyes, flush eyes with running water for 15 minutes. Seek medical
attention if irritation persists. If taken internally, drink water and
induce vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately.
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, you will cause
permanent damage to your brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for the master cylinder run dry. This
may cause the brakes to fail.
MAX
Maintenance and care
240

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

Continued operation will increase the engine temperature:
²the engine will completely shut down.
²steering and braking effort will increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
5. Re start the engine and take your vehicle to a service facility.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to a
service facility as soon as possible.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use
only MERCONtAT F.
Maintenance and care
247

DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND SLIP YOKE
Your vehicle may be equipped with universal joints that require
lubrication. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for maintenance
intervals. If the original universal joints are replaced with universal joints
equipped with grease fittings, lubrication will also be necessary.
BATTERY
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Motorcraft maintenance-free battery
which normally does not require
additional water during its life of
service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature climates, check the
battery electrolyte level. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for
the service interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the ªlevel indicatorº.
Do not overfill the battery cells.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can add plain tap water
to the battery, as long as you do not use hard water (water with a high
mineral or alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill the battery
cells with distilled water. If the battery needs water often, have the
charging system checked.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled
after the battery has been cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to
the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals, remove the cables
from the terminals and clean with a wire brush. You can neutralize the
acid with a solution of baking soda and water.
Maintenance and care
251

Fuel Filter
For fuel filter replacement, see your dealer or a qualified service
technician. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate
intervals for changing the fuel filter.
Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fillups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1 600 km (1 000
miles) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 3 000 km±5 000 km (2 000 miles-3 000 miles).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill Capacities
section of theCapacities and specificationschapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
²Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
²Use the same filling rate setting (low Ð medium Ð high) each time
the tank is filled.
Maintenance and care
265

Fluid Ford Part Name Application Capacity
Transfer case Motorcraft
MERCONtAT F4WD 1.4L
(1.5 quarts)
Engine coolant
4Premium Engine
Coolant4.0L SOHC V6
enginewithout
auxiliary
climate control15.4L
(16.3 quarts)
4.0L SOHC V6
enginewith
auxiliary
climate control17.2L
(18.2 quarts)
4.6L V8 engine
without
auxiliary
climate control17.6L
(18.6 quarts)
4.6L V8 engine
withauxiliary
climate control19.0L
(20.1 quarts)
Front axle
lubricantMotorcraft SAE
80W-90 Premium
Rear Axle
Lubricant4x4 vehicles 1.7L
(1.8 quarts)
Rear axle
lubricant
5Motorcraft SAE
75W-140 High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantConventional
Axle61.7L (3.5 pints)
Limited slip
axle
61.5L
(3.25 pints)
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateAll 4.0L
(4.2 quarts)
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. MERCONtand
MERCONtV are not interchangeable. DO NOT mix MERCONtand
MERCONtV. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide to determine
the correct service interval.
2Service refill capacity is determined by filling the transmission to the
bottom of the filler hole with the vehicle on a level surface.
3Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may
vary based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The
amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should be checked by a
qualified technician.
Capacities and specifications
284

1DO NOT USE Ford Extended Life Engine Coolant F6AZ-19544-AA,
meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D (orange in color) Refer to
Adding engine coolant,in theMaintenance and Carechapter.
2Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. MERCONtand
MERCONtV are not interchangeable. DO NOT mix MERCONtand
MERCONtV. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide to determine
the correct service interval.
3All rear axles are filled with Motorcraft SAE 75W-140 High Performance
Synthetic Rear Axle Lubricant, part number F1TZ-19780-B or equivalent
meeting Ford specification WSL-M2C192-A.
4Limited slip differentials must add 118 ml (4 oz) of Additive Friction
Modifier C8AZ-19B546-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification
EST-M2C118±A to the rear axle whenever the axle has been serviced.
ENGINE DATA
Engine 4.0L SOHC V6
engine4.6L V8 engine
Cubic inches 245 281
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark plug gap 1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-
0.056 inch)1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-
0.056 inch)
Ignition system EDIS EDIS
Compression ratio 9.7:1 9.4:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Dimensions 4-Door 4x2 or 4x4 XLT Model mm
(in.)
(1) Overall length 4 813 (189.5)
(2) Overall width 1 832 (72.1)
(3) Maximum height* 1 827 (71.9)
(4) Wheelbase 2 889 (113.7)
(5) Track width, front 1 547 (60.9)
(5) Track width, rear 1 554 (61.2)
* Height includes roof rack and P235 tire
Capacities and specifications
287