2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT Owners Manual

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the
level is low. In very cold weather, do
not fill the reservoir completely.
Use washer fluid that meets Ford
specifications. Check State or local
regulations for restrictions on the
use of methanol, a common
windshield washer fluid additive.
Do not put washer fluid in the
engine coolant reservoir.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes.
3. Set the parking brake and place the gearshift in P (Park).
4. Open the hood.
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5. Remove the engine oil dipstick
and wipe clean.
6. Insert the dipstick fully, then
remove it again.
7. If the oil level is low, add enough
oil to raise the level to within the
acceptable range.
Note:Oil levels above the mark
indicating full may cause engine
damage. Consult a service
technician.
8. Replace the dipstick.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil.
2. If the engine oil level is below
normal range, remove the engine oil
filler cap and use a funnel to pour
the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level to
ensure the oil level is not above the
mark indicating full on the dipstick.
4. Install the dipstick and engine oil
filler cap.
Note:Do not operate the vehicle
with the dipstick and/or the engine
oil filler cap removed.
MAX MIN
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SAE 5W-30 engine oil recommendation
Use only oils“Certified For Gasoline
Engines”by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). Use
Motorcraft (Part: XO-5W30–QSP
U.S.) or an equivalent oil meeting
Ford Motor Company specification
WSS-M2C205–A. It is also
recommended that you use the
appropriate Motorcraft oil filter or
an equivalent filter meeting the
Ford Motor Company specification for your engine.
Change your engine oil and filter according to theScheduled
Maintenance Guide.
BATTERY
Your vehicle has a Motorcraft
maintenance-free battery that
normally does not require additional
water.
Check the battery electrolyte level
under severe usage. Refer to the
Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
If the level is low, add plain tap
water. If possible, use distilled
water. If the battery needs water
often, have the charging system checked.
Note:The electrolyte level in each cell should be at the“level indicator.”
Do not overfill the battery cells.
Keep the top of the battery clean and dry. Also, make certain the battery
cables are always tightly fastened to the terminals. If your battery has a
cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled after cleaning or battery
replacement.
Batteries normally produce explosive gases which can cause
personal injury. Do not allow flames, sparks or lighted substances
to come near the battery. When working near the battery, always shield
your face and protect your eyes. Always provide proper ventilation.
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Excessive pressure on the end walls of a plastic-cased battery
could cause acid to flow through the vent caps, resulting in
personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery. Lift the battery
with the battery carrier or with your hands on opposite corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery. In case of acid contact with skin or
eyes, flush immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and
get prompt medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician
immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead components.Wash hands after handling.
Some engine control conditions are maintained by battery power. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn it’s idle strategy. This could require driving 16 km (10 miles) or
more.
Always follow your local authorized
standards for battery disposal.
Contact your local recycling center
for more information.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
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ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
•Check the level of engine coolant
when the engine is cold.
•The coolant should be at the
“cold fill level”or with the“cold
fill range”as listed on the engine
coolant reservoir.
•Refer to theScheduled
Maintenance Guidefor service
interval schedules.
Make sure to use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water.
Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot. Steam and
scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system can burn you.
You can also be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts.
Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer fluid
container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
Note:Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified
function.
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the recovery reservoir
when the engine is cool. Add the proper 50/50 coolant mixture to the
“cold full”level. For all other vehicles, follow these steps to add engine
coolant.
1. Turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the reservoir. Slowly turn the cap
counterclockwise until pressure begins to release.
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3. Step back until all of the pressure has been released.
4. Use the cloth to finish removing the cap.
5. Fill the reservoir with the proper coolant mixture to within the“cold
fill range”or the“cold full”level. If you removed the radiator cap in an
overflow system, fill the radiator until the coolant is visible and the
radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed.
After adding engine coolant, the level in the reservoir should be checked
the next few times you drive the vehicle. If you add more than 1.0 litre
(1 quart) of engine coolant per month, have your dealership check the
engine cooling system.
Engine coolant specifications
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with eithergreen-colored
Motorcraft Premium Engine coolant meeting Ford Motor
Company specification ESE-M97B44–A or yellow-colored
Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant meeting Ford Motor
Company specification WSS-M97B51–A1. To determine your vehicle’s
coolant type (color) check the coolant reservoir or contact your dealer.
Use only the appropriate coolant mixture when filling your coolant
reservoir.
•A large amount of water may be added in an emergency. In this case,
the system should be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture as
soon as possible.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol or brine or any engine coolants mixed
with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).
•Do not mix with recycled coolant unless from a Ford-approved
recycling process (seeRecycled Engine Coolant).
Recycled engine coolant
•Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant (green-colored):For
vehicles equipped with this coolant, use only recycled engine coolant
produced by a Ford Motor Company approved process and meeting
specification ESE-M97B44–A.
•Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant yellow-colored):For
vehicles equipped with this coolant, do NOT use recycled engine
coolant since a Ford Motor Company approved recycling process is
not yet available.
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Follow your community’s regulations and standards for disposing
and recycling of automotive fluids.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates:
•it may be necessary to increase coolant concentration above 50% but
less than 60%.
•refer to the label on the coolant container for appropriate coolant
concentrations for your climate.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•it is still necessary to maintain a coolant concentration above 40%.
•refer to the label on the coolant container for appropriate coolant
concentrations for your climate.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an overfilled tank
may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
If the fuel filler cap is venting vapor or if you hear a hissing
sound, wait until it stops before completely removing the fuel
filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may spray out and cause injury.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in personal
injury.
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death if misused or
mishandled.
Fuel ethanol and gasoline may contain benzene, which is a
cancer causing agent.
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•Shut the engine off and
extinguish all smoking materials
and open flames before fueling.
•Automotive fuels can be harmful
or fatal if swallowed. If fuel is
swallowed, call a physician
immediately.
•Avoid inhaling fuel vapors.
•Avoid getting fuel in your eyes. If fuel is splash in the eyes, remove
contact lenses (if worn), flush with water for 15 minutes and seek
medical attention.
•If fuel is splashed on the skin and/or clothing, promptly remove
contaminated clothing and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water.
•Be particularly careful if you are taking“Antabuse”or other forms of
disulfiram. Breathing fuel vapors or skin contact could cause sickness
or serious personal injury.
The flow of fuel through the fuel pump nozzle can produce static
electricity, which can cause a fire if fuel is pumped into an
ungrounded fuel container.
To avoid static build-up:
•Place approved fuel container on the ground.
•DO NOT fill a container while it is in the vehicle.
•Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
•DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Unleaded gasoline engines
•Use only unlead fuel.
•Use“Regular”unleaded gasoline
with an (R+M)/2 octane rating of
87.
•Do not use fuel containing
methanol.
•Do not use fuel or fuel additives with metal compounds.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
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