2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT steering

vehicle is moving; this is normal and should be no reason for concern.
Refer toShifting to/from 4X4 LOWfor proper operation.
Shifting between 2WD and 4X4 HIGH
•Move the 4WD control between 2WD and 4X4 HIGH at any forward
speed.
Note:Do not perform this operation if the rear wheels are slipping.
Shifting to/from 4X4 LOW
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop
2. Depress the brake
3. On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, place the
transmission in N (Neutral); on vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission, depress the clutch.
4. Move the 4WD control to the desired position.
•If shifting into 4WD LOW, wait for the 4X4 LOW light in the
instrument cluster to turnonindicating the shift is complete.
•If shifting out of 4WD LOW, wait for the 4X4 LOW light in the
instrument cluster turn turnoffindicating the shift is complete.
Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles
Basic operating principles
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain;
sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel motion. Do
not use 4WD on dry, hard surfaced roads (except models equipped with
Auto 4WD).
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
Slow down and don’t slam on the brakes. Ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your speed.
Do not turn the steering wheel sharply while returning to the
road as this may cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
It may be safer to stay on the shoulder of the road and slow down before
returning to the pavement.
If your vehicle gets stuck
The vehicle may be rocked out by shifting from forward and reverse
gears, stopping between shifts, in a steady pattern. Press lightly on the
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accelerator in each gear.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.
Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Emergency maneuvers
In an emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn must be made,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency. Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control. Also
avoid abrupt braking. In the event of an emergency stop, do not attempt
any sharp steering wheel movements. If the vehicle goes from one type
of surface to another (i.e., from concrete to gravel) there will be a
change in the way the vehicle responds to a maneuver (steering,
acceleration or braking).
Parking
On some 4WD vehicles, when the transfer case is in the N (Neutral)
position, the engine and transmission are disconnected from the rest of
the driveline. Therefore, the vehicle is free to roll even if the automatic
transmission is in P (Park) or the manual transmission is in gear. Do not
leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in N (Neutral)
position. Always set the parking brake fully and turn off the ignition
when leaving the vehicle.
Normal characteristics
On some 4WD vehicles, the initial shift from two-wheel drive to
four–wheel drive while the vehicle is moving can cause some momentary
clunk and ratcheting sounds. This is normal and should be no cause for
concern.
Driving on sand, mud and water
When driving over sand, avoid reducing the tire pressures; instead, shift
to a lower gear. Apply the accelerator slowly and avoid spinning the
wheels. If you must reduce the tire pressure, make sure you re-inflate
the tires as soon as possible. Avoid excessive speed because vehicle
momentum can work against your vehicle and cause it to become stuck.
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When climbing a steep slope or hill,
start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a
higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces the possibility
of the vehicle stalling. If your
vehicle does stall, do not try to turn
around because your vehicle may
roll over. Apply just enough power
to the wheels to climb the hill. Too
much power will cause the tires to slip or spin, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
When descending a hill, use the
same gear you would use to climb
up the hill and do not descend the
hill with the transmission in neutral.
Disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can’t turn. Rapid
pumping of the brake pedal will help
you slow the vehicle and still
maintain steering control.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump”the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
4WD vehicles can skid like any other vehicle. If you start to skid while
driving on a snowy or icy road, turn the steering wheel in the direction
of the slide until you regain control. Although a 4WD vehicle may
accelerate better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t
stop any faster.
Don’t press hard on the accelerator or brake pedal or make quick
steering changes while on snow or ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and
steadily when starting from a full stop. If your vehicle is equipped with
ABS, apply the brake steadily. Do not“pump”the brakes. Refer to the
Brakessection of this chapter for additional information on the
operation of the anti-lock brake system. If your vehicle is not equipped
with ABS, use a“squeeze”braking technique. Push on the brake pedal
with a steadily increasing force which allows the wheels to brake yet
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continue to roll so that you may steer in the direction you want to travel.
If you lock the wheels, release the brake pedal and repeat the squeeze
technique.
Never drive with chains on the front tires of 4WD vehicles without also
putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and
swing around during braking.
Maintenance and Modifications
Ford strongly recommends that you do not add or removing steering or
suspension parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by using
replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment. Do
not use aftermarket“lift kits”or other suspension modifications. These
could adversely affect the vehicle’s handling characteristics, which could
lead to loss of vehicle control or roll over and serious injury. Frequent
inspection of vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle
is subjected to heavy off-road usage.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially if the depth is not known. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of
the wheel rims (for cars). Traction or brake capability may be limited
and your vehicle may stall. Water may also enter your engine’s air intake
and severely damage your engine.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your vehicle
slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal. Wet brakes do
not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.Driving through deep
water where the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow
water into the transmission and cause internal transmission
damage.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
•Base Curb Weight:Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include occupants or
aftermarket equipment.
•Payload:Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, occupants
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
•GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):Base curb weight plus payload
weight.
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If you need to arrange roadside assistance for yourself, Ford Motor
Company will reimburse a reasonable amount. To obtain reimbursement
information, U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicles customers call
1-800-241-3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1–800–521–4140.
Canadian customers who need to obtain reimbursement information, call
1–800–665–2006.
Roadside coverage beyond basic warranty
In the United States, you may purchase additional roadside assistance
coverage beyond this period through the Ford Auto Club by contacting
your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer.
Similarly in Canada, for uninterrupted Roadside Assistance coverage, you
may purchase extended coverage prior to your Basic Warranty’s Roadside
Assistance expiring. For more information and enrollment, contact
1–877–294–2582 or visit our website at www.ford.ca.
HAZARD FLASHER
The hazard flasher is located on the
steering column, just behind the
steering wheel. The hazard flashers
will operate when the ignition is off.
Push in the flasher control and all
front and rear direction signals will
flash. Press the flasher control again
to turn them off. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a
safety hazard for other motorists.
Note:With extended use, the flasher may run down your battery.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
FUEL
RESET
This device stops the electric fuel pump from sending fuel to the engine
when your vehicle has had a substantial jolt.
After an accident, if the engine cranks but does not start, this switch
may have been activated.
Roadside Emergencies
112

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
41 15A Mini fuse Heated Oxygen Sensors
42 10A Mini fuse Right Low Beam
43—Not Used
44—Not Used
45A—Wiper Hi/Low Relay
45B—Wiper Run/Park Relay
46A—Not Used
46B—Rear Wiper Up Relay
47A 20A CB Windows
47B—Not Used
48—Window Safety Relay
49—Starter Relay
50A—Not Used
50B—Fuel Pump Relay
51—Not Used
52—Not Used
53—PCM Diode
54—PCM Relay
55—Blower Relay
56A—A/C Clutch Solenoid
56B—Horn Relay
CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
If you get a flat tire while driving:
•do not brake heavily.
•gradually decrease the vehicle’s speed.
•hold the steering wheel firmly.
•slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
The use of tire sealants is not recommended and may compromise the
integrity of your tires. The use of tire sealants may also affect your tire
pressure monitoring system (if equipped).
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120

INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CLUSTER LENS
Clean the instrument panel with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth.
•Avoid cleaners or polish that increase the gloss of the upper portion of
the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the
driver from undesirable windshield reflection.
Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning
the steering wheel or instrument panel to avoid contamination of
the air bag system.
•Be certain to wash or wipe your hands clean if you have been in
contact with certain products such as insect repellent and suntan
lotion in order to avoid possible damage to the painted surfaces.
WOOD-TONE TRIM
•Clean the area with a damp cloth, then dry by wiping with a dry, soft,
clean cloth.
•Do not use household or glass cleaners as these may damage the
finish.
INTERIOR
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats, safety belts and seats equipped with side
air bags:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Remove light stains and soil with Ford Extra Strength Upholstery
Cleaner (E8AZ-19523–AA).
•If grease or tar is present on the material, spot-clean the area first
with Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover (ZC-14).
•Never saturate the seat covers with cleaning solution.
•Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of
the seat materials.
Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the vehicle’s
safety belts, as these actions may weaken the belt webbing.
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140

OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and
release the latch located in the
center between the hood and the
grille.
3. Lift the hood.
4.0L SOHC V6 ENGINE
1. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2. Automatic transmission fluid
dipstick (if equipped)
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Engine oil dipstick
5. Brake fluid reservoir6. Power distribution box
7. Clutch fluid reservoir
8. Battery
9. Power steering fluid reservoir
10. Air filter assembly
11. Engine coolant reservoir
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Maintenance and Specifications
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