2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT maintenance

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.
RADIATOR
COOLANT
ONLY
WASHERFLUIDONLY
Maintenance and Specifications
149

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.
Maintenance and Specifications
150

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.
Maintenance and Specifications
151

•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
Maintenance and Specifications
152

FFV engine (if equipped)
Flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) fuel tanks may contain 0 to 85 percent or
more of ethnanol. Any fuel blends containing gasoline and ethanol should
be treated the same as“Fuel Ethanol (E85).”To identify if your vehicle
is an FFV, check your VIN or the label on the inside of your fuel filler
door. When checking your VIN, the engine type identifier (8th character)
is“K.”
If you have a flex fuel vehicle, use only UNLEADED FUEL and
ETHANOL (E85).
Note:Flexible fuel components and standard unleaded fuel components
are NOT interchangeable. If your vehicle is not serviced in accordance
with flexible fuel vehicle procedures, damage may occur and your
warranty may be invalidated.
U.S. government regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to have a small, square, orange and black label with the
common abbreviation E85 or the appropriate percentage for that
region. Use of other fuels such as Fuel Methanol may cause power
train damage, a loss of vehicle performance, and your warranty
may be invalidated.
Fuel quality
The World-wide Fuel Charter
recommends gasoline specifications
to provide improved performance
and emission control system
protection. Ask your fuel supplier
about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter. In Canada,
look for fuels that display theAuto
Makers’Choice
logo.
It should not be necessary to add
any aftermarket products to your
fuel tank if you use high quality fuel of the recommended octane rating.
Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system and
invalidate your warranty.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated“cleaner-burning”gasolines to
improve air quality.
Maintenance and Specifications
153

Running out of fuel
Running out of fuel may have an adverse affect on powertrain
components.
•You may need to cycle the ignition from off to on several times after
refueling to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
•Your“Check Engine”indicator may come on.
Fuel filler cap
When fueling:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops.
If the“Check Fuel Cap”indicator
illuminates and stays on after you
start the engine, the cap may not be
properly installed.
If you must replace the fuel
filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler cap that is designed for your
vehicle.
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.
Fuel filter
Refer to theScheduled Maintenance Guidefor the appropriate
replacement intervals. Replace the fuel filter with an authorized
Motorcraft part.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
We do not recommend taking fuel economy measurements during the
first 1,600 km (1,000 miles) of driving. You will get a more accurate
measurement after 3,000 km - 5,000 km (2,000 miles - 3,000 miles)
CHECK
FUEL
CAP
Maintenance and Specifications
154

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 this chapter.
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:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low—medium—high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the tank and record the odometer reading.
2. Each time you fill up the tank, record the amount of fuel added.
3. After at least 3 fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record the current
odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current reading.
Use one of the following simple calculations to determine fuel economy:
•Liters x 100
total kilometers
•Miles traveled
gallons used
Maintenance and Specifications
155

Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). You can also keep records in summer and winter to
determine how temperature impacts fuel economy. Note that ethanol
decrease fuel economy.
Improving fuel economy
To improve your fuel economy:
•Do not leave your vehicle idling for long periods of time.
•Drive at a moderate pace, with smooth acceleration and deceleration.
•Turn off speed control in hilly terrain.
•Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in yourScheduled
Maintenance Guide.
•Do not carry unnecessary weight.
EPA window sticker
The EPA window sticker should be your guide for fuel economy
comparisons. If you have any questions about this sticker, contact your
dealer.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle has emission control components and a catalytic converter
that enable your vehicle to comply with applicable exhaust emission
standards. To make sure that the emission control components work
properly:
•Use only unleaded fuel.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off your ignition while the vehicle is moving.
•Follow yourScheduled Maintenance Guide.
•Use Ford Motor Company authorized parts for maintenance
replacements or for service.
Consult yourWarranty Guidefor emission warranty information.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine and exhaust system, which
could cause a fire.
Maintenance and Specifications
156