2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT service interval

Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Turn off your speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•Use a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
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
•Practice 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.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•The trailer tongue weight should be no more than 10–15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
•After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or N (Neutral)
(manual transmissions). This aids engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
•do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
•do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
Driving
109

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

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication
Capacity
Transfer case Motorcraft
MERCONAT F4WD 1.2L (1.3
quarts)
3
Engine coolant4Motorcraft
Premium Engine
Coolant
(green-colored)
orMotorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)4.0L SOHC V6
engine13.2L (14.0
quarts)
Front axle
lubricantMotorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle Lubricant4x4 vehicles 1.7L (1.8
quarts)
Rear axle
lubricant
5Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle LubricantRefer to
Footnote 62.9-3.1L (5.5-5.8
pints)
Motorcraft SAE
75W-140 High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantRefer to
Footnote 7
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Ultra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 2.6L (2.7
quarts)
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. MERCONand
MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT MIX MERCONand
MERCONV. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide to determine
the correct service interval.
2Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary
based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount
Maintenance and Specifications
168

of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the indication on
the dipstick’s normal operating range.
3Fill to bottom of filler plug hole.
4Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
5Fill to 6 mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below bottom of filler
plug hole.
6For vehicles equipped with a conventional rear axle, refer to your
scheduled maintenance guide for axle fluid change intervals.
7Vehicles equipped with Traction-Lok axle require synthetic rear axle
lubricant. Rear axles containing synthetic lubricant are lubricated for life.
These lubricants are not to be checked or changed unless a leak is
suspected or service is required. The axle lubricant should be changed
any time the axle has been submerged in water.
Add 118 ml (4 oz.) of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent
meeting Ford specification EST-M2C118–A for complete refill of
Traction-Lok axles.
8Service refill capacity for the manual transmission is determined by
filling the transmission to the bottom of the filler hole with the vehicle
on a level surface.
Maintenance and Specifications
169

ItemFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
4–speed manual
transmissionMotorcraft
MERCON
Multi-Purpose
AT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCON
Multi-Purpose
AT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Ford
conventional and
Traction-Lok
rear axles
2, 3, 4 2, 3, 4 2, 3, 4
Front axle
(4X4)Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle LubricantXY-80W90-QL WSP-M2C197-A
Transfer case
(4X4)Motorcraft
MERCON
Multi-Purpose
AT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Transfer case
Front Output
Slip ShaftPremium
Long-Life GreaseXG-1-C or
XG-1-T or
XG-1-KESA-M1C75-B
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateC9AZ-19550-AC ESR-M17P5-A
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. MERCONand MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONand MERCONV. Refer to your scheduled maintenance
guide to determine the correct service interval.
2Conventional rear axles are filled with Motorcraft SAE 80W-90 Premium
Rear Axle Lubricant, part number XY-80W90-QL, Ford specification
WSP-M2C197-A.
Maintenance and Specifications
171