2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC maintenance

Board membership
The Board consists of:
•three consumer representatives
•a Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealership representative
Consumer candidates for Board membership are recruited and trained by
an independent consulting firm. The dealership Board member is chosen
from Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealership management, recognized for
their business leadership qualities.
What the Board needs
To have your case reviewed you must complete the application in the
DSB brochure and mail it to the address provided on the application
form. Some states will require you to use certified mail, with return
receipt requested.
Your application is reviewed and, if it is determined to be eligible, you
will receive an acknowledgment indicating:
•The file number assigned to your application.
•The toll-free phone number of the DSB’s independent administrator.
Your dealership and a Ford Motor Company representative will then be
asked to submit statements.
To properly review your case, the Board needs the following information:
•Legible copies of all documents and maintenance or repair orders
relevant to the case.
•The year, make, model, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) listed
on your vehicle ownership license.
•The date of repair(s) and mileage at the time of occurrence(s).
•The current mileage.
•The name of the dealer(s) who sold or serviced the vehicle.
•A brief description of your unresolved concern.
•A brief summary of the action taken by the dealer(s) and Ford Motor
Company.
•The names (if known) of all the people you contacted at the
dealership(s).
•A description of the action you expect to resolve your concern.
You will receive a letter of explanation if your application does not
qualify for Board review.
Customer Assistance
148

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
•Use theScheduled Maintenance Guideto track routine service.
•Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications.
•Your dealership can provide parts and service.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
•Do not work on a hot engine.
•Make sure that nothing gets caught in moving parts.
•Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
•Keep all open flames and other lit material away from the battery and
all fuel related parts.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels.
Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Block the wheels.
Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do
not remove it while the engine is running.
Maintenance and Specifications
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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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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.
RADIATOR
COOLANT
ONLY
WASHERFLUIDONLY
Maintenance and Specifications
161

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
Maintenance and Specifications
162

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.
Maintenance and Specifications
163

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
Maintenance and Specifications
164

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
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