2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC towing

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
causing internal transmission damage. Replace the rear axle lubricant
any time the axle has been submerged in water.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
Camper bodies
Your Explorer Sport Trac is not recommended for slide–in camper
bodies.
RECREATIONAL TOWING
An example of recreational towing is towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome. The following recreational towing guidelines are designed to
ensure that your transmission is not damaged.
Driving
123

GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor
Company offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This
program is separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service
is available:
•24–hours, seven days a week
•for the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period of three years or 60 000
km (36 000 miles), whichever occurs first on Ford and Mercury
vehicles, and four years or 80 000 km (50 000 miles) on Lincoln
vehicles*.
Roadside assistance will cover:
•changing a flat tire
•jump-starts
•lock-out assistance
•limited fuel delivery*
•towing of your disabled vehicle to the nearest Ford Motor Company
dealership, or your selling dealer if within 25 kms (15.5 miles) of the
nearest Ford Motor Company dealership (one tow per disablement).
Even non-warranty related tows, like accidents or getting stuck in the
mud or snow, are covered (some exclusions apply, such as impound
towing or repossession).
* Canadian customers refer to your Owner Information Guide for exact
fuel amounts.
Using roadside assistance
Complete the roadside assistance identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In the United States, this card is found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment in Ford vehicles and is
mailed to you if you own a Mercury or Lincoln. In Canada, the card is
found in the Roadside Assistance book in the glove compartment.
U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicle customers who require roadside assistance,
call 1–800–241–3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1–800–521–4140.
Canadian customers who require roadside assistance, call
1–800–665–2006.
Roadside Emergencies
125

2. Insert the jack handle into the
opening just above the rear bumper.
The handle will stop moving forward
and resistance to turning will be felt
when properly engaged.
3. Turn the handle counterclockwise
until tire is lowered to the ground,
and the cable is slack. Slide the tire
rearward.
4. Remove the retainer from the center of the spare tire.
Stowing the spare tire
1. Lay the tire on the ground with the valve stem facing up.
2. Slide the wheel under the vehicle
and install the retainer through the
wheel center.
3. Turn the jack handle clockwise
until the tire is raised to its original
position underneath the vehicle. The
jack handle ratchets when the tire is
raised to the stowed position. It will
not allow you to overtighten.
Stowing the jack and tools
1. Install the jack handles into the
clips.
2. Install the lug wrench ensuring
that the square hole is over the peg
on the bracket.
3. Install the jack on the bracket
and turn the thumbwheel clockwise
to raise the jack between the stands
and the top of the lug wrench.
Roadside Emergencies
137

8. Remove the jack and fully tighten
the lug nuts in the order shown.
9. Stow the flat tire. Refer to
Stowing the spare tire.
10. Stow the jack and lug nut
wrench. Make sure the jack is
fastened so it does not rattle when
you drive.
11. Unblock the wheels.
JUMP STARTING
The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to flames,
sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result in injury or
vehicle damage.
Note:Do not push start your vehicle. You could damage the catalytic
converter.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which, if you come in contact
with, burns skin, eyes and clothing.
Only connect batteries with the
same nominal voltage (12 volts).
Use jump leads with insulated
clamps and sufficient cross section.
Do not disconnect the battery from
the vehicle’s electrical system.
Suitable jump leads for this purpose
can be obtained from your dealer.
Note:(+) terminal is larger than
the (-) terminal.
1
4 3
2 5
Roadside Emergencies
141

WRECKER TOWING
For towing, contact a professional towing service or your roadside
assistance center.
Ford recommends your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift or flatbed. Do
not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not approved a
slingbelt towing procedure.
Roadside Emergencies
143

In some states (in the U.S.) you must directly notify Ford in writing
before pursuing remedies under your state’s warranty laws. Ford is also
allowed a final repair attempt in some states.
In the United States, a warranty dispute must be submitted to the
Dispute Settlement Board before taking action under the Magnuson-Moss
Warranty Act, or to the extent allowed by state law, before pursuing
replacement or repurchase remedies provided by certain state laws. This
dispute handling procedure is not required prior to enforcing state
created rights or other rights which are independent of the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state replacement or repurchase laws.
FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP
is an optional service contract which is backed by Ford Motor Company
or Ford Motor Service Company (in the U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in
Canada). It provides the following:
•Benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items).
•Protection against covered repair costs after your Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty expires.
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln
Mercury and Ford of Canada dealer. There are several plans available in
various time, distance and deductible combinations which can be tailored
to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also offers reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental coverage.
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,000 participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the
time of purchasing your vehicle, you may still be eligible. Please contact
your dealer for further information. Since this information is subject to
change, please ask your dealer for complete details about Ford Extended
Service Plan coverage options, or visit the Ford ESP website at
www.ford-esp.com.
Customer Assistance
146

Headlamps
aiming ........................................35
autolamp system .......................33
flash to pass ..............................34
high beam .................................34
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................31
I
Ignition .................................99, 188
Infant seats (see Safety seats) ..91
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................156
cluster ..........................................8
K
Keyless entry system .................64
Keys
positions of the ignition ...........99
L
Lamps
autolamp system .................33, 48
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................37
fog lamps ...................................33
high beams ................................34
instrument panel, dimming .....34
interior lamps ...........................36
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........103
Load limits .................................116
GAWR ......................................116
GVWR ......................................116
trailer towing ..........................116
Loading instructions .................118Locks
childproof ..................................60
Lubricant specifications ...186, 188
Lumbar support, seats .........70–71
M
Manual transmission .................109
fluid capacities
........................183
lubricant specifications
..........188
reverse
.....................................110
Mirrors
automatic dimming rearview
mirror
........................................48
fold away
...................................49
side view mirrors (power)
.......48
Moon roof
....................................51
Motorcraft parts
........................183
P
Parking brake
............................104
Parts (see Motorcraft parts)
....183
Power steering
..........................104
fluid, refill capacity
................183
fluid, specifications
.........186, 188
Preparing to drive your
vehicle
........................................105
R
Radio
......................................14, 27
Remote entry system
locking/unlocking doors
...........60
Roadside assistance
..................125
Index
196

S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..............................73–77
Safety defects, reporting ..........152
Safety restraints ....................73–77
belt minder ...............................79
cleaning the safety belts ..........82
extension assembly ..................82
for adults .............................74–76
for children .........................87–88
lap belt ......................................78
warning light and chime ..........78
Safety seats for children ............91
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................73
Seats ............................................68
child safety seats ......................91
Spare tire (see Changing the
Tire) ...........................................135
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................183, 188
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................186, 188
Speed control ..............................49
Starting your vehicle ..99–100, 102
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................42
T
Tailgate ..................................54–55
Tires ...................................178–179
changing ..................................135tire grades ...............................179
treadwear ................................179
Tonneau cover .............................57
Towing .......................................118
recreational towing .................123
trailer towing ..........................118
Traction-lok rear axle ...............105
Transmission .............................106
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................177
fluid, refill capacities ..............183
lubricant specifications ..186, 188
manual operation ....................109
Trunk ...........................................59
Turn signal ..................................36
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................188
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................190
Vehicle loading ..........................116
camper bodies ........................123
Ventilating your vehicle ...........103
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Water, Driving through .............116
Windows
power .........................................45
power down back window .......46
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................41
replacing wiper blades .............41
Index
197