2003 FORD EXPLORER towing

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.
THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD (U.S. ONLY)
The Dispute Settlement Board is:
•an independent, third-party arbitration program for warranty disputes
Customer Assistance
203

Driving style—good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
Maintenance and Specifications
243

Travel equipment
Ash cup
Automatic headlamps with daytime running lights (DRL)
Cargo Organizer
Cellular phone holder
Cellular phone hands free system with voice recognition
Daytime running lights (DRL)
Dog guard
Factory luggage rack adaptors (bike and ski)
First aid kit
Fog lamps
Full vehicle cover
Highway safety kit
Inside mirror, electrochromic compass (with and without temperature
display)
Luggage/Cargo basket
Luggage basket light bracket
Luggage divider
Luggage rack cross bars
Navigation system
Neutral towing transfer case kit
Remote start system
Removable luggage rack adapters (bike and ski)
Running boards/bars
Seatback storage
Scuff plates
Smoker’s package
Soft luggage cover
Track rider bars (for luggage rack)
Trailer hitch (Class III)
Trailer hitch (Class IV)
Trailer hitch bars and balls
Accessories
264

Hood ..........................................217
I
Ignition ...............................134, 259
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................124
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................245
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................213
cluster ........................................10
J
Jack ....................................188, 190
positioning .......................188, 191
storage .............................188–190
Jump-starting your vehicle ......195
K
Keyless entry system .................83
Keys
positions of the ignition .........134
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ............37–38
daytime running light ...............33
fog lamps ...................................33
high beams ................................34
instrument panel, dimming .....35
interior lamps ...........................37
Liftgate ..................................73, 79
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........138
Limited-slip axle .......................149Load limits .................................167
GAWR ......................................167
GVWR ......................................167
trailer towing ..........................167
Loading instructions .................169
Locks
childproof ..................................78
doors ..........................................77
Lubricant specifications ...257, 259
Lumbar support, seats ...............95
M
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................254
lubricant specifications ..........259
Message center ...........................62
english/metric button ...............67
system check button ................67
warning messages .....................68
Mirrors .........................................47
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................46
fold away ...................................49
heated ........................................49
programmable memory ............80
side view mirrors (power) .......49
Moon roof ....................................55
Motorcraft parts ................241, 254
O
Octane rating ............................238
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................221
P
Parking brake ............................138
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....254
Index
270

Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................50
Power adjustable foot pedals .....50
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................183
Power door locks ........................77
Power point ...........................45, 47
Power steering ..........................142
fluid, checking and adding ....246
fluid, refill capacity ................254
fluid, specifications .........257, 259
Power Windows ...........................48
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................142
R
Radio ......................................17, 21
Rear window defroster ...............32
Relays ................................178, 186
Remote entry system .................79
illuminated entry ......................82
locking/unlocking doors ...........89
opening the trunk .....................79
Reverse sensing system ...........147
Roadside assistance ..................176
Roof rack .....................................75
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................101, 103–108
Safety Canopy ...................118–119
Safety defects, reporting ..........209
Safety restraints ........101, 103–108
belt minder .............................109
cleaning the safety belts ........112extension assembly ................108
for adults .........................104–107
for children .............................121
warning light and chime ........109
Safety seats for children ..........124
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............101
Seats ............................................91
child safety seats ....................124
heated ........................................95
memory seat .......................80, 94
Snowplowing .................................7
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................254, 259
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................257, 259
Speed control ..............................50
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......136
Starting your vehicle ........134, 136
jump starting ..........................195
Steering wheel
controls ......................................53
T
Tire warning ..............................252
Tires ...........................188, 249, 252
changing ..........................188, 191
replacing ..................................191
snow tires and chains ............253
spare tire .........................188–190
tire grades ...............................250
treadwear ................................249
Towing .......................................169
recreational towing .................175
Index
271

trailer towing ..........................169
wrecker ....................................200
Traction control ........................139
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................248
Transmission .............................143
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................247
fluid, refill capacities ..............254
lubricant specifications ..257, 259
Trunk ...........................................79
Turn signal ..................................36
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................259
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................261Vehicle loading ..........................167
Ventilating your vehicle ...........137
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................221
Water, Driving through .............167
Windows
power .........................................48
rear wiper/washer .....................43
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................42
checking and adding fluid .....221
liftgate reservoir .....................221
replacing wiper blades .............43
Wrecker towing .........................200
Index
272