2003 FORD EXPLORER check engine

Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated“cleaner-burning”gasolines to
improve air quality.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
affect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
•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.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a 1/8 turn on/off
feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
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 from the fuel filler pipe.
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 comes on and stays on after you start
the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly installed. Turn off the
engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap properly and reinstall it.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford or Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. 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 injure you or others.
Maintenance and Specifications
240

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

•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
•Have the items listed in your scheduled maintenance guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the scheduled maintenance
guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the“Check Engine”light, charging system warning light
or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control system is
not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your“Check Engine/Service Engine
Soon”light is on, refer to the description in theWarning lights and
chimessection of theInstrument clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the“Check Engine/Service Engine Soon”light on.
Maintenance and Specifications
245

If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a“not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use
only MERCONAT F.
•4.0L SOHC V6 engine
•4.6L V8 engine
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
Maintenance and Specifications
246

2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir.
5. The fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
6. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the correct operating range. Be sure to put the
cap back on the reservoir.
BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the“MIN”and
“MAX”lines are within the normal
operating range, there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating range, the performance of your brake
system could be compromised, seek service from your dealer
immediately.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
The automatic transmission does not have a transmission fluid dipstick.
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Transmission fluid should be checked and, if required, fluid
should be added by a qualified technician.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and Specifications
247

1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake type and gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR)
3. Vehicle line, series, body type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
Engine number
The engine number (the last eight numbers of the vehicle identification
number) is stamped on the engine block, transmission, frame and
transfer case (if equipped).
Maintenance and Specifications
262

A
Accessory delay ..........................48
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................113–114, 118
and child safety seats ............115
description ......................114, 118
disposal ....................................121
driver air bag ..................116, 119
indicator light .................117, 120
operation .........................116, 119
passenger air bag ...........116, 119
Air cleaner filter .......................254
Air conditioning ..........................28
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................159
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................229
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................137–138
Anti-theft system ........................88
arming the system ....................88
disarming a triggered system ..89
Audio system (see Radio) ...17, 21
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................145
fluid, adding ............................247
fluid, checking ........................247
fluid, refill capacities ..............254
fluid, specification ..................259
Auxiliary power point .................47
Axle
lubricant specifications ..257, 259
refill capacities ........................254
B
Battery .......................................227acid, treating emergencies .....227
jumping a disabled battery ....195
maintenance-free ....................227
replacement, specifications ...254
servicing ..................................227
BeltMinder .................................109
Brakes ........................................137
anti-lock ...........................137–138
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................138
fluid, checking and adding ....247
fluid, refill capacities ..............254
fluid, specifications .........257, 259
lubricant specifications ..257, 259
parking ....................................138
shift interlock ..........................143
C
Calculating load ........................169
Capacities for refilling fluids ....254
Cargo cover .................................74
Cassette tape player ...................17
CD-single premium .....................21
Cell phone use ............................44
Certification Label ....................261
Changing a tire .........................188
Child safety restraints ..............121
child safety belts ....................121
Child safety seats ......................124
attaching with tether straps ..128
in front seat ............................126
in rear seat ..............................126
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............211
instrument panel ....................213
interior .....................................213
interior trim ............................213
Index
267

plastic parts ............................212
washing ....................................210
waxing .....................................210
wheels ......................................211
wiper blades ............................213
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............28
Compass, electronic ....................60
calibration .................................61
set zone adjustment ...........60, 63
Console ........................................44
overhead ....................................45
rear ......................................45, 47
Controls
power seat .................................93
steering column ........................53
Coolant
checking and adding ..............229
refill capacities ................233, 254
specifications ..................257, 259
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................50
Customer Assistance ................176
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .............................215, 263
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................203
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................207
Getting roadside assistance ...176
Getting the service you
need .........................................201
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................208
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................203
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................206D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................33
Defrost
rear window ..............................32
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................247
engine oil .................................221
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........257
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................248
Driving under special
conditions ..147, 152, 155, 161, 163
sand .................................154, 162
snow and ice ...................156, 164
through water .........155, 163, 167
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) ...........................28
E
Electronic message center .........62
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................195
Emission control system ..........244
Engine ........................................259
cleaning ...................................211
coolant .....................................229
fail-safe coolant ......................234
idle speed control ...................227
lubrication
specifications ..................257, 259
refill capacities ........................254
service points ..................219–220
starting after a collision .........177
Engine block heater .................137
Index
268