2003 FORD EXPLORER octane

and sugar cane. When ethanol is used in the making of motor fuels, a
small amount of a bad tasting chemical is added to discourage beverage
use. The resulting fuel is called E
d100 meaning 100% pure ethanol
diluted by 2% to 5% gasoline as the“denaturant.”
Fuel ethanol (summer blend
d) is then made by adding 15% more
unleaded gasoline. The resulting fuel also has a higher octane rating than
unleaded regular gasoline and other properties which allow engine
designs with greater efficiency and power.
Winter blends may contain up to 30% (E70)unleaded gasoline (25% plus
the denaturant) to enhance cold engine starts. Severely cold weather
may require additional measures for reliable starting. Refer toCold
Weather Startingin theDrivingchapter.
Ethanol is more chemically active than gasoline. It corrodes some metals
and causes some plastic and rubber components to swell, break down or
become brittle and crack, especially when mixed with gasoline. Special
materials and procedures have been developed for flexible fuel vehicles
and the dispensers used by ethanol fuel providers.
Flexible fuel components and standard unleaded gasoline fuel
components are not interchangeable. If your vehicle is not
serviced in accordance with flexible fuel vehicles procedures, damage
may occur and your warranty may be invalidated.
When refueling always shut the engine off and never allow
sparks or open flames near the filler neck. Never smoke while
refueling. Fuel vapor is extremely hazardous under certain conditions.
Care should be taken to avoid inhaling excess fumes.
The flow of fuel through a fuel pump nozzle can produce static
electricity, which can cause a fire if fuel is pumped into an
ungrounded fuel container.
Use the following guidelines to avoid static build-up when filling an
ungrounded fuel container:
•Place approved fuel container on the ground.
•DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the vehicle (including the
cargo area).
•Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
Maintenance and Specifications
237

•DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
If your vehicle is a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV), use only UNLEADED
FUEL and (E85) ETHANOL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based compounds containing MMT.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Do not be concerned if your engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However,
if it knocks heavily under most
driving conditions while you are
using fuel with the recommended
octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified service technician to prevent
any engine damage.
Unleaded Gasoline engines
Your vehicle is designed to use“Regular”unleaded gasoline with an
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. We do not recommend the use of gasolines
labeled as“Regular”that are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in
high altitude areas.
FFV engine (if equipped)
Your vehicle is designed to use (E85) Fuel Ethanol,“Regular”unleaded
gasoline or any percentage of the two fuels combined.
U.S. government regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to have a small, square, orange and black label with the
common abbreviation or the appropriate percentage for that
region. Use of other fuels such as Fuel Methanol may cause
powertrain damage, a loss of vehicle performance, and your
warranty may be invalidated.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and Specifications
238

Fuel quality
Many of the world’s automakers
issued the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline
specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control
system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-wide
Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier
about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter. In Canada,
look for fuels that display theAuto Makers’Choice
logo.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system.
Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your
fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
Unleaded Gasoline engines
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of“Regular”unleaded
gasoline.“Premium”unleaded gasoline is not recommended (particularly
in the United States) because it may cause these problems to become
more pronounced. If the problems persist, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
FFV engine (if equipped)
Your FFV will operate well on ordinary“Regular”unleaded gasoline, but
only the highest quality fuel ethanol will provide the same level of
protection and performance. To identify if your vehicle is an FFV, check
your VIN or the label on the inside of your fuel filler door. When
checking the VIN, look for the engine type identifier (8th character). If
your vehicle is an FFV, then the character will be labeled as a“K.”
If you operate your vehicle 50% or more of the time on ethanol, you
should follow a different maintenance schedule. See theScheduled
Maintenance Guidefor more information.
If you are experiencing a rough or rolling idle after start-up with the
outside temperature above 27°C (80°F), the idle should improve within
10 to 30 seconds. If the problems persist below this temperature, see
your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Maintenance and Specifications
239

For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low—medium—high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Filling the tank for FFV equipped vehicles
Your vehicle will operate on both unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
of 87, or E-85 fuel, or any mixture of these two. For best results it is
recommended that you do not add less than 5 gallons of fuel when
refueling. Observing this precaution will avoid possible hard starting
and/or deterioration in drivability during warm up.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in kilometers or miles).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in liters
or gallons).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
5.
Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel economy:
Calculation 1:Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total
kilometers traveled.
Calculation 2:Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Maintenance and Specifications
242

1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. MERCONand
MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT mix MERCONand
MERCONV. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide to determine
the correct service interval.
2Limited slip differentials must add 118 ml (4 oz) of Additive Friction
Modifier XL—3 or equivalent meeting Ford specification EST-M2C118–A
to the rear axle whenever the axle has been serviced.
ENGINE DATA
Engine 4.0L SOHC V6
engine4.6L V8 engine
Cubic inches 245 281
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark plug gap 1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-0.056
inch)1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-0.056
inch)
Ignition system EDIS EDIS
Compression ratio 9.7:1 9.4:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Dimensions 4-Door 4x2 or 4x4 XLT Model mm
(in.)
(1) Overall length 4812 (189.5)
(2) Overall width 1832 (72.1)
(3) Maximum height* 1828 (71.9)
(4) Wheelbase 2889 (113.7)
(5) Track width, front 1547 (60.9)
(5) Track width, rear 1554 (61.2)
* Height includes roof rack and P255/70R16 tire
Maintenance and Specifications
259

Engine oil ..................................221
checking and adding ..............221
dipstick ....................................221
filter, specifications ........225, 254
recommendations ...................225
refill capacities ........................254
specifications ..................257, 259
Exhaust fumes ..........................137
F
Fail safe cooling ........................234
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....235
Floor mats ...................................73
Fluid capacities .........................254
Foglamps .....................................33
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......149
driving off road ...............151, 159
indicator light .........................150
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................142
Fuel ............................................235
calculating fuel
economy ............................64, 241
cap ...........................................240
capacity ...................................254
choosing the right fuel ...........238
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................244
detergent in fuel .....................240
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................235, 240–241
filter, specifications ........241, 254
fuel pump shut-off switch .....177
improving fuel economy ........241
octane rating ...................238, 259
quality ......................................239
running out of fuel .................240
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................235Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .................................235, 238
Fuses ..................................178, 180
G
Garage door opener ..............46, 56
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............240
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................241
Gauges .........................................14
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................167
calculating ...............................169
definition .................................167
driving with a heavy load ......167
location ....................................167
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................167
calculating .......................167, 169
definition .................................167
driving with a heavy load ......167
location ....................................167
H
Head restraints ...........................91
Headlamps
aiming ........................................35
bulb specifications ....................38
daytime running lights .............33
flash to pass ..............................34
high beam .................................34
Heating
heating and air
conditioning system ...........27–28
HomeLink universal
transceiver (see Garage
door opener) .........................56, 59
Index
269

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