2003 FORD EXPLORER service

SPECIAL NOTICES
Special instructions
For your added safety, your vehicle is fitted with sophisticated electronic
controls.
Please read the sectionAir bagin theSeating and safety
restraintschapter. Failure to follow the specific warnings and
instructions could result in personal injury.
Front seat mounted rear facing child or infant seats should
NEVERbe used in front of a passenger side air bag unless the
air bag can be and is turned OFF.
Data Recording
Computers in your vehicle are capable of recording detailed data
potentially including but not limited to information such as:
•the use of restraint systems including seat belts by the driver and
passengers,
•information about the performance of various systems and modules in
the vehicle, and
•information related to engine, throttle, steering, brake or other system
status.
Any of this information could potentially including information regarding
how the driver operates the vehicle potentially including but not limited
to information regarding vehicle speed, brake or accelerator application
or steering input. This information may be stored during regular
operation or in a crash or near crash event.
This stored information may be read out and used by:
•Ford Motor Company.
•service and repair facilities.
•law enforcement or government agencies.
•others who may assert a right or obtain your consent to know such
information.
Introduction
6

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Standard instrument cluster
Optional instrument cluster
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulb works. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, have the
respective system inspected immediately.
Service engine soon:If this light
illuminates while driving, it is a
possible indication that one of the
engine’s emission control systems
has failed.
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Instrument Cluster
10

Check fuel cap (if equipped):
Illuminates when the fuel cap may
not be properly installed. Continued
driving with this light on may cause
the Service engine soon light to
come on.
Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position when the engine is not running, or
in a position between ON and START, or by applying the parking brake
when the ignition is turned to the ON position. If the brake system
warning light does not illuminate at this time, seek service immediately
from your dealership. Illumination after releasing the parking brake
indicates low brake fluid level and the brake system should be inspected
immediately by your servicing dealership.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer immediately.
Anti-lock brake system:If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately. Normal
braking is still functional unless the brake warning light also is
illuminated.
Air bag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately. A chime will also
sound when a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system has been
detected.
CHECK
FUEL
CAP
ABS
Instrument Cluster
11

Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A chime will also
sound to remind you to fasten your
safety belt.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
Check gage (if equipped):
Illuminates when any of the
following conditions has occurred:
•The engine coolant temperature
is high.
•The engine oil pressure is low.
•The fuel gauge is at or near empty.
Hi temp low oil (if equipped):
Illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature is high or the engine oil
pressure is low. Refer to engine
coolant temperature gauge or engine
oil pressure gauge in this chapter).
Door ajar:Illuminates when the
ignition is in the ON position and
any door is open.
Overdrive off:Illuminates when
the overdrive function of the
transmission has been turned off,
refer to theDrivingchapter. If the
light flashes steadily, have the system serviced immediately.
AdvanceTrac
(if equipped):
Illuminates when the AdvanceTrac

system is active. If the light remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately.
CHECK
GAGE
DOOR
AJAR
O/D
OFF
Instrument Cluster
12

CD units are designed to play commercially pressed 12 cm
(4.75 in) audio compact discs only. Due to technical
incompatibility, certain recordable and re-recordable compact
discs may not function correctly when used in Ford CD players.
Irregular shaped CDs, CDs with a scratch protection film
attached, and CDs with homemade paper (adhesive) labels should
not be inserted into the CD player. The label may peel and cause
the CD to become jammed. It is recommended that homemade
CDs be identified with permanent felt tip marker rather than
adhesive labels. Ball point pens may damage CDs. Please contact
your dealer for further information.
AUDIO SYSTEM WARRANTY AND SERVICE
Refer to theWarranty Guidefor audio system warranty information. If
service is necessary, see your dealer or qualified technician.
Entertainment Systems
26

PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Move the control up and down to
adjust the intensity of the panel
lighting. Operates only when the
exterior lights are switched on.
Move the control to the full upright
position (past detent) to turn on the
interior lamps.
Move the control to the full down position (past detent) to prevent
interior lamps from illuminating when the doors are opened.
AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed before leaving the
assembly plant. If your vehicle is involved in an accident or if you have
problems fixing the alignment of your headlamps, have them checked by
a qualified service technician.
Headlamp aim adjustment
The headlamps on your vehicle can only be vertically adjusted. Your
vehicle does not require horizontal aim adjustments.
To adjust the headlamps:
1. Park your vehicle on a level
surface about 7.6 meters (25 feet)
away from a vertical plain surface
(3). Check your headlamp alignment
at night or in a dark area so that
you can see the headlamp beam
pattern.
•(1) Eight feet
•(2) Center height of lamp to
ground
•(3) Twenty-five feet
•(4) Horizontal reference line
2. The center of the headlamp has a 3.0 mm circle on the lens. Measure
the height from the center of your headlamp to the ground (2) and mark
a 2.4 meter (8 foot) long horizontal line on the plain surface (1) at this
height (masking tape works well).
A
Lights
35

6. Release the RESET AND SETUP
control, then slowly press RESET
down again.
7. Press the SETUP control
repeatedly until the correct zone
setting for your geographic location is displayed on the message center.
To exit the zone setting mode press and release the RESET control.
8. Press the RESET control to start
the compass calibration function.
9. Slowly drive the vehicle in a
circle (less than 5 km/h [3 mph])
until the CIRCLE SLOWLY TO
CALIBRATE indicator changes to
CALIBRATION COMPLETED. This
will take up to three circles to complete calibration.
10. The compass is now calibrated.
Average fuel economy (AFE)
Select this function from the INFO
menu to display your average fuel
economy in liters/100 km or
miles/U.S. gallon.
If you calculate your average fuel
economy by dividing liters of fuel used by 100 kilometers traveled (miles
traveled by gallons used), your figure may be different than displayed for
the following reasons:
•Your vehicle was not perfectly level during fill-up
•Differences in the automatic shut-off points on the fuel pumps at
service stations
•Variations in top-off procedure from one fill-up to another
•Rounding of the displayed values to the nearest 0.1 liter (gallon)
1. Drive the vehicle at least 8 km (5 miles) with the speed control
system engaged to display a stabilized average.
2. Record the highway fuel economy for future reference.
It is important to press the RESET control after setting the speed
control to get accurate highway fuel economy readings.
Driver Controls
64

Warning display Status
Check tire pressure (if equipped) Warning returns after the ignition
key is turned from OFF to ON.
Check spare tire pressure
(if equipped)
Tire pressure system fault
(if equipped)
Tire pressure sensor fault
(if equipped)
Check AdvanceTrac

(if equipped)
Advtrac off t/c on (if equipped)
Low washer fluid level
Door ajar
Change oil soon
Oil change required
CHECK ENGINE TEMPERATURE.Displayed when the engine
coolant is overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn
off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. Refer
toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and specificationschapter. If
the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer as
soon as possible.
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED.Indicates the transmission is
overheating. This warning may appear when towing heavy loads or when
driving in a low gear at a high speed for an extended period of time.
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and let it
cool. Refer toTransmission fluidin theMaintenance and
specificationschapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your dealer for transmission service as soon as possible.
CHECK TRANSMISSION.Indicates the transmission is not operating
properly. If this warning stays on, contact your dealer as soon as
possible.
LOW FUEL LEVEL.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
CHECK FUEL CAP.Displayed when the fuel filler cap is not properly
installed. Check the fuel filler cap for proper installation. Refer toFuel
filler capin theMaintenance and specificationschapter.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
Driver Controls
69