2003 FORD EXPLORER tow

Driving 134
Starting 134
Brakes 137
Traction control/AdvanceTrac 139
Transmission operation 143
Trailer towing 169
Roadside Emergencies 176
Getting roadside assistance 176
Hazard flasher switch 177
Fuel pump shut-off switch 177
Fuses and relays 178
Changing tires 188
Jump starting 195
Wrecker towing 200
Customer Assistance 201
The dispute settlement board 203
Utilizing the mediation/arbitration 206
Getting assistance outside the U.S. and Canada 207
Ordering additional owner’s literature 208
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 209
Cleaning 210
Maintenance and Specifications 216
Engine compartment 219
Engine oil 221
Battery 227
Fuel information 235
Low tire warning system 252
Part numbers 254
Refill capacities 254
Lubricant specifications 257
Table of Contents
2

SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Warning symbols in this guide
How can you reduce the risk of personal injury and prevent possible
damage to others, your vehicle and its equipment? In this guide, answers
to such questions are contained in comments highlighted by the warning
triangle symbol. These comments should be read and observed.
Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,600 km (1,000 miles) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed to allow parts to adjust
themselves to other parts.
Drive your new vehicle at least 800 km (500 miles) before towing a
trailer.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils during
the first few thousand kilometers (miles) of operation, since these
additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and carechapter for more information on oil usage.
Introduction
5

RADIO RECEPTION FACTORS
There are three factors that can effect radio reception:
•Distance/strength: The further you travel from an FM station, the
weaker the signal and the weaker the reception.
•Terrain: Hills, mountains, tall buildings, power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms can interfere with your reception.
•Station overload: When you pass a broadcast tower, a stronger signal
may overtake a weaker one and play while the weak station frequency
is displayed.
CASSETTE/PLAYER CARE
Do:
•Use only cassettes that are 90 minutes long or less.
•Tighten very loose tapes by inserting a finger or pencil into the hole
and turning the hub.
•Remove loose labels before inserting tapes.
•Allow tapes which have been subjected to extreme heat, humidity or
cold to reach a moderate temperature before playing.
•Clean the cassette player head with a cassette cleaning cartridge after
10–12 hours of play to maintain good sound/operation.
Don’t:
•Expose tapes to direct sunlight, extreme humidity, heat or cold.
•Leave tapes in the cassette player for a long time when not being
played.
CD/CD PLAYER CARE
Do:
•Handle discs by their edges only. Never touch the playing surface.
•Inspect discs before playing. Clean only with an approved CD cleaner
and wipe from the center out.
Don’t:
•Expose discs to direct sunlight or heat sources for extended periods
of time.
•Insert more than one disc into each slot of the CD changer magazine.
•Clean using a circular motion.
Entertainment Systems
25

To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
2. Select A/C
3. Modulate the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to HI
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
Dual Automatic Temperature Control (DATC) system (if equipped)
1.A/C control:Uses outside air to
cool the vehicle. Press to turn on/off
in all modes except
or.
2.Recirculation control:Cools
the vehicle more quickly by
recirculating the cabin air instead of
using outside air and helps prevent unpleasant outside odors or fumes
from entering the vehicle. Press to turn on/off.
AUTO
OFFR
DUAL A/C EXT
F C
FF
14151617231
10987613541211
A/C
Climate Controls
28

15.Fan Speed:Used to manually
enable or disable the fan speed.
16.EXT:Displays the outside air
temperature. It will remain
displayed until the EXT control is
pressed again. The external temperature will be most accurate when the
vehicle has been moving for a period of time.
17.Temperature conversion:
Press to toggle between Fahrenheit
and Celsius temperature on the
DATC display only. The set point temperatures in Celsius will be
displayed in half-degree increments.
Operating tips
•To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather, place
the air flow selector in the
position.
•To reduce humidity build up inside the vehicle: do not drive with the
air flow selector in the OFF or MAX A/C position.
•Under normal weather conditions, do not leave the air flow selector in
MAX A/C or OFF when the vehicle is parked. This allows the vehicle
to“breathe”using the outside air inlet vents.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
2. Select A/C
3. Modulate the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to HI
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
EXT
F C
Climate Controls
30

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Turns the lamps off.
Turns on the parking lamps,
instrument panel lamps, license
plate lamps and tail lamps.
Turns the headlamps on.
Autolamp delay system
The autolamp system sets the headlamps to turn on and off
automatically. The autolamp control, located on the headlamp control,
may be set to:
•turn on the lamps automatically at night
•turn off the lamps automatically during the daylight
•keep the lamps on for up to three minutes after the key is turned to
OFF.
To turn the autolamps on, rotate the control counterclockwise to
.
Foglamp control (if equipped)
The foglamps can be turned on only
when the headlamp control is in
the
,andposition and
the high beams are not turned on.
Pull headlamp control towards you
to turn foglamps on. The foglamp
indicator light
will illuminate
when foglamp is activated.
Push the headlamp control towards the instrument panel to deactivate
the foglamps.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output. To activate:
•the ignition must be in the ON position and
•the headlamp control is in the OFF or Parking lamps position
•the parking brake must be disengaged.
A
A
Lights
33

Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Light (DRL) System
does not activate your tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
High beams
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
Flash to pass
Pull the lever toward you to
activate. Release the lever to
deactivate.
Lights
34

MULTI-FUNCTION LEVER
Windshield wiper:Rotate the end
of the control away from you to
increase the speed of the wipers;
rotate towards you to decrease the
speed of the wipers.
Speed dependent wipers:When
the wiper control is on, the speed of
the wipers will automatically adjust
with the vehicle speed. The faster
your vehicle is travelling the faster
the wipers will go.
Windshield washer:Push the end
of the stalk:
•briefly: causes a single swipe of
the wipers without washer fluid.
•a quick push and hold: the wipers
will swipe three times with
washer fluid.
•a long push and hold: the wipers
and washer fluid will be activated
for up to ten seconds.
Rear window wiper/washer controls
For rear wiper operation, rotate the
rear window wiper and washer
control to the desired position.
Select:
INT 1—3–4 second interval rear
wiper.
INT 2—8–10 second interval rear
wiper.
OFF—Rear wiper and washer off.
For rear wash cycle, rotate (and
hold as desired) the rear wiper/washer control to either
position.
From either position, the control will automatically return to the INT 2
or OFF position.
Driver Controls
42