2003 FORD EXPLORER transmission oil

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 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

The sequence of the system check report and how it appears in the
message center is as follows:
1. FUEL LEVEL
2. WASHER FLUID LEVEL
3. OIL LIFE IN XX%
4. ENGINE TEMP
5. OIL PRESSURE6. TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM (if
equipped)
7. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
8. CHARGING SYSTEM
System warnings
System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your
vehicle’s operating systems.
In the event of a multiple warning situation, the message center will
cycle the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for several
seconds.
The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages. This allows you to use the full functionality of
the message center after you acknowledge the warning by pressing the
RESET control and clearing the warning message.
Warning messages that have been reset are divided into three categories:
•They will reappear on the display every minute from the reset.
•They will reappear on the display ten minutes from the reset.
•They will not reappear until an ignition OFF-ON cycle has been
completed.
This acts as a reminder that these warning conditions still exist within
the vehicle.
Warning display Status
Warning-tire very low (if equipped)Warning returns every minute
Check engine temperature Warning returns after 10 minutes
Transmission overheated
Check transmission
Low fuel level
Check fuel cap
Check charging system
Low brake fluid level
Low oil pressure
Driver Controls
68

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

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse Panel
Description
26 7.5A Park aid, Brake shift interlock, Approach lamp
relay coil, IVD switch
27 7.5A Electrochromatic mirror, Digital transmission
range sensor - backup lamps
28 5A Radio (Start)/DVD (Start)
29 10A Digital transmission range sensor, PWR feed
to fuse #28 (Start feed)
30 5A Daytime Running Lamps (DRL), Remote
solenoid, DEATC climate controller, Manual
climate control, Manual climate control temp
blend actuator
Passenger compartment fuse panel (top side)
These relays are located on the reverse side of the passenger
compartment fuse panel. See your dealer or a certified technician for
service of this relay box.
Roadside Emergencies
182

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
20 30A** Electric brake
21 30A** Front wiper motor
22 20A** Low beam
23 30A** Ignition switch
24—Not used
25—Not used
26 15A* Fuel pump
27 20A* Trailer tow lamps
28 20A* Horn relay
29 60A** PJB
30 20A** Rear wiper motor
31—Not used
32—Not used
33 30A** Auxiliary blower motor
34 30A** Passenger power seat, Adjustable pedals
35—Not used
36 40A** Blower motor
37 15A* A/C clutch relay, Transmission
38 15A* Coil on plug
39 15A* Injectors, Fuel pump relay
40 15A* PTEC power
41 15A* HEGO, VMV, CMS, PTEC
42 10A* Right low beam
43 10A* Left low beam
44 15A* Front foglamps
45 2A* Brake pressure switch (ABS)
46 20A* High beams
47—Horn relay
48—Fuel pump relay
49—High beam relay
50—Fog lamp relay
Roadside Emergencies
185

ItemFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
4.6L Engine oilMotorcraft SAE
5W20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor OilXO -5W20-QSPWSS-M2C153–H
with API
Certification
Mark
Automatic
transmission
1
Motorcraft
MERCONV
AT FXT-5-QM MERCONV
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCON
Multi-Purpose
AT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Ford
conventional and
Traction-Lok
rear axles75W-140 High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle Lubricant
2
XY-75W140–QL WSL-M2C192_A
Front axle
(4X4)Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle LubricantXY-80W90-QL WSP-M2C197-A
Transfer case
(4X4)Motorcraft
MERCON
Multi-Purpose
AT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Transfer case
Front Output
Slip ShaftPremium
Long-Life GreaseXG-1-C or
XG-1-KESA-M1C75-B
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateZC—32–A WSB-M8B16–A2
Maintenance and Specifications
258

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