
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the
level is low. In very cold weather, do
not fill the reservoir completely.
Use washer fluid that meets Ford
specifications. Check State or local
regulations for restrictions on the
use of methanol, a common
windshield washer fluid additive.
Do not put washer fluid in the
engine coolant reservoir.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes.
3. Set the parking brake and place the gearshift in P (Park).
4. Open the hood.
RADIATOR
COOLANT
ONLY
WASHERFLUIDONLY
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Maintenance and Specifications
161

1. Drive on an expressway or highway for at least 10 minutes.
2. Drive in stop-and-go traffic for at least 20 minutes with a minimum of
four idle periods.
The engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once
started, do not turn off the engine until the above drive cycle is
complete.
Note:If your “Check Engine” light is on, your vehicle may not pass an
I/M test.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the fluid. Refer to the
Scheduled Maintenance Guidefor
service maintenance schedules.
1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
schedules.
2. Turn the steering wheel left and
right several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level.
5. If the fluid is below the MIN line,
add fluid in small amounts until it
reaches the correct level (between
the MIN and MAX lines).
Use only MERCONAT F.
BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels below the “MAX” line
that do not trigger the brake system
warning lamp 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.
DONOTOVERFILLPOWERSTEERINGFLUID
M
AX
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
176

TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
•Refer to yourScheduled Maintenance Guidefor scheduled check
and change intervals.
•Transmission does not consume fluid.
•Check fluid when transmission is not operating properly or if you see
a leak.
•Fluid level must be checked at normal operating temperature, 30 km
(20 miles) of driving.
To check and add fluid:
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) to reach normal operating
temperatures.
2. If driven in hot weather, city traffic, pulling a trailer, allow
transmission to cool for 30 minutes before checking.
3. Engage parking brake, start engine.
4. Put your foot on the brake pedal and move the gearshift lever slowly
through all of the gear ranges.
5. Shift to P (Park) and leave the engine running.
6. Remove the dipstick, wipe clean with a dry lint free rag.
7. Install and fully seat the dipstick into the filler tube.
8. Remove the dipstick and inspect
the fluid level. Level should be in
the cross-hatched area.
9. If necessary, add fluid in 250ml (1/2 pint) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct at normal operating temperatures. Refer to
theLubricant Specificationssection in this chapter for the correct fluid
type. The use of any other non-approved fluid may cause internal
transmission damage.
10. Fluid can be checked at ambient
temperatures between 10–30°C
(50–95°F). DO NOT ADD fluid until
the transmission is at normal
operating temperatures or the transmission will be overfilled.
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
177

REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part Name Application Capacity
Brake and clutch
fluidMotorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Engine oil
(including filter
change)Motorcraft SAE
5W-30 Super
Premium Motor
OilAll 4.7L
(5.0 quarts)
Fuel tank N/A All 63.6 L
(16.8 gallons)
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Transmission
fluid
1Motorcraft
MERCONAT F4-speed manual 2.6L
(5.6 pints)8
Motorcraft
MERCONVATF5R55E Automatic
(4x2)9.5L
(10.0 quarts)2
5R55E Automatic
(4x4)9.8L
(10.3 quarts)2
Transfer case Motorcraft
MERCONAT F4WD 1.2L
(1.3 quarts)3
Engine coolant4Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)4.0L SOHC V6
engine13.2L
(14.0 quarts)
Front axle
lubricantMotorcraft SAE
80W-90 Premium
Rear Axle
Lubricant4x4 vehicles 1.7L (1.8 quarts)
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
185

LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
ItemFord Part Name
or equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Body hinges,
latches, door
striker plates and
rotors, seat
tracks, fuel filler
door hinge and
spring, hood
latch, auxiliary
latch, seat tracksMulti-Purpose
GreaseD0AZ-19584-AA
or XL-5ESB-M1C93-B or
ESR-M1C159-A
Hydraulic clutch
fluid and brake
fluidMotorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1ESA-M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Driveshaft, slip
spline, universal
jointsPremium Long
Life GreaseXG-1-C or
XG-1-T or
XG-1-KESA-M1C75-B
Engine coolant Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7–A WSS-M97B51-A1
Engine oilMotorcraft SAE
5W-30 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)XO-5W30-QSP
(US)
CXO-5W20–LSP12
(Canada)WSS-M2C205-A
with API
Certification
Mark
Automatic
transmission
(5R55E)
1
Motorcraft
MERCONVATFXT-5-QM MERCONV
4–speed manual
transmissionMotorcraft
MERCON
Multi-Purpose
AT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
187

A
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ....................................78–79
and child safety seats ..............80
description ................................79
disposal ......................................82
driver air bag ............................81
indicator light ...........................82
operation ...................................81
passenger air bag .....................81
Air cleaner filter .......................184
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ................................98
Audio system
Single CD ..................................16
Audio system (see Radio) ...16, 19
Automatic transmission ............100
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................102
fluid, refill capacities ..............185
fluid, specification ..................189
Auxiliary power point .................41
Axle
lubricant specifications ..187, 189
refill capacities ........................185
traction lok ..............................100
B
Battery .......................................163
acid, treating emergencies .....163
jumping a disabled battery ....136
maintenance-free ....................163
replacement, specifications ...184
servicing ..................................163
BeltMinder ...................................74
Brakes ..........................................98
anti-lock .....................................98anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .............................98
fluid, checking and adding ....176
fluid, refill capacities ..............185
fluid, specifications .........187, 189
lubricant specifications ..187, 189
parking ......................................99
shift interlock ..........................100
C
Calculating load ........................114
Capacities for refilling fluids ....185
Cargo area shade ..................49–50
Cassette tape player ...................16
CD-single premium .....................19
Cell phone use ............................39
Certification Label ....................191
Child safety restraints ................83
child safety belts ......................83
Child safety seats ........................86
attaching with tether straps ....90
in front seat ..............................87
in rear seat ................................87
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............153
instrument panel ....................155
interior .....................................155
interior trim ............................155
plastic parts ............................154
safety belts ..............................155
washing ....................................152
waxing .....................................152
wheels ......................................153
wiper blades ............................154
Clock adjust
Single CD ..................................16
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
Index
195

octane rating ...........................189
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......122
G
Garage door opener ....................40
Gauges .........................................13
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................113
calculating ...............................114
definition .................................113
driving with a heavy load ......113
location ....................................113
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................113
calculating .......................113–114
definition .................................113
driving with a heavy load ......113
location ....................................113
H
Hazard flashers .........................122
Head restraints ...........................66
Headlamps
aiming ........................................30
autolamp system .......................28
flash to pass ..............................29
high beam .................................29
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................26
I
Ignition .................................94, 189
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .......................86Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................155
cluster ........................................10
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......136
K
Keyless entry system .................56
Keys
positions of the ignition ...........94
L
Lamps
autolamp system .................28, 42
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................32
fog lamps ...................................28
high beams ................................29
instrument panel, dimming .....29
interior lamps ...........................31
Liftgate ........................................51
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ............98
Load limits .................................113
GAWR ......................................113
GVWR ......................................113
trailer towing ..........................113
Loading instructions .................114
Lubricant specifications ...187, 189
M
Manual transmission .................104
fluid capacities ........................185
lubricant specifications ..........189
reverse .....................................105
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
197

Mirrors
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................43
fold away ...................................43
side view mirrors (power) .......43
Moon roof ....................................46
Motorcraft parts ........................184
P
Parking brake ..............................99
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....184
Power steering ............................99
fluid, checking and adding ....176
fluid, refill capacity ................185
fluid, specifications .........187, 189
Power Windows ...........................42
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................100
R
Radio ......................................16, 19
Single CD ..................................16
Remote entry system .................54
locking/unlocking doors ...........53
Roadside assistance ..................121
S
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .........68–72
Safety defects, reporting ..........151
Safety restraints ....................68–73
belt minder ...............................74
cleaning the safety belts ..........77
extension assembly ..................77
for adults .............................69–72
for children .........................82–83warning light and chime ....73–74
Safety seats for children ............86
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............68
Seats ............................................63
child safety seats ......................86
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................184, 189
Special notice
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................187, 189
Speed control ..............................44
Starting your vehicle ......94–95, 97
jump starting ..........................136
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................38
Stereo
Single CD ..................................16
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................38
Tires ...........................................180
tire grades ...............................181
treadwear ................................180
Towing .......................................115
recreational towing .................119
trailer towing ..........................115
Traction-lok rear axle ...............100
Transmission
automatic operation ...............100
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................178
fluid, refill capacities ..............185
lubricant specifications ..187, 189
manual operation ....................104
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
198