2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT check engine

To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (an opaque plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the “cold fill range” or the “cold full” level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration, refer
toChecking Engine Coolantsection. If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to –34° F/–36° C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
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•You may need to cycle the ignition from off to on several times after
refueling to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
•Your “Check Engine” indicator may come on.
Fuel filler cap
When fueling:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops.
If the “Check Fuel Cap” indicator
illuminates and stays on after you
start the engine, the cap may not be
properly installed.
If you must replace the fuel
filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler cap that is designed for your
vehicle.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in personal
injury.
Fuel filter
Refer to theScheduled Maintenance Guidefor the appropriate
replacement intervals. Replace the fuel filter with an authorized
Motorcraft part.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
We do not recommend taking fuel economy measurements during the
first 1,600 km (1,000 miles) of driving. You will get a more accurate
measurement after 3,000 km - 5,000 km (2,000 miles - 3,000 miles)
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill capacities
section of this chapter.
CHECK
FUEL
CAP
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•Loss of engine power
•Illumination of the charging system, temperature, or “Check Engine”
light in the instrument panel.
Exhaust leaks may result in harmful and potentially lethal fumes
entering the passenger compartment.
It is unlawful to intentionally remove an emission control device or
prevent it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission
system is on the Vehicle Emission Control Information decal located on
or near the engine.
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II). This OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle. When theCheck
Engine/Service Engine Soonlight illuminates, the OBD-II system has
detected a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause yourCheck
Engine/Service Engine Soonlight to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the fuel cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
present, theCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonlight should turn off.
(A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonlight remains on, have your
vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
It may be a legal requirement in your area to pass an I/M test of the
on-board diagnostics system. If the system or battery has just been
serviced, the on-board diagnostic system is reset to a “not ready for I/M
test” condition. To ready the system, allow the vehicle to sit for at least
eight hours without starting. Then, start the engine and complete the
following driving cycle:
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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
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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.
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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