
Driving 94
Starting 94
Brakes 98
Transmission operation 100
Roadside Emergencies 121
Getting roadside assistance 121
Hazard flasher switch 122
Fuel pump shut-off switch 122
Fuses and relays 123
Changing tires 130
Jump starting 136
Wrecker towing 141
Customer Assistance 142
The dispute settlement board 145
Utilizing the mediation/arbitration 148
Getting assistance outside the U.S. and Canada 148
Ordering additional owner’s literature 149
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 151
Cleaning 152
Maintenance and Specifications 158
Hood 159
Engine compartment 160
Engine oil 161
Battery 163
Fuel information 170
Part numbers 184
Refill capacities 185
Lubricant specifications 187
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Table of Contents
2

GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor
Company offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This
program is separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service
is available:
•24–hours, seven days a week
•
for the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period of three years or 60,000 km
(36,000 miles), whichever occurs first on Ford and Mercury vehicles,
and four years or 80,000 km (50,000 miles) on Lincoln vehicles*.
Roadside assistance will cover:
•changing a flat tire
•jump-starts
•lock-out assistance
•limited fuel delivery*
•towing of your disabled vehicle to the nearest Ford Motor Company
dealership, or your selling dealer if within 25 kms (15.5 miles) of the
nearest Ford Motor Company dealership (one tow per disablement).
Even non-warranty related tows, like accidents or getting stuck in the
mud or snow, are covered (some exclusions apply, such as impound
towing or repossession).
* Canadian customers refer to your Owner Information Guide for
information on coverage period and exact fuel amounts..
Using roadside assistance
Complete the roadside assistance identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In the United States, this card is found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment in Ford vehicles and is
mailed to you if you own a Mercury or Lincoln. In Canada, the card is
found in the Roadside Assistance book in the glove compartment.
U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicle customers who require roadside assistance,
call 1–800–241–3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1–800–521–4140.
Canadian customers who require roadside assistance, call
1–800–665–2006.
If you need to arrange roadside assistance for yourself, Ford Motor
Company will reimburse a reasonable amount. To obtain reimbursement
information, U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicles customers call
1-800-241-3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1–800–521–4140.
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
121

ability, to the point where the ratchet/slip occurs, if possible. The spare
tire carrier will not allow you to overtighten. If the spare tire carrier
ratchets or slips with little effort, take the vehicle to your dealer for
assistance at your earliest convenience.
4. Check that the tire lies flat against the frame and is properly
tightened. Try to push or pull, then turn the tire to be sure it will not
move. Loosen and retighten, if necessary. Failure to properly stow the
spare tire may result in failure of the winch cable and loss of the tire.
5. Repeat this tightness check procedure when servicing the spare tire
pressure (every six months, per scheduled maintenance guide), or at any
time that the spare tire is disturbed through service of other
components.
6. If removed, install the spare tire lock (if equipped) into the bumper
drive tube with the spare tire lock key (if equipped) and jack handle.
JUMP STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to flames,
sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result in injury or
vehicle damage.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin, eyes and
clothing, if contacted.
Do not attempt to push-start your vehicle. Automatic
transmissions do not have push-start capability; also, the
catalytic converter may become damaged.
Preparing your vehicle
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the
transmission must relearn its shift strategy. As a result, the transmission
may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time, the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation.
1.Use only a 12–volt supply to start your vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehiclesdo nottouch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other moving
parts.
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
136

Jump starting
1. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and run the engine at
moderately increased speed.
2. Start the engine of the disabled vehicle.
3. Once the disabled vehicle has been started, run both engines for an
additional three minutes before disconnecting the jumper cables.
Removing the jumper cables
Remove the jumper cables in the reverse order that they were
connected.
1. Remove the jumper cable from thegroundmetal surface.
Note:In the illustrations,lightning boltsare used to designate the
assisting (boosting) battery.
2. Remove the jumper cable on the negative (-) connection of the
booster vehicle’s battery.
+–+–
+–+–
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
139

3. Remove the jumper cable from the positive (+) terminal of the booster
vehicle’s battery.
4. Remove the jumper cable from the positive (+) terminal of the
disabled vehicle’s battery.
After the disabled vehicle has been started and the jumper cables
removed, allow it to idle for several minutes so the engine computer can
relearnits idle conditions.
+–+–
+–+–
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
140

Clutch
operation while driving ..........104
recommended shift speeds ....105
Compass/temperature display ...47
Console ........................................39
floor ...........................................39
overhead ....................................39
Controls
power seat .................................64
Coolant
refill capacities ................169, 185
specifications ..................187, 189
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................44
Customer Assistance ................121
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................156
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................144
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............148
Getting roadside assistance ...121
Getting the service you
need .........................................142
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................149
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................145
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................148
D
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........187
Driving under special
conditions ..................103, 108, 111
sand .........................................110
snow and ice ...........................112through water .........................112
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................136
Emergency Flashers .................122
Engine ........................................189
cleaning ...................................153
idle speed control ...................163
lubrication specifications ......187,
189
refill capacities ........................185
service points ..........................160
starting after a collision .........122
Engine block heater ...................97
Engine oil
filter, specifications ................184
refill capacities ........................185
specifications ..................187, 189
Exhaust fumes ............................97
F
Floor mats ...................................49
Fluid capacities .........................185
Foglamps .....................................28
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......106
description ..............................106
driving off road .......................107
electronic shift ........................107
indicator light .........................106
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................100
Fuel
capacity ...................................185
filling your vehicle with fuel ..172
filter, specifications ................184
fuel pump shut-off switch .....122
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
196

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