2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT service interval

Never connect any trailer lighting to the vehicle’s taillamp circuits,
because it may damage the electrical system resulting in fire.
Contact your local Ford dealership for assistance in proper trailer tow
wiring installation. Additional electrical equipment may be required.
Using a step bumper
The rear bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and requires only a
ball with a 19 mm (3/4 inch) shank diameter. The bumper has a 1,590 kg
(3,500 lb.) trailer weight and 159 kg (350 lb.) tongue weight capability.
Use a frame-mounted weight distributing hitch for trailers over 1,590 kg
(3,500 lb).
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Turn off your speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•Use a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
more information.
Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle/trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•The trailer tongue weight should be no more than 10–15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
•After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or N (Neutral)
(manual transmissions). This aids engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency.
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
118

SAE 5W-30 engine oil recommendation
Use only oils “Certified For Gasoline
Engines” by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). Use
Motorcraft (Part: XO-5W30–QSP
U.S.) or an equivalent oil meeting
Ford Motor Company specification
WSS-M2C205–A. It is also
recommended that you use the
appropriate Motorcraft oil filter or
an equivalent filter meeting the
Ford Motor Company specification for your engine.
Change your engine oil and filter according to theScheduled
Maintenance Guide.
BATTERY
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Motorcraft maintenance-free battery
which normally does not require
additional water during its life of
service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature climates, check the
battery electrolyte level. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for
the service interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the “level indicator”.
Do not overfill the battery cells.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can add plain tap water
to the battery, as long as you do not use hard water (water with a high
mineral or alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill the battery
cells with distilled water. If the battery needs water often, have the
charging system checked.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled
after the battery has been cleaned or replaced.
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Maintenance and Specifications
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60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50–50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -36° C (-34° F).
•Boiling protection up to 129° C (265° F).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
•The engine coolant should be at the “cold fill level” or within the “cold
fill range” as listed on the engine coolant reservoir (depending upon
application).
•Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for service interval
schedules.
•Be sure to read and understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If the reservoir is
low or empty, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer toAdding
engine coolantin this chapter.
Note:Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
Adding engine coolant
When adding coolant, make sure it is a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and distilled water. Add the mixture to the coolant reservoir,when the
engine is cool, until the appropriate fill level is obtained.
R
A
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IA
T
O
R
C
O
O
L
A
N
T
O
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WASHERFLUIDONLY
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
166

Fluid Ford Part Name Application Capacity
Rear axle
lubricant
5Motorcraft SAE
80W-90 Premium
Rear Axle
LubricantRefer to
Footnote 62.9-3.1L
(5.5-5.8 pints)
Motorcraft SAE
75W-140 High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantRefer to
Footnote 7
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 2.6L
(2.7 quarts)
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. MERCONand
MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT MIX MERCONand
MERCONV. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide to determine
the correct service interval.
2Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary
based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount
of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the indication on
the dipstick’s normal operating range.
3Fill to bottom of filler plug hole.4Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.5Fill to 6 mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below bottom of filler
plug hole.
6For vehicles equipped with a conventional rear axle, refer to your
scheduled maintenance guide for axle fluid change intervals.
7Vehicles equipped with Traction-Lok axle require synthetic rear axle
lubricant. Rear axles containing synthetic lubricant are lubricated for life.
These lubricants are not to be checked or changed unless a leak is
suspected or service is required. The axle lubricant should be changed
any time the axle has been submerged in water.
Add 118 ml (4 oz.) of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent
meeting Ford specification EST-M2C118–A for complete refill of
Traction-Lok axles.
8Service refill capacity for the manual transmission is determined by
filling the transmission to the bottom of the filler hole with the vehicle
on a level surface.
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
186

ItemFord Part Name
or equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCON
Multi-Purpose
AT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Ford
conventional and
Traction-Lok rear
axles
2, 3, 4 2, 3, 4 2, 3, 4
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-T or
XG-1-KESA-M1C75-B
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateZC-32–A WSB-M8B16–A2
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. MERCONand MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONand MERCONV. Refer to your scheduled maintenance
guide to determine the correct service interval.
2Conventional rear axles are filled with Motorcraft SAE 80W-90 Premium
Rear Axle Lubricant, part number XY-80W90-QL, Ford specification
WSP-M2C197-A.
3Traction-Lok rear axles are filled with Motorcraft SAE 75W-140 High
Performance Synthetic Rear Axle Lubricant, part number
XY-75W140–QL, Ford specification WSL-M2C192-A.
4Add 118 ml (4 oz) of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent
meeting Ford specification EST-M2C118–A to Traction-Lok rear axles
whenever the axle has been serviced.
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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