2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT spare tire

Replacement keys
If your keys are lost or stolen and you don’t have an extra coded key,
you will need to have your vehicle towed to a dealership. The key codes
need to be erased from your vehicle and new coded keys will need to be
programmed.
Replacing coded keys can be very costly. Store an extra programmed key
away from the vehicle in a safe place to help prevent any
inconveniences. Please visit an authorized dealer to purchase additional
spare or replacement keys.
Programming spare keys
You can program your own coded keys to your vehicle. Please read and
understand the entire procedure before you begin.
Tips:
•A maximum of eight keys can be coded to your vehicle.
•Only use Securilockkeys.
•You must have two previously programmed coded keys (keys that
already operate your vehicle’s engine) and the new unprogrammed
key(s) readily accessible.
•If no previously programmed coded keys are available, you must take
your vehicle to your dealer to have the spare key(s) programmed.
1. Insert a previously programmed
coded key into the ignition.
2. Turn the ignition from the 3
(OFF) position to the 4 (ON)
position. Keep the ignition in the 4
(ON) position for at least one
second, but no more than 10
seconds.
3. Turn the ignition to the 3 (OFF)
position, and remove the coded key from the ignition.
4. Within ten seconds of removing the previously programmed coded key,
insert the other previously programmed coded key into the ignition.
5. Turn the ignition from the 3 (OFF) position to the 4 (ON) position.
Keep the ignition in the 4 (ON) position for at least one second but not
more than 10 seconds.
6. Turn the ignition to the 3 (OFF) position, and remove the second key
from the ignition.
3
1
2
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4
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
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Spare tire information
The spare tire on your vehicle can be used as a spare tire or a regular
tire.
Your spare tire and tools can be found in the following locations:
Tool Location
Spare Tire under the vehicle, just in front of the rear
bumper
Jack, lug nut wrench in the cargo area on the left rear quarter
panel, behind the interior access cover
Jack handle, jack
handle extensionbehind the rear seat under the carpet in the
cargo area
To remove the spare tire
1. To attach the jack handle to the
lug wrench, depress the button and
slide the pieces together. Pull on the
jack handle to ensure that it is
locked in place.
2. Open the liftgate.
3. Insert the jack handle into the
opening just above the rear bumper.
Note:When properly installed the
handle will stop moving forward and
resistance will be felt.
4. Turn the lug wrench
counterclockwise until the tire is
lowered to the ground and the cable to the retainer is loose.
5. Slide the tire out from under the vehicle.
6. Remove the retainer from the center of the tire.
7. Disconnect the lug wrench from the jack handle by depressing the
button and pulling the pieces apart.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
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To stow the spare tire
1. Lay the tire on the ground with
the valve stem facing up.
2. Slide the wheel under the vehicle.
3. Install the retainer through the
wheel center.
4. Turn the lug wrench clockwise
until the tire is in its original
position.
Note:The jack handle will spin freely when the tire is fully installed. It
will not allow you to overtighten.
How to change a flat tire
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transmission
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the
jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or R
(Reverse) (manual transmission).
To prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be
sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both directions) the
wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be
seriously injured.
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close
to moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid the
danger of being hit when operating the jack or changing the wheel.
Before changing the tire:
1. Park on a level surface.
2. Activate the hazard flashers.
3. Place the gearshift lever in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or R
(Reverse) (manual transmission).
4. Set the parking brake.
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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To lessen the risk of
personal injury, do not put
any part of your body under the
vehicle while changing a tire. Do
not start the engine when your
vehicle is on the jack. The jack is
only meant for changing the tire.
•Never use the differential as a
jacking point.
5. Remove the wheel lug nuts with the lug nut wrench.
6. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem is
facing outward. Reinstall the lug nuts (cone side in) until the wheel is
snug against the hub. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel
has been lowered.
7. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
8. Remove the jack and fully tighten
the lug nuts in the order shown.
9. Stow the flat tire. Refer to
Stowing the spare tire.
10. Stow the jack and lug nut
wrench. Make sure the jack is
fastened so it does not rattle when
you drive.
11. Unblock the wheels.
Stowing the flat/spare tire
1. Lay the tire on the ground with the valve stem facing in the direction
specified on the Tire Changing Instructions located with the jack
hardware.
2. Slide the wheel partially under the vehicle and install the retainer
through the wheel center. Pull on the cable to align the components at
the end of the cable.
3. Turn the jack handle clockwise until the tire is raised to its stowed
position underneath the vehicle. The effort to turn the jack handle
increases significantly and the spare tire carrier ratchets or slips when
the tire is raised to the maximum tightness. Tighten to the best of your
1
4 3
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
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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
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INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
•Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the following
information about tire grades exactly as the government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
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The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
•Use an accurate tire gauge.
•Check the pressure when the tires are cold, after the vehicle has been
parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km
(3 miles).
•Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
Certifications Label.
•Check tires for proper air pressure monthly. Check spare tire for
proper air pressure every six months.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover and/or personal injury.
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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Replacing tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible. Due to exposure to
the elements and exhaust you
should replace the spare tire when
you replace the other tires.
Never mix radial bias-belted
tires, or bias-type tires. Use
only the tire sizes that are listed
on the Certification Label. Make
sure that all tires are the same
size, speed rating, and load
carrying capacity. Use only the tire
combinations recommended on
the label. If you do not follow
these precautions, your vehicle
handling may be effected which
can lead to loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover and/or personal
injury.
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design as originally offered by
Ford.
Do not replace your tires with “high performance” tires or larger
size tires.
Failure to follow these precautions, your vehicle handling may be
adversely effected which can lead to loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle’s original tires may
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
2003 U207 Explorer Sport(u27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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