2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC trailer

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 P207 Explorer Sport Trac(p27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
132

•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
•do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
•do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage. Replace the rear axle lubricant
any time the axle has been submerged in water.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
Camper bodies
Your Explorer Sport Trac is not recommended for slide–in camper
bodies.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (ALL WHEELS ON THE GROUND)
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
All vehicles equipped with a manual transmission:
Before you have your vehicle towed:
•Release the parking brake.
•Move the gearshift to the neutral position.
•Turn the key in the ignition to the OFF/UNLOCKED position.
•The maximum recommended speed is 88 km/h (55 mph).
•The maximum recommended distance is unlimited.
2003 P207 Explorer Sport Trac(p27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
133

The fuses are:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
1 5A Mirrors, Autolamp
2 7.5A Cluster, Autolamp. Generic
Electronic Module (GEM),
Keyless entry, 4x4
3 7.5A Trailer tow right-hand stop/turn
lamps
4 7.5A Starter
5 15A Park lamps, Autolamps, I/P
dimming, Trailer tow
6 7.5A Air bags, Cluster
7 7.5A Trailer tow left-hand stop/turn
lamps
8 7.5A Cluster, Audio, GEM
1 234
5 678
9 101112
13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24
25 26
29 30
35 36
313233
34
27 28
2003 P207 Explorer Sport Trac(p27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
139

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
9 7.5A Speed control, Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS), 4x4, Powertrain
Control Module (PCM), Park
interlock, Keyless entry
10 15A Ignition, IPATS
11 15A Subwoofer
12 15A Climate control, Rear climate
control
13 15A Stop lamps, Speed control,
Auxiliary Center High-Mounted
Stop Lamp (CHMSL)
14 10A Air bags
15 15A 4x4 module
16 7.5A Turn signals, Park interlock,
Overhead console, Climate
control, 4x4, Speed control
17 20A Cigar lighter, On-Board
Diagnostics (OBD) II
18 20A Power locks, Keyless entry
19 15A Trailer tow park lamps
20 15A Daytime Running Lamps (DRL),
Reverse lamps, PCM
21 20A Heated seats
22 20A I/P power point
23 7.5A Front washers
24 30A Front wiper
25 7.5A Cluster, GEM
26 10A Interior illumination, Battery saver
27 7.5A Audio, Windows, GEM, Moonroof,
Rear window
28 – Not used
29 20A Audio, Rear audio
2003 P207 Explorer Sport Trac(p27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
140

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 P207 Explorer Sport Trac(p27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
193

Comfort and convenience
Cell phone holder
Engine block heater
Remote keyless entry
Remote start system
Side window deflectors
Speed control
Tire step — quick step
Travel equipment
Bike carriers
Canoe carrier
Kayak carrier
Luggage/cargo carrier
Pet guard
Raised cross bars
Roof rack (removable)
Ski/snowboard carrier
Seatback organizer (with removable headrest)
Soft tonneau cover (hard, soft w/snaps, snapless)
Trailer hitch assembly
Trailer hitch balls (all capacities)
Trailer hitch bar
Trailer hitch receiver cover
Trailgate table (hitch installed)
Protection and appearance equipment
Cargo liners— soft, interior
Cargo organizer
Carpeted cargo mat
Cargo tray — hard, interior
Cover — front end (full, sport)
Door edge guards
2003 P207 Explorer Sport Trac(p27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Accessories
209

G
Garage door opener ....................42
Gauges .........................................13
GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating) ..........................126
calculating ...............................127
definition .................................126
driving with a heavy load ......126
location ....................................126
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ..........................126
calculating .......................126–127
definition .................................126
driving with a heavy load ......126
location ....................................126
H
Hazard flashers .........................136
Head restraints ...........................74
Headlamps
aiming ........................................33
autolamp system .......................31
flash to pass ..............................32
high beam .................................32
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................29
I
Ignition ...............................107, 205
Infant seats (see Safety seats) ..97
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................171
cluster ........................................10
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......152K
Keyless entry system .................65
Keys
positions of the ignition .........107
L
Lamps
autolamp system .................31, 47
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................35
fog lamps ...................................31
high beams ................................32
instrument panel, dimming .....32
interior lamps ...........................34
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........111
Load limits .................................126
GAWR ......................................126
GVWR ......................................126
trailer towing ..........................126
Loading instructions .................127
Locks
childproof ..................................61
Lubricant specifications ...203, 205
M
Manual transmission .................117
fluid capacities ........................201
lubricant specifications ..........205
reverse .....................................118
Mirrors
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................48
fold away ...................................49
side view mirrors (power) .......48
Moon roof ....................................51
Motorcraft parts ........................200
2003 P207 Explorer Sport Trac(p27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
213

P
Parking brake ............................112
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....200
Power steering ..........................112
fluid, checking and adding ....192
fluid, refill capacity ................201
fluid, specifications .........203, 205
Power Windows ...........................45
Preparing to drive
your vehicle ...............................113
R
Radio ................................16, 19, 23
Single CD ..................................16
Remote entry system .................62
locking/unlocking doors ...........61
Roadside assistance ..................135
S
Safety belts (see
Safety restraints) ..................76–80
Safety Canopy .............................91
Safety defects, reporting ..........167
Safety restraints ....................76–80
belt minder ...............................82
cleaning the safety belts ..........85
extension assembly ..................85
for adults .............................77–79
for children .........................94–95
warning light and chime ..........81
Safety seats for children ............97
Seat belts (see
Safety restraints) ........................76
Seats ............................................71
child safety seats ......................97
Spare tire (see
Changing the Tire) ...................145Spark plugs,
specifications .....................200, 205
Special notice
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................203, 205
Speed control ..............................49
Starting your
vehicle ........................107–108, 110
jump starting ..........................152
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................41
Stereo
Single CD ..................................16
T
Tailgate ..................................54–55
Tilt steering wheel ......................41
Tires ...........................................196
changing ..................................145
tire grades ...............................197
treadwear ................................196
Tonneau cover .............................57
Towing .......................................128
recreational towing .................133
trailer towing ..........................128
Traction-lok rear axle ...............113
Transmission
automatic operation ...............113
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................194
fluid, refill capacities ..............201
lubricant specifications ..203, 205
manual operation ....................117
Trunk ...........................................59
Turn signal ..................................34
2003 P207 Explorer Sport Trac(p27)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
214