
4. Clip the tether strap to the
anchor.
If the tether strap is clipped incorrectly, the child safety seat
may not be retained properly in the event of a collision.
5. Install the child safety seat tightly using the LATCH anchors or safety
belts. Follow the instructions in this chapter.
6. Tighten the child safety seat tether strap according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
If the safety seat is not anchored properly, the risk of a child
being injured in a collision greatly increases.
Attaching safety seats with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children) attachments for child seat anchors
Some child safety seats have two rigid or webbing mounted attachments
that connect to two anchors at certain seating positions in your vehicle.
This type of child seat eliminates the need to use seat belts to attach the
child seat. For forward-facing child seats, the tether strap must also be
attached to the proper tether anchor. SeeAttaching safety seats with
tether strapsin this chapter.
2004 Explorer(exp)
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Seating and Safety Restraints
134

Your vehicle has LATCH anchors for child seat installation at the seating
positions marked with the child seat symbol:
Never attach two LATCH child safety seats to the same anchor.
In a crash, one anchor may not be strong enough to hold two
child safety seat attachments and may break, causing serious injury or
death.
2004 Explorer(exp)
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Seating and Safety Restraints
135

The lower anchors for child seat
installation are located at the rear
section of the second row seat
between the cushion and seat back.
The LATCH anchors are below the
locator symbols on the seat back.
Follow the child seat manufacturer’s
instructions to properly install a
child seat with LATCH attachments.
Two plastic LATCH guides can be
obtained at no charge from any
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
They snap onto the LATCH lower
anchors in the seat to help attach a
child seat with rigid attachments.
The guides hold the seat trim away
to expose the anchor and make it
easier to attach some child seats.
Attach LATCH lower
attachments of the child
seat only to the anchors shown.
If you install a child seat with rigid LATCH attachments, do not tighten
the tether strap enough to lift the child seat off the vehicle seat cushion
when the child is seated in it. Keep the tether strap just snug without
lifting the front of the child seat. Keeping the child seat just touching the
vehicle seat gives the best protection in a severe crash.
Each time you use the safety seat, check that the seat is properly
attached to the lower anchors and tether anchor. Try to move the child
seat from side to side. Also try to tug the seat forward. Check to see if
the anchors hold the seat in place.
If the safety seat is not anchored properly, the risk of a child
being injured in a crash greatly increases.
2004 Explorer(exp)
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USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
136

The fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
1 30A Memory seat module, Driver
power seat
2 20A Moonroof
3 20A Radio, Amplifier, DVD
4 5A Front wiper module
5 15A Flasher relay (Turn, hazards)
6 10A Key-in-chime
7 15A Heated mirrors
8 5A Heated PCV (4.0L engine only)
9 15A Not used
10 10A Heated backlight relay coil, A/C
clutch contact
11 20A Heated seats
12 5A 4x4 (switch)
13 5A Overdrive cancel switch
14 5A PATS
15 5A Rear wiper module, Cluster
16 5A Power mirror, Manual climate
control, TPMS
17 15A Delayed accessory relay
coil/Battery saver coil and
contact/Reading and glove box
lamps
18 10A Flexible fuel pump
19 10A Restraint Control Module (RCM)
20 5A Memory driver seat switch, Driver
seat module, Body Security
Module (BSM), PATS LED
21 5A Instrument cluster, Compass,
Flasher coil
22 10A ABS, IVD Controller
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
186

•Do not use household or glass cleaners as these may damage the
finish.
INTERIOR
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats and safety belts:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Remove light stains and soil with Motorcraft Extra Strength
Upholstery Cleaner (ZC-41).
•If grease or tar is present on the material, spot-clean the area first
with Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover (ZC-14).
•Never saturate the seat covers with cleaning solution.
•Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of
the seat materials.
Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the vehicle’s
seatbelts, as these actions may weaken the belt webbing.
LEATHER SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
Your leather seating surfaces have a clear, protective coating over the
leather.
•To clean, use a soft cloth with Motorcraft Deluxe Leather and Vinyl
Cleaner (ZC-11–A). Dry the area with a soft cloth.
•To help maintain its resiliency and color, use the Motorcraft Deluxe
Leather Care Kit (ZC-11–D), available from your authorized dealer.
•Do not use household cleaning products, alcohol solutions, solvents or
cleaners intended for rubber, vinyl and plastics, or oil/petroleum-based
leather conditioners. These products may cause premature wearing of
the clear, protective coating.
Note:In some instances, color or dye transfer can occur when wet
clothing comes in contact with leather upholstery. If this occurs, the
leather should be cleaned immediately to avoid permanent staining.
UNDERBODY
Flush the complete underside of your vehicle frequently. Keep body and
door drain holes free from packed dirt.
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Cleaning
223

A
Accessory delay ..........................52
AdvanceTrac ..............................143
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................................116, 120
and child safety seats ............118
description ......................116, 120
disposal ....................................123
driver air bag ..................118, 121
indicator light .................120, 123
operation .........................118, 121
passenger air bag ...........118, 121
Air cleaner filter .......................271
Air conditioning ..........................32
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................163
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................236
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................141
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................18, 21, 25
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................149
fluid, adding ............................255
fluid, checking ........................255
fluid, refill capacities ..............272
fluid, specification ..................276
Auxiliary power point .................51
Axle
lubricant
specifications ..................274, 276
refill capacities ........................272
B
Battery .......................................234acid, treating
emergencies ............................234
jumping a disabled
battery .....................................203
maintenance-free ....................234
replacement,
specifications ..........................271
servicing ..................................234
BeltMinder .................................112
Brakes ........................................140
anti-lock ...................................141
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............141
fluid, checking and adding ....255
fluid, refill capacities ..............272
fluid, specifications .........274, 276
lubricant
specifications ..................274, 276
parking ....................................142
shift interlock ..........................147
C
Calculating load ........................174
Capacities for refilling fluids ....272
Cargo cover .................................78
Cell phone use ............................48
Certification Label ....................278
Changing a tire .........................194
Child safety restraints ..............124
child safety belts ....................124
Child safety seats ......................127
attaching with tether
straps .......................................131
in front seat ............................129
in rear seat ..............................129
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............220
instrument panel ....................222
2004 Explorer(exp)
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USA English(fus)
Index
Index
285

bulb specifications ....................41
daytime running lights .............37
flash to pass ..............................38
high beam .................................38
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................31–32
HomeLink universal
transceiver
(see Garage door opener) .........63
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................60
Hood ..........................................226
I
Ignition .......................137, 276–277
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................127
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................253
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................222
cluster ........................................10
J
Jack ....................................194, 197
positioning .......................194, 199
storage .............................194, 197
Jump-starting your
vehicle ........................................203
K
Keyless entry system .................87
autolock .....................................89
Keys
positions of the ignition .........137L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................41
daytime running light ...............37
fog lamps ...................................37
high beams ................................38
instrument panel,
dimming .....................................38
interior lamps ...........................40
Liftgate ..................................77, 83
Lights, warning and
indicator ......................................10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........141
Limited-slip axle .......................153
Load limits .................................171
Loading instructions .................174
Locks
autolock .....................................89
childproof ..................................82
doors ..........................................81
Lubricant
specifications .....................274, 276
Lumbar support, seats ...............98
M
Message center ...........................66
english/metric button ...............71
system check button ................71
warning messages .....................72
Mirrors .........................................51
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................50
fold away ...................................53
heated ........................................53
side view mirrors (power) .......53
Moon roof ....................................59
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
288

Motorcraft parts ................247, 271
O
Octane rating ............................245
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................229
P
Parking brake ............................142
Parts
(see Motorcraft parts) ..............271
Pedals
(see Power adjustable foot
pedals) .........................................54
Power adjustable foot
pedals ...........................................54
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................189
Power door locks ........................81
Power point .................................51
Power steering ..........................145
fluid, checking and adding ....253
fluid, refill capacity ................272
fluid, specifications .........274, 276
Power Windows ...........................52
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................146
R
Radio ................................18, 21, 25
Rear window defroster ...............36
Relays ................................183, 192
Remote entry system .................83
illuminated entry ......................86
opening the trunk .....................83
Reverse sensing system ...........151Roadside assistance ..................181
Roof rack .....................................79
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........115
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..........103, 106–109, 111
Safety Canopy ...................120–121
Safety defects, reporting ..........218
Safety restraints ........103, 106–111
belt minder .............................112
extension assembly ................111
for adults .........................107–109
for children .............................124
safety belt maintenance .........115
warning light and
chime
...............................111–112
Safety seats for children ..........127
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............103
Seats ............................................94
child safety seats ....................127
front seats .................................95
heated ........................................98
memory seat .......................84, 97
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................21
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................25
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................29
Snowplowing .................................7
Spark plugs,
specifications .............271, 276–277
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................274, 276
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
289