2004 FORD EXPLORER service

This stored information may be read out and used by:
•Ford Motor Company.
•service and repair facilities.
•law enforcement or government agencies.
•others who may assert a right or obtain your consent to know such
information.
Notice to owners of pickup trucks and utility type vehicles
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
Before you drive your vehicle, please read this Owner’s Guide carefully.
Your vehicle is not a passenger car. As with other vehicles of this type,
failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury or death.
Be sure to readDriving off roadin theDrivingchapter.
Using your vehicle with a snowplow
Do not use this vehicle for snowplowing.
Your vehicle is not equipped with a snowplowing package.
Using your vehicle as an ambulance
Do not use this vehicle as an ambulance.
Your vehicle is not equipped with the Ford Ambulance Preparation
Package.
MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA VEHICLE SPECIFIC INFORMATION
For your particular global region, your vehicle may be equipped with
features and options that are different from the ones that are described
in this Owner Guide; therefore, a supplement has been supplied that
complements this book. By referring to the pages in the provided
supplement, you can properly identify those features, recommendations
and specifications that are unique to your vehicle.Refer to this Owner
Guide for all other required information and warnings.
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Introduction
7

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Standard instrument cluster
Optional instrument cluster
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulb works. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, have the
respective system inspected immediately.
Service engine soon:TheService
engine soonindicator light
illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the ON position to check
the bulb. Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
Instrument Cluster
10

On board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Check fuel cap (if equipped):
Illuminates when the fuel cap may
not be properly installed. Continued
driving with this light on may cause
the Service engine soon light to
come on, refer toFuel filler capin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position when the engine is not running, or
in a position between ON and START, or by applying the parking brake
when the ignition is turned to the ON position. If the brake system
warning light does not illuminate at this time, seek service immediately
from your dealership. Illumination after releasing the parking brake
indicates low brake fluid level and the brake system should be inspected
immediately by your servicing dealership.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer immediately.
Anti-lock brake system:If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
CHECK
FUEL
CAP
ABS
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
11

serviced immediately. Normal braking is still functional unless the brake
warning light also is illuminated.
Air bag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately. A chime will also
sound when a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system has been
detected.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A chime will also
sound to remind you to fasten your
safety belt.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
Check gage (if equipped):
Illuminates when any of the
following conditions has occurred:
•The engine coolant temperature
is high.
•The engine oil pressure is low.
•The fuel gauge is at or near empty.
Hi temp low oil (if equipped):
Illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature is high or the engine oil
pressure is low. Refer toEngine
coolant temperature gaugeor
Engine oil pressure gaugein this chapter.
Low tire warning (if equipped):
Illuminates when the low tire
warning system is enabled. If the
light remains on while driving, the
tire pressure should be checked,
refer toLow tire warningin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If this light fails to illuminate when ignition is turned to ON,
continues to flash or remains on, have the system serviced immediately.
CHECK
GAGE
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
12

Warning Light display Customer Action
Warning light remains on•Check your tire pressure and
ensure your tires are properly
inflated.
•If your tires are inflated to the
manufacturers recommended air
pressure and the light remains on,
please have the system inspected
immediately by your servicing
dealership.
Warning light flashing (flashes
for 20 seconds either at start
up or while driving)•Your spare tire is in use. Repair the
road wheel to restore system function.
•If your tires are inflated to the
recommended air pressure, and your
spare tire is not in use, please have
the system inspected immediately by
your servicing dealership.
Electronic throttle control:
Illuminates when the engine has
defaulted to a ’limp-home’ operation.
Report the fault to a dealer at the
earliest opportunity.
Door ajar (if equipped):
Illuminates when the ignition is in
the ON position and any door is
open.
Overdrive off:Illuminates when
the overdrive function of the
transmission has been turned off,
refer to theDrivingchapter. If the
light flashes steadily or does not illuminate, have the transmission
serviced soon, or damage may occur.
DOOR
AJAR
O/D
OFF
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
13

AdvanceTrac
(if equipped):
Illuminates when the AdvanceTrac

system is active. If the light remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately.
Four wheel drive low (if
equipped):Illuminates when
four-wheel drive low is engaged.
Four wheel drive high (if
equipped):Illuminates when
four-wheel drive high is engaged.
Speed control:Illuminates when
the speed control is activated. Turns
off when the speed control system
is deactivated.
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators stay on or flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams:Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC position and the driver’s door is
opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
4x4
LOW
4x4
HIGH
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
14

Don’t:
•Expose tapes to direct sunlight, extreme humidity, heat or cold.
•Leave tapes in the cassette player for a long time when not being
played.
CD/CD PLAYER CARE
Do:
•Handle discs by their edges only. Never touch the playing surface.
•Inspect discs before playing. Clean only with an approved CD cleaner
and wipe from the center out.
Don’t:
•Expose discs to direct sunlight or heat sources for extended periods
of time.
•Insert more than one disc into each slot of the CD changer magazine.
•Clean using a circular motion.
CD units are designed to play commercially pressed 12 cm (4.75
in) audio compact discs only. Due to technical incompatibility,
certain recordable and re-recordable compact discs may not
function correctly when used in Ford CD players. Irregular
shaped CDs, CDs with a scratch protection film attached, and CDs
with homemade paper (adhesive) labels should not be inserted
into the CD player. The label may peel and cause the CD to
become jammed. It is recommended that homemade CDs be
identified with permanent felt tip marker rather than adhesive
labels. Ball point pens may damage CDs. Please contact your
dealer for further information.
AUDIO SYSTEM WARRANTY AND SERVICE
Refer to theWarranty Guidefor audio system warranty information. If
service is necessary, see your dealer or qualified technician.
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Entertainment Systems
30

Move the control to the full down position (past detent) to prevent
interior lamps from illuminating when the doors are opened.
AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed before leaving the
assembly plant. If your vehicle is involved in an accident or if you have
problems fixing the alignment of your headlamps, have them checked by
a qualified service technician.
Headlamp aim adjustment
The headlamps on your vehicle can only be vertically adjusted. Your
vehicle does not require horizontal aim adjustments.
To adjust the headlamps:
1. Park your vehicle on a level
surface about 7.6 meters (25 feet)
away from a vertical plain surface
(3). Check your headlamp alignment
at night or in a dark area so that
you can see the headlamp beam
pattern.
•(1) Eight feet
•(2) Center height of lamp to
ground
•(3) Twenty-five feet
•(4) Horizontal reference line
2. The center of the headlamp has a 3.0 mm circle on the lens. Measure
the height from the center of your headlamp to the ground (2) and mark
a 2.4 meter (8 foot) long horizontal line on the plain surface (1) at this
height (masking tape works well).
3. Turn on the low beam headlamps.
The brightest part of the light
should be below the horizontal line
(4). If it is above the line the
headlamp will need to be adjusted.
4. Open the hood.
2004 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Lights
39