Driving with a 5–speed automatic transmission
This vehicle is equipped with an adaptive Transmission Shift Strategy.
Adaptive Shift Strategy offers the optimal transmission operation and
shift quality. When the vehicle’s battery has been disconnected for any
type of service or repair, the transmission will need to relearn the normal
shift strategy parameters, much like having to reset your radio stations
when your vehicle battery has been disconnected. The Adaptive
Transmission Strategy allows the transmission to relearn these operating
parameters. This learning process could take several transmission
upshifts and downshifts; during this learning process, slightly firmer
shifts may occur. After this learning process, normal shift feel and shift
scheduling will resume.
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
•Start the engine
•Depress the brake pedal
•Move the gearshift lever into the desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
•Come to a complete stop
•Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in P (Park)
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.
2004 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
147
Normal operation (vehicles equipped with AdvanceTraconly)
During normal operation:
•the AWD system is in AWD AUTO mode (AWD LOCKED will
illuminate in the message center for four seconds when you first start
your vehicle). The AWD LOCK indicator in the instrument cluster will
also come on.
•AWD AUTO mode can be overridden by pressing SETUP in the
message center. When you first press SETUP, AWD
displayed, then if you press RESET within four seconds of pressing
SETUP, AWD
power to all four wheels constantly which allows you to operate your
vehicle in severe winter or off-road conditions such as deep snow, ice
or shallow sand. It is not recommended that you use AWD
on dry pavement.
•AWD
center. (The AWD LOCKED display in the message center will then
turn off and the display will return to AWD
when the shift is complete.)
Autolock operation (vehicles equipped with AdvanceTraconly)
If the AWD system begins to overheat, the system will place itself in the
Autolock mode:
•the AWD LOCK indicator light will illuminate in the instrument cluster
and AWD DISABLED
center.
•AWD LOCKED will be displayed in the message center for four
seconds and a warning chime will sound. This condition may clear
without any action being taken by the driver.
•the AWD LOCK indicator light in the instrument cluster will turn off
when the AWD system cools down.
•When the system is sufficiently cooled down, AWD AUTO RESTORED
will appear in the message center for four seconds and a warning
chime will sound.
Disabling AWD (vehicles equipped with AdvanceTraconly)
When a problem is detected in the AWD system:
•the AWD LOCK indicator light in the instrument cluster will flash eight
times every two minutes in the message center.
•The message center will then display AWD DISABLED for four
seconds, then SEE OWNER’S MANUAL. A warning chime will also
2004 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
152
sound. The warning displays and chime will continue until RESET is
pressed (which will clear the message from the display).
•AWD LOCKED can still be engaged by pressing SETUP (the message
center will display AWD
RESET. The AWD LOCK indicator light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster and the message center will display AWD
DISABLED
•To disable AWD, press RESET. The system will go back to AWD AUTO
mode momentarily, then the AWD LOCK indicator light will flash in
the instrument cluster eight times every two minutes. The display will
then show AWD
turn off.
•If a serious problem occurs with the AWD system, the AWD LOCK
indicator light in the instrument cluster will flash 10 times every two
minutes. The message center will also display CHECK AWD and a
warning chime will sound. You can press SETUP to check the status of
the AWD system (which will display AWD
but the AWD system will be disabled until the system is serviced.
Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles
AWD vehicles are specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and have operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
When driving at slow speeds off-road under high outside temperatures,
use 1 (First) gear when possible. 1 (First) gear operation will maximize
the engine and transmission cooling capability.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from some other vehicles. Your
vehicle may be higher to allow it to travel over rough terrain without
getting hung up or damaging underbody components.
The differences that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle
differently than an ordinary passenger car.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
2004 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
153
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCHFUEL
RESET
The fuel pump shut-off switch is a device intended to stop the electric
fuel pump when your vehicle has been involved in a substantial jolt.
After a collision, if the engine cranks but does not start, the fuel pump
shut-off switch may have been activated.
The fuel pump shut-off switch is
located in the passenger’s foot well,
by the kick panel.
Use the following procedure to reset the fuel pump shut-off switch.
1. Turn the ignition to the OFF position.
2. Check the fuel system for leaks.
3. If no fuel leak is apparent, reset the fuel pump shut-off switch by
pushing in on the reset button.
4. Turn the ignition to the ON position. Pause for a few seconds and
return the key to the OFF position.
5. Make a further check for leaks in the fuel system.
REVIEW COPY:
2004 Explorer(exp), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
175
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Release the parking brake. With your foot on the brake pedal and with
the A/C on, put the vehicle in D (Drive) and allow the engine to idle for
at least one minute.
7. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and radio settings must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in theScheduled Maintenance Guide. The
coolant concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled
water, which equates to a freeze point of -36° C (-34° F). Coolant
concentration testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester
(such as the Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The
level of coolant should be maintained at the “FULL COLD” or within the
“COLD FILL RANGE” level in the coolant reservoir. If the level falls
below, add coolant per the instructions in theAdding engine coolant
section.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
REVIEW COPY:
2004 Explorer(exp), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
226
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•HIGH TEMP LOW OIL (if
equipped) or CHECK GAUGE (if
equipped) will illuminate.
•TheService engine soonindicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature:
•The engine will completely shut down.
•Steering and braking effort will increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
5. Restart the engine and take your vehicle to a service facility.
REVIEW COPY:
2004 Explorer(exp), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
231
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If yourCheck engine/Service engine
soonlight is on, refer to the description in theWarning lights and
chimessection of theInstrument Clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with theCheck engine/Service engine soonlight on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a “not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use
only MERCONAT F.
•4.0L SOHC V6 engine
REVIEW COPY:
2004 Explorer(exp), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
243