•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
Flex fuel (E-85) cruising range
Because E-85 fuel contains less energy per gallon than gasoline, you will
experience an increase in fuel consumption. You can expect your Miles
REVIEW COPY:
2004 Explorer(exp), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
240
plastic parts ............................212
safety belts ..............................213
washing ....................................209
waxing .....................................209
wheels ......................................210
wiper blades ............................212
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............28
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................23
AM/FM/CD .................................18
Compass, electronic ....................61
calibration .................................62
set zone adjustment ...........61, 64
Console ........................................45
overhead ....................................46
rear ......................................46, 48
Controls
power seat .................................94
steering column ........................54
Coolant
checking and adding ..............226
refill capacities ................230, 263
specifications ..................265, 267
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................51
Customer Assistance ................173
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................214
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................201
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............205
Getting roadside assistance ...173
Getting the service
you need .................................201
Ordering additional
owner’s literature ...................206
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................202Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............205
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................33
Defrost
rear window ..............................32
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................245
engine oil .................................220
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........265
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................246
Driving under special
conditions ..................149, 154, 157
sand .........................................156
snow and ice ...........................158
through water .................156, 161
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) ...........................28
E
Electronic message center .........63
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................195
Emergency Flashers .................174
Emission control system ..........241
Engine ........................................267
cleaning ...................................210
coolant .....................................226
fail-safe coolant ......................230
idle speed control ...................224
lubrication
specifications ..................265, 267
REVIEW COPY:
2004 Explorer(exp), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA English(fus)
Index
275
