2005 FORD EXPLORER warning

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.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Emergency maneuvers
•In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid “over-driving” your vehicle (i.e.,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency). Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
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Driving
228

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with applicable
exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic converter and
other emission control components continue to work properly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
•Have the items listed in yourScheduled Maintenance Guide
performed according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in theScheduled Maintenance
Guideare essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the “Check Engine” light, charging system warning light
or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control system is
not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By law,
vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services, sells,
leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent it from working.
Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on the Vehicle
Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the engine. This
decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up specifications.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
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On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II). This OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle. When theCheck
engine/Service engine soonlight illuminates, the OBD-II system has
detected a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause yourCheck
engine/Service engine soonlight to illuminate. Examples are:
1.
The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the fuel cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
present, theCheck engine/Service engine soonlight should turn off. (A
driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theCheck engine/Service engine soonlight remains on, have your
vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
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.
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BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels below the “MAX” line
that do not trigger the brake system
warning lamp are within the normal
operating range, there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating
range, the performance of your
brake system could be
compromised, seek service from your dealer immediately.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
The automatic transmission does not have a transmission fluid dipstick.
Refer to yourScheduled Maintenance Guidefor scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, (i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly) or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Transmission fluid should be checked and, if required, fluid
should be added by a qualified technician.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for changing the air filter element.
When changing the air filter element, use only the Motorcraft air filter
element listed. Refer toMotorcraft part numbersin this chapter.
Note:Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do not
remove it while the engine is running.
CHANGING THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT
1. Release the clamps that secure the air filter housing cover.
2. Carefully separate the two halves of the air filter housing.
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A
Accessory delay ..........................69
AdvanceTrac ..............................206
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................................135, 140
and child safety seats ............137
description ......................135, 140
disposal ....................................143
driver air bag ..................137, 141
indicator light .................139, 142
operation .........................137, 141
passenger air bag ...........137, 141
Air cleaner filter ...............299, 301
Air conditioning ..........................48
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................226
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................280
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................204
Audio system
(see Radio) ....18, 21, 25, 30, 34, 39
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................212
fluid, adding ............................299
fluid, checking ........................299
fluid, refill capacities ..............302
fluid, specification ..................306
Auxiliary power point .................67
Axle
lubricant specifications ..304, 306
refill capacities ........................302
B
Battery .......................................278acid, treating emergencies .....278
jumping a disabled battery ....246
maintenance-free ....................278
replacement, specifications ...301
servicing ..................................278
BeltMinder .................................131
Brakes ........................................203
anti-lock ...................................204
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................204
fluid, checking and adding ....299
fluid, refill capacities ..............302
fluid, specifications .........304, 306
lubricant specifications ..304, 306
parking ....................................205
shift interlock ..........................210
C
Calculating load ........................193
Capacities for refilling fluids ....302
Cargo cover ...........................96–97
Cell phone use ............................64
Certification Label ....................308
Changing a tire .........................164
Child safety restraints ..............144
child safety belts ....................144
Child safety seats ......................146
attaching with tether straps ..150
in front seat ............................148
in rear seat ..............................148
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............263
instrument panel ....................265
interior .....................................266
interior trim ............................265
plastic parts ............................264
safety belts ..............................266
washing ....................................262
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Index
313

Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................46, 48
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................77
Hood ..........................................269
I
Ignition .......................200, 306–307
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................146
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................297
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................265
cluster ........................................10
J
Jack ....................................164, 167
positioning .......................164, 169
storage .....................164, 166–167
Jump-starting your vehicle ......246
K
Keyless entry system ...............105
autolock ...................................107
Keys
positions of the ignition .........200
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................57
daytime running light ...............53
fog lamps ...................................53
interior lamps ...........................56Liftgate ................................95, 102
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........204
Limited-slip axle .......................217
Load limits .................................187
Loading instructions .................193
Locks
autolock ...................................107
childproof ................................100
doors ..........................................99
Lubricant specifications ...304, 306
Lug nuts ....................................172
Luggage rack ...............................97
Lumbar support,
seats ...........................114, 116–117
M
Message center ...........................83
english/metric button ...............89
system check button ................89
warning messages .....................90
Mirrors ...................................67, 70
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................70
fold away ...................................70
heated ........................................70
side view mirrors (power) .......69
Moon roof ....................................76
Motorcraft parts ................292, 301
O
Octane rating ............................289
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................273
P
Parking brake ............................205
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Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....301
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................71
Power adjustable foot pedals .....71
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................241
Power door locks ........................99
Power mirrors .............................69
Power point ...........................67–68
Power steering ..........................209
fluid, checking and adding ....298
fluid, refill capacity ................302
fluid, specifications .........304, 306
Power Windows ...........................68
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................209
R
Radio ..............18, 21, 25, 30, 34, 39
Rear window defroster ...............52
Relays ................................235, 244
Remote entry system ...............101
illuminated entry ....................105
opening the trunk ...................102
Reverse sensing system ...........215
Roadside assistance ..................233
Roof rack .....................................97
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........134
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..........122, 125–128, 130
Safety Canopy ...................140–141
Safety defects, reporting ..........261Safety restraints ........122, 125–130
belt minder .............................131
extension assembly ................130
for adults .........................126–128
for children .....................143–144
safety belt maintenance .........134
warning light and
chime ...............................130–131
Safety seats for children ..........146
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............122
Seats ..........................................112
child safety seats ....................146
front seats ...............................113
heated ......................................117
memory seat ...................102, 116
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................18
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ....23, 32, 42
AM/FM/Tape/CD .................27, 36
Snowplowing .................................7
Spark plugs,
specifications .............301, 306–307
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................304, 306
Speed control ..............................71
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......202
Starting your vehicle ........200, 202
jump starting ..........................246
Steering wheel
controls ......................................74
tilting .........................................63
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................63
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Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Driving .....................................222
Maintenance and
Specifications ..........................182
Roadside Emergencies ...........164
Warning Displays ................15, 90
Tires ...........................158–159, 164
alignment ................................179
care ..........................................178
changing ..........................164, 169
checking the pressure ............161
inspecting and inflating .........160
label .........................................177
replacing ..........................163, 169
rotating ....................................180
safety practices .......................179
sidewall information ...............173
snow tires and chains ............186
spare tire .................165–166, 168
terminology .............................159
tire grades ...............................159
treadwear ........................158, 178
Towing .......................................193
recreational towing .................198
trailer towing ..........................193
wrecker ....................................251
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................300
Transmission .............................210
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....210fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................299
fluid, refill capacities ..............302
lubricant specifications ..304, 306
Trunk .........................................102
Turn signal ..................................56
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................307
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................309
Vehicle loading ..........................187
Ventilating your vehicle ...........203
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................272
Water, Driving through .............232
Windows
power .........................................68
rear wiper/washer .....................63
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................62
checking and adding fluid .....272
liftgate reservoir .....................272
replacing wiper blades .............63
Wrecker towing .........................251
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Index
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