2006 FORD EXPLORER heating

Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills.A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill,
start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a
higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to
turn around because you might roll
over. It is better to back down to a
safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can't turn and if
they aren't turning, you won't be
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle. Rapid pumping of the brake pedal will help you slow the vehicle
and still maintain steering control.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
ªpumpº the brakes.
Driving
232

Adding engine coolant
When adding coolant, make sure it is a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and distilled water. Add the mixture to the coolant reservoir,when the
engine is cool, until the appropriate fill level is obtained.
Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot. Steam and
scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system can burn you
badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts.
Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer fluid
container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
²Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored), VC-7±A (U.S., except CA, OR and NM),
VC-7±B (CA, OR and NM), meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M97B51±A1.
Note:Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, may
darken the color of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from
yellow to golden tan.
²Do not add/mix an orange-colored, extended life coolant such
as Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant, VC-2 (US) or
CXC-209 (Canada), meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44±D
with the factory-filled coolant.Mixing Motorcraft Specialty Orange
Engine Coolant or any orange-colored extended life product with your
factory filled coolant can result in degraded corrosion protection.
²A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
²Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
²Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
Maintenance and Specifications
290

For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the ªFULL COLDº level. For all other vehicles, which have a
coolant degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to
remove the coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with
an overflow system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the ªCOLD FILL RANGEº or the ªFULL COLDº level on
the reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill
the radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed (until ªclicksº are heard).
(Cap must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration, refer
toChecking engine coolantsection. If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to ±34É F/±36É C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per
month, have your authorized dealer check the engine cooling system. Your
cooling system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of
coolant can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage.
Maintenance and Specifications
291

wheels ......................................270
wiper blades ............................272
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............37
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................29
Compass, electronic ....................75
calibration .................................77
set zone adjustment ...........76, 89
Console ........................................56
overhead ....................................54
rear ............................................56
Controls
power seat ...............................116
steering column ........................62
Coolant
checking and adding ..............288
refill capacities ................292, 308
specifications ..................310, 313
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................60
Customer Assistance ................235
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................266
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............267
Getting roadside assistance ...235
Getting the service you
need .........................................262
Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................267
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................265
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................43Defrost
rear window ..............................41
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................305
engine oil .................................281
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........310
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................306
Driving under special
conditions ..................224, 228, 232
sand .........................................230
snow and ice ...........................233
through water .................231, 234
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) ...........................37
DVD system .................................34
E
Electronic message center ...69, 80
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................256
Emergency Flashers .................237
Emission control system ..........302
Engine ........................................313
cleaning ...................................270
coolant .....................................288
fail-safe cooling .......................293
idle speed control ...................286
lubrication
specifications ..................310, 313
refill capacities ........................308
service points ..................278±279
starting after a collision .........237
Engine block heater .................209
Engine oil ..................................281
Index
321

checking and adding ..............281
dipstick ....................................281
filter, specifications ........284, 307
recommendations ...................284
refill capacities ........................308
specifications ..................310, 313
Exhaust fumes ..........................209
F
Fail safe cooling ........................293
Floor mats ...................................94
Fluid capacities .........................308
Foglamps .....................................42
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......226
driving off road .......................227
indicator light .........................226
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................216
Fuel ............................................294
calculating fuel
economy ......................71, 82, 299
cap ...........................................296
capacity ...................................308
choosing the right fuel ...........297
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................302
detergent in fuel .....................298
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................294, 296, 299
filter, specifications ........294, 307
fuel pump shut-off switch .....237
improving fuel economy ........299
octane rating ...................298, 313
quality ......................................298
running out of fuel .................298
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................294
Fuses ..................................238, 240G
Garage door opener ....................54
Garage Door Opener
(see Homelink wireless
control system) ...........................65
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............296
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................299
Gauges .........................................18
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)
calculating ...............................199
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)
calculating ...............................199
H
Hazard flashers .........................237
Head restraints .........................114
Headlamps
aiming ........................................44
bulb specifications ....................47
daytime running lights .............43
flash to pass ..............................43
high beam .................................43
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................35, 37
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................65
Hood ..........................................277
I
Ignition ...............................207, 313
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................160
Index
322