2006 FORD EXPLORER warning lights

STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. OFF/LOCK, shuts off the engine
and all accessories/locks the steering
wheel, gearshift lever and allows key
removal.
2. ACC, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running. This position also unlocks
the steering wheel.
3. ON, all electrical circuits
operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key position when driving.
4. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Important safety precautions
When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked.
If the vehicle is operated in a heavy snow storm or blowing snow
conditions, the engine air induction may become partially clogged with
snow and/or ice. If this occurs the engine may experience a significant
reduction in power output. At the earliest opportunity, clear all snow
and/or ice away for the air induction inlet.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts. For more
information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and Safety Restraintschapter.
Driving
207

2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
²Make sure the parking brake is
set.
²Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
3. Turn the key to 3 (ON) without
turning the key to 4 (START).
Some warning lights will briefly illuminate. SeeWarning lights and
chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter for more information
regarding the warning lights.
Driving
208

Driving conditions that may activate AdvanceTractwith RSC include:
²Emergency lane-change
²Taking a turn too fast
²Quick maneuvering to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
AdvanceTractwith RSC button and icon functionality
The AdvanceTractwith RSC system automatically turns on each time
the engine is started. AdvanceTractwith RSC system status is indicated
by a warning indicator light with a ªsliding carº icon in the instrument
cluster that will flash when the system is active. In R (Reverse), ABS and
the Traction Control feature will continue to function, however ESC and
RSC are disabled.
The AdvanceTractwith RSC button
allows the driver to control certain
features of the AdvanceTractwith
RSC system below 25 mph (40
km/h). If an attempt is made to
disable the AdvanceTractwith RSC
system above 25 mph (40 km/h), the ªsliding carº icon will illuminate
solid if pressed momentarily, however, the AdvanceTractwith RSC
system will remain enabled until the vehicle speed drops below 25 mph
(40 km/h). Pressing the AdvanceTractwith RSC button momentarily will
disable engine Traction Control, ESC, and RSC and illuminate the ªsliding
carº icon solid. From the default/start-up state, the AdvanceTractwith
RSC system will have no lights illuminated (ªsliding carº lamp off). The
AdvanceTractwith RSC ªsliding carº lamp will illuminate when the
AdvanceTractwith RSC button is pressed momentarily.
When the AdvanceTractwith RSC system has been turned off (pressing
the AdvanceTractwith RSC button momentarily) the ªsliding carº lamp
will illuminate solid.
Pressing and holding the AdvanceTractwith RSC button for more than
five seconds will further disable the brake portion of the Traction Control
feature and the ªsliding carº icon will flash momentarily, then illuminate
solid. The ªsliding carº icon will illuminate solid if pressed momentarily.
All these conditions are normal during AdvanceTractwith RSC
operation. Refer to the following table.
Driving
214

Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling (4.6L V8 engine only)
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The ªfail-safeº distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
Fail-safe cooling and engine oil temperature sensor (4.6L V8 only)
If the engine coolant and/or engine oil overheat, the vehicle limits engine
power before engine damage can occur. The instrument cluster can
provide up to four indicators to warn of coolant and/or oil overheat.
Warning lights/indicators Fail Safe cooling Oil Overheat Only*
(Engine oil pressure)OnOffÐwith normal
oil pressure
(Service engine soon)On Off
(Engine coolant temperature)On On
Engine coolant temperature gage Hot (H) area Hot (H) area
*Oil overheat warnings can be triggered in severe driving conditions, such as
towing heavy loads over mountainous terrain in extreme hot temperatures.
If the engine fluids reach even hotter temperatures, fail-safe cooling
protects the engine by limiting engine power further and may disable the
air conditioning system. The engine will automatically switch to
alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled cylinder acts as an air
pump and cools the engine. During this mode, the engine will run rough.
If continued operation increases the engine temperature to a critical
range, the engine will shut down. Steering and braking effort will
increase. Once engine temperature cools, the engine can be restarted.
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 an authorized dealer.
Maintenance and Specifications
293

²Theindicator may come on. For more information on the ªCheck
Engineº or the ªService engine soonº indicator, refer toWarning
lights and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend taking
fuel economy measurements during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 2,000 miles-3,000 miles (3,000 km±5,000 km).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill capacities
section of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
²Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
²Use the same filling rate setting (low Ð medium Ð high) each time
the tank is filled.
²Allow no more than two automatic click-offs when filling.
²Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
²Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
²Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
Maintenance and Specifications
299

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 your
indicator is on, refer to
the description in theWarning lights and chimessection of the
Instrument Clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the
indicator on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
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:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, 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.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to thescheduled maintenance
guidefor the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use
only MERCONtAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area
between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir.
5. The fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
6. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the correct operating range. Be sure to put the
cap back on the reservoir.
Maintenance and Specifications
304

Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................304
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................272
cluster ........................................12
J
Jack ....................................246, 250
positioning .......................246, 252
storage .....................246, 249±250
Jump-starting your vehicle ......256
K
Keyless entry system ...............106
autolock ...........................108±109
Keys
positions of the ignition .........207
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ............46±47
daytime running light ...............43
fog lamps ...................................42
interior lamps ...........................46
Liftgate ................................96, 102
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........210
Load limits .................................192
Loading instructions .................199
Locks
autolock ...........................108±109
childproof ................................100
doors ..........................................98
Lubricant specifications ...310, 313
Lug nuts ....................................255Luggage rack ...............................97
Lumbar support, seats .....116, 119
M
Message center ...............69, 80±81
english/metric button .........73, 85
system check button ..........72, 84
warning messages ...............77, 91
Mirrors .........................................53
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................58
fold away ...................................59
heated ........................................59
side view mirrors (power) .......58
Moon roof ....................................64
Motorcraft parts ........274, 294, 307
N
Navigation system .......................34
O
Octane rating ............................298
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................281
P
Parking brake ............................211
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....307
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................127
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................59
Power adjustable foot pedals .....59
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................243
Power door locks ........................98
Index
323

Tires ...........................172±174, 246
alignment ................................184
care ..........................................181
changing ..........................246, 252
checking the pressure ............177
inspecting and inflating .........175
label .........................................181
replacing ..........................183, 252
rotating ....................................185
safety practices .......................184
sidewall information ...............177
snow tires and chains ............192
spare tire .................247, 249, 251
terminology .............................174
tire grades ...............................173
treadwear ........................173, 182
Towing .......................................199
recreational towing .................205
trailer towing ..........................199
wrecker ....................................261
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................306
Transmission .............................217
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....217
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................305
fluid, refill capacities ..............308lubricant specifications ..310, 313
Trunk .........................................102
Turn signal ..................................45
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................313
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................315
Vehicle loading ..........................192
Ventilating your vehicle ...........209
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................280
Water, Driving through .............234
Windows
power .........................................57
rear wiper/washer .....................53
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................52
checking and adding fluid .....280
liftgate reservoir .....................280
replacing wiper blades ...........281
Wrecker towing .........................261
Index
325