2006 FORD EXPLORER brake

CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the
vehicle. Turn the blade at an angle
from the wiper arm. Push the lock
pin manually to release the blade
and pull the wiper blade down
toward the windshield to remove it
from the arm.
2. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into place
until a click is heard.
Replace wiper blades at least once
per year for optimum performance.
Poor wiper quality can be improved
by cleaning the wiper blades and
the windshield, refer toWindows
and wiper bladesin theCleaningchapter.
To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
Maintenance and Specifications
281

When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the end
walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps, resulting in
personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery. Lift the battery
with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle's engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift lever in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start
the engine.
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. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
²The vehicle may need to be driven to relearn the idle and fuel trim
strategy.
²If 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.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the
transmission must relearn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation to its
optimum shift feel.
Maintenance and Specifications
287

²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²
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.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8±10 miles (12±16 km) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
Maintenance and Specifications
301

BRAKE FLUID
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels below the ªMAXº 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 authorized dealer immediately.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
The automatic transmission does not have an underhood transmission
fluid dipstick.
Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationfor 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 an authorized dealer.
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
305

Replace the spark plugs with ones that meet Ford material and
design specifications for your vehicle, such as Motorcraft or
equivalent replacement parts. The customer warranty may be void
for any damage to the engine if such spark plugs are not used.
REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Brake fluid Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Engine oil
(including filter
change)
5
Motorcraft SAE
5W-30 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-30 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)4.0L engine 5.0 quarts
(4.7L)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)4.6L engine 6.0 quarts
(5.7L)
Fuel tank N/A All 22.5 gallons
(85.2L)
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FAll Fill between the
MIN and MAX
lines on
reservoir
Transmission
fluid
1Motorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FAutomatic
transmission
(5R55S)13.0 quarts
(12.3L)2
Maintenance and Specifications
308

an automatic transmission application requiring MERCONtSP may cause
transmission damage. Use of a transmission fluid other than the
recommended fluid may cause transmission damage. Refer to your
scheduled maintenance informationto determine the correct service
interval.
2Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary
based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount
of transmission fluid and fluid level should be checked by a qualified
technician.
3Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
5Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine
oil need only have the API Certification mark and meet the requirements
of Ford specification WSS-M2C929-A (4.0L) or WSS-M2C930-A (4.6L).
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
ItemFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Brake fluidMotorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1 ESA-M6C25-A
Body hinges,
latches, door
striker plates
and rotors, seat
tracks, fuel filler
door hinge and
spring, hood
latch, auxiliary
latch, seat
tracksMulti-Purpose
GreaseXG±4 or XL±5 ESB-M1C93±B
Door
weatherstripsSilicone Spray
LubricantXL-6 ESR-M13P4-A
Lock cylindersMotorcraft
Penetrating and
Lock LubricantXL-1 n one
Maintenance and Specifications
310

1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake type and gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR)
3. Vehicle line, series, body type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE CODE DESIGNATIONS
You can find a
transmission/transaxle code on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label. The following table tells you
which transmission or transaxle
each code represents.
Description Code
Five-speed automatic (5R55S) V
Six-speed automatic (6R60) X
Maintenance and Specifications
316

A
Accessory delay ..........................58
AdvanceTrac ..............................212
Air cleaner filter ...............306±307
Air conditioning ..........................37
Airbag supplemental
restraint system ........141, 150, 152
and child safety seats ............143
description ..............141, 150, 152
disposal ....................................155
driver airbag ............143, 151, 153
indicator light .................150, 155
operation .................143, 151, 153
passenger airbag .....143, 151, 153
side airbag ...............................150
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................288
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................210
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................21, 25, 29
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................218, 221
fluid, adding ............................305
fluid, checking ........................305
fluid, refill capacities ..............308
fluid, specification ..................313
Auxiliary power point .................55
Axle
lubricant specifications ..310, 313
refill capacities ........................308
B
Battery .......................................286acid, treating emergencies .....286
jumping a disabled battery ....256
maintenance-free ....................286
replacement, specifications ...307
servicing ..................................286
BeltMinder .................................136
Brakes ........................................210
anti-lock ...................................210
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................210
fluid, checking and adding ....305
fluid, refill capacities ..............308
fluid, specifications .........310, 313
lubricant specifications ..310, 313
parking ....................................211
shift interlock ..........................217
C
Calculating load ........................199
Capacities for refilling fluids ....308
Cargo cover ...........................94±95
Cassette tape player .............21, 25
Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................246
Child safety restraints ..............156
child safety belts ....................156
Child safety seats ......................160
attaching with tether straps ..164
in front seat ............................161
in rear seat ..............................161
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............270
instrument panel ....................272
interior .....................................273
interior trim ............................273
plastic parts ............................272
washing ....................................269
waxing .....................................269
Index
320