2006 FORD EXPLORER warning

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

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

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

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

Power mirrors .............................58
Power point .................................55
Power steering ..........................215
fluid, checking and adding ....304
fluid, refill capacity ................308
fluid, specifications .........310, 313
Power Windows ...........................57
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................216
R
Radio ................................21, 25, 29
Rear window defroster ...............41
Relays ........................................238
Remote entry system ...............101
illuminated entry ....................105
opening the trunk ...................102
Reverse sensing system ...........224
Roadside assistance ..................235
Roof rack .....................................97
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........140
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) ............126,
129±134
Safety Canopy ...........150, 152±153
Safety defects, reporting ..........268
Safety restraints ........126, 129±134
belt minder .............................136
extension assembly ................135
for adults .........................130±133
for children .....................155±156
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................127safety belt maintenance .........140
warning light and chime ........136
Safety seats for children ..........160
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................315
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............126
Seats ..........................................114
child safety seats ....................160
front seats ...............................115
heated ......................................119
memory seat ...................102, 118
Setting the clock
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................29
Snowplowing .................................8
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................307, 313
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............8
utility-type vehicles ....................8
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................310, 313
Speed control ..............................60
Starting your vehicle ........207, 209
jump starting ..........................256
Steering wheel
controls ......................................62
tilting .........................................53
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................53
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Driving .....................................230
Roadside Emergencies ...........246
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....186
Warning Displays ..........18, 77, 91
Index
324

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