2006 FORD EXPLORER oil temperature

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check Fuel CapLow Tire Pressure
Warning
Introduction
11

²Optional instrument cluster
Engine oil pressure:Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range. Check the oil level
and add oil if needed. Refer to
Engine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
Engine coolant temperature:Illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature is high. Stop the vehicle as soon as possible, switch off the
engine and let cool. Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
²Standard instrument cluster
²Optional instrument cluster
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
Low tire pressure warning:
Illuminates when your tire pressure is
low. If the light remains ON at start
up or while driving, the tire pressure
should be checked. Refer to
Inspecting and Inflating Your Tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loading
chapter. When the ignition is first turned to ON, the light will illuminate for
3 seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does not turn ON,
have the system inspected by your authorized dealer. For more information
on this system, refer toUnderstanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring
Systemin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Instrument Cluster
15

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

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

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