2008 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC check oil

CHECK HIGHBEAM LAMP.Displayed when the highbeam lamps are
activated and at least one bulb is burned out. Check the lamps as soon
as possible and have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer toReplacing
headlamp bulbsin theLightschapter.
CHECK TURN LAMP.Displayed when the turn lamps are activated and
at least one bulb is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as possible and
have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer toReplacing headlamp bulbs
in theLightschapter.
WASHER FLUID LEVEL LOW.Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is
less than one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluidin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED.Displayed when the engine oil life
remaining is 0%.
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center and
according to the recommended maintenance schedule. USE ONLY
RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON.Displayed when the engine oil life
reaches 5% or less of the Oil Life Start Value.
FOR 4X4 LOW STOP VEHICLE (if equipped).Displayed when 4X4
LOW is selected while the vehicle is moving. For more information, refer
toControl trac four-wheel drive (4x4) operationin theDriving
chapter.
FOR 4X4 LOW SHIFT TO N (if equipped).Displayed when 4X4 LOW
is selected and the vehicle is stopped. For more information, refer to
Control trac four-wheel drive (4x4) operationin theDrivingchapter.
TO EXIT 4X4 LOW STOP VEHICLE (if equipped).Displayed when
2WD is selected while the vehicle is operating in 4X4 LOW. For more
information, refer toControl trac four-wheel drive (4x4) operationin
theDrivingchapter.
TO EXIT 4X4 LOW SHIFT TO N (if equipped).Displayed when 2WD
is selected while the vehicle has been stopped in 4X4 LOW. For more
information, refer toControl trac four-wheel drive (4x4) operationin
theDrivingchapter.
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Driver Controls
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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.
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•4.0L V6 engine
•4.6L V8 engine
•Oil levels above the upper hole may cause engine damage. Some oil
must be removed from the engine by an authorized dealer.
7. Put the dipstick back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
upper hole on the engine oil level dipstick.
4. Install the dipstick and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
until three clicks can be heard.
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•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
intervals listed inscheduled maintenance information.The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled water,
which equates to a freeze point of -34°F (-36°C). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the “FULL COLD” level in the coolant reservoir.
If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions in theAdding
engine coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50–50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -34°F (-36°C).
•Boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
When the engine is cold, check the level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
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Along with the(Engine coolant temperature) indicator, the engine
coolant temperature gauge will read in the Hot (H) area.
Oil overheat can be triggered in severe driving conditions, such as
towing heavy loads over mountainous terrain in extreme hot
temperatures. As oil temperature increases, engine and vehicle speed
will be limited. The transmission will also shift differently.
When the engine oil has cooled, the vehicle will perform normally.
When fail-safe cooling mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. 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.
3. If this is not possible, wait approximately 15 minutes for the engine to
cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low. Look for coolant leakage
in the engine compartment and under the vehicle.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
5. Restart the engine and take your vehicle to an authorized dealer.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
FUEL FILTER
For fuel filter replacement, see your authorized dealer. Refer to
scheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate intervals for
changing the fuel filter.
Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.
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•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example; bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
authorized dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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Item CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number /
Ford Specification
Power steering fluidFill between the
MIN and MAX
lines on reservoirMotorcraft MERCON
V
AT FXT-5-QM /
MERCON
V
Windshield washer fluid 4.2 quarts (4.0L)Motorcraft Premium
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateZC-32-A /
WSB-M8B16-A2
Fuel tank22.5 gallons
(85.2L)——
1Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.2Use 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).3Indicates 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.4Automatic transmissions that require MERCON
V should only use MERCON
V fluid or fluid that
is specified dual usage MERCON
/MERCON
V. Refer toscheduled maintenance informationto
determine the correct service interval. Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may
cause transmission damage.5Automatic transmissions that require MERCON
SP should only use MERCON
SP fluid. Use of a
dual usage fluid in an automatic transmission requiring MERCON
SP may cause transmission
damage. Refer toscheduled maintenance informationto determine the correct service interval.
Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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plastic parts ............................316
washing ....................................313
waxing .....................................314
wheels ......................................314
wiper blades ............................316
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............80
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................36
AM/FM/CD .................................28
Compass, electronic ..................118
calibration ...............................120
set zone adjustment .......119, 131
Console ......................................100
overhead ....................................97
Controls
power seat ...............................163
steering column ......................109
Coolant
checking and adding ..............333
refill capacities ................337, 355
specifications ..........................355
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ..................107
Customer Assistance ................280
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................309
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............310
Getting roadside assistance ...280
Getting the service you
need .........................................305
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................311
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................309D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................86
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................351
engine oil .................................326
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................352
Driving under special
conditions ..................269, 274, 277
sand .........................................276
snow and ice ...........................278
through water .................276, 279
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) ...........................80
DVD system .................................50
E
Electronic message center ......113,
124
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................299
Emergency Flashers .................281
Emission control system ..........348
Engine ........................................358
cleaning ...................................315
coolant .....................................333
fail-safe cooling .......................338
idle speed control ...................331
lubrication specifications .......355
refill capacities ........................355
service points ..................323–324
starting after a collision .........282
Engine block heater .................252
2008 07+ Explorer Sport Trac(esp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
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