2009 FORD EXPLORER check transmission fluid

CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM— Displayed when the electrical system
is not maintaining proper voltage when the engine is running. If you are
operating electrical accessories when the engine is idling at a low speed,
turn off as many of the electrical loads as soon as possible. If the
warning stays on or comes on when the engine is operating at normal
speeds, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
FUEL LEVEL LOW— Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED— Displayed when the manual park brake is
set, the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than 3 mph
(5 km/h). If the warning stays on after the park brake is released,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM— Displayed when the braking system is not
operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK PARK AID (if equipped)— Displayed when the transmission
is in R (Reverse) and the Reverse Sensing System (Park Aid) is disabled.
Refer toReverse Sensing System (Park Aid)in this section to enable.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE— Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating your tiresin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT— Displayed when the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT— Displayed when a tire pressure
sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more
information on how the system operates under these conditions, refer to
Understanding your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW— Indicates the brake fluid level is low
and the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake
fluidin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
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Driver Controls
148

Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD and 4WD vehicles can lose traction in
slick mud. As when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator
slowly and avoid spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in
the direction of the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills.A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
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Driving
306

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.
TRANSFER CASE FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Turn off the
power running boards, if
equipped, before working under
the vehicle, jacking or placing any
object under the vehicle. Never
place your hand between the
extended running board and the
vehicle. A moving running board
may cause injury.
1. Clean the filler plug.
2. Remove the filler plug and inspect the fluid level.
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Maintenance and Specifications
388

Item CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number / Ford
Specification
Transfer case fluid
(AWD)1.3 quarts
(1.25L)Motorcraft Transfer
Case FluidXL–12 /
—
Windshield washer
fluid4.2 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.4Use of a dual usage fluid in an automatic transmission requiring MERCON
V may cause
transmission damage. Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission
damage. Refer toscheduled maintenance informationto determine the correct service interval.
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Maintenance and Specifications
395

A
Accessory delay ........................107
AdvanceTrac ..............................282
Air cleaner filter ...............389–391
Air conditioning ..........................84
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................204, 213, 215
and child safety seats ............206
description ..............204, 213, 215
disposal ....................................218
driver airbag ............206, 214, 216
indicator light .................213, 218
operation .................206, 214, 216
passenger airbag .....206, 214, 216
side airbag ...............................213
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................300
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................368
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................280
Anti-theft system ......................166
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................21, 25, 33
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................290, 293
fluid, adding ............................388
fluid, checking ........................388
fluid, refill capacities ..............392
fluid, specification ..................392
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....41
Auxiliary power point ...............104
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........392refill capacities ........................392
B
Battery .......................................366
acid, treating emergencies .....366
jumping a disabled battery ....331
maintenance-free ....................366
replacement, specifications ...391
servicing ..................................366
Belt-Minder
.............................199
Booster seats .............................234
Brakes ........................................279
anti-lock ...................................280
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................280
fluid, checking and adding ....387
fluid, refill capacities ..............392
fluid, specifications .................392
lubricant specifications ..........392
parking ....................................281
shift interlock ..........................289
C
Calculating load ........................266
Capacities for refilling fluids ....392
Cargo cover ...............................150
Cargo management system ......151
Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................321
Child safety seats ......................223
attaching with tether straps ..231
in front seat ............................224
in rear seat ..............................224
LATCH .....................................227
recommendations ...................221
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................234
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Index
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Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............349
instrument panel ....................351
interior .....................................352
plastic parts ............................350
washing ....................................347
waxing .....................................348
wheels ......................................348
wiper blades ............................350
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............84
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................35
AM/FM/CD .................................27
Compass, electronic ..................129
calibration ...............................130
set zone adjustment .......130, 144
Console ..............................103–104
overhead ..................................102
rear ..........................................104
Controls
power seat ...............................174
steering column ......................114
Coolant
checking and adding ..............368
refill capacities ................372, 392
specifications ..........................392
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ..................111
Customer Assistance ................310
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................343
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................344
Getting roadside assistance ...310
Getting the service you
need .........................................339
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................345Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................343
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................90
Defrost
rear window ..............................88
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................388
engine oil .................................361
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................389
Driving under special
conditions ..................296, 303, 306
sand .........................................305
snow and ice ...........................307
through water .................306, 309
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) ...........................84
DVD system .................................49
E
Electronic message
center .................................123, 135
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................331
running out of fuel .........331, 379
Emergency Flashers .................311
Emission control system ..........384
Engine ........................................396
cleaning ...................................349
coolant .....................................368
fail-safe cooling .......................373
idle speed control ...................366
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Index
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SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................166
Setting the clock
AM/FM single CD .....................27
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................35
Snowplowing .................................8
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................391, 396
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............8
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................392
Speed control ............................111
Starting your
vehicle ........................274–275, 277
jump starting ..........................331
Steering wheel
controls ....................................114
tilting .......................................101
SYNC ............................................81
T
Tilt steering wheel ....................101
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Driving .....................................305
Roadside Emergencies ...........321
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....255
Warning Displays ......12, 131, 146
Tires ...........................240–241, 321
alignment ................................249
care ..........................................245
changing ..........................321, 326
checking the pressure ............245
inflating ...................................242
label .........................................254replacing ..........................246, 326
rotating ....................................249
safety practices .......................248
sidewall information ...............250
snow tires and chains ............260
spare tire .................321, 324–325
terminology .............................242
tire grades ...............................241
treadwear ........................241, 245
Towing .......................................267
recreational towing .................273
trailer towing ..........................267
wrecker ....................................337
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................388
Transmission .............................289
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....289
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................388
fluid, refill capacities ..............392
lubricant specifications ..........392
Turn signal ..................................93
U
USB port ......................................43
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................397
Vehicle loading ..........................260
Ventilating your vehicle ...........277
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................359
Water, Driving through .............309
Windows ....................................161
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Index
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