2009 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC brake fluid

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.”
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SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
•Use thescheduled maintenance informationto track routine
service.
•Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications.
•Your authorized dealer can provide parts and service.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
•Do not work on a hot engine.
•Make sure that nothing gets caught in moving parts.
•Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
•Keep all open flames and other burning (cigarettes) material away
from the battery and all fuel related parts.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Block the wheels.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of vehicle damage and/or
personal burn injuries, do not start your engine with the air
cleaner removed and do not remove it while the engine is running.
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IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
4.0L SOHC V6 engine
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. Engine oil dipstick (out of view)
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Power distribution box
5. Battery
6. Power steering fluid reservoir
7. Radiator cap
8. Engine coolant reservoir
9. Air filter assembly
10. Washer fluid reservoir
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4.6L V8 engine
1. Air filter assembly
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Engine oil dipstick
4. Brake fluid reservoir
5. Power distribution box
6. Battery
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Radiator cap
9. Engine coolant reservoir
10. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
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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. Refer toMaintenance product specifications
and capacitiesin this chapter for the proper fluid type.
BRAKE FLUID
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the “MIN” and
“MAX” lines 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 the
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
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MAINTENANCE PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS AND CAPACITIES
Item CapacityFord Part Name
or equivalentFord Part Number / Ford
Specification
Brake fluidBetween MIN
and MAX on
reservoirMotorcraft High
Performance DOT 3
Motor Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1-C /
WSS-M6C62-A or WSS-M6C65-A1
Body hinges,
latches, door
striker plates and
rotors, seat tracks,
fuel filler door
hinge and spring,
hood latch,
auxiliary latch, seat
tracks—Multi-Purpose
GreaseXG-4 or XL-5 /
ESB-M1C93-B
Door weatherstrips —Silicone Spray
LubricantXL-6 /
ESR-M13P4-A
Lock cylinders —Motorcraft
Penetrating and
Lock LubricantXL-1 /
None
Engine coolant
4.0L engine12.2 quarts
(11.5L)Motorcraft Premium
Gold Engine Coolant
with bittering agent
(yellow-colored)
1
VC-7-B /
WSS-M97B51-A1
Engine coolant
4.6L engine13.9 quarts
(13.2L)
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A
Accessory delay ..........................73
AdvanceTrac ..............................235
Air cleaner filter ...............335–336
Air conditioning ..........................52
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................159, 168, 170
and child safety seats ............161
description ..............159, 168, 170
disposal ....................................174
driver airbag ............161, 169, 171
indicator light .................168, 173
operation .................161, 169, 171
passenger airbag .....161, 169, 171
side airbag ...............................168
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................252
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................315
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................232–233
Anti-theft system ......................129
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................21, 25, 33
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................243, 246
fluid, adding ............................333
fluid, checking ........................333
fluid, refill capacities ..............337
fluid, specification ..................337
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....41
Auxiliary power point .................70
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........337refill capacities ........................337
B
Battery .......................................313
acid, treating emergencies .....313
jumping a disabled battery ....281
maintenance-free ....................313
replacement, specifications ...336
servicing ..................................313
Belt-Minder.............................154
Booster seats .............................188
Brakes ........................................232
anti-lock ...........................232–233
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................233
fluid, checking and adding ....333
fluid, refill capacities ..............337
fluid, specifications .................337
lubricant specifications ..........337
parking ....................................233
shift interlock ..........................242
C
Calculating load ........................219
Capacities for refilling fluids ....337
Cargo cage .................................111
Cargo management system ......115
Cell phone use ..............................9
Changing a tire .........................271
Child safety seats ......................178
attaching with tether
straps .......................................185
in front seat ............................179
in rear seat ..............................179
LATCH .....................................182
recommendations ...................176
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Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................337
Speed control ..............................78
Starting your
vehicle ........................227–228, 230
jump starting ..........................281
Steering wheel
controls ......................................81
tilting .........................................67
SYNC..........................................49
T
Tailgate ......................................110
Tilt steering wheel ......................67
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Driving .....................................257
Roadside Emergencies ...........271
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....209
Warning Displays ........12, 93, 106
Tires ...........................194–195, 271
alignment ................................202
care ..........................................198
changing ..........................271, 276
checking the pressure ............198
inflating ...................................196
label .........................................208
replacing ..........................200, 276
rotating ....................................202
safety practices .......................201
sidewall information ...............203
snow tires and chains ............213
spare tire .........................272, 274
terminology .............................195
tire grades ...............................195
treadwear ........................194, 199
Tonneau cover ...........................112
Towing .......................................220recreational towing .................226
trailer towing ..........................220
wrecker ....................................286
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................334
Transmission .............................242
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....242
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................333
fluid, refill capacities ..............337
lubricant specifications ..........337
Trunk .........................................114
Turn signal ..................................60
U
USB port ......................................43
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................342
Vehicle loading ..........................213
camper bodies ........................225
Ventilating your vehicle ...........230
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................307
Water, Driving through .............261
Windows
power .........................................71
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................66
checking and adding fluid .....307
replacing wiper blades ...........308
Wrecker towing .........................286
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