2010 FORD EXPLORER coolant temperature

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 “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
Fail-safe cooling and engine oil overheat mode (4.6L V8 only)
If the engine coolant and/or engine oil overheat, the vehicle’s fail-safe
modes will reduce engine power to limit engine damage, even with a
total loss of coolant. The vehicle’s range and/or speed will be reduced,
depending on vehicle load, terrain, and outside temperatures.
The instrument cluster provides warnings for each mode.
•Fail-Safe Cooling Mode:The
(Service engine
soon),
(Engine oil pressure), and(Engine coolant
temperature) indicators will be on.
Along with these warning indicators, the engine coolant temperature
gauge will read in the Hot (H) area.
If the engine coolant reaches even hotter temperatures, fail-safe
cooling mode limits engine power more and disables air conditioning.
The engine will switch to alternating cylinder operation to help cool
the engine. The engine will run rough in this mode.
If continued operation increases the engine coolant temperature to a
critical range, the engine will shut down. Steering and braking effort
will increase. Once engine coolant temperature cools, the engine can
be restarted.
•Engine Oil Overheat Mode:The
(Engine coolant temperature)
indicator will be on. The instrument cluster has no separate oil
temperature indicator.
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
366
2010 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)

POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer toscheduled maintenance
information.
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
380
2010 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................229
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............342
instrument panel ....................344
interior .....................................345
plastic parts ............................343
washing ....................................340
waxing .....................................341
wheels ......................................341
wiper blades ............................343
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ..........101
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................52
AM/FM/CD .................................45
Compass, electronic
calibration .................................27
set zone adjustment ...........27, 36
Console ..............................120–121
overhead ..................................119
rear ..........................................121
Controls
power seat ...............................170
steering column ......................130
Coolant
checking and adding ..............361
refill capacities ................365, 385
specifications ..........................385
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ..................128
Customer Assistance ................305
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................395
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................337
Getting roadside assistance ...305
Getting the service you
need .........................................333Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................338
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................337
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ..............................107
Defrost
rear window ............................105
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................380
engine oil .................................354
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................382
Driving under special
conditions ..................291, 298, 302
sand .........................................300
snow and ice ...........................303
through water .................301, 304
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) .........................101
DVD system .................................66
E
Electronic message center ...21, 30
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................325
running out of fuel .........325, 372
Emergency Flashers .................306
Emission control system ..........377
Engine ........................................390
cleaning ...................................342
coolant .....................................361
fail-safe cooling .......................366
Index
399
2010 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)