2011 FORD EXPLORER check engine light

2. Leave the engine running until the coolant temperature gauge needle
moves away from the H range. After several minutes, if this does not
happen, follow the remaining steps.
3. Turn the engine off and wait for it to cool before checking the coolant
level.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
4. If the coolant level is normal, you may restart your engine and
continue on.
5. If the coolant is low, add coolant, restart the engine and take your
vehicle to an authorized dealer. SeeAdding engine coolantin this
chapter for more information.
Refer to fail-safe cooling for additional information.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling
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.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The coolant temperature warning light
will illuminate.
•The service engine soon
indicator will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
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inlet to close properly. If this action corrects the problem, the check fuel
fill inlet lamp or CHECK FUEL FILL INLET message may not reset
immediately. It may take several driving cycles for the check fuel fill inlet
lamp or CHECK FUEL FILL INLET message to turn off. A driving cycle
consists of an engine start-up (after four or more hours with the engine
off) followed by city/highway driving. Continuing to drive with the check
fuel fill inlet lamp or CHECK FUEL FILL INLET message on may cause
the service engine soon lamp to turn on as well.
WARNING:The fuel system may be under pressure. If you hear
a hissing sound near the fuel filler door (Easy Fuel™ “no cap”
fuel system), do not refuel until the sound stops. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out, which could cause serious personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED fuel or UNLEADED fuel blended with a maximum
of 10% ethanol. Do not use fuel ethanol (E85), diesel, methanol, leaded
fuel or any other fuel. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law and
could damage your vehicle.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based additives.
Note:Use of any fuel other than those recommended may cause
powertrain damage, a loss of vehicle performance, and repairs may not
be covered under warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
“Regular” unleaded gasoline with a
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
Some stations offer fuels posted as
“Regular” with an octane rating
below 87, particularly in high altitude areas. Fuels with octane levels
below 87 are not recommended.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your authorized dealer to
prevent any engine damage.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and Specifications
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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.
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Owner checks and services
Certain basic maintenance checks and inspections should be performed
by the owner or a service technician at the intervals indicated. Service
information and supporting specifications are provided in this owner’s
guide.
Any adverse condition should be brought to the attention of your dealer
or qualified service technician as soon as possible for the proper service
advice. The owner maintenance service checks are generally not covered
by warranties so you may be charged for labor, parts or fluids used.
Engine oil/coolant change intervals
Engine oilAs indicated by the message center (can be up
to one year or 10,000 miles [16,000 km])
Engine coolant,
initial change6 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
(whichever comes first)
Engine coolant,
after initial changeEvery 3 years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km)
Check every month
Engine oil level
Function of all interior and exterior lights
Tires for wear and proper pressure, including spare
Windshield washer fluid level
Check every six months
Battery connections; clean if necessary
Body and door drain holes for obstructions; clean if necessary
Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength
Door weatherstrips for wear; lubricate if necessary
Hinges/latches/outside locks for proper operation; lubricate if necessary
Parking brake for proper operation
Safety belts and seat latches for wear and function
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag, safety belt) for operation
Washer spray/wiper operation; clean or replace blades as necessary
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
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EXCEPTIONS
In addition, there are several exceptions to the Normal Schedule. They
are listed below:
Normal vehicle axle maintenance
❑Rear axles and power take-off (PTO) units containing synthetic fluid and light duty trucks equipped with Ford-design axles
are lubricated for life. These fluids are not to be checked or changed unless a leak is suspected, service is required or the
axle assembly has been submerged in water. The axle and PTO fluids should be changed anytime the axle and PTO have
been submerged in water. During extended trailer tow operation above 70°F (21°C) ambient and wide open throttle for
extended periods above 45 mph (72 km/h), non-synthetic rear axle fluids should be changed every 3,000 miles
(4,800 km) or three months, whichever occurs first. The 3,000 mile (4,800 km) fluid change interval may be waived if
the axle was filled with 75W140 synthetic gear fluid meeting Ford specification WSL-M2C192-A, part number F1TZ-19580-B
or equivalent. Add friction modifier XL-3 (EST-M2C118-A) or equivalent for complete refill of Traction-Lok rear axles (refer to
Maintenance product specifications and capacitiesin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for details). The axle fluid
should be changed anytime an axle has been submerged in water.
Police/Taxi/Livery vehicle axle maintenance
❑Change rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles (160,000 km). Rear axle fluid change may be waived if the axle was filled
with 75W140 synthetic gear fluid meeting Ford specification WSL-M2C192-A, part number FITZ-19580-B or equivalent. Add
four ounces (118 mL) of friction modifier XL-3 (EST-M2C118-A) or equivalent for complete refill of Traction-Lok rear axles.
The axle fluid should be changed anytime the axle has been submerged in water.
California fuel filter replacement
❑If the vehicle is registered in California, the California Air Resources Board has determined that the failure to perform this
maintenance item will not nullify the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the completion of the vehicle’s useful
life. Ford Motor Company, however, urges you to have all recommended maintenance services performed at the specified
intervals and to record all vehicle service.
Hot climate oil change intervals
❑If operating conditions are normal and you drive your vehicle under typical, everyday conditionsandyou are using an API
performance category oil of SL or later (for example SM, etc.) then you can follow the 7,500 mile (12,000 km) normal
service oil change intervals schedule. Vehicles operating in the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa or locations with
similar climates must follow the oil change interval of 3,000 mile (4,800 km) if the owner is using oils defined by the
American Petroleum Institute (API) performance category of API SK or earlier (for example SJ, etc.).
Engine air filter & cabin air filter replacement
❑Engine air filter and cabin air filter life is dependent on exposure to dusty and dirty conditions. Vehicles operated in these
conditions will require frequent inspection and replacement of the engine air filter and cabin air filter.
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A
Accessory delay ..........................99
Active Park Assist .....................303
Adaptive Cruise Control ...........105
AdvanceTrac ..............................277
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................197, 206, 208
and child safety seats ............199
description ..............197, 206, 208
disposal ....................................211
driver airbag ............199, 206, 209
indicator light .................205, 210
operation .................199, 206, 209
passenger airbag .....199, 206, 209
side airbag ...............................206
Air cleaner filter .......406–407, 410
Air conditioning ..............63, 66, 68
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................63
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................316
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................385
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................274–275
Anti-theft system ..............154, 158
arming the system ..........154, 158
disarming a triggered
system .....................................158
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................288
fluid, adding ............................404
fluid, checking ........................404
fluid, refill capacities ..............411
fluid, specification ..................411Selectshift (SST) ....................291
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....60
Auxiliary power point .................96
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........411
refill capacities ........................411
B
Battery .......................................382
acid, treating emergencies .....382
jumping a disabled battery ....354
maintenance-free ....................382
replacement, specifications ...410
servicing ..................................382
Belt-Minder.............................193
Blind Spot Information
System .......................................310
Blind spot mirror ......................309
Booster seats .............................228
Brakes ........................................274
anti-lock ...........................274–275
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................275
fluid, checking and adding ....404
fluid, refill capacities ..............411
fluid, specifications .................411
lubricant specifications ..........411
parking ....................................276
shift interlock ..........................287
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....411
Car2UHome Automation
System .......................................116
Cargo net ...................................122
Cell phone use ............................10
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idle speed control ...................382
lubrication specifications .......411
refill capacities ........................411
service points ..........................377
Engine block heater .................273
Engine oil ..................................380
checking and adding ..............380
dipstick ....................................380
filter, specifications ........381, 410
recommendations ...................381
refill capacities ........................411
specifications ..........................411
Event data recording ....................8
Exhaust fumes ..........................272
F
Fail safe cooling ........................390
Fleet MyKey programming ......132
Floor mats .................................122
Fluid capacities .........................411
Fog lamps ....................................78
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................316
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................286
Fuel ............................................392
calculating fuel economy .......398
cap ...........................................394
capacity ...................................411
choosing the right fuel ...........395
detergent in fuel .....................396
filler funnel .............................396
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................392, 394, 398
filter, specifications ........391, 410
fuel pump shut-off ..................327
improving fuel economy ........398
octane rating ...................395, 414quality ......................................396
running out of fuel .........353, 396
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................392
Fuses ..................................327–328
G
Garage door opener ..................116
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............394
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................398
Gauges .........................................21
H
Hazard flashers .........................326
Headlamps ...................................77
aiming ........................................80
autolamp system .......................77
bulb specifications ....................85
daytime running lights .............79
flash to pass ..............................78
high beam .................................78
turning on and off ....................77
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................63, 66, 68
Hill descent mode .....................283
Hill start assist ..........................292
Hood ..........................................376
I
Ignition ...............................267, 414
Illuminated visor mirror .............94
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................216
Index
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