2011 FORD EXPLORER coolant level

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Service Engine SoonEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check Fuel CapLow Tire Pressure
Warning
Introduction
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•Engine coolant temperature
gauge (if enabled):Indicates
engine coolant temperature. At
normal operating temperature,
the level indicator will be in the
normal range. The indicator will
change colors indicating blue for
cool, gray for normal and red for
hot. If the engine coolant
temperature exceeds the normal
range, stop the vehicle as soon as
safely possible, switch off the engine and let then engine cool.
The engine coolant temperature gauge can be enabled or disabled. See
Base message centerin this chapter for information on changing the
display settings.
•4WD gauge (if equipped and
enabled):Indicates 4WD status.
SeeFour wheel drive (4wd)
systemin theDrivingchapter for
information.
3.Speedometer:Indicates the current vehicle speed.
4.Fuel gauge:Indicates approximately how much fuel is left in the fuel
tank (when the ignition is in the on position). The fuel gauge may vary
slightly when the vehicle is in motion or on a grade. The fuel icon and
arrow indicates which side of the vehicle the fuel filler door is located.
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Instrument Cluster
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Optional cluster
Shown in standard measure. Metric similar.
1.Multifunction display:This displays the fuel gauge, tachometer,
engine coolant temperature, odometer/trip meter and other vehicle
features. This is also used to configure different vehicle personalization
options and display the status of various vehicle functions. SeeUplevel
message centerin this chapter for more information.
2.Speedometer:Indicates the current vehicle speed.
3.Infotainment display:This display is used for the entertainment,
phone, navigation and climate systems. See theMyFord Touch
supplement for more information.
BASE MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle
control, accident and injury. Ford strongly recommends that
drivers use extreme caution when using any device or feature that may
take their focus off the road. Your primary responsibility is the safe
operation of the vehicle. We recommend against the use of any handheld
device while driving and that you comply with all applicable laws.
Your vehicle’s message center is capable of monitoring many vehicle
systems and will alert you to potential vehicle problems and various
conditions with informational messages and/or warnings.
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Instrument Cluster
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SERVICE ADVANCETRAC— Displayed when the AdvanceTrac
system has detected a condition that requires service. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
SHIFT TO PARK— Displayed when the start/stop button is pressed to
shut off the engine with the shift select lever in any position other than
P (Park). Refer toFast restart featureinPush button start systemin
theDrivingchapter for more information.
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE— Stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible, turn off the engine. Check the oil level. SeeChecking the
engine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on with your engine running,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON— Displayed when the engine oil life
remaining is 10% or less.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED— Displayed when the oil life left reaches 0%.
ENGINE COOLANT OVER TEMP— Displayed when the engine
coolant temperature is excessively high.
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 Specificationschapter.
TURN POWER OFF TO SAVE BATTERY (if equipped)— Displayed
when the electrical system determines that the battery is at a low level.
Turn off as many of the electrical loads as soon as possible to prevent
automatic shutdown of certain vehicle accessories.
LOW BATTERY FEATURES TEMPORARILY TURNED OFF (if
equipped)— Displayed when the electrical system determines that the
battery is at a low level. Various vehicle features will be disabled to help
preserve the battery. When the vehicle is started or if the battery power
has recovered, the accessories will operate again as normal.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT— Displayed when the tire pressure
monitoring system is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or continues to
come on, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
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.
BUCKLE UP TO UNMUTE AUDIO— Displayed when a MyKey™ is in
use and Belt-Minderis activated. Refer toMyKey™in theLocks and
Securitychapter for more information.
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•Fuel gauge: Indicates approximately how much fuel is left in the fuel
tank. The fuel gauge may vary slightly when the vehicle is in motion
or on a grade. When the fuel level becomes low (50 miles [80 km] to
empty), the level indicator will change to amber. When the fuel level
becomes critically low (0 miles [0 km] to empty), the level indicator
will change to red.
Note:When a MyKey™ is in use, low fuel warnings will display
earlier.
•Bar tachometer: Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer pointer continuously at the top of the
scale may damage the engine.
Round analog tachometer +
Fuel gauge
For descriptions of the tachometer and fuel gauge, see the description
listed previously.
Round analog tachometer +
Fuel gauge + Engine coolant
temperature gauge
For descriptions of the tachometer
and fuel gauge, see the description
listed previously.
•Engine coolant temperature
gauge: Indicates engine coolant
temperature. At normal operating
temperature, the level indicator
will be in the normal range. If the engine coolant temperature exceeds
the normal range, stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, switch
off the engine and let the engine cool.
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Instrument Cluster
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CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM— Displayed when the brake system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED— Displayed when the parking 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 parking brake is released,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM— Displayed when the charging system
needs servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact
your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
TURN POWER OFF TO SAVE BATTERY (if equipped)— Displayed
when the electrical system determines that the battery is at a low level.
Turn off as many of the electrical loads as soon as possible to prevent
automatic shutdown of certain vehicle accessories.
LOW BATTERY FEATURES TEMPORARILY TURNED OFF (if
equipped)— Displayed when the electrical system determines that the
battery is at a low level. Various vehicle features will be disabled to help
preserve the battery. When the vehicle is started or if the battery power
has recovered, the accessories will operate again as normal.
SERVICE ADVANCETRAC— Displayed when the AdvanceTrac
system has detected a condition that requires service. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
SHIFT TO PARK— Displayed when the start/stop button is pressed to
shut off the engine with the shift select lever in any position other than
P (Park). Refer toFast restart featureinPush button start systemin
theDrivingchapter for more information.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON— Displayed when the engine oil life
remaining is 10% or less.
ENGINE COOLANT OVER TEMP— Displayed when the engine
coolant temperature is excessively high.
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE— Stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible, turn off the engine. Check the oil level. SeeChecking the
engine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on with your engine running,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED— Displayed when the oil life left reaches
0%.
Instrument Cluster
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WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the
level is low. In very cold weather, do
not fill the reservoir completely.
Only use a washer fluid that meets Ford specifications. Do not use any
special washer fluid such as windshield water repellent type fluid or bug
wash. They may cause squeaking, chatter noise, streaking and smearing.
Refer to theMaintenance product specifications and capacities
section in this chapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging the
vehicle’s paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
WARNING:If you operate your vehicle in temperatures below
40°F (5°C), use washer fluid with antifreeze protection. Failure
to use washer fluid with antifreeze protection in cold weather could
result in impaired windshield vision and increase the risk of injury or
accident.
Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling
system components.
Checking and adding washer fluid for the liftgate
Washer fluid for the liftgate is supplied by the same reservoir as the
windshield.
Maintenance and Specifications
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Note:Electrical or electronic accessories added to the vehicle may
adversely affect battery performance and durability and may also affect
the performance of other electrical systems in the vehicle.
When a battery replacement is required, the battery should only be
replaced with a Ford recommended replacement battery that matches
the electrical requirements of the vehicle.
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.
Coolant concentration testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze
tester. The level of coolant should be maintained within the COLD FILL
RANGE 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:
•Improved freeze protection
•Improved boiling protection
•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.
The engine coolant should be within
the COLD FILL RANGE as listed on
the engine coolant reservoir.
Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor service interval
schedules.
Maintenance and Specifications
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