2012 FORD EXPLORER checking oil

Maintenance
MessagesAction / Description
LOW ENGINE OIL
PRESSUREStop the vehicle as soon as safely possible,
turn off the engine. Check the oil level. See
Checking 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 SOONDisplayed when the engine oil life remaining is
10% or less.
OIL CHANGE
REQUIREDDisplayed when the oil life left reaches 0%.
ENGINE COOLANT
OVER TEMPDisplayed when the engine coolant
temperature is excessively high.
WASHER FLUID
LEVEL LOWIndicates the washer fluid reservoir is less than
one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level.
Refer toWindshield washer fluidin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter.
POWER STEERING
ASSIST FAULTThe power steering system has disabled power
steering assist due to a system error, service is
required.
SERVICE POWER
STEERINGThe power steering system has detected a
condition that requires service.
SERVICE POWER
STEERING NOWThe power steering system has detected a
condition within the power steering system
that requires service immediately.
STEERING
MALFUNCTION
SERVICE NOWContact your authorized dealer.
Instrument Cluster
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3. To attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm, align the slot (1) and
cross pin (2) and firmly press the
wiper arm into the wiper blade until
a click is heard.
If you find this procedure too difficult, please see your dealer.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil level dipstick. See
Identifying components in the
engine compartmentin this
chapter for location of dipstick.
6. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert the dipstick fully, then remove it again.
•If the oil level isbetween the lower and upper holes,the oil level
is acceptable,DO NOT ADD OIL.
•If the oil level is below the lower hole, add enough oil to raise the
level within the lower and upper holes.
•Oil levels above the upper hole may cause engine damage. Some oil
must be removed from the engine by an authorized dealer.
7. Put the dipstick back in and ensure it is fully seated.
2
1
Maintenance and Specifications
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Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
upper hole on the engine oil level dipstick.
4. Install the dipstick and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
until three clicks can be heard.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level dipstick and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Engine oil and filter recommendations
2.0L EcoBoost™ engine
Look for this certification
trademark.
Use SAE 5W-30 engine oil
Only use oils certified for gasoline engines by the American Petroleum
Institute (API). An oil with this trademark symbol conforms to the
current engine and emission system protection standards and fuel
economy requirements of the International Lubricant Standardization and
Approval Committee (ILSAC), comprised of U.S. and Japanese
automobile manufacturers.
To protect your engine and engine’s warranty, use MotorcraftSAE
5W-30 or an equivalent SAE 5W-30 oil meeting Ford specification
WSS-M2C946-A. Refer toMaintenance product specifications and
capacitieslater in this section for more information.
Maintenance and Specifications
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Note:Electrical or electronic accessories added to the vehicle by the
dealer or the owner 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. After battery replacement, or
in some cases after charging the battery with an external charger, the
BMS requires eight hours of vehicle sleep time (key off with doors
closed) to relearn the new battery state of charge. Prior to relearning
state of charge, the BMS may disable electrical features (to protect the
battery) earlier than normal.
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.
For best results, coolant concentration should be tested with a
refractometer such as Rotunda tool 300-ROB75240E available from your
dealer. Ford does not recommend the use of hydrometers or coolant test
strips for measuring coolant concentration. 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.
Maintenance and Specifications
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Changing a tire .........................334
Child safety seats ......................212
in front seat ............................212
in rear seat ..............................212
LATCH .....................................218
recommendations ...................210
tether anchorage hardware ...220
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................224
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............358
instrument panel ....................360
interior .....................................361
plastic parts ............................359
washing ....................................356
waxing .....................................357
wheels ......................................357
wiper blades ............................359
Climate control
(see Air conditioning or
Heating) ...........................60, 63, 65
Clock ............................................49
Collision Warning System .........297
Console ........................................90
overhead ....................................89
rear ............................................90
Controls
power seat ...............................157
steering column ......................108
Coolant
checking and adding ..............376
refill capacities ................379, 402
specifications ..........................402
Cross Traffic Alert ....................307
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................98
Customer Assistance ................322Ford Extended Service
Plan ..................................410, 413
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................352
Getting roadside assistance ...322
Getting the service you
need .........................................348
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................354
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................352
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................73
Defrost
rear window ..............................68
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..................................395, 397
engine oil .................................370
Driving under special
conditions ..................291, 314, 317
sand .........................................316
snow and ice ...........................318
through water .................316, 321
E
Electronic message center ...22, 26
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................343
running out of fuel .........342, 388
Emission control system ..........392
Engine ........................................405
cleaning ...................................358
coolant .....................................376
fail-safe cooling .......................381
Index
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idle speed control ...................373
lubrication specifications .......402
refill capacities ........................402
service points ..................366, 368
Engine block heater .................270
Engine oil ..................................370
checking and adding ..............370
dipstick ....................................370
filter, specifications ................401
refill capacities ........................402
specifications ..........................402
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................270
F
Fail safe cooling ........................381
Fleet MyKey programming ......127
Floor mats .........................117–118
Fluid capacities .........................402
Fog lamps ....................................72
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................313
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................283
Fuel ............................................383
calculating fuel economy .......389
cap ...........................................385
capacity ...................................402
choosing the right fuel ...........386
detergent in fuel .....................388
filler funnel .............................388
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................383, 385, 389
filter, specifications ........383, 401
fuel pump shut-off ..................324
improving fuel economy ........389
octane rating ...........................405
quality ......................................387running out of fuel .........342, 388
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................383
Fuses ..................................324–325
G
Garage door opener ..................111
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............385
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................389
Gauges .........................................19
H
Hazard flashers .........................323
Headlamps ...................................71
aiming ........................................74
autolamp system .......................71
bulb specifications ....................79
daytime running lights .............73
flash to pass ..............................73
high beam .................................72
turning on and off ....................71
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................60, 63, 65
Hill descent mode .....................280
Hill start assist ..........................290
Hood ..........................................365
I
Ignition ...............................264, 405
Illuminated visor mirror .............89
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................212
Index
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