2012 FORD EXPLORER coolant reservoir

Engine coolant temperature
(RTT):Illuminates when the engine
coolant temperature is high. Stop
the vehicle as soon as possible, switch off the engine and let cool. Refer
toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
Speed control (RTT):The speed
control system indicator light
changes color to indicate what mode
the system is in:
•On (gray light):Illuminates
when the speed control system is turned on. Turns off when the speed
control system is turned off.
•Engaged (green light):Illuminates when the speed control system is
engaged. Turns off when the speed control system is disengaged.
Adaptive cruise control (RTT)
(if equipped):The speed control
system indicator light changes color
to indicate what mode the system is
in:
•On (gray light):Illuminates when the adaptive cruise control system
is turned on. Turns off when the speed control system is turned off.
•Engaged (green light):Illuminates when the adaptive cruise control
system is engaged. Turns off when the speed control system is
disengaged.
Door ajar (RTT):Displays when
the ignition is on and any door is
not completely closed.
Instrument Cluster
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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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IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
3.5L V6 engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Brake fluid reservoir
3. Battery
4. Power distribution box
5. Air filter assembly
6. Transmission fluid dipstick (out of view)
7. Engine oil dipstick
8. Engine oil filler cap
9. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
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2.0L EcoBoost™ engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Brake fluid reservoir
3. Battery
4. Power distribution box
5. Air filter assembly
6. Engine oil filler cap
7. Engine oil dipstick
8. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
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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.
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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.
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The engine coolant should be within
the COLD FILL RANGE as listed on
the engine coolant reservoir.
Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor service interval
schedules.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If the reservoir is
low or empty, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer toAdding
engine coolantin this chapter.
Note:Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant/antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
Adding engine coolant
When adding coolant, make sure it is a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and distilled water. Add the mixture to the coolant reservoir,when the
engine is cool,until the appropriate fill level is obtained. If coolant is
filled to the COLD FILL RANGE or FULL COLD level when the engine is
not cool, the system will remain underfilled.
WARNING:Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot.
Steam and scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system
can burn you badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts.
WARNING:Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer
fluid container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant
could make it difficult to see through the windshield.
•DO NOT MIXdifferent colors or types of coolant in your vehicle.
Make sure the correct coolant is used. Mixing of engine coolants may
harm your engine’s cooling system. The use of an improper coolant
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may harm engine and cooling system components and may void the
warranty. Refer toMaintenance product specifications and
capacitiesin this chapter.
Note:Do not use stop leak pellets or cooling system sealants/additives
as they can cause damage to the engine cooling and/or heating systems.
This damage would not be covered under your vehicle’s warranty.
•A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained, chemically cleaned with Motorcraft
Premium Cooling System Flush, and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
distilled water to the FULL COLD level. For all other vehicles which have
a coolant degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to
remove the coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with
an overflow system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the
engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap.
The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
Add the proper mixture of coolant and water to the cooling system by
following these steps:
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
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