Ford Explorer 1997 Service Guide

General maintenance information

Vehicle Identification Number:

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Owner name:
Address:

Phone:

Selling dealer name:
Address:

Phone:
Your satisfaction is our #1 goal. If you have questions or concerns about your vehicle, we

suggest you follow these steps:

1. Contact your Sales Representative or Service Advisor at your selling/servicing
dealership.

2. If the inquiry or concern remains unresolved, contact the Sales Manager or Service
Manager at the dealership.

3. If the inquiry or concern cannot be resolved at the dealership level, please contact the
Ford Customer Assistance Center.

In the US, contact:

TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-800-232-5952

In Canada, contact:

Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited

Outside the US or Canada, contact:

Ford Motor Company

Customer Assistance Center

300 Renaissance Center

P.O. Box 43360
Detroit, Michigan 48243
1-800-392-3673 (FORD)

Customer Assistance Center

P.O. Box 2000

Oakville, Ontario L6J 5E4

1-800-565-3673 (FORD)

Ford Motor Company

Worldwide Export Operations

1555 Fairlane Drive

Allen Park, Michigan 48101 U.S.A.

Telephone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

1

Table of contents

General maintenance information 3
Normal schedule 6
Severe duty schedule 19
Owner maintenance checks 38

2

General maintenance information

Maximum oil change interval

Normal Schedule: 8,000 km (5,000 miles) or six months, whichever
occurs first. Severe Duty Schedule: 5,000 km (3,000 miles) or three
months, whichever occurs first. See appropriate Schedule.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE INFORMATION

The required scheduled maintenance services listed in this guide are
considered essential to the proper operation, safety and performance of
your Ford Motor Company vehicle. We recommend that you also perform
the Owner Maintenance Checks listed. These services are matters of
day-to-day care that are also important to the proper operation of your
vehicle. The recommended lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to Ford Specifications are available from your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer.

This guide gives you a place to record the services that are performed on
your vehicle so that you can keep a record of when parts should be
checked or replaced. Give your “Service Guide” to your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury service manager.

Maintenance: An investment

Maintenance is an investment that will pay dividends in the form of
improved reliability, durability and resale value.

To assure the durability of your vehicle and its emission control systems,
it is necessary that scheduled maintenance be performed at the
designated intervals.

Ford strongly recommends the use of genuine Ford replacement parts. If
other than Ford or Motorcraft parts or Ford authorized remanufactured
parts are used for maintenance replacements or for the service of
components affecting emission control, the non-Ford parts should be
equivalent to genuine Ford Motor Company parts in performance and
durability. It is the owner’s responsibility to determine the equivalency of
such parts. Please consult your “Warranty Information Booklet” for
complete warranty information.

NO COST PCV VALVE REPLACEMENT

The PCV valve is a critical emission component. Your dealer will replace
the valve at no cost at 96,000 kilometers (60,000 miles), except in
Canada and California.

3

General maintenance information

Wheel lug nuts

Wheel lug nuts must be retightened to proper torque specifications at
800 km (500 miles) of new vehicle operation. Proper torque
specifications are provided in your “Owner’s Guide.” Also retighten to
proper torque specifications at 800 km (500 miles) after:

1. any wheel change, or

2. any other time the wheel lug nuts have been loosened.

PRE-DELIVERY SERVICE CHECK

❑ Pre-Delivery Service Inspection Completed
DEALER AUTHORIZATION

Date:

Mileage:

WHAT MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE SHOULD YOU FOLLOW?

Normal schedule
Follow the Normal schedule for most everyday driving conditions.
Severe duty schedule
Follow the Severe Duty Schedule if your driving habits frequently

include one or more of the following conditions:

❑ Towing a trailer or carrying a heavy load.
❑ Operating in severe dust conditions.
❑ Extensive idling, such as police, taxi or door-to-door delivery service.
❑ Off-road operation.
❑ Short trips of less than 16 km (10 miles) when outside temperatures

remain below 18°C (0°F).

Idling the engine for extended periods will accumulate more hours of use
on your vehicle than is actually indicated by the odometer. Consequently,
the odometer reading can often be misleading when determining the
right time to change you engine oil and filter.

If you are using your Ford vehicle in a manner which allows it to remain
stationary while the engine is running for long periods (door-to-door
delivery, taxi, police, power/utility company trucks or similar duty), then

4

General maintenance information

Ford recommends you increase the frequency of oil and filter changes to
an interval equivalent to 200 engine hours of use. Since most vehicles are
not equipped with hourmeters, it may be necessary for you to
approximate your idle time and plan oil/filter changes accordingly.

5

Normal schedule

Items for Emission Control Service are shown in italics.

Wheel lug nuts must be retightened to proper torque specifications at
800 km (500 miles) of new vehicle operation. See your dealer for proper
torque specifications. Also retighten to proper torque specifications at
800 km (500 miles) after (1) any wheel change or (2) any other time the
wheel lug nuts have been replaced.

Rear axles containing synthetic lubricant are lubricated for life. These
lubricants are not to be checked or changed unless a leak is suspected,
service required or the axle has been submerged in water. The axle
lubricant should be changed anytime the axle has been submerged in
water.

Light and heavy duty truck rear axles filled with non-synthetic rear axle
lubricant must be changed every 160,000 km (100,000 miles), otherwise,
the lubricant is not checked or changed unless a leak is suspected,
service required or the axle has been submerged in water. The axle
lubricant should be changed anytime the axle has been submerged in
water.

Light duty trucks equipped with Ford design front axles are lubricated
for life. These lubricants are not to be checked or changed unless a leak
is suspected, service required or the axle has been submerged in water.
The axle lubricant should be changed anytime the axle has been
submerged in water.

At 60,000 miles (96,000 km) your dealer will replace the PCV valve at no
cost except on Canadian and California vehicles.

8,000 KILOMETERS (5,000 MILES)

❑ Change engine oil and replace oil filter.
❑ Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.
❑ Inspect and lubricate automatic transmission shift linkage.
❑ Inspect exhaust system for leaks, damage or loose parts. Remove any

foreign material trapped by exhaust system shielding.

❑ Check clutch reservoir fluid level.
❑ Lubricate steering linkage suspension, driveshaft U-joint if equipped

with grease fittings and lubricate slip-yoke (if equipped).

6

Normal schedule

NOTE: It is normal for a certain amount of moisture and staining to be
present around the muffler seams. The presence of soot, light surface
rust or moisture does not indicate a faulty muffler.

DEALER AUTHORIZATION

Date:

Mileage:

16,000 KILOMETERS (10,000 MILES)

❑ Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

DEALER AUTHORIZATION

Date:

Mileage:

24,000 KILOMETERS (15,000 MILES)

❑ Change engine oil and replace oil filter.
❑ Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and clamps; check coolant

strength every 24,000 km (15,000 miles) or 12 months.

❑ Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.
❑ Inspect and lubricate automatic transmission shift linkage.
❑ Inspect disc brake system and lubricate caliper slide rails.
❑ Inspect drum brake systems, hoses and lines.
❑ Inspect exhaust system for leaks, damage or loose parts. Remove any

foreign material trapped by exhaust system shielding.

❑ Check clutch fluid reservoir.
❑ Lubricate steering linkage suspension, driveshaft U-joint if equipped

with grease fittings and lubricate slip yoke (if equipped).

NOTE: It is normal for a certain amount of moisture and staining to be
present around the muffler seams. The presence of soot, light surface
rust or moisture does not indicate a faulty muffler.

DEALER AUTHORIZATION

Date:

Mileage:

7

Normal schedule

32,000 KILOMETERS (20,000 MILES)

❑ Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

DEALER AUTHORIZATION

Date:

Mileage:

40,000 KILOMETERS (25,000 MILES)

❑ Change engine oil and replace oil filter.
❑ Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.
❑ Inspect and lubricate automatic transmission shift linkage.
❑ Inspect exhaust system for leaks, damage or loose parts. Remove any

foreign material trapped by exhaust system shielding.

❑ Check clutch fluid reservoir.
❑ Lubricate steering linkage suspension, driveshaft U-joint if equipped

with grease fittings and lubricate slip yoke (if equipped).

NOTE: It is normal for a certain amount of moisture and staining to be
present around the muffler seams. The presence of soot, light surface
rust or moisture does not indicate a faulty muffler.

DEALER AUTHORIZATION

Date:

Mileage:

48,000 KILOMETERS (30,000 MILES)

❑ Change engine oil and replace oil filter.
❑ Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and clamps; check coolant

strength every 24,000 km (15,000 miles) or 12 months.

❑ Replace air cleaner filter every 48,000 km (30,000 miles) or 30

months. If operating in dusty conditions, consult your dealer
and/or follow severe duty maintenance schedule.

8

Normal schedule

❑ Change fuel filter (Recommended but not required for California

Certified Vehicles).

❑ Change automatic transmission fluid. (4R7OW transmission only)
❑ Inspect disc brake system and lubricate caliper slide rails.
❑ Inspect drum brake systems, hoses and lines.
❑ Inspect and lubricate front wheel bearings.
❑ Inspect parking brake system for damage and operation.
❑ Change transfer case oil (4x4).
❑ Lubricate throttle kickdown or TV lever ball studs.

DEALER AUTHORIZATION

Date:

Mileage:

56,000 KILOMETERS (35,000 MILES)

❑ Change engine oil and replace oil filter.
❑ Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.
❑ Inspect and lubricate automatic transmission shift linkage.
❑ Inspect exhaust system for leaks, damage or loose parts. Remove any

foreign material trapped by exhaust system shielding.

❑ Check clutch reservoir fluid level.
❑ Lubricate steering linkage suspension, driveshaft U-joint if equipped

with grease fittings and lubricate slip yoke (if equipped).

NOTE: It is normal for a certain amount of moisture and staining to be
present around the muffler seams. The presence of soot, light surface
rust or moisture does not indicate a faulty muffler.

DEALER AUTHORIZATION

Date:

Mileage:

64,000 KILOMETERS (40,000 MILES)

❑ Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

9

Normal schedule

DEALER AUTHORIZATION

Date:

Mileage:

72,000 KILOMETERS (45,000 MILES)

❑ Change engine oil and replace oil filter.
❑ Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and clamps; check coolant

strength every 24,000 km (15,000 miles) or 12 months.

❑ Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.
❑ Inspect and lubricate automatic transmission shift linkage.
❑ Inspect disc brake system and lubricate caliper slide rails.
❑ Inspect drum brake systems, hoses and lines.
❑ Inspect exhaust system for leaks, damage or loose parts. Remove any

foreign material trapped by exhaust system shielding.

❑ Check clutch fluid reservoir level.
❑ Lubricate steering linkage suspension, driveshaft U-joint if equipped

with grease fittings and lubricate slip yoke (if equipped).

NOTE: It is normal for a certain amount of moisture and staining to be
present around the muffler seams. The presence of soot, light surface
rust or moisture does not indicate a faulty muffler.

DEALER AUTHORIZATION

Date:

Mileage:

80,000 KILOMETERS (50,000 MILES)

❑ Change engine oil and replace oil filter.
❑ Change engine coolant initially at 80,000 km (50,000 miles) or 48

months. Thereafter, change engine coolant every 48,000 km
(30,000 miles) or 36 months.

DEALER AUTHORIZATION

Date:

Mileage:

10

Normal schedule

88,000 KILOMETERS (55,000 MILES)

❑ Change engine oil and replace oil filter.
❑ Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.
❑ Inspect and lubricate automatic transmission shift linkage.
❑ Inspect exhaust system for leaks, damage or loose parts. Remove any

foreign material trapped by exhaust system shielding.

❑ Check clutch reservoir fluid level.
❑ Lubricate steering linkage suspension, driveshaft U-joint if equipped

with grease fittings and lubricate slip yoke (if equipped).

NOTE: It is normal for a certain amount of moisture and staining to be
present around the muffler seams. The presence of soot, light surface
rust or moisture does not indicate a faulty muffler.

DEALER AUTHORIZATION

Date:

Mileage:

96,000 KILOMETERS (60,000 MILES)

❑ Change engine oil and replace oil filter.
❑ Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and clamps; check coolant

strength every 24,000 km (15,000 miles) or 12 months.

❑ Replace air cleaner filter every 50,000 km (30,000 miles) or 30

months. If operating in dusty conditions consult your dealer
and/or follow severe duty maintenance schedule.

❑ Replace PCV valve.
❑ Replace spark plugs (5.0 L only).
❑ Inspect accessory drive belt(s).
❑ Change fuel filter (Recommended but not required for California

Certified Vehicles).

❑ Change automatic transmission fluid.
❑ Change automatic transmission fluid. (4R7OW transmission only)
❑ Inspect disc brake system and lubricate caliper slide rails.

11

Normal schedule

❑ Inspect drum brake systems, hoses and lines.
❑ Inspect and lubricate front wheel bearings.
❑ Inspect parking brake system for damage and operation.
❑ Change transfer case oil (4x4).
❑ Change manual transmission oil.
❑ Lubricate throttle kickdown or TV lever studs.

DEALER AUTHORIZATION

Date:

Mileage:

104,000 KILOMETERS (65,000 MILES)

❑ Change engine oil and replace oil filter.
❑ Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.
❑ Inspect and lubricate automatic transmission shift linkage.
❑ Inspect exhaust system for leaks, damage or loose parts. Remove any

foreign material trapped by exhaust system shielding.

❑ Check clutch reservoir fluid level.
❑ Lubricate steering linkage suspension, driveshaft U-joint if equipped

with grease fittings and lubricate slip yoke (if equipped).

NOTE: It is normal for a certain amount of moisture and staining to be
present around the muffler seams. The presence of soot, light surface
rust or moisture does not indicate a faulty muffler.

DEALER AUTHORIZATION

Date:

Mileage:

112,000 KILOMETERS (70,000 MILES)

❑ Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

DEALER AUTHORIZATION

12

Date:

Mileage: