Ford Explorer 1997 Owner's Manual

Contents

Before driving

Introduction 2 Instrumentation 5 Controls and features 25 Seating and safety restraints 78

Starting and driving

Starting 110 Driving 117 Roadside emergencies 147

Servicing

Maintenance and care 165 Capacities and specifications 222 Reporting safety defects 232 Index 233

1

Introduction

ICONS

Indicates a warning. Read the following section on Warnings for a full explanation of them.

Indicates that vehicle information related to recycling and other environmental concerns will follow.

We must all play our part in protecting the environment. Correct vehicle usage and the authorized disposal of waste cleaning and lubrication materials are significant steps towards this aim.

WARNINGS

How can you reduce the risk of personal injury and prevent possible damage to others, your vehicle and its equipment?

In this owner’s guide, answers to such questions are contained in comments highlighted by the warning triangle symbol.

BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE

There are no particular breaking-in rules for your vehicle. Simply avoid driving too briskly during the first 1,600 km (1,000 miles) of driving. Vary speeds frequently. This is necessary to give the moving parts a chance to break in.

If possible, you should avoid full use of the brakes for the first 1,600 km (1,000 miles).

2

From 1,600 km (1,000 miles) onwards you can gradually increase the performance of your vehicle up to the permitted maximum speeds.

INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GUIDE

The information found in this guide was in effect at the time of printing. Ford may change the contents without notice and without incurring obligation.

SPECIAL NOTICES Notice to owners of utility type

vehicles

Before you drive your vehicle, please read this owner’s guide carefully. Your vehicle is not a passenger car. As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an accident. Be sure to read Control

Trac – Automatic Four–Wheel Drive System (if equipped) in the Driving chapter as well as the

special “Four Wheeling” supplement included with AWD and 4WD vehicles.

Introduction

Using your vehicle as an ambulance

Do not use this vehicle as an ambulance.

3

Introduction

Using your vehicle as a snowplow

Do not use this vehicle for snowplowing.

4

Instrumentation

OFF

Headlamp control (pg. 25)

Instrument panel dimmer switch (pg. 26)

Tachometer (pg. 15)

H

C

F

E

ON

OFF

Tilt steering wheel lever (pg. 44)

Turn signal and wiper/washer control (pg. 46)

3

2

1 0

Speed control (pg. 40)

5

6

4

UNLEADED FUEL ONLY

Driver air bag (pg. 89)

20 10

SRS

60

70

50

oooo

40

30

20

60

40

000000

80

100

80

120

H

140

90

160

100

180

110 200

H

RSM

SET ACC

COAST

6

Instrumentation

Gearshift (includes overdrive button) (pg. 121)

OD

ON/OFF

Electronic sound system; refer to Audio Guide (pg. 36)

VOL – PUSH ON

AM

BASSTREB

FM

SEEK

DISCS

REW

TUNE

SCAN

FF

2

1

LO

HI

EJ

SIDE 1-2

3

Rear wiper/washer control (pg. 37)

FM 1

DOLBY SYSTEM

4

COMP

5

BAL FADE

TAPE CD

OFF

AUTO

SHUFFLE

6

CLK

PUSH

SET

* if equipped

Climate controls (pg. 28)

Fog lamp control* (pg. 27)

7

Instrumentation

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS AND CHIMES

5

6

4

2

1

0

ABS

BRAKE

!P

D

(Overdrive)

3

RPMx1000

P

H

C

F

E

DOOR AJAR

CHECK ENGINE

Speed control (if equipped)

Illuminates when either the SET ACC or RSM switches are pressed and remains illuminated until the speed control is either disengaged or turned off.

O/D off indicator

O/D

illuminates when the

OFF

Transmission Control Button on the end of the gearshift lever is pressed and the mode is turned off.

O/D

indicates the status of the

OFF

transmission and may flash steadily if a malfunction is detected. If the flashing persists, have your transmission serviced by your dealer or qualified service technician as soon as possible.

If the condition persists, your transmission may be damaged.

50

40

60

30

40

20

10

MPH

RND21

60

0 0 0

100

80

0 0 0 0 0 0

70

120

km/h

80

90

140

00

1

160

180

101 20

1

THEFT

SPEED

CONT

H

O/D

OFF

SPEED CONTROL

L

4WD

H

LOW

L

O/D OFF

8

Check engine

Illuminates when the engine’s Emission Control System requires service. It will also illuminate when the ignition key is in the On position and the engine is Off.

Anti-theft system (if equipped)

Illuminates when the anti-theft system is arming and flashes when the anti-theft system is armed.

Turn signal

Illuminates when the left or right turn signal or the hazard lights are turned on.

Four wheel drive indicator (if equipped)

Illuminates when four wheel drive is activated in the high range mode.

Instrumentation

CHECK

ENGINE

THEFT

4WD

Four wheel drive — low (if equipped)

Illuminates when four wheel drive is activated in the low range mode.

4WD

LOW

9

Instrumentation

Door ajar

Illuminates when the ignition switch is in the ON or START position and any door or the liftgate is open.

Check gage

Illuminates when the key is in the ON position and the engine coolant temperature gauge, the engine oil pressure gauge and the fuel level gauge need to be checked. Refer to Engine coolant temperature

gauge, Engine oil pressure gauge or Fuel gauge in the Instrumentation chapter for more

information.

Charging system

Briefly illuminates when the ignition is turned on and the engine is off. The light also illuminates when the battery is not charging properly, requiring electrical system service.

DOOR

AJAR

CHECK

GAGE

Fuel reset

Illuminates when the ignition key is turned to the ON position and the fuel pump shut-off switch has been triggered. For more information, refer to Fuel pump

shut-off switch in the Roadside emergencies chapter.

10

FUEL

RESET

Safety belt

Illuminates when the ignition is switched on to remind you to fasten your safety belts. For more information, refer to Using the

safety restraints properly in the Seating and safety restraints

chapter.

Brake system warning

Extinguishes when the parking brake is released. Illumination after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level.

High beams

Illuminates when the headlamp high beams are on.

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)

Momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned on and the engine is off. If the light stays on or continues to flash, the ABS needs to be serviced.

Instrumentation

!

BRAKE

ABS

Air bag readiness

Briefly illuminates when the ignition is turned on. If the light fails to illuminate, continues to flash or remains on, have the system serviced immediately.

Headlamps on warning chime

Sounds when the headlamps are on, the ignition is off (and the key

11

Instrumentation

is not in the ignition) and the driver’s door is opened.

Key-in-ignition warning chime

Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the Off/Lock or Acc position and the driver’s door is opened.

Safety belt warning chime

For information on the safety belt warning chime, refer to the

Seating and safety restraints

chapter.

Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning chime

For information on the SRS warning chime, refer to the

Seating and safety restraints

chapter.

12

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES

Instrumentation

5

6

4

3

H

C

F

E

2

1 0

RPMx 1000

Engine coolant temperature gauge

Indicates the temperature of the engine coolant. At normal operating temperature, the needle remains within the “NORM” area. If it enters the red section, the engine is overheating. Switch off the ignition and let it cool. Refer to

Checking and adding engine coolant in the Maintenance and care chapter.

Engine oil pressure gauge

This shows the engine oil pressure in the system. Sufficient pressure exists as long as the needle remains in the “NORM” range.

If the gauge indicates constantly low pressure at normal engine speed, refer to Checking and

adding engine oil in the Maintenance and care chapter. If

the gauge indicates a low pressure and the engine oil level is correct, switch off the engine immediately

50

oooo

40

80

60

30

40

000000

20

10

0

MPH km/h

60

70

80

100

120

140

160

180

90 100

110 120

H

L

H

- +

L

H

C

H

L

13

Instrumentation

and have your vehicle checked at your dealership or by a qualified technician.

Speedometer

Indicates the current vehicle speed.

Odometer

Registers the total mileage of the vehicle.

20 10

0

30

40

60

40

20

40

60

40

20

60

50

oooo

100

80

000000

60

50

oooo

100

80

000000

70

80

120

90

140

100

160

110

180

120

km/hMPH

70

80

120

90

140

100

160

110

180

120

km/hMPH

Trip odometer

Can register the mileage of individual journeys. To reset, depress the control.

14

60

70

50

oooo

40

80

60

30

40

000000

20

10

0

80

100

120

90

140

100

160

110

180

120

km/hMPH

Tachometer

Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute.

Charging system gauge

This gauge shows the battery voltage when the ignition key is in the ON position. If the pointer moves and stays outside of the normal range, have the vehicle’s electrical system checked as soon as safely possible.

Instrumentation

5

4

3

2

1

0

H

- +

6

RPMx1000

L

Fuel gauge

The fuel gauge displays the approximate level of usable fuel left in the fuel reservoir.

F

E

15

Instrumentation

MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)

With the ignition in the ON position, the message center displays important vehicle information through a constant monitor of vehicle systems. You may select display features on the message center for a display of status preceded by a brief indicator chime. The system will also notify you of potential vehicle problems with a display of system warnings.

Selectable features

English/metric display

Press to toggle the message center display between metric or English units.

ENGLISH

METRIC

ENGLISH METRIC

RANGE

FUEL

SYSTEM

RANGE

OIL CHANGE

STATUS

RESET

ECON

CHECK

RESET

FUEL

STATUS

ECON

RESET

SYSTEM

CHECK

OIL CHANGE

RESET

16

Fuel range

Press once to display the approximate kilometers (miles) left to drive before the fuel tank is empty.

Press again to display the distance driven since fuel was last added to the tank.

For maximum accuracy of this display feature, the ignition should be in the Off position during fueling. The display FUEL LEVEL ERROR indicates a problem with the fuel indication system. See your dealer or qualified service technician for system maintenance.

Fuel status

Press once to display the approximate amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank.

Press again to display the approximate amount of fuel used since the system was last reset.

ENGLISH

METRIC

ENGLISH

METRIC

Instrumentation

FUEL

RANGE

STATUS

FUEL

STATUS

ECON

RESET

SYSTEM

CHECK

SYSTEM

CHECK

OIL CHANGE

RESET

OIL CHANGE

RESET

17

Instrumentation

Fuel economy

Press once to display your vehicle’s average fuel economy in kilometers/liters (miles/gallons).

Press again to display the fuel economy that your vehicle is getting at that particular time. Your vehicle must be moving in order for this display to function properly.

Reset

Press the reset control to reset the current feature being displayed. Warnings, distance driven, average fuel economy, fuel used and personalized oil reset percentage are the only features that respond to reset.

System check

Press the system check control to display the status of the following systems:

• engine oil life left

• engine oil level

• voltage level

• engine coolant temperature

• washer fluid level

• head lamps

• tail lamps

• brake lamps

ENGLISH

METRIC

ENGLISH

METRIC

ENGLISH

METRIC

RANGE

FUEL

STATUS

FUEL

STATUS

FUEL

STATUS

ECON

RESET

SYSTEM

CHECK

SYSTEM

CHECK

SYSTEM

CHECK

OIL CHANGE

RESET

OIL CHANGE

RESET

OIL CHANGE

RESET

18

• automatic ride control (if equipped)

• fuel level

The engine oil life left has two phases. The first display will indicate the oil change status (OK, SOON, REQUIRED). The second display will indicate the percentage of oil life remaining. The display OIL TEMP SIGNAL ERROR indicates a problem with the system. Following this display, contact your dealer or qualified service technician for system maintenance.

Operating the message center during system check

The message center controls will operate as follows during the system check sequence:

1. Press the system check controls

to advance to the next display.

2. Press the reset control to

immediately conclude the system check.

3. Press the range, fuel status or

fuel economy control to conclude the system check and display the requested feature.

4. Press the metric/English control

to conclude the system check and change the previous display to the new mode.

5. Press the oil change reset

control to conclude the system check and begin the oil change reset procedure.

Instrumentation

19

Instrumentation

Engine oil life left

The engine oil left has two phases. The first display will indicate the percentage the oil change status (OK, SOON, REQUIRED). The second display will indicate the percentage of oil life remaining. The display OIL TEMP SIGNAL ERROR indicates a problem with the system. Following this display, contact your dealer or qualified service technician for system maintenance.

Message center warnings

Check air ride system

This warning message is displayed when an air suspension system fault has been detected. If this warning message is displayed while driving, safety pull off the road. If the vehicle is loaded beyond the recommended payload, the CHECK AIR RIDE SYSTEM message will be displayed. This is a normal condition if the vehicle is overloaded. To correct this condition:

1. Remove or redistribute the load

according to the recommended maximum requirements.

2. Turn the ignition from On to Off

and back On again.

3. If the warning message

reappears, turn the airsuspension

ENGLISH

METRIC

RANGE

FUEL

STATUS

ECON

RESET

SYSTEM

CHECK

OIL CHANGE

RESET

20

switch Off and have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.

Air ride switch off

The air ride suspension switch is off. Refer to Air suspension

system in the Controls and features chapter for more

information.

Change oil soon

The engine oil life remaining is 5% or less. After you have the oil changed, you must reset the M/C Oil Life Left feature as follows:

1. Turn the ignition to the On or

Acc position.

2. Press and hold the OIL

CHANGE RESET control for five seconds. After a successful reset, the message center will display “OIL LIFE RESET TO 100%.”

ENGLISH

METRIC

Instrumentation

FUEL

RANGE

STATUS

ECON

RESET

SYSTEM

CHECK

OIL CHANGE

RESET

You may also set a Personalized Oil Reset Procedure using the following:

1. Turn the ignition to the ON or

ACC position.

2. Press and hold the OIL

CHANGE RESET control and press the RESET control while the display is counting down the five seconds to reset. The display will

21

Instrumentation

change to “START OIL LIFE AT XXX%.”

3. Press the OIL CHANGE RESET

control until the displayed percentage is the Personalized Oil Reset Percentage you desire.

Check charging system

The electrical system is not maintaining a proper voltage. Have the electrical system checked as soon as safely possible.

Check engine temp

The engine coolant is overheating. Refer to Engine coolant

temperature gauge in the Instrumentation chapter for more

information regarding the engine coolant system.

H

- +

L

H

C

Check exterior lamps

At least one brake lamp, rear side marker or low beam headlamp is burned out. To determine which lamp is burned out:

1. Turn ignition switch to OFF to

reset M/C.

22

2. With the brake lamps, parking

lamps and headlamps off, turn the ignition switch to ON or ACC.

3. After M/C briefly illuminates

(about two seconds), press the brake pedal. If “CHECK EXTERIOR LAMPS” is displayed, then a brake lamp is burned out. If this message is not displayed, proceed to the next step.

4. Turn the light switch to the

parking lamp positions. If “CHECK EXTERIOR LAMPS” is displayed, then a rear side marker is burned out. If this message is not displayed, proceed to the next step.

Instrumentation

OFF

5

6

4

40

3

H

UNLEADED

30

FUEL ONLY

2

C

E

OFF

ON

OFF

20

1

10

0

RPMx1000

P RND21

SRS

km/h

F

DIM

60

70

50

oooo

80

100

80

120

140

60

90

40

160

000000

100

180

110 120

RSM

SET ACC

COAST

5. Turn the light switch to the

headlamp position. If “CHECK EXTERIOR LAMPS” is displayed, then a low beam headlamp is burned out.

If you use additional lights, such as trailer lights, or replace bulbs with equipment that is not equal to the original Ford equipment, you may

23

Instrumentation

get a false warning or no warning at all.

Door ajar

The ignition switch is in the On or Start position and a door is open.

Low fuel level

The fuel level is low.

Low oil level

The oil level is low. Refer to

Checking and adding engine oil in the Maintenance and carechapter for more information.

F

E

H

L

Low washer fluid

The washer fluid reservoir is less than one quarter full.

24

HEADLAMP CONTROL

Rotate the headlamp control to the desired position:

OFF — Lamps off

Parking lamps, side marker lamps, instrument panel lamps, license plate lamps and tail lamps on

Headlamps on

Controls and features

OFF

DIM

60

5

6

70

50

4

oooo

40

80

100

80

120

3

H

2

C

1 0

F

E

OFF

ON

OFF

RPMx1000

P RND21

SRS

140

60

30

90

40

160

000000

100

20

180

20

110

10

0

120

km/h

RSM

SET ACC

COAST

25

Controls and features

Instrument panel dimmer control

To adjust the instrument panel dimmer control:

• Rotate the control up to

brighten the instrument panel lighting.

• Rotate the control down to dim

the instrument panel lighting.

Daytime running light (DRL) system (if equipped)

The DRL system turns on the highbeam headlamps, with a reduced light output, when:

• the vehicle is running and the

ignition is in the On position

• the vehicle has a fully released

parking brake

• the headlamp system is in the

position

OFF

DIM

60

5

6

70

50

4

oooo

40

80

100

80

120

3

H

2

C

1 0

F

E

OFF

ON

OFF

RPMx1000

P RND21

SRS

140

60

30

90

40

160

000000

100

20

180

20

110

10 0

120

km/h

RSM

SET ACC

COAST

26

The Daytime Running

Light (DRL) system will not illuminate the tail lamps and parking lamps. Turn on your headlamps at dusk. Failure to do so may result in a collision.

Foglamp control (if equipped)

Press the foglamp control to activate the foglamps.

Press the foglamp control a second time to deactivate the foglamps.

Controls and features

60

5

6

70

50

4

oooo

40

80

100

80

120

3

H

140

60

30

90

40

2

160

C

000000

100

20

180

20

1

110

10

0

120

km/h

F

RPMx1000

E

OFF

P RND21

ON

OFF

SRS

VOL – PUSH ON

RSM

SET ACC

COAST

SEEK

TUNE DISCS

REW 1

CLK

ST

FM 1

AM

BALFADE

BASSTREB

FM

AUTO

PUSH

SET

TAPE CD

EJ

SCAN

DOLBY SYSTEM

FF

COMP

SHUFFLE

SIDE 1-2

2

5

6

4

3

OFF

LO

A/C

*

MAX

*

HI

A/C

27

Controls and features

PARKING BRAKE

For information on the parking brake, refer to Preparing to start the vehiclein the Driving chapter.

CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM Manual heating and air

conditioning system

OFF

A/C

MAX A/C

BRAKE

28

Fan speed

Turn the control to the right to increase fan speed.

Temperature

Turn the temperature control to the desired mix of warm and cool air (left for cooler and right for warmer).

Controls and features

Controlling airflow

Turn the mode control to the desired airflow position.

• The A/C compressor operates in the mode positions marked *.

*

MAX

A/C

OFF

*

29

Controls and features

Using MAX A/C mode

The MAX A/C mode recirculates the air and directs it to flow through the instrument panel vents.

This mode is noisier, but provides quicker cooling than A/C mode. The compressor only functions if the outside temperature is above 10°C (50°F).

Select MAX A/C for airflow through these vents:

Off mode

Select the OFF position for all climate control functions to cease. The outside inlet door will close and the fan is shut off.

Drive with the climate control system on (either in heating or A/C mode) to reduce humidity in your vehicle.

Using A/C mode

The A/C mode directs outside conditioned air to flow through the instrument panel vents. The A/C mode can be used for heating, ventilating or air conditioning. The A/C compressor only functions in the A/C mode if the outside temperature is above 10°C (50°F).

❄

60

5

6

70

50

4

oooo

40

80

100

80

120

3

H

140

60

30

90

40

160

2

C

000000

100

20

180

20

1

110 10 0

0

200

km/h

F

RPMx1000

P RND21

E

OFF

ON

OFF

SRS

VOL – PUSH ON

CLK

ST

FM 1

AM

BALFADE

BASSTREB

FM

AUTO

PUSH

RSM

SET ACC

COAST

SET

SEEK

TAPECD

EJ

SCAN

DOLBY SYSTEM

TUNE

DISCS

FF

REW

COMP5SHUFFLE

SIDE 1-2

2

1

6

4

3

OFF

LO

A/C

*

MAX

*

HI

A/C

30

Controls and features

Select A/C for air to flow through these vents:

Using the panel mode

Select for air to flow through these vents:

Using the panel/floor mode

The mode directs outside air to flow between the panel and floor vents. The air conditioning compressor will function provided the outside temperature is above 10°C (50°F).

Select the

for air to flow

through these vents:

60

5

6

70

50

4

oooo

40

80

100 80

120

3

H

140

60

30

90

40

160

2

C

000000

100

20

180

20

1

110

10 0

0

200

km/h

F

RPMx1000

E

OFF

ON

OFF

SRS

5

6

60

50

4

oooo

40

100

3

80

H

60

30

2

C

40

000000

20

1

10

0

F

km/h

RPMx1000

P RND21

E

OFF

ON

OFF

SRS

5

6

60

50

4

oooo

40

100

3

80

H

60

30

2

C

40

000000

20

1

10

0

F

km/h

RPMx1000

E

OFF

ON

OFF

SRS

VOL – PUSH ON

CLK

FM 1

AM

BALFADE

BASSTREB

FM

AUTO

PUSH

RSM

SET

ACC

COAST

70

80

120

140

90

160

100

180

110 120

RSM

SET ACC

COAST

70

80

120

140

90

160

100

180

110 200

RSM

SET ACC

COAST

SET

SEEK

TAPECD

EJ

SCAN

DOLBY SYSTEM

TUNE DISCS

FF

REW

COMP

SHUFFLE

SIDE 1-2

2

1

5

6

4

3

OFF

LO

HI

VOL – PUSH ON

CLK

ST

FM 1

AM

BALFADE

BASSTREB

FM

AUTO

PUSH

SET

SEEK

TAPECD

EJ

SCAN

DOLBY SYSTEM

TUNE DISCS

FF

REW

COMP5SHUFFLE

SIDE 1-2

2

1

6

4

3

OFF

LO

A/C

*

MAX

*

HI

A/C

VOL – PUSH ON

CLK

FM 1

AM

BALFADE

BASSTREB

FM

AUTO

PUSH

SET

SEEK

TAPECD

EJ

SCAN

DOLBY SYSTEM

TUNE DISCS

FF

REW

COMP5SHUFFLE

SIDE 1-2

2

1

6

4

3

OFF

LO

HI

Using the floor mode

Select the for air to flow through these vents:

Using the defrost/floor mode

The directs outside air to flow through the floor vents and

5

6

60

70

50

4

oooo

40

80

100

3

80

120

H

140

60

30

90

2

C

40

160

000000

100

20

180

20

1

110

10

0

F

200

km/h

RPMx1000

E

OFF

ON

OFF

SRS

VOL – PUSH ON

CLK

FM 1

AM

BALFADE

BASSTREB

FM

AUTO

PUSH

RSM

SET ACC

COAST

SET

SEEK

TAPECD

EJ

SCAN

DOLBY SYSTEM

TUNE DISCS

FF

REW

COMP5SHUFFLE

SIDE 1-2

2

1

6

4

3

OFF

LO

HI

31