Ford Explorer Sport (2003 year). Manual — part 43

Improving fuel economy

To improve your fuel economy:
• Do not leave your vehicle idling for long periods of time.
• Drive at a moderate pace, with smooth acceleration and deceleration.
• Turn off speed control in hilly terrain.
• Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your Scheduled

Maintenance Guide.

• Do not carry unnecessary weight.
EPA window sticker

The EPA window sticker should be your guide for fuel economy
comparisons. If you have any questions about this sticker, contact your
dealer.

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM

Your vehicle has emission control components and a catalytic converter
that enable your vehicle to comply with applicable exhaust emission
standards. To make sure that the emission control components work
properly:
• Use only unleaded fuel.
• Avoid running out of fuel.
• Do not turn off your ignition while the vehicle is moving.
• Follow your Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
• Use Ford Motor Company authorized parts for maintenance

replacements or for service.

Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine and exhaust system, which

could cause a fire.

The following signs could indicate a problem with your emission control
system:
• Fluid leaks
• Strange odors
• Smoke

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• Loss of engine power
• Illumination of the charging system, temperature, or “Check Engine”

light in the instrument panel.

Exhaust leaks may result in harmful and potentially lethal fumes
entering the passenger compartment.

It is unlawful to intentionally remove an emission control device or
prevent it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission
system is on the Vehicle Emission Control Information decal located on
or near the engine.

On board diagnostics (OBD-II)

Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II). This OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle. When the Check
Engine/Service Engine Soon light illuminates, the OBD-II system has
detected a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause your Check
Engine/Service Engine Soon light to illuminate. Examples are:

1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)

2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.

3. The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened.

These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the fuel cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
present, the Check Engine/Service Engine Soon light should turn off.
(A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.

If the Check Engine/Service Engine Soon light remains on, have your
vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.

Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing

It may be a legal requirement in your area to pass an I/M test of the
on-board diagnostics system. If the system or battery has just been
serviced, the on-board diagnostic system is reset to a “not ready for I/M
test” condition. To ready the system, allow the vehicle to sit for at least
eight hours without starting. Then, start the engine and complete the
following driving cycle:

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175

1. Drive on an expressway or highway for at least 10 minutes.

2. Drive in stop-and-go traffic for at least 20 minutes with a minimum of
four idle periods.

The engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once
started, do not turn off the engine until the above drive cycle is
complete.

Note: If your “Check Engine” light is on, your vehicle may not pass an
I/M test.

CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID

1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
schedules.

2. Turn the steering wheel left and
right several times.

3. Turn the engine off.

4. Check the fluid level.

5. If the fluid is below the MIN line,
add fluid in small amounts until it
reaches the correct level (between
the MIN and MAX lines).

Use only MERCON

威 ATF.

BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR

The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels below the “MAX” line
that do not trigger the brake system
warning lamp are within the normal
operating range, there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are outside of the normal operating range,
the performance of your brake system could be compromised, seek
service from your dealer immediately.

DO NOT

OVER FILL

PO

WER

ST

EE

RIN

G

FL

UID

MAX

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176

TRANSMISSION FLUID

and change intervals.

• Transmission does not consume fluid.
• Check fluid when transmission is not operating properly or if you see

a leak.

• Fluid level must be checked at normal operating temperature, 30 km

(20 miles) of driving.

To check and add fluid:

1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) to reach normal operating
temperatures.

2. If driven in hot weather, city traffic, pulling a trailer, allow
transmission to cool for 30 minutes before checking.

3. Engage parking brake, start engine.

4. Put your foot on the brake pedal and move the gearshift lever slowly
through all of the gear ranges.

5. Shift to P (Park) and leave the engine running.

6. Remove the dipstick, wipe clean with a dry lint free rag.

7. Install and fully seat the dipstick into the filler tube.

8. Remove the dipstick and inspect
the fluid level. Level should be in
the cross-hatched area.

9. If necessary, add fluid in 250ml (1/2 pint) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct at normal operating temperatures. Refer to
the Lubricant Specifications section in this chapter for the correct fluid
type. The use of any other non-approved fluid may cause internal
transmission damage.

10. Fluid can be checked at ambient
temperatures between 10–30°C
(50–95°F). DO NOT ADD fluid until
the transmission is at normal
operating temperatures or the transmission will be overfilled.

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