Ford Explorer Sport (2003 year). Manual — part 42

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS

Important safety precautions

Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an overfilled tank
may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.

If the fuel filler cap is venting vapor or if you hear a hissing
sound, wait until it stops before completely removing the fuel

filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may spray out and cause injury.

If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause

the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in personal
injury.

Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death if misused or
mishandled.

Fuel ethanol and gasoline may contain benzene, which is a
cancer causing agent.

• Shut the engine off and

extinguish all smoking materials
and open flames before fueling.

• Automotive fuels can be harmful

or fatal if swallowed. If fuel is
swallowed, call a physician
immediately.

• Avoid inhaling fuel vapors.
• Avoid getting fuel in your eyes. If fuel is splash in the eyes, remove

contact lenses (if worn), flush with water for 15 minutes and seek
medical attention.

• If fuel is splashed on the skin and/or clothing, promptly remove

contaminated clothing and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water.

• Be particularly careful if you are taking “Antabuse” or other forms of

disulfiram. Breathing fuel vapors or skin contact could cause sickness
or serious personal injury.

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The flow of fuel through the fuel pump nozzle can produce static
electricity, which can cause a fire if fuel is pumped into an

ungrounded fuel container.

To avoid static build-up:
• Place approved fuel container on the ground.
• DO NOT fill a container while it is in the vehicle.
• Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while

filling.

• DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill

position.

Unleaded gasoline engines
• Use only unlead fuel.
• Use “Regular” unleaded gasoline

with an (R+M)/2 octane rating of
87.

• Do not use fuel containing

methanol.

• Do not use fuel or fuel additives with metal compounds.
Fuel quality

The World-wide Fuel Charter recommends gasoline specifications to
provide improved performance and emission control system protection.
Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the World-wide Fuel
Charter.

It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you use high quality fuel of the recommended octane rating.
Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system and
invalidate your warranty.

Cleaner air

Ford endorses the use of reformulated “cleaner-burning” gasolines to
improve air quality.

Running out of fuel

Running out of fuel may have an adverse affect on powertrain
components.

87

(R+M)/2 METHOD

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171

• You may need to cycle the ignition from off to on several times after

refueling to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.

• Your “Check Engine” indicator may come on.
Fuel filler cap
When fueling:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops.

If the “Check Fuel Cap” indicator
illuminates and stays on after you
start the engine, the cap may not be
properly installed.

If you must replace the fuel
filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler cap that is designed for your
vehicle.

If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause

the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in personal
injury.

CHECK

FUEL

CAP

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172

The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.

The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.

For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
• Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,

an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.

• Use the same filling rate setting (low — medium — high) each time

the tank is filled.

• Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
• Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
• Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
• Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the

same direction each time you fill up.

• Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.

Calculating fuel economy

1. Fill the tank and record the odometer reading.

2. Each time you fill up the tank, record the amount of fuel added.

3. After at least 3 fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record the current
odometer reading.

4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current reading.

Use one of the following simple calculations to determine fuel economy:
• Liters x 100 ⫼ total kilometers
• Miles traveled ⫼ gallons used
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). You can also keep records in summer and winter to
determine how temperature impacts fuel economy. Note that ethanol
decrease fuel economy.

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