Ford Explorer Sport (2003 year). Manual — part 44

Low fluid level

Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at or below the bottom of
the dipstick.

High fluid level

Fluid levels above the safe range
may cause overheating, shift and/or
engagement concerns and internal
transmission damage. If an overfill
condition occurs, excess fluid should
be removed by a qualified technician.

Checking and adding manual transmission fluid (if equipped)

1. Clean the filler plug.

2. Remove the filler plug and
inspect the fluid level.

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3. Fluid level should be at the
bottom of the opening.

4. Add enough fluid through the
filler opening so that the fluid level
is at the bottom of the opening.

5. Install and tighten the fill plug
securely.

Use only fluid that meets Ford specifications. Refer to Lubricant
Specifications in this chapter.

TRANSFER CASE FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)

To check and add transfer case fluid

1. Clean the filler plug.

2. Remove the filler plug and
inspect the fluid level.

3. Add only enough fluid through
the filler opening so that the fluid
level is at the bottom of the
opening.

Use only fluid that meets Ford
Motor Company specifications. Refer
to Lubricant Specifications in this
chapter.

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179

INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING

New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:

• Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.

Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).

U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades: The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the following
information about tire grades exactly as the government has written it.

Treadwear

The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.

Traction AA A B C

The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.

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180

The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include

acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.

Temperature A B C

The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.

The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,

underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.

SERVICING YOUR TIRES

Checking the tire pressure
• Use an accurate tire gauge.
• Check the pressure when the tires are cold, after the vehicle has been

parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km
(3 miles).

• Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the

Certifications Label.

• Check tires for proper air pressure monthly. Check spare tire for

proper air pressure every six months.

Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control, vehicle

rollover and/or personal injury.

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