1991 1999 ford explorer chilton User Manual
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TIRE ROTATION Tires must be rotated periodically to equalize wear patterns that vary with a tires position on the vehicle. Tires will also wear in an uneven way as the front steering/suspension system wears to the point where the alignment should be reset. Rotating the tires will ensure maximum life for the tires as a set, so you will not have to discard a tire early due to wear on only part of the tread. Regular rotation is required to equalize wear. When rotating unidirectional tires, make sure that they always roll in the same direction. This means that a tire used on the left side of the vehicle must not be switched to the right side and vice-versa. Such tires should only be rotated front-to-rear or rear-to-front, while always remaining on the same side of the vehicle. These tires are marked on the sidewall as to the direction of rotation; observe the marks when reinstalling the tire(s). Common tire rotation patterns for 4 and 5-wheel rotationsClick to enlarge Some styled or mag wheels may have different offsets front to rear. In these cases, the rear wheels must not be used up front and vice-versa. Furthermore, if these wheels are equipped with unidirectional tires, they cannot be rotated unless the tire is remounted for the proper direction of rotation. The compact or space-saver spare is strictly for emergency use. It must never be included in the tire rotation or placed on the vehicle for everyday use. TIRE DESIGN For maximum satisfaction, tires should be used in sets of four. Mixing of different brands or types (radial, bias-belted, fiberglass belted) should be avoided. In most cases, the vehicle manufacturer has designated a type of tire on which the vehicle will perform best. Your first choice when replacing tires should be to use the same type of tire that the manufacturer recommends. When radial tires are used, tire sizes and wheel diameters should be selected to maintain ground clearance and tire load capacity equivalent to the original specified tire. Radial tires should always be used in sets of four. HOW TO USE THIS BOOK TIRE ROTATION 97
P-Metric tire coding Click to enlarge CAUTION Radial tires should never be used on only the front axle. When selecting tires, pay attention to the original size as marked on the tire. Most tires are described using an industry size code sometimes referred to as P-Metric. This allows the exact identification of the tire specifications, regardless of the manufacturer. If selecting a different tire size or brand, remember to check the installed tire for any sign of interference with the body or suspension while the vehicle is stopping, turning sharply or heavily loaded. Snow Tires Good radial tires can produce a big advantage in slippery weather, but in snow, a street radial tire does not have sufficient tread to provide traction and control. The small grooves of a street tire quickly pack with snow and the tire behaves like a billiard ball on a marble floor. The more open, chunky tread of a snow tire will self-clean as the tire turns, providing much better grip on snowy surfaces. To satisfy municipalities requiring snow tires during weather emergencies, most snow tires carry either an M + S designation after the tire size stamped on the sidewall, or the designation all-season. In general, no change in tire size is necessary when buying snow tires. Most manufacturers strongly recommend the use of 4 snow tires on their vehicles for reasons of stability. If snow tires are fitted only to the drive wheels, the opposite end of the vehicle may become very unstable when braking or turning on slippery surfaces. This instability can lead to unpleasant endings if the driver cant HOW TO USE THIS BOOK 98 TIRE DESIGN
counteract the slide in time. Note that snow tires, whether 2 or 4, will affect vehicle handling in all non-snow situations. The stiffer, heavier snow tires will noticeably change the turning and braking characteristics of the vehicle. Once the snow tires are installed, you must re-learn the behavior of the vehicle and drive accordingly. Consider buying extra wheels on which to mount the snow tires. Once done, the snow wheels can be installed and removed as needed. This eliminates the potential damage to tires or wheels from seasonal removal and installation. Even if your vehicle has styled wheels, see if inexpensive steel wheels are available. Although the look of the vehicle will change, the expensive wheels will be protected from salt, curb hits and pothole damage. TIRE STORAGE If they are mounted on wheels, store the tires at proper inflation pressure. All tires should be kept in a cool, dry place. If they are stored in the garage or basement, do not let them stand on a concrete floor; set them on strips of wood, a mat or a large stack of newspaper. Keeping them away from direct moisture is of paramount importance. Tires should not be stored upright, but in a flat position. INFLATION & INSPECTION The importance of proper tire inflation cannot be overemphasized. A tire employs air as part of its structure. It is designed around the supporting strength of the air at a specified pressure. For this reason, improper inflation drastically reduces the tires ability to perform as intended. A tire will lose some air in day-to-day use; having to add a few pounds of air periodically is not necessarily a sign of a leaking tire. Two items should be a permanent fixture in every glove compartment: an accurate tire pressure gauge and a tread depth gauge. Check the tire pressure (including the spare) regularly with a pocket type gauge. Too often, the gauge on the end of the air hose at your corner garage is not accurate because it suffers too much abuse. Always check tire pressure when the tires are cold, as pressure increases with temperature. If you must move the vehicle to check the tire inflation, do not drive more than a mile before checking. A cold tire is generally one that has not been driven for more than three hours. Tires with deep cuts, or cuts which bulge, should be replaced immediately HOW TO USE THIS BOOK TIRE STORAGE 99
Radial tires have a characteristic sidewall bulge; dont try to measure pressure by looking at the tire. Use a quality air pressure gauge Click to enlarge Common tire wear patterns and causes Click to enlarge A plate or sticker is normally provided somewhere in the vehicle (door post, hood, tailgate or trunk lid) which shows the proper pressure for the tires. Never counteract excessive pressure build-up by bleeding off air pressure (letting some air out). This will cause the tire to run hotter and wear quicker. CAUTION Never exceed the maximum tire pressure embossed on the tire! This is the pressure to be used when the tire is at maximum loading, but it is rarely the correct pressure for everyday driving. Consult the owners manual or the tire pressure sticker for the correct tire pressure. Once youve maintained the correct tire pressures for several weeks, youll be familiar with the vehicles braking and handling personality. Slight adjustments in tire pressures can fine-tune these characteristics, but never change the cold pressure specification by more than 2 psi. A slightly softer tire pressure will give a softer ride but also yield lower fuel mileage. A slightly harder tire will give crisper dry road handling but can cause skidding on wet surfaces. Unless youre fully attuned to the vehicle, stick to the recommended inflation pressures. All automotive tires have built-in tread wear indicator bars that show up as 1 /2 in. (13mm) wide smooth bands across the tire when 1 /16 in. (1.5mm) of tread remains. The appearance of tread wear indicators means that the HOW TO USE THIS BOOK 100 INFLATION & INSPECTION
tires should be replaced. In fact, many states have laws prohibiting the use of tires with less than this amount of tread. Tread wear indicators will appear when the tire is worn Accurate tread depth indicators are inexpensive and handy You can check your own tread depth with an inexpensive gauge or by using a Lincoln head penny. Slip the Lincoln penny (with Lincolns head upside-down) into several tread grooves. If you can see the top of Lincolns head in 2 adjacent grooves, the tire has less than 1 /16 in. (1.5mm) tread left and should be replaced. You can measure snow tires in the same manner by using the tails side of the Lincoln penny. If you can see the top of the Lincoln memorial, its time to replace the snow tire(s). HOW TO USE THIS BOOK INFLATION & INSPECTION 101
A penny works well for a quick check of tread depth Chilton® Automotive Information Systems. © 2004 Thomson Delmar Learning. HOW TO USE THIS BOOK 102 INFLATION & INSPECTION
FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS Fluid Disposal Used fluids such as engine oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze and brake fluid are hazardous wastes and must be disposed of properly. Before draining any fluids, consult with the local authorities; in many areas, waste oil, etc. is being accepted as part of recycling programs. A number of service stations and auto parts stores are also accepting waste fluids for recycling. Be sure of the recycling centers policies before draining any fluids, as many will not accept different fluids that have been mixed together, such as oil and antifreeze. Oil and Fuel Recommendations ENGINE OIL Engine oil viscosity chartClick to enlarge The recommended oil viscosities for sustained temperatures ranging from below 0°F (-18°C) to above 32°F (0°C) are listed in this Section. They are broken down into multi-viscosity and single viscosities. Multi-viscosity oils are recommended because of their wider range of acceptable temperatures and driving conditions. Ford recommends that SAE 5W-30 viscosity engine oil should be used for all climate conditions, however, SAE 10W-30 is acceptable for vehicles operated in moderate to hot climates. When adding oil to the crankcase or changing the oil or filter, it is important that oil of an equal quality to original equipment be used in your truck. The use of inferior oils may void the warranty, damage your engine, or both. The SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) grade number of oil indicates the viscosity of the oil (its ability to lubricate at a given temperature). The lower the SAE number, the lighter the oil; the lower the viscosity, the easier it is to crank the engine in cold weather but the less the oil will lubricate and protect the engine in high temperatures. This number is marked on every oil container. FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS 103
Oil viscosities should be chosen from those oils recommended for the lowest anticipated temperatures during the oil change interval. Due to the need for an oil that embodies both good lubrication at high temperatures and easy cranking in cold weather, multigrade oils have been developed. Basically, a multigrade oil is thinner at low temperatures and thicker at high temperatures. For example, a 10W-40 oil (the W stands for winter) exhibits the characteristics of a 10 weight (SAE 10) oil when the truck is first started and the oil is cold. Its lighter weight allows it to travel to the lubricating surfaces quicker and offer less resistance to starter motor cranking than, say, a straight 30 weight (SAE 30) oil. But after the engine reaches operating temperature, the 10W-40 oil begins acting like straight 40 weight (SAE 40) oil, its heavier weight providing greater lubrication with less chance of foaming than a straight 30 weight oil. Look for the API oil identification label when choosing your engine oil The API (American Petroleum Institute) designations, also found on the oil container, indicates the classification of engine oil used under certain given operating conditions. Only oils designated for use Service SG heavy duty detergent should be used in your truck. Oils of the SG type perform may functions inside the engine besides their basic lubrication. Through a balanced system of metallic detergents and polymeric dispersants, the oil prevents high and low temperature deposits and also keeps sludge and dirt particles in suspension. Acids, particularly sulfuric acid, as well as other by-products of engine combustion are neutralized by the oil. If these acids are allowed to concentrate, they can cause corrosion and rapid wear of the internal engine parts. CAUTION Non-detergent motor oils or straight mineral oils should not be used in your Ford gasoline engine. Synthetic Oil There are many excellent synthetic and fuel-efficient oils currently available that can provide better gas mileage, longer service life, and in some cases better engine protection. These benefits do not come without a few hitches, however; the main one being the price of synthetic oils, which is three or four times the price per quart of conventional oil. Synthetic oil is not for every truck and every type of driving, so you should consider your engines condition and your type of driving. Also, check your trucks warranty conditions regarding the use of synthetic oils. High mileage engines are the wrong candidates for synthetic oil. Older engines with wear have a problem with synthetics: they use (consume during operation) more oil as they age. Slippery synthetic oils get past these worn parts easily. If your engine is using conventional oil, it will use synthetics much faster. Also, if your HOW TO USE THIS BOOK 104 ENGINE OIL
Remove the engine oil dipstick to check the level Wipe the dipstick with a clean, lint-free rag and reinsert it. Be sure to insert it all the way. 2. Pull out the dipstick and note the oil level. It should be between the FULL(MAX) mark and the ADD(MIN) mark. 3. The level should read below the FULL but above the ADD mark If the level is below the lower mark, replace the dipstick and add fresh oil to bring the level within the proper range. Do not overfill. 4. HOW TO USE THIS BOOK 106 OIL LEVEL CHECK