Driving -> PREPARING TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE for Your Ford Explorer SUV Third Generation (2002-2005)

Driving  
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose  
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal  
injury or property damage. The occurrence of an AdvanceTracevent  
is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded their  
ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss of  
vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you  
experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.  
STEERING  
To prevent damage to the power steering system:  
Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it  
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.  
Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level  
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).  
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned  
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.  
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:  
an improperly inflated tire  
uneven tire wear  
loose or worn suspension components  
loose or worn steering components  
improper steering alignment  
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering  
seem to wander/pull.  
PREPARING TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE  
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than  
other types of vehicles.  
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely  
to die than a person wearing a safety belt.  
Your vehicle has larger tires and increased ground clearance, giving the  
vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger car.  
145  
2003 Explorer (exp)  
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)  
USA English (fus)  
Driving  
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and  
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a  
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles are not  
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more  
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under  
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt  
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in  
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal  
injury and death.  
Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity, may handle  
differently than unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as  
slower speeds and increased stopping distance, should be taken when  
driving a heavily loaded vehicle.  
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION  
Brake-shift interlock  
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents  
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is  
in the ON position unless brake pedal is depressed.  
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in  
the ON position and the brake pedal depressed:  
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to LOCK, then remove the  
key.  
146  
2003 Explorer (exp)  
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)  
USA English (fus)