Get Maintenance and Specifications -> ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY Guide for Ford Explorer SUV Third Generation (2002-2005)

Maintenance and Specifications

Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Motorcraft part. The

customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system

if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.

ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY

Measuring techniques

Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the

driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as

possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are

NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend

taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1,600 km (1,000

miles) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate

measurement after 3,000 km–5,000 km (2,000 miles-3,000 miles).

Filling the tank

The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to

the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in the Refill capacities

section of this chapter.

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.

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• Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.

Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.

Filling the tank for FFV equipped vehicles

Your vehicle will operate on both unleaded gasoline with an octane rating

of 87, or E-85 fuel, or any mixture of these two. For best results it is

recommended that you do not add less than 5 gallons of fuel when

refueling. Observing this precaution will avoid possible hard starting

and/or deterioration in drivability during warm up.

Calculating fuel economy

1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading

(in kilometers or miles).

2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in liters

or gallons).

3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record

the current odometer reading.

4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer

reading.

5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel

economy:

Calculation 1: Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total

kilometers traveled.

Calculation 2: Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.

Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city

or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel

economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records

during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel

economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.

Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits

Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change

a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.

Habits

• Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.

• Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel

economy.

• Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste

fuel.

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• Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.

• Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.

• Slow down gradually.

• Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%

less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).

• Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.

• Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.

• You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if

unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.

Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel

economy.

• Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may

reduce fuel economy.

• Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel

economy.

• Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.

Maintenance

• Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.

• Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel

economy.

• Use recommended engine oil. Refer to Lubricant specifications in

this chapter.

• Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the

recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks

found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.

Conditions

• Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy

at any speed.

• Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately

0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).

• Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug

deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may

reduce fuel economy.

• Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first

12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.

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• Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to

driving on hilly terrain.

• Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top

cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.

• Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than

two-wheel-drive operation.

• Close windows for high speed driving.

Flex fuel (E-85) cruising range

Because E-85 fuel contains less energy per gallon than gasoline, you will

experience an increase in fuel consumption. You can expect your Miles

Per Gallon (MPG) and your driving range to decrease by about 30%

compared to gasoline operation.

EPA window sticker

Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your

dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA

window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons

with other vehicles.

It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window

sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)

expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy

may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM

Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a

catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with

applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic

converter and other emission control components continue to work

properly:

• Use only the specified fuel listed.

• Avoid running out of fuel.

• Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at

high speeds.

• Have the items listed in your scheduled maintenance guide performed

according to the specified schedule.

The scheduled maintenance items listed in the scheduled maintenance

guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its

emissions system.

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Maintenance and Specifications -> ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY for Your Ford Explorer SUV Third Generation (2002-2005)

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