- Tire tread wears excessively if the tires are not properly inflated.tire image by sasha from Fotolia.com
Maintenance can mean the difference between long, trouble-free car ownership and a far shorter one plagued with expensive repairs. Ford Motor Company suggests simple maintenance procedures for the Explorer to keep it running as long as possible. Follow the schedule and you'll save money and hassles. - The tires on the Ford Explorer are often one of the most neglected items, yet they have a profound effect on the SUV. Proper tire pressure has a significant impact on both wear and fuel economy. Check pressures every two weeks to a month. If tires are underinflated, they will wear heavily on the outside of the tread pattern, reducing your traction when turning. If they are overinflated, they will wear heavily on the inside of the tread, reducing the tire's ability to maintain contact with the road in adverse conditions. Always set the tire pressure to the recommended PSI listed on the VIN sticker inside the driver door frame. Never use the rating on the tire sidewall, as that is a maximum inflation figure for that particular brand and model of tire, regardless of what vehicle it is mounted on.
Rotating tires is also important. The front tires lean out and ride on their edges when turning. This creates a wavy effect in the tire's tread. If left unattended this waviness, called "chopping", becomes so severe that the Explorer will begin to transmit considerable road noise. Chopping also creates serious vibration in the front suspension that transmits to the steering wheel. Rotating the tires to the back allows them to ride flat on the tread once again, smoothing out the chopping if it hasn't become severe already. Rotate the tires every 5,000 to 6,000 miles. - As with all vehicles, the Explorer's engine oil breaks down over time and you must change it regularly. Also, flush the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles and replace the rear differential fluid every 60,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on the differential. Replace the transfer case fluid every 50,000 miles if you have four-wheel drive and flush the cooling system every 24,000 to 100,000 miles based on the type of coolant your Explorer uses. Neglecting the fluids can have serious detrimental effects on the components they inhabit.
- Your Explorer has four maintenance filters that need regular replacement. These filters remove contaminants from various systems, and ignoring a filter replacement need can quickly lead to expensive repairs. Install a new engine oil filter at every oil change. During the oil change, inspect the engine air filter and replace it if you can't see light through it. The fuel filter's recommended lifespan is 15,000 miles, so replace it then. Last is the transmission filter, which should be replaced every 60,000 miles.
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