Starting Your Engine; For A Cold Engine - Ford 1996 Explorer Manual

Before you start your vehicle, you should test the warning lights
on the instrument panel to make sure that they work. Refer to
the Warning Lights and Gauges chapter.

Starting Your Engine

To start your engine:
Follow the steps under Preparing to Start Your Vehicle at the
1.
beginning of this section.
Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
2.
DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when starting your
3.
engine. DO NOT use the accelerator while the vehicle is
parked.
Turn the key to the START position (cranking) until the
4.
engine starts. Allow the key to return to the ON position
after the engine has started.
If you have difficulty in turning the key, rotate the steering
wheel slightly because it may be binding.

For a cold engine:

At temperatures 10˚F (-12˚C) and below: If the engine does
not start in fifteen (15) seconds on the first try, turn the key
to OFF, wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not
flood the engine, then try again.
At temperatures above 10˚F (-12˚C): If the engine does not
start in five (5) seconds on the first try, turn the key to OFF,
wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not flood the
engine, then try again.
Starting Your Explorer
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