Ford 2002 Explorer Manual page 89

Driving
Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 4 (ON) without
turning the key to 5 (START). If
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there is difficulty in turning the key,
3
rotate the steering wheel until the
5
key turns freely. This condition may
occur when:
2
• the front wheels are turned
• a front wheel is against the curb
1
Turn the key to 5 (START), then
release the key as soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking could damage the starter.
Note: If the engine does not start within five seconds on the first try,
turn the key to 3 (OFF), wait 10 seconds and try again.
Cold weather starting (flexible fuel vehicles only)
In cold weather, ethanol fuel distributors should supply winter grade
(E 85) ethanol. If summer grade (E 85) ethanol is used in cold weather,
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you may experience increased cranking times, rough idle or hesitation
until the engine has warmed up. Consult your fuel distributor for the
availability of winter grade (E 85) ethanol. High-quality blends of winter
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grade (E 85) ethanol will produce satisfactory cold weather starting and
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driving results.
Cold starting performance can also be improved by using an engine block
heater. Engine block heaters are available as an option and can be
obtained from your Ford dealer. Consult the engine block heater section
for proper use of the engine block heater.
If you experience cold weather starting problems on (E 85) ethanol, and
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neither an alternative brand of (E 85) ethanol nor an engine block
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heater is available, adding unleaded gasoline to your tank will improve
cold starting performance. Your vehicle is designed to operate on (E 85)
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ethanol, unleaded gasoline alone, or any mixture of the two.
If the engine fails to start using the preceding instructions (flexible
fuel vehicles only)
1. Press and hold down the accelerator 1/3 to 1/2 way to floor, then
crank the engine.
2. When the engine starts, release the key, then gradually release the
accelerator pedal as the engine speeds up. If the engine still fails to start,
repeat Step 1.
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