1998 Ford Explorer Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 176

Maintenance and care relearn its idle conditions before your vehicle will drive properly. To begin this process: 1. Put the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or the neutral position (manual transmissions), turn off all accessories and start the vehicle. 2. Let the engine idle for at least one minute. 3. The relearning process will automatically complete as you drive the vehicle. • If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle, the idle quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle is eventually relearned. • If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed, the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is reconnected. • Always dispose of automotive batteries in a responsible manner. Follow your community's standards for disposal. Call your local recycling center to find out more about recycling automotive batteries. WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES Check the wiper blades at least twice a year or when they seem less effective. Substances such as tree sap and some hot wax treatments used by commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper blades. Checking the wiper blades If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean both the windshield and wiper blades using undiluted windshield wiper solution or a mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. To avoid damaging the blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents. Changing the wiper blades When replacing wiper blade assemblies, always use a Motorcraft part or equivalent. To make replacing the wipers easy, turn the ignition to ACC, then turn the wipers on. When the wipers reach the vertical position, turn the ignition to LOCK. 176