1998 Ford Explorer Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 184

Maintenance and care recommended octane, see your dealer or a qualified service technician to prevent any engine damage. Fuel quality If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability problems during a cold start, try a different brand of ''Regular'' gasoline. ''Premium'' gasoline is not recommended (particularly in the United States) because it may cause these problems to become more pronounced. If the problems persist, see your dealer or a qualified service technician. The American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) issued a gasoline specification to provide information on high quality fuels that optimize the performance of your vehicle. We recommend the use of gasolines that meet the AAMA specification if they are available. It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel tank if you continue to use a high-quality fuel. Cleaner air Ford approves the use of gasolines to improve air quality, including reformulated gasolines that contain oxygenates up to 10% ethanol or 15% MTBE. Do not use gasolines containing methanol, which can damage critical fuel system components. Damage resulting from the use of methanol may not be covered by your warranty. Calculating fuel economy To accurately calculate your vehicle's fuel economy: 1. Fill the tank completely and record the initial odometer reading. 2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in liters or gallons). 3. After at least three to five fuel tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record the current mileage reading. 4. Use one of the following equations to calculate fuel economy. Liters used x 100 Ϭ Total kilometers traveled Total miles traveled Ϭ Total gallons used Keep a record for at least one month. This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle's fuel economy. 184