2003 Ford Explorer Sport Owner Guide 5th Printing - Page 242

Maintenance and Specifications • Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while filling. • DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill position. Choosing the right fuel Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law and could damage your vehicle. If your vehicle is a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV), use only UNLEADED FUEL and (E85) FUEL ETHANOL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law and could damage your vehicle. Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system components. Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic compounds, including manganese-based additives. Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was not designed may not be covered by your warranty. Octane recommendations Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are (R+M)/2 METHOD using fuel with the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified service technician to prevent any engine damage. Unleaded Gasoline engines Your vehicle is designed to use "Regular" unleaded gasoline with an (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. We do not recommend the use of gasolines labeled as "Regular" that are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas. FFV engine (if equipped) Your vehicle is designed to use (E85) Fuel Ethanol, "Regular" unleaded gasoline or any percentage of the two fuels combined. U.S. government regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing pumps to have a small, square, orange and black label with the common abbreviation or the appropriate percentage for that region. Use of other fuels such as Fuel Methanol may cause 87 242 2003 Explorer (exp) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA English (fus)