Best "how to" manual for Clueless single mom?

[ExplorinMom]

Help! I'm a single mom and right now, barely getting by. I bought a used 92 Explorer xlt from a dealer last Oct for $3500 and since have put about $1200 into it for things like brakes etc... I don't know how the prev. owner took care of her, but with all the "major" safety things I fixed so far not even enough extra $$ to do a tune up yet, just keeping up with oil changes since Oct.

I live really rurally in the mtns and have to drive about 47 miles to get to Salida or Alamosa (the city) and the Ford Dealers and tune up places are REALLY high here. I called around to find out how much it would cost me to have the spark plugs & wires and fuel filter replaced because my gas mileage is down to about 12 mpg and it sounds a bit rough this month. The lowest quote I got was $375 !!!!!!!!

Now, I am NOT mechanically inclined. But after reading this forum and and having spent some time working on my previous vehicle (a 79 dodge Honey Motorhome that took me cross country) I am game to try to do some of the basic maintenence myself. I am assuming I'm intelligent enough to figure out how to change at least the plugs and wires myself and hopefully can learn enough about where other things are and how too fix them so that I won't get taken advantage of next time I really need something repaired.

So.....
What is the Best, the BEST, clearest (I need PICTURES, drawings etc... geared towards the "Dummies guide to" range) and easiest to understand maintenence and repair manual that a woman with no Ford experience and limited car experience can use to keep the car running and three kids going to their activities?

I saw a chiltons manual online but if I get a book and it is not helpful enough to walk me thorugh the "how to" then I have to wait another paycheck to buy plugs. Things are THAT tight right now, $25 a week is my "tune up" budget. *argh* But hopefully if I can replace a few cheap things the gas mileage will improve.

Thank you for the help!!!!

 

[IZwack]

Sounds like you're under a very tight budget. But why settle on an SUV?

If you're driving 47 miles into the city and then back each day, a smaller vehicle like a small Honda or a Toyota would probably be more suitable.

Plus, with the rising cost of gas prices, this Explorer will just cost you more further down the road as most smaller cars typically get mid 30's miles per gallon.

I recently purchased a '97 Civic (2-door) with only 62k miles for ~$3000 (price was low was because it had a check engline light, but it turned out to be an oxygen sensor - replaced it for ~$70). Of course such a deal isnt easy to find so spend a few weeks looking if you're interested in a cheaper vehicle.

As for the Chilton's manual, thats actually pretty good - I prefer it over the Haynes. But others on here would opt for the opposite. Go to your local book store (Barnes and Noble, Borders, etc..) and see if they have either one - flip through them if its on the shelf.

Do note that, beside the repair manual, you'll also need a good set of tools. This isnt too expensive but just someting to keep in the back of your head.

 

[ExplorinMom]

Thank you for your insight so far, I actually don't drive to the city every day, only about once every couple of weeks and the rest of the time stay up on the mtn. other than going back and forth to schools every day (about 18 miles each way, sometimes four times a day and some days only twice).

I have been looking for a smaller more gas thrifty car that sits high enough to navigate the back gravel roads and steep driveway of my cabin. Subaru's are prime $$$ around here!

The rising gas prices have left most of the dealers in the area swept clean of thrifty cars, and I don't have the funds to buy privately, I would need to do a nearly even stevens trade.

But, really, I like my explorer! She's comfortable and really great considering where I live, the 4x4 is a godsend when we get those big snows!!! I sailed right past eventhe little Subaru wagons after the snow gets to about 14 inches. I can stock up on groceries every few weeks and fill the back with supplies. this winter I made it through a whole month of not going to town after I stocked my explorer to the roof at Super WalMart. and when you have three kids, the less you go to WalMart the better off you are financially.

So, right now, I need to improve the gas mileage and hopefully take care of the routine inexpensive things myself for a while so I make the best of what I have.

(I used a few cans of the fuel system cleaner through it and the mileage actually got WORSE).

 

[IZwack]

There are a few threads on how to make your explorer a little bit more gas efficient - search a little and I'm sure you'll find a mountain of info. And per say, most of the general routine maintenance things (plugs, wires, etc..) are covered here - just gotta search and browse a little. So I guess to sum it up, make a new folder in your browser's toolbar 'cauz you'll be bookmarking a lot from this site.

 

[ExplorinMom]

Oh MY!!1 ~ LOL I just noticed the suggestion about going to Barnes and Noble or Borders.

Where I live, I'm at about 9,000 feet elevation. the nearest Borders or barnes and Noble would probebly be Denver or maybe Colorado Springs. (4-5 hours and 3 hours) So, that's why I'm asking for feedback here, I will need to buy online. If I cannot get it at super WalMart, I'm probebly going to end up online and wait for the UPS man to curse his way up my stoney, bumpy, two-track driveway.

I'm a mountain girl. LOL

 

[spindlecone]

How do you get internet access in your remote local?

 

[ExplorinMom]

Internet

I'm on Wireless High speed up here as most people are, there is a broadcast tower about 8 miles away. But, it's not very reliable when the weather is stormy so I also have a dial up backup. The key to living in mtns. I found out is backup. Backup your heat with a woodstove, back up your electric with a generator or solar, back up your internet, back up your house phone with a cell for emergencies etc... because things are not reliable. I guess i"m trying to learn how to "back up" my car, too, so it will stay reliable.

 

[BP_93explorer]

In my opinion, this forum is better than any book. Well, except for photos. Not everything covered here has photos but it can be explained well. Any problem you have is more than likely the same problem someone here had.

I'm a college student with a crappy part-time job. Budgets suck. I was going to get rid of my explorer until I found this forum. You just have to do a little searching to find the right thread.

 

[Positive Vibes]

Buy a Chiltons manual first. I would look on ebay. Also I believe there is a "online" book. I thought I saw theread around here, try searching.

Once you get a manual for your X, you can reference the book and ask us here on line. The book will help with location and lingo.

I would clean your MAF first that is a easy one. Also you have no check engine light on, correct?

 

[410Fortune]

If your 92 still has automatic locking front hubs (part of the 4x4 system) and they are bad, they can be engadged and turning the axleshafts in your front end even when you are in 2wd.
This will cause a loss in MPG.

 

[hourang]

sounds like a crappy situation you are in, maybe someone near you can help you out, i know i would.

i have a better solution to your need for a book, autozone.com. Its free, its easy, and has many diagrams/pictures. its tailored to the beginner. They have full manuals to all kinds of cars online and then you can just print out anything you need.

heres the spark plug change section:
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/0b/87/c7/0900823d800b87c7.jsp

it tells all the tools you need for the job. good luck

 

[ExplorinMom]

Ok Thank you those are all great suggestions.

I'll start with a Chilton's manual then, I read the threads on the MAF and how to clean it, I think I need a manual so I can find where it is and then I'll make that a priority, along with the plugs and wires and see how that improves things! Ebay is a great idea to find a manual, too - so I'll check that out today. I had someone named Frog come over to look at the engine and show me how to do plugs. Never let a man named Frog look at your car, he was even more clueless than me. From now on I"m sticking to a manual.

On the 4x4 question: My 4x4 is the kind where I push the button inside, and then get out and switch the hubs to "lock" manually, then back up 10 feet. I'm not sure if that is how it was originally since I just got this in Oct.

Your sugestion that it might still be engaging is worth looking into though, as things are not working as well as they should... when I put it in low range there is a massive vibrating, groaning sound from underneath, (it was like that when the dealer sold it to me, he just said, "dont worry youll never need low-range and the 4x4 is still good)

and ONLY when in 4x4 when I turn my wheel sharply to the right (especially in reverse) the wheels "click" and "jerk" the steering wheel while it groans.... (like that when I got it too) I found a thread on here addressing the likely cause of THAT, so that is "on my list" to have checked out and fixed before next winter's snows. I dont need 4x4 the next 6 months so I'll try to baby step the other things along until fall.
One thing at a time! lol

I'm pretty sure though, that I feel the 4x4 definately engaging and disengaging... but what do I know?

The threads so far have ben great and yes I've been bookmarking my "to do" list of things I know are wrong and need addresssing like the MPG and the 4x4/low range turning issue. HOnestly in the last 6 months I have put a TON of $$ into it so I dont want to give up now just when a lot of the "big" things have been replaced.

Luckily the auto transmission seems to be doing GREAT considering all the up-down of the mountains. I have no idea if or when the other owners might have had the fluid changed, I'm a little bit scared because I know that is supposed to be done regularly and I'm at about 128000 miles.... but so far it's working well... if your not having any tran issues, and dont know if it's ever been changed, think I should risk it this summer and have the trans fluid and filter changed or just let sleeping dogs lay?

I've read the other forums about the "exploder" trans and now I'm scared! LOL

 

[ExplorinMom]

Oh I LOVE the AUTOZONE site, THANK YOU!

 

[Positive Vibes]

You could do a visual check on the trans fluid. Just crack the plug and visually inspect the fluid. Should be fairly clear and pinkish. If its cloudy or dark I would change ASAP.

 

['97 V8]

i don't know but it could be a factor. could here crapy gas milage be attributed to the elevation? at 5,000 a car feels sluggish i could only imagine at 9k. She could be givin it a lot of gas to sustain a reasonable speed up the mountain. just a suggestion

 

[hourang]

Oh I LOVE the AUTOZONE site, THANK YOU!

no problem

i would just make sure the trans fluid level is good, check it while running, if the level is good then leave it be. also smell the fluid, if it smells burnt, then i would get the trans looked at asap.

 

[everythintech]

on a side note, is that around leadville? i grew up goin there and my grandpa has a cabin up there at a club called mt. massive lakes. anyways, good luck

 

[93TwotoneXLT]

Looks like you have not gotten an answer to your question yet. When the 4x4 is locked in, the vehicle will feel like it is "grabbing" when you turn the wheel. The steering wheel will even buck a little too, because that front wheel is indeed "grabbing" at the surface for traction. This sensation is normal and you shouldn't need to worry about it, unless it is really bad and you are hearing metal on metal as it is doing this. As far as the gas mileage is concerned, the elevation at which you live will definately affect it. Check the explorer maintanance section to find out how to change the plugs and wires, along with cleaning the maf, iac, and the tb. (You will know what I am talking about when you look these up) One more thing, as a precaution, make sure that when you are driving in those mountains that you do not have the vehicle in "OD" when driving up steep hills. The OD gear in the trans is not that tough and is the cause of many failures due to towing heavy loads and the such, as the gear blows apart and takes the whole trans with it. Try to keep it in the "D" position when doing heavy mountain driving. However, keep in mind that trans life is dependant on the usage of the truck. If it has not been used for towing or for very light duty (less than 1000lbs) towing then it is reasonable to get good mileage out of the tranny. There are many people on here that have gotten or have over 200,000 miles on the factory trans. Hope this helps and welcome to the site

 

[SoBeLover]

Oh MY!!1 ~ LOL I just noticed the suggestion about going to Barnes and Noble or Borders.

Where I live, I'm at about 9,000 feet elevation. the nearest Borders or barnes and Noble would probebly be Denver or maybe Colorado Springs. (4-5 hours and 3 hours) So, that's why I'm asking for feedback here, I will need to buy online. If I cannot get it at super WalMart, I'm probebly going to end up online and wait for the UPS man to curse his way up my stoney, bumpy, two-track driveway.

I'm a mountain girl. LOL

If you have an Advanced Auto, or Auto Zone in your area, they might have a Haynes or Chilton's manual for your Explorer. Check them out. I'm a single mom too and asked so many questions when I first joined here......I'm still asking questions.

My manual stays right where I know it won't get lost.....on the dashboard of my Explorer (I'm on my second one....my 92 blew two transmissions before I decided to get a newer one...bought my 98 with my tax return this February)

Anyway, I want to welcome you here.....from one single mom to another

 

[ExplorinMom]

You are all so wonderful!! THANK YOU- TwoTone, your infor about the 4x4 is priceless, yes mine feels exactly like it is "grabbing" when I turn the wheel sharply, and especially going backwards. I'm not hearing anything like metal on metal just groaning when it happens, so knowing that is what it is, might have just saved me a bundle by stopping me form going into a shop later this summer and saying, "I think something is wrong with the 4x4 blah blah blah."

I agree on the elevation although the car has spent it's whole life at the higher elevations it was originally sold out of Denver new then made it's way west. but the overdrive hints are also priceless! today I shifted down into regular drive for the hills and had a lot more power and lower rpms.

SoBeLover- I hope I have better luck with transmissions than you did! thank you for the warm welcome form everyone. I am really psyched to try the spark plugs next week, so I'll let you know how it goes and from there things can only improve.