General maintenance

[Raph X.]

Whats up forum after helping me identify the coolant issues and much more. I ask yall what spark plugs (brand) wires (brand) brake fluid and power steering fluid again (brand) do yall recommend and have had good results. Im tired of going to the auto parts store and them choosing out of all the options they have so i end up with things like a top thousing that doesnt fit just because it is a couple mm off from the original. So any help would again be greatly appreciated.

2001 ford explorer SPORT 2dr V6
Currently pushing 222780 miles

 

[swshawaii]

Motorcraft SP500 (AGSF22PP) Finewire Platinum OEM spark plugs. You won't find a single complaint about them on EF.
Double check .054" gap. Use copper or nickel anti seize at your discretion. I wouldn't think about installing plugs in aluminum heads without anti seize, especially at 100K+ intervals. YMMV. Remove both front tires for R&R and easier access.

More Information for MOTORCRAFT SP500

www.rockauto.com

Hard to fault OEM wires because they are EXACT length and vehicle specific. Originals lasted 222K, correct? Check driver door VIN sticker for build date. To prevent confusion and firing order miswiring, replace ONE wire at a time.
(AFTER 7/24/00)

More Information for MOTORCRAFT WR6120

www.rockauto.com

(BEFORE 7/24/00)

More Information for MOTORCRAFT WR5944

www.rockauto.com

DOT 3 is specified for brake fluid. I use Valvoline DOT 3 & 4 because it's locally available and reasonably priced.

Valvoline Dot 3 and 4 Brake Fluid – Valvoline Chemicals

www.valvolinechemicals.com

Mercon ATF is specified for power steering fluid.
* Mercon V is also backwards compatible with Mercon and can be used in Mercon applications.

Mercon V (ATF) Conventional Automatic Transmission Fluid - Valvoline™ Global

Valvoline™ ATF for MERCON*V Applications is a high-quality transmission fluid meeting and exceeding the requirements of the Ford Mercon V specification which covers most Ford passenger cars and light-duty trucks (except those specifying MERCON*SP, MERCON*LV, MERCON*ULV or Type F fluids)...

www.valvoline.com

Capacities and specifications (Page 224+)

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/01u27og6e.pdf

 

[Fix4Dirt]

for plugs/wires i use MC, brake fluid i used dot 3 prestone, PS iirc was castrol merc v. though, anything that meets dot 3 standards, or merc v, should be fine imo.

 

[C420sailor]

MC plugs and wires here. Any
DOT3/4 brake fluid (it’s not a performance car). I run Mercon V in the PS and trans, and Merc (NOT V—LV is okay) in the transfer case. Brand doesn’t matter.

Once again, Mercon V is NOT rated or approved for transfer cases.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Motorcraft SP500 (AGSF22PP) Finewire Platinum OEM spark plugs. You won't find a single complaint about them on EF.
Double check .054" gap. Use copper or nickel anti seize at your discretion. I wouldn't think about installing plugs in aluminum heads without anti seize, especially at 100K+ intervals. YMMV. Remove both front tires for R&R and easier access.

More Information for MOTORCRAFT SP500

www.rockauto.com

Hard to fault OEM wires because they are EXACT length and vehicle specific. Originals lasted 222K, correct? Check driver door VIN sticker for build date. To prevent confusion and firing order miswiring, replace ONE wire at a time.
(AFTER 7/24/00)

More Information for MOTORCRAFT WR6120

www.rockauto.com

(BEFORE 7/24/00)

More Information for MOTORCRAFT WR5944

www.rockauto.com

DOT 3 is specified for brake fluid. I use Valvoline DOT 3 & 4 because it's locally available and reasonably priced.

Valvoline Dot 3 and 4 Brake Fluid – Valvoline Chemicals

www.valvolinechemicals.com

Mercon ATF is specified for power steering fluid.
* Mercon V is also backwards compatible with Mercon and can be used in Mercon applications.

Mercon V (ATF) Conventional Automatic Transmission Fluid - Valvoline™ Global

Valvoline™ ATF for MERCON*V Applications is a high-quality transmission fluid meeting and exceeding the requirements of the Ford Mercon V specification which covers most Ford passenger cars and light-duty trucks (except those specifying MERCON*SP, MERCON*LV, MERCON*ULV or Type F fluids)...

www.valvoline.com

Capacities and specifications (Page 224+)

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/01u27og6e.pdf

As mentioned above Mercon V in the power steering and transmission ONLY.