Need Help with '95 2-Door Explorer

[Ardbob]

I have a 1995 Ford Explorer 2-Door. My dad left it to me three years ago and since it's so dear to me, I decided to take amazing care of it. However, I know close to nothing about automobiles. I've been learning more and more, and I'm a pretty quick learner, but I have a lot of questions. Thanks ahead of time to anyone willing to help me.

Just to give you an idea of how little I know about anything vehicular, about a year ago (after two years of driving this vehicle) my car broke down suddenly with white smoke pouring out. That's when I learned that there is such a thing as Radiator Fluid and that it needs to be refilled occasionally. @_@

1. Is there any tips you can give me for getting better MPG? I drive for a living, so it's always helpful to spend less money on gas.

2. How often should Transmission Fluid be replaced? I've never changed it and haven't had any transmission problems so far, but recently it sounded odd when I changed gears. It may have just been because I was parked on a slope though.

3. Lately when I start the car, it takes longer to start. It sounds the same as it does when the battery dies and has a hard time starting, but it actually starts. I know this could mean many things, but I'm guessing I just need to replace the battery since it's probably been in there for about 4-5 years. Are batteries generally expensive?

4. I now know I'm supposed to change my oil, oil filter, radiator fluid, and transmission fluid. Anything else I need to change every once in a while? I know it's good to change the air filter sometimes. My friend took it out once, cleaned it and put it back, but I've never changed it.

5. I changed my serpentine belt about six months ago because the car was squeaking occasionally. The squeaking then stopped, so I guess I had fixed the problem. Recently it started squeaking again. Is it normal for a serpentine belt to go bad so quickly or could something else be making the noise or causing the problem?

I may have more questions later but that's all I can think of for now. Thanks again.

 

[Varsity]

1. Learn good driving habits. No modification or additive will give you better MPG if your an a-hole driver. Just pick streets and routes with least amount of traffic, combine trips, keep your Explorer in top shape, and smooth acceleration and stops. You don't have to be the first one off the line at every redlight.

2. Debatable. I haven't changed mine either, but I've heard many different opinions ranging from 50k to 100k. It's not like an oil change that has to be done every 3-5k.

3. Very well could be a dying battery, however there could be other causes as well. Batteries around here I've seen for a little more than $100 so do your research, there's plenty of battery stores around.

4. Only one I could think is the diffrencial, but that's another story. I don't have much experience there so I'll let someone else add to this one. Air filters are good to change often because they do have a great impact on MPG. I'm not sure if you can really "clean" a paper filter, but at most parts stores they're about $20 or less and for that price you might as well just change it rather than try to clean it. If you have the K&N performance filter, then cleaning it is a must, but again, I don't have much personal experience with performance filters.

5. It could be the belt again, or it could be many other things. If you take the belt off, and turn all the things the belt rests on you'll most likely find the squeak if it wasn't the belt.

I know its brief, but thats a basic overview. Maybe someone with more time and knowledge can jump in and fill in the gaps I've left. Good luck with your Explorer, it's nice to see another 2-Door owner here!

 

[BrianDye]

Welcome to the site

1. Get a better intake (K&M, Mac, KKM, etc)
Something like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories but get a better filter for it.

The best one ive done..drive like you have an egg under the gas pedal (Drive really lightly, avoid passing people, avoid stop and go, etc) My thing the last couple days has been to keep it under 2000 RPMs and ive been doing good on that, definitely noticed my gas gauge staying up longer

2. Thats almost a personal question. Some people will swear by changing it every 50,000-75,000 miles, others will do it at 100k, some will NEVER do it. If you've never done it, I personally would reccomend it. New filter and trans pan gasket should run you about ~35$ (For my 2000 V8 at least). Fluid wise? Alot of members run synthetic, its more resistant to heat, lasts longer, etc, but it has a decent price tag. I would probably just reccomend the regular fluid for you.

4. Coolant, oil, transmission fluid, differential fluid, transfercase fluid (If you have 4x4), and definitely do something about that air filter. Either get a "drop in" K&N, or do the whole intake like I said above. (Drop in means just a replacement for your paper filter, get em' at AutoZone or simaler)

5. What belt did you use? Try this: with the truck running, get some water and spray it on the hose (Dont douse it, just a nice stream to get it wet) and see if the squeak stops. If it stops, it the belt. If not, then you most likely have a pulley sqeaking somewhere.

Hope that helps a little bit, I myself am still learning ALOT, but some more knowledgable members will have some more info to help you out

 

[Steeda90GT]

1. As other suggested, change your driving habits FIRST. Drive it like your on glass, you'll see an improvement. I would also recommend doing a full tune-up (plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter, pcv, cap/rotor, etc) Make sure your X is in tip top shape.

2. How many miles do you have? If it's over 100k and its never been done, then my suggestion would be to not touch it. Sometimes you can do more harm then good.

3. It could be the battery. As stated, their usually under $100.

4. I would consider differential fluid. I have heard (not confirmed) that some people have seen an improvement in mpg when changing the old fluid out. I would also top off the power steering fluid, windshield washer fluids, and anything else that looks low to you.

5. Since the noise came back, it's most likely a pulley or accesory. I would remove the belt and test all the pulleys. Sometimes the tensioner goes bad on these Fords (had to change it on my X)

Good luck!!