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Best features are under the hood
of the new 2002 Explorer
Published: November 6, 2000
By: Robert Lane & Steve Blake
The upcoming Ford Explorer's true story is yet to be told because of the spotlight being primarily focused on the redesign and the addition of an optional third row seat. After analysis of the new powertrains that will be offered on what is still the best selling Sport Utility Vehicle brand in the market, we thought we should share our findings with you.
New Maintenance Free 150,000 Mile Transmission
The new wide-ratio, 5-speed 5R55W5 automatic transmission provides improved performance over most four and five-speed transmissions, including those offered by other manufacturers. This transmission features a new lighter weight 44 pound housing and is internally balanced for lower noise, vibration and harshness.
However, the transmission's best feature has to be the maintenance free design which greatly reduces the total vehicle operating costs. The new transmission is sealed at the factory with eleven quarts of a semi-synthetic blend of specially formulated fluid that should not require service for 150,000 miles. This also greatly benefits the environment.
The durability of this transmission was put to the test by Ford Motor Company. Besides seeing mud, steep hill climbs and a vigorous amount of towing that was conducted at Ford's Arizona Proving Grounds, a 2002 Explorer fitted with the new transmission was run at speeds of 115-120 miles per hour, for 50,000 miles while being connected to a dynamometer at Ford's Research and Engineering Center located in Dearborn, MI.
A New V8 To Be Proud Of
The increase of over 10% more horsepower over that of the aging 5.0L V8 provided in earlier model Explorers is not the best attribute of the optional first all-aluminum 4.6L V8. The added power and torque allow Explorer to boost its towing capacity for 2002, which is sure to keep the boat and camper hauling crowd pleased.
Besides the added power, this new V8 offers improved drivability and less weight. Also noteworthy is the increase in engine oil capacity from five quarts to six, for improved engine cooling, while also providing a longer engine life. Spark plug wires have also been eliminated by Ford's use of a direct coil-on-plug design, which will further reduce the vehicles overall maintenance costs.
You Don't Have To Apologize For The Standard V6 Either
Ford Motor Company has improved upon its reliable 4.0L single over-head cam engine by utilizing an all new equal-length composite intake system that greatly improves the sound quality experienced inside of the passenger compartment at all speeds.
While boasting an impressive 210 horsepower and 250 foot-pounds of torque, the use of new aluminum main bearings will further add to this engine's durability. Both engines, with routine maintenance, should go to 100,000 before a tune-up is ever needed.
PC Gaming On The Explorer's New Powertrain Electronic Controller
This is going to take many of you back quite a few years, but it is the best analogy to utilize for this new device. Most of you should recall when the game DOOM first hit the streets. It was the hottest software product to hit the market since Windows. However, many could not participate in this new multi-player PC game because of old equipment such as 286 or 386 SX based systems. Now imagine that you are loading DOOM on your Pentium™ based system while others drool all over their keyboards of their 286, 386, and even 486 based systems, because of envy.
That is just what Ford has done with the introduction of their next-generation 32-bit Powertrain Electronic Controller (PTEC) that manages all engine and transmission functions, while at the same time, also overseeing speed control, emissions and the vehicle's internal communications network.
In comparison, the system that this device replaced came with only a meager 256k worth of memory. PTEC now boasts four megabytes of memory, which means it would take sixteen of the older type devices to equal the capacity of just one PTEC system. According to Ford Motor Company, this new device is so sophisticated, it raised national security issues during development. "If you think of the previous-generation electronic engine control module as a 286 computer, the new PTEC is like a Pentium," explains Mike Pruitt, powertrain program planner.
PTEC is also about the environment, safety and security. The device controls the 4.0L flexible fuel capacity, allowing it to operate on blends of up to 85 percent ethanol which for air quality, is great news. The system also also allowed Ford's engineers to provide the 4.6L V8 a fail-safe engine cooling feature that engages if the the cylinder head temperature rises too high as a result of coolant loss. This is a great feature that will assist owners when unforeseen circumstances would otherwise strand other sport utility vehicle owners.
So when you stop by your local Ford dealer to test drive the new 2002 Explorer that is due to arrive sometime in February, don't forget to take notice of the new powertrain offerings. If you would like to have some fun at the same time, ask the new vehicle consultant if the Explorer's PTEC system is capable of playing DOOM.
----------------------
Whats everyone think?
of the new 2002 Explorer
Published: November 6, 2000
By: Robert Lane & Steve Blake
The upcoming Ford Explorer's true story is yet to be told because of the spotlight being primarily focused on the redesign and the addition of an optional third row seat. After analysis of the new powertrains that will be offered on what is still the best selling Sport Utility Vehicle brand in the market, we thought we should share our findings with you.
New Maintenance Free 150,000 Mile Transmission
The new wide-ratio, 5-speed 5R55W5 automatic transmission provides improved performance over most four and five-speed transmissions, including those offered by other manufacturers. This transmission features a new lighter weight 44 pound housing and is internally balanced for lower noise, vibration and harshness.
However, the transmission's best feature has to be the maintenance free design which greatly reduces the total vehicle operating costs. The new transmission is sealed at the factory with eleven quarts of a semi-synthetic blend of specially formulated fluid that should not require service for 150,000 miles. This also greatly benefits the environment.
The durability of this transmission was put to the test by Ford Motor Company. Besides seeing mud, steep hill climbs and a vigorous amount of towing that was conducted at Ford's Arizona Proving Grounds, a 2002 Explorer fitted with the new transmission was run at speeds of 115-120 miles per hour, for 50,000 miles while being connected to a dynamometer at Ford's Research and Engineering Center located in Dearborn, MI.
A New V8 To Be Proud Of
The increase of over 10% more horsepower over that of the aging 5.0L V8 provided in earlier model Explorers is not the best attribute of the optional first all-aluminum 4.6L V8. The added power and torque allow Explorer to boost its towing capacity for 2002, which is sure to keep the boat and camper hauling crowd pleased.
Besides the added power, this new V8 offers improved drivability and less weight. Also noteworthy is the increase in engine oil capacity from five quarts to six, for improved engine cooling, while also providing a longer engine life. Spark plug wires have also been eliminated by Ford's use of a direct coil-on-plug design, which will further reduce the vehicles overall maintenance costs.
You Don't Have To Apologize For The Standard V6 Either
Ford Motor Company has improved upon its reliable 4.0L single over-head cam engine by utilizing an all new equal-length composite intake system that greatly improves the sound quality experienced inside of the passenger compartment at all speeds.
While boasting an impressive 210 horsepower and 250 foot-pounds of torque, the use of new aluminum main bearings will further add to this engine's durability. Both engines, with routine maintenance, should go to 100,000 before a tune-up is ever needed.
PC Gaming On The Explorer's New Powertrain Electronic Controller
This is going to take many of you back quite a few years, but it is the best analogy to utilize for this new device. Most of you should recall when the game DOOM first hit the streets. It was the hottest software product to hit the market since Windows. However, many could not participate in this new multi-player PC game because of old equipment such as 286 or 386 SX based systems. Now imagine that you are loading DOOM on your Pentium™ based system while others drool all over their keyboards of their 286, 386, and even 486 based systems, because of envy.
That is just what Ford has done with the introduction of their next-generation 32-bit Powertrain Electronic Controller (PTEC) that manages all engine and transmission functions, while at the same time, also overseeing speed control, emissions and the vehicle's internal communications network.
In comparison, the system that this device replaced came with only a meager 256k worth of memory. PTEC now boasts four megabytes of memory, which means it would take sixteen of the older type devices to equal the capacity of just one PTEC system. According to Ford Motor Company, this new device is so sophisticated, it raised national security issues during development. "If you think of the previous-generation electronic engine control module as a 286 computer, the new PTEC is like a Pentium," explains Mike Pruitt, powertrain program planner.
PTEC is also about the environment, safety and security. The device controls the 4.0L flexible fuel capacity, allowing it to operate on blends of up to 85 percent ethanol which for air quality, is great news. The system also also allowed Ford's engineers to provide the 4.6L V8 a fail-safe engine cooling feature that engages if the the cylinder head temperature rises too high as a result of coolant loss. This is a great feature that will assist owners when unforeseen circumstances would otherwise strand other sport utility vehicle owners.
So when you stop by your local Ford dealer to test drive the new 2002 Explorer that is due to arrive sometime in February, don't forget to take notice of the new powertrain offerings. If you would like to have some fun at the same time, ask the new vehicle consultant if the Explorer's PTEC system is capable of playing DOOM.
----------------------
Whats everyone think?
