Ford Explorer Quiz
Engine Emission Control

Catalytic Converter

In this manual: Engine Emission Control
Introduction — 10At a Glance — 3Child Safety — 11Seat Belts — 10Personal Safety System™ — 1Supplemental Restraint System — 10Pedestrian Protection — 1911 Assist — 3Keys and Remote Controls — 10MyKey™ — 8Doors & Locks — 9Liftgate — 7Safety — 3Steering Wheel — 11Wipers and Washers — 5Lighting — 13Automatic High Beam Control — 3Windows and Mirrors — 6Instrument Cluster — 4Information Displays — 4Climate Control — 6Cabin Air Quality — 2Seats — 9Garage Door Opener — 2Auxiliary Power Points — 3Storage Compartments — 2Starting and Stopping the Engine — 5Unique Driving Characteristics — 4Fuel and Refueling — 8Engine Emission Control — 3High-Voltage Battery — 1Infection Transmission — 8All-Wheel Drive Vehicle — 1Brakes — 5Reverse Brake Assist — 4Traction Control — 1Stability Control — 3Hill Descent Control — 3Park Aid — 8Cruise Control — 4Adaptive Cruise Control — 19Driver Assistance — 12Drive Mode Control — 4Loading — 6Tow/Haul — 6Driving Tips — 5Roadside Emergencies — 8Customer Assistance — 9Fuses — 3Maintenance — 21Vehicle Care — 12Wheels and Tires — 8Capacities and Specifications — 16Connectivity — 3Wi-Fi Hotspot — 3Audio System — 6SYNC™ 3 — 14Accessories — 1Ford Protect — 1Scheduled Maintenance — 5Appendices — 4
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Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control system components and a catalytic converter, which allow it to meet applicable exhaust emission standards.

To make sure the catalytic converter and other emission control system components continue to operate correctly:

  • Do not crank the engine for more than 10 seconds at a time.
  • Do not run the engine with a spark plug wire disconnected.
  • Do not push-start or tow-start the vehicle. Use jumper cables. Refer to Jump Starting the Vehicle.
  • Use only the specified fuel.
  • Do not turn off the ignition while the vehicle is moving.
  • Avoid running out of fuel.
  • Perform the items listed in the Scheduled Maintenance information at the specified intervals.

The scheduled maintenance items listed in the Scheduled Maintenance information are important for the life and performance of your vehicle and for its emission control system.

If you use replacement parts not manufactured by Ford for maintenance or for servicing components that affect emission control, these parts must be equivalent to genuine Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.

Illumination of the Check Engine Light, the charging system warning light, or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, unusual odors, smoke, or loss of engine power may indicate that the emission control system is not operating properly.

A malfunctioning or damaged exhaust system may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle. Inspect and repair a damaged or malfunctioning exhaust system immediately.

Do not make unauthorized modifications to your vehicle or engine. By law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases, or rents vehicles, or operates a vehicle fleet, is prohibited from intentionally removing an emission control device or rendering it inoperative. Emission control system information for your vehicle is shown on the Vehicle Emission Control Information label located on or near the engine. This label also shows the engine displacement.

Refer to the Warranty Information for complete details.

On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II)

Your vehicle is equipped with a computer known as the On-Board Diagnostic system (OBD-II), which monitors the engine emission control system. The system protects the environment by making sure your vehicle continues to meet government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists the technician in properly servicing your vehicle.

When the Check Engine Soon light is on, the OBD-II system has detected a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause the Check Engine Soon light to come on. Examples:

  1. Your vehicle ran out of fuel. The engine may misfire or run poorly.
  2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel. The engine may misfire or run poorly.
  3. The fuel filler cap may not have been tightened properly. Refer to Refueling.
  4. Driving through deep water. The electrical system may have become wet.

You can correct these temporary malfunctions by refueling with good quality fuel, properly tightening the fuel filler cap, or allowing the electrical system to dry. After three driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions present, the Check Engine Soon light should turn off at the next engine start. A driving cycle consists of a cold engine start followed by mixed city and highway driving. No additional vehicle service is required.

If the Check Engine Soon light remains on, have the vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity. Although some malfunctions detected by OBD-II may not have obvious symptoms, continuing to drive with the Check Engine Soon light on may result in increased emissions, reduced fuel economy, reduced engine and transmission smoothness, and more costly repairs.

Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Readiness

Some state, provincial, and local authorities may require Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) programs to test the emission control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection may prevent you from registering the vehicle.

If the Check Engine Soon light is on or the light does not work, your vehicle may require service. Refer to On-Board Diagnostics.

Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test if the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (check engine light) is on, is not working properly (bulb burned out), or if the OBD-II system has determined that some of the emission control systems have not been properly monitored. In this case, the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing.

If the engine or transmission has recently been serviced, or the battery has recently failed or been replaced, the OBD-II system may indicate that the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. To determine whether the vehicle is ready for I/M testing, turn the ignition key to the ON position for 15 seconds without cranking the engine. If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp flashes eight times shortly thereafter, the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp remains on continuously shortly thereafter, the vehicle is ready for I/M testing.

The OBD-II system monitors the emission control system during normal driving. A complete check may take several days.

If the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing, you may perform the following driving cycle consisting of mixed city and highway driving:

  1. 15 minutes of steady driving on a freeway or highway, followed by 20 minutes of continuous driving with at least four 30-second periods of idling.
  2. Let the vehicle stand for at least eight hours with the ignition off. Then start the vehicle and complete the driving cycle described above. The vehicle must warm up to normal operating temperature. After starting, do not turn off the vehicle until the above driving cycle is complete.

If the vehicle is still not ready for I/M testing, repeat the driving cycle described above.

Test yourself

A quick Ford Explorer quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.