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New to the forum, new to the Explorer but not new to Fords. I've had my share of Panther platform cars ('00 Crown Vic P72, '03 Grand Marquis LS loaded with the Handling Package, a '07 Grand Marquis GS Convenience and my current '01 Grand Marquis GS), and just got my '10 Explorer XLT that's just turned 13,000 miles. 
She's got the 4.0L and the 5R55S with a conventional 3.55, Ebony exterior with Light Camel cloth interior. Build date is 10/29/2010, was my boss' car before he moved abroad and he bought it new. This XLT model was pretty much the only one available at the dealer when it was up for sale new. I quite like the '06-'10 models, and thought this was the perfect opportunity to get one, as I'm a big fan of body on frame construction.
Maintenance wise, it's been serviced by the Ford/Lincoln dealer, who uses Middle Eastern sourced Castrol GTX 10W-30. The oil "meets the requirements of API SL" and has no ILSAC accreditation. I'm also an oil guy, and avoid UAE sourced lubricants at any cost...I've had my share of engine sludge issues because of their quality standards. We had a discussion about this over a year ago, and my boss has made sure they use Motorcraft Syn Blend 10W-30 since, which is what Ford recommends in this part of the world. Nothing else, other than tire rotations, has been done to it.
The truck was involved in an accident back in March '12, which was repaired by the Ford/Lincoln dealer. A Toyota Corolla smashed into the passenger side rear bumper, and the repair involved replacing the rear bumper and passenger side tail light assembly, as well as a dent in the rear gate (which has also been painted). The Corolla was totaled.
Had a few small issues that needed sorting out when I bought the truck, mainly:
- Swirls in the paintwork
- 2 hairline scratches on the passenger side rear door
- What appears to be a coffee stain on the front passenger side floormat
- Some cat hair, which didn't bother me too much having 3 of my own.
Got that all sorted and detailed, now she looks showroom new. Change oil warning also came up after I picked her up, and got some maintenance out the way:
- Liqui Moly Leichtlauf Special F 5W-30 Group III Synthetic (ACEA A5/B5-08 & WSS-M2C-913-C)
- Motorcraft FL-820S
- Motorcraft FA-1695
- Motorcraft FG-1083
- Cross tire rotation
- Blew out the pads/rotors with compressed air and cleaned them up with CRC brake cleaner
- Lubricated the door hinges/hood latch with grease
Rides and drives like a champ. She runs on 91 RON/87 AKI fuel with a maintenance dose of CRC Fuel Injection Cleaner to keep things clean, as the detergents in our gas aren't exactly top notch. Worked like a charm over the years, and there's never been any carbon issues, even in the tailpipe. I get around 17.8 MPG combined, which isn't bad considering Ford rated the truck 15 MPG combined on the window sticker:
Getting the windows tinted soon (30%), and thinking about blacking out the chrome in the mean time. Will probably take it from there with any mods.
She's got the 4.0L and the 5R55S with a conventional 3.55, Ebony exterior with Light Camel cloth interior. Build date is 10/29/2010, was my boss' car before he moved abroad and he bought it new. This XLT model was pretty much the only one available at the dealer when it was up for sale new. I quite like the '06-'10 models, and thought this was the perfect opportunity to get one, as I'm a big fan of body on frame construction.
Maintenance wise, it's been serviced by the Ford/Lincoln dealer, who uses Middle Eastern sourced Castrol GTX 10W-30. The oil "meets the requirements of API SL" and has no ILSAC accreditation. I'm also an oil guy, and avoid UAE sourced lubricants at any cost...I've had my share of engine sludge issues because of their quality standards. We had a discussion about this over a year ago, and my boss has made sure they use Motorcraft Syn Blend 10W-30 since, which is what Ford recommends in this part of the world. Nothing else, other than tire rotations, has been done to it.
The truck was involved in an accident back in March '12, which was repaired by the Ford/Lincoln dealer. A Toyota Corolla smashed into the passenger side rear bumper, and the repair involved replacing the rear bumper and passenger side tail light assembly, as well as a dent in the rear gate (which has also been painted). The Corolla was totaled.
Had a few small issues that needed sorting out when I bought the truck, mainly:
- Swirls in the paintwork
- 2 hairline scratches on the passenger side rear door
- What appears to be a coffee stain on the front passenger side floormat
- Some cat hair, which didn't bother me too much having 3 of my own.
Got that all sorted and detailed, now she looks showroom new. Change oil warning also came up after I picked her up, and got some maintenance out the way:
- Liqui Moly Leichtlauf Special F 5W-30 Group III Synthetic (ACEA A5/B5-08 & WSS-M2C-913-C)
- Motorcraft FL-820S
- Motorcraft FA-1695
- Motorcraft FG-1083
- Cross tire rotation
- Blew out the pads/rotors with compressed air and cleaned them up with CRC brake cleaner
- Lubricated the door hinges/hood latch with grease
Rides and drives like a champ. She runs on 91 RON/87 AKI fuel with a maintenance dose of CRC Fuel Injection Cleaner to keep things clean, as the detergents in our gas aren't exactly top notch. Worked like a charm over the years, and there's never been any carbon issues, even in the tailpipe. I get around 17.8 MPG combined, which isn't bad considering Ford rated the truck 15 MPG combined on the window sticker:
Getting the windows tinted soon (30%), and thinking about blacking out the chrome in the mean time. Will probably take it from there with any mods.
