The 1995 Ford Explorer is equipped with an overhead valve engine that requires an occasional tune up to operate at peak performance. Maintaining the vehicle properly can extend the life of the engine and ensure the best gas mileage. While major repairs are costly, minor tune ups can done by the average home mechanic with relatively inexpensive parts from a local auto parts store. Performing these tune up procedures requires only a few basic tools and can often expose potential problems before they become major repairs.
Change the engine oil and oil filter. Remove the oil drain plug located on the bottom of the oil pan with a socket wrench. Drain the oil into an approved container and dispose of it according to local regulations. Install the drain plug and tighten it securely. Remove the oil filter with an oil filter wrench. Install a new oil filter and tighten it by hand only. Fill the engine with oil until the dipstick indicates a full level.
Flush the radiator if the coolant looks dirty or if the age of the coolant is unknown. Drain the radiator into an approved container by opening the drain plug with an adjustable wrench. Dispose of the old coolant according to local regulations. Close the drain plug and add coolant until the radiator is full according to the level indicator.
Replace the air filter. Open the air filter housing located near the front of the engine compartment using the attached clamps and remove the old air filter. Install the new air filter and secure the filter housing with the attached clamps.
Change the spark plugs. Remove the plug wires by pulling the boot off the plug. Remove the old spark plugs using a socket wrench with a spark plug socket. Install new spark plugs with a socket wrench and push the plug boot onto the new spark plugs.
Replace the drive belt. Remove the old drive belt by turning the belt tensioner clockwise with a socket wrench to allow slack in the belt. Install the new drive belt and release the belt tensioner to tighten the belt.
