Help! I'm a long way from home!...so I left Iowa and got to my final destination of Tucson AZ this afternoon without a hickup in my 2002 Ford Explorer. Well..except the cruse control didn't want to work in New Mexico for a few miles. Anyway. I got here and after I checked into the Hotel, I got in to drive to the room entrance and noticed the "reduced engine power message" on the message center. It only stayed on for a few seconds then went back to trip/mileage. Just before this final stop, I did notice that the air conditioning fan suddenly started blowing less forcefully as I sat in idle for about 10 minutes waiting for my escort to show me where I was staying. It's hot in Tucson!

Is this the issue?...Being from Iowa, the gas I normally fill it up with has been 89 ethanol blend. On the road I was filling up with the 88 that was available. But the last place here, 10 miles from destination, had 87 and 89. I chose 89, thinking it was the octane it was used to. Reading the owners manual, it says it requires 87. Was this my mistake?

Or is Bessie just tired from traveling 1600 miles in two days? Or is there some other serious issue?

I am traveling by myself. Iowa Plates, no less. I don't want to be a target at some garage! And...

I have to leave to get back to Iowa tomorrow at check out... 11 am!

HELP!

 

you might be in a "limp mode"...Is there a Check Engine Light (CEL) on the dash as well??

If you have the CEL on...then there are codes tripped and your SUV needs to have it scanned to see what codes are tripped. Most automotive parts stores will do this for free.

ask at the hotel if they recommend any good places to get work done??
or check Angies List for mechanics in the area.

check all fluid levels...make sure they are at correct levels!!

does it run OK?? or rough?

Doubt that the gas is of any concern. You may need a new fuel filter?

 

Thanks for the feedback. No, no check engine light came on, and the reduced engine power message only flashed for a few moments. When I got up and started the truck, it didn't come back on, but just to be safe I went without air for a ways, thinking maybe it just got hot. I hoped that was it, and i left to Utah without another hickup. It seemed to have plenty of power going up the mountains in cruise, not so much without as i am pretty light footed. Didn't really go past 3 rpms doing 70 on the steep climbs need phoenix and Flagstaff. In salt lake today. I did change my oil before I left but I couldn't get the oil filter off to change it, only concerns about my fluids. The dash meter always stays to the cool side so I'm not sure What was up. I hope I don't need a new fuel filter. Better the filter then the pump tho, and that's what scared me, thinking I messed up by putting the wrong gas in.

 

I will def check my levels before i leave here!

 

Sounds like it just was trying to assimilate to the new location...much warmer climate...maybe the thermostat is weak??

Good to know that it is running well....

BUT...not getting the oil filter off or changed with last oil change is not a good plan.

I applaud your effort to do your own maintenance...fresh oil is good...but not changing the oil filter with it...is like 2 steps forward and 1 step back, so to speak. Swing into a ford dealership...ask for a oil and filter change...might be around $40., more if you change the fuel filter too... but it will be worth the piece of mind for the remainder of your travels. Explain your situation and I'm sure that they'll work ya in The fuel filter should not be very hard to change either especially for a shop.

 

Good idea. Thanks hun! I ll Let u know how I turn out.

 

And i still have the oil filter in the truck, Lol. It definitely was more than hand tight, and didn't have the special tool to get it off. I meant to bring it in before i left just for that...but I'm a girl..What can I say.

 

Yes they, the Oil filter, can really get hard to take off....& if you didn't do the oil change prior, it is hard to tell how tight it got placed on to begin with. Some "Quick Lube" places really over do it. It most-likey gets sealed on over time from the natural heat and cool cycles from driving and sitting. If you want to do your own oil changes ...Great...you just need to invest in some better tools to help get the job done.

If you got the oil filter along, That's super....But...Sorry, not trying to be too hard on you here, call it wise advice from those who have gone before you ...but...if the oil filter is orange in color, & says Fram on it, you might as well throw it away. Once upon a time they (fram) were pretty good, but now days their quality suffers tremendously.

So stick with Motorcraft, Wix or a Napa brands for any kind of filter for your Explorer ....these are top notch.

 

LOL..figures. the one that's on there now has a black cover. Took me forever to find it because it wasn't Orange.