1996 FORD RANGER maintenance

257
Servicing Your Ranger
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Service Made Easy
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Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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[SV00500(ALL)01/95]1.
When we can, we design parts that do not need to be
serviced.
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[SV00600(ALL)01/95]2.
We want to make servicing your vehicle as easy as possible.
To help you:
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We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in the engine
compartment so that you can find them easily.
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When possible, we design parts Ð such as the headlamp
bulbs Ð that can be replaced without tools.
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We give you a Maintenance Schedule that makes tracking
routine service for your vehicle easy. The maintenance
schedule is located in theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet.
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This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you need to
check and service regularly.
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If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your dealership can
provide the parts and service required. Check yourWarranty
Information Bookletto find out which parts and services are
covered. Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this Owner
Guide.
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[SV01300(ALL)03/95]
Ford Motor Company recommends that the Owner Maintenance
Checks listed in theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet be
performed for the proper operation of your vehicle. In addition
to the conditions listed in theOwner Maintenance Checklist,be
alert for any unusual noise, vibration, or other indication that
your vehicle may need service. If you do notice something
unusual, see that your vehicle is serviced promptly.
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274
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Comparisons With Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and Transport Canada (TC) Fuel Economy
Estimates
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EPA fuel economy figures are obtained from laboratory tests
under simulated road conditions and may not reflect the actual
conditions you experience or your style of driving. The EPA
fuel economy estimate is not a guarantee that you will achieve
the fuel economy shown.
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Improving Fuel Economy
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Fuel economy is affected by a number of variables which can
reduce efficiency. You can improve fuel economy by
understanding these variables and minimizing their effect.
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The following decrease fuel economy:
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Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
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Excessive speed
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Rapid acceleration and excessive speed
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Driving with your foot on the brake
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Sudden stops
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Extended engine idling
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Using speed control in hilly terrain
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Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear window defroster
and other accessories
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Underinflated tires
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Heavy loads
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Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or luggage racks, bug
deflectors, etc.
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Servicing Your Ranger
275
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Engine Oil Recommendations
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We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an equivalent oil
meeting Ford Specification WSS-M2C153-F and displaying the
American Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on the
front of the container.
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10-1/2 pica
art:0001314-A
The API Certification Mark
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Neveruse:
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ªNon-Detergentº oils
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Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
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Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments or engine
treatments
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Engine oils with anSAE 5W-30viscosity arePREFERREDfor
your vehicle. They provide the best engine performance, fuel
economy and engine protection for all climates down to-15ÊF
(-25ÊC).
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Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and of the preferred
viscosity may be used in your engine. The engine oil and oil
filter must still be changed according to the maintenance
schedule.
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Servicing Your Ranger
277
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It may be necessary to add some oil between oil changes. Make
sure you use a CERTIFIED engine oil of the preferred viscosity.
Your vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if engine
damage is caused by the use of improper engine oil.
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Add engine oil through the oil filler cap highlighted in yellow.
To add oil, remove the filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil
into the opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine. Recheck
the oil level after you finish adding oil.
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Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
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Change the engine oil and oil filter per the following, whichever
occurs first:
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half page art:0090154-A*
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Refer to the Maintenance Schedule and Record Booklet for
additional information.
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Tire inspection and maintenance
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Inspect the tire treads, and remove stones, nails, glass or other
objects that may be wedged in the tread grooves. Check for
holes or cuts that may permit air to leak from the tire, and
make the necessary repairs.
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Inspect the tire side walls for cuts, bruises and other damage. If
you suspect internal damage to the tire, have it demounted and
checked. You may need to repair or replace it.
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Wheel inspection and maintenance
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Check for damage that would affect the runout of the wheels.
Wobble or shimmy will eventually damage the wheel bearings.
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Front wheel bearings require periodic repacking and adjustment
as specified in theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
Loose or worn front wheel bearings tend to let the vehicle
wander or shimmy, and can eventually cause excessive tire
wear.
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Whenever a wheel is removed and then re-installed, always
remove any corrosion that may be present on the mounting
surface of the wheel and/or the surface of the hub, drum or
rotor that contacts the wheel.
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RWARNING
Installing wheels without a good metal-to-metal contact at
the wheel mounting surface can cause the wheel lug nuts
to loosen and could allow the wheel to come off while
the vehicle is in motion.
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Servicing Your Ranger
289
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Traction-Lok Rear Axle (If equipped)
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This axle provides added drive away traction on slippery
surfaces, particularly when one or more wheels are on a surface
with poor traction.
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RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine with one wheel off
the ground, such as when changing a tire.
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Tire Rotation
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Because your vehicle's front and rear tires perform different
jobs, they often wear differently. To make sure your tires wear
evenly and last longer, rotate them at the mileage shown in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet which came with your
vehicle.
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Rotate the tires according to the following diagram. If you
notice that the tires wear unevenly, have them checked. If your
light truck has a temporary spare tire, do not include it in the
tire rotation pattern.
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In situations where the tires differ from front to rear
(snow/traction), simply rotate using a side to side pattern.
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Servicing Your Ranger
297
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Battery
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Your vehicle may have a Motorcraft maintenance-free battery.
The Motorcraft maintenance-free battery does not require
additional water during its life of service. The vents are part of
the cover and cannot be removed. For longer, trouble-free
operation, keep the top of the battery clean and dry. Also, make
certain the battery cables are tightly fastened to the battery
terminals.
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If you see any corrosion on the battery cables or terminals,
remove the cables from the terminal and clean them both with a
wire brush. You can neutralize the acid with a solution of
baking soda and water. Reinstall the cables when you are done
cleaning them, and apply a small quantity of grease to the top
of each battery terminal to help prevent corrosion.
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Battery replacement
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If your original equipment battery requires replacement (under
warranty), it may in some cases be replaced by a Motorcraft
low-maintenance battery. The low-maintenance battery has
removable vent caps for checking the electrolyte level and for
adding water, if needed.
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NOTE: If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is
re-installed after the battery is replaced.
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Check your battery's electrolyte level, at least every 12 months
or 12,000 miles (20,000 km), in temperatures up to90ÊF (32ÊC)
and more often in temperatures above90ÊF (32ÊC).Keep the
electrolyte in each cell up to the ªlevelº indicator. Do not
overfill the battery cell.
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If the electrolyte level in your battery gets low, you can add
plain tap water to the battery, as long as you don't use hard
water, or water with a high mineral or alkali content. If
possible, however, try to only fill the battery cell with distilled
water. If the battery needs water often, have the charging
system checked.
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Servicing Your Ranger
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10-1/2 pica art:0020376-E
Clutch fluid reservoir
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Driveline Universal Joint and Slip Yoke
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[SV36000(ALL)06/93]
The universal joints that come standard with your vehicle do
not require lubrication. If your original equipment universal
joints are replaced with universal joints equipped with grease
fittings, lubrication will be necessary at the intervals shown in
theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
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[SV36100(R )06/93]
Your vehicle may be equipped with a constant velocity or
double cardan joint at the transfer case end of the driveshaft.
The front driveshaft double cardan joint may be fitted with a
flush type grease fitting that requires an adapter to permit
proper lubrication. Lubricate the drive joint according to the
intervals shown in theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
[SV36200(R )04/94]
7-1/2 pica art:0021194-A
Double cardan joint
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Update:Wed May 1 13:56:18 1996