1996 FORD RANGER Owners Manual

Driving Your Ranger
161
*
[DR11235(ALL)03/94]
Power Braking
*
[DR11275(ALL)03/94]
Increasing the engine speed above idle without vehicle
movement (such as holding the brake) in a forward or reverse
gear causes transmission stall.
*
[DR11285(ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Continued operation in the stall condition can result
in transmission overheat, malfunction or fluid
expulsion.
[DR11300(ALL)08/94]
Manual Transmission Operation
%*
[DR11400(ALL)03/95]
Using the Clutch
*
[DR11500(ALL)01/95]
Make sure the gearshift lever is in the N (Neutral) position and
your right foot is holding down the brake pedal. Then press the
clutch pedal to the floor with your left foot. Manual
transmission vehicles have a starter interlock switch. The starter
will not crank until the clutch pedal is fully depressed. Start the
engine and allow it to idle for a few seconds. Move the
gearshift into 1 (First) or R (Reverse).
*
[DR11600(ALL)03/91]
To move the vehicle, release the clutch slowly and at the same
time press down slowly on the accelerator so that the vehicle
accelerates.
*
[DR11700(ALL)03/95]
Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal and do
not use the clutch to hold your vehicle at a standstill while
waiting on a hill. These actions will seriously reduce clutch life.
*
[DR11750(ALL)03/95]
Driving with your foot resting on the clutch may cause the
vehicle to jerk sharply when pressing or removing your other
foot from the accelerator.
File:10undrr.ex
Update:Wed May 1 13:52:06 1996

162
%*
[DR11800(ALL)03/95]
Shifting the Gears
*
[DR11900(ALL)02/95]
The gearshift for a manual transmission is mounted on the floor.
The gearshift pattern consists of seven positions: Neutral, five
forward gears, and Reverse.
[DR12000(ALL)10/94]
7-1/2 pica art:0021180-B
5-Speed Overdrive manual transmission shift pattern
*
[DR12300(ALL)03/91]
Backing up
*
[DR12400(ALL)03/95]
To shift into R (Reverse):
*
[DR12501(ALL)03/91]1.
Push the clutch pedal in all the way to the floor and hold it.
If you do not hold the clutch pedal in all the way, you may
hear a grinding noise when you shift.
*
[DR12551(ALL)03/93]2.
Bring your vehicle to a complete stop. Failure to do so may
cause synchronizer teeth damage, reducing the useful life of
your transmission.
*
[DR12600(ALL)08/94]3.
Put the gearshift in Neutral and wait at least 3 seconds
before shifting into R (Reverse) to prevent a grinding noise.
Do not release the clutch.
*
[DR12700(ALL)08/94]4.
Push the gearshift all the way to the right and pull it back
into Reverse.
*
[DR12800(ALL)01/95]
With the 5-speed transmission you can engage R (Reverse) only
by moving the gearshift from the left of 3 (Third) and 4 (Fourth)
gears before you shift into R (Reverse). This is a special lockout
feature that protects you from accidentally shifting into R when
you downshift from 5 (Fifth) gear.
File:10undrr.ex
Update:Wed May 1 13:52:06 1996

Driving Your Ranger
163
*
[DR12900(R )02/92]5.
Once R (Reverse) is engaged, slowly release the clutch pedal
from the floor.
*
[DR13000(ALL)03/94]
If R (Reverse) is not engaged, continue to push the clutch pedal
in while you put the gearshift back into Neutral. Then, release
the clutch pedal for a moment and repeat steps 2 through 5.
*
[DR13100(ALL)03/91]
Upshifting/downshifting
[DR13200(ALL)01/95]
Upshift and downshift at the speeds that are specfied in the
charts.
File:10undrr.ex
Update:Wed May 1 13:52:06 1996

164
%*
[DR13250(ALL)06/95]
Recommended Shift Speeds
[DR14950(ALL)04/94]
Engines with 5-Speed Manual Overdrive Transmission
[DR15000(ALL)10/94]
thirty pica
chart:0021181-DFile:10undrr.ex
Update:Wed May 1 13:52:06 1996

Driving Your Ranger
165
*
[DR15100(ALL)03/95]
When you slow down or climb a steep hill, always downshift
before the engine starts to lose power. Downshifting reduces the
chance of stalling and gives your vehicle better acceleration to
increase speed again.
*
[DR15200(ALL)03/95]
When you drive down steep hills, downshifting helps you keep
a safe speed and helps prevent unnecessary wear on the brakes.
*
[DR15300(ALL)03/95]
When you come to a stop, do not downshift through each gear.
Disengage the clutch and use the brake as necessary.
Downshifting through the gears decreases your vehicle's fuel
economy.
*
[DR15400(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Continued use of a damaged or worn clutch, prolonged
clutch slippage or downshifting at excessive speeds can
result in a failure of the engine, transmission or clutch
components.
*
[DR15500(ALL)03/91]
Transmission Function
[DR15600(ALL)10/94]
Upshift at the speeds specified in the chart. All forward gears
are synchronized allowing you to shift into them with your
vehicle in motion. The clutch pedal should be fully depressed
when shifting.
*
[DR15625(ALL)04/94]
NOTE: Shifting during extremely low rpm's can result in a
momentary audible rattle which disappears as vehicle
rpm's are increased. Shifting at higher speeds will
eliminate this sound.
*
[DR15700(ALL)03/95]
Parking
*
[DR15800(ALL)01/95]
To park your vehicle, apply the service brake pedal, and shift
into N (Neutral) while still maintaining pressure on the service
brake. Set the parking brake fully. Shift into first and turn off
the ignition.
File:10undrr.ex
Update:Wed May 1 13:52:06 1996

166
*
[DR15900(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it may move
unexpectedly and injure someone. Use 1 (First) gear and
set the parking brake fully.
*
[DR15903(R )05/95]
With the transfer case in N (Neutral), the vehicle is free to move
with either the automatic transmission in P (Park) or with the
manual transmission in any driving gear.
*
[DR15906(R )05/95]
RWARNING
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer
case in the N (Neutral) position. Always set the parking
brake fully and turn off the ignition when leaving the
vehicle.
%*
[DR15915(ALL)01/95]
Steering Your Vehicle
[DR15930(R )11/89]
Your Ranger may have optional power steering. Power steering
uses energy from the engine to help steer your vehicle.
%*
[DR15950(ALL)04/95]
If the amount of effort needed to steer your vehicle changes at a
constant vehicle speed, have the power steering system checked.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is
turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually but it takes more
effort.
*
[DR15960(ALL)01/95]
Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or left for
more than five seconds if the engine is running. This can
damage the power steering pump.
*
[DR15985(ALL)05/90]
NOTE: After any severe impact such as striking large
potholes, sliding into curbs on icy roads, or a collision
involving the front end, observe the steering wheel
alignment. If the spokes of the steering wheel seem to
be in a different position while going straight down
the road, have the front suspension and steering
checked for possible damage.
File:10undrr.ex
Update:Wed May 1 13:52:06 1996

Driving Your Ranger
167
%*
[DR16101(ALL)03/95]
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) System
(If equipped)
[DR16130(ALL)10/94]
When you select the 4WD mode, your vehicle uses all four
wheels to power itself. This increases traction, enabling you to
drive your 4x4 over terrain and road conditions not travelled
normally by two-wheel drive vehicles.
*
[DR16160(ALL)10/94]
Power is supplied to all four wheels through a transfer case that
allows you to select four-wheel drive when necessary. Methods
for engaging and disengaging 4WD and low range will depend
on which system your vehicle has.
%*
[DR16190(R )01/95]
4x4 Systems Ð Lever Operated
*
[DR16220(R )06/94]
The lever operated transfer case can be placed into four
positions. The 2H position is the two-wheel drive position in
which power is delivered only to the rear axle. The 4H position
provides four-wheel drive with power delivered to the front
and rear axles for increased traction. The 4L position provides
four-wheel drive with power delivered to the front and rear
axles when the above average power is required at reduced
speeds. In the N (neutral) position, there is no power delivered
to either axle.
File:10undrr.ex
Update:Wed May 1 13:52:06 1996

168
[DR16280(R )05/95]
24 pica art:0090170-A
Transfer case selections
*
[DR16310(R )01/95]
Four-wheel drive operation (4H or 4L) on dry pavement is not
recommended. Operating the vehicle in four-wheel drive on dry
pavement will increase tire wear, decrease fuel economy, and
make four-wheel drive disengagement difficult for the transfer
case.
File:10undrr.ex
Update:Wed May 1 13:52:06 1996