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237
Help Us Protect Our EnvironmentFord Motor Company strongly recommends that
used lead-acid batteries be returned to an
authorized recycling facility for disposal.
Battery recycling symbolBecause your vehicle's engine is electronically
controlled by a computer, some control conditions
are maintained by power from the battery. If you
ever disconnect the battery or install a new battery,
you must allow the computer to ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive properly.
To let the engine do this, put the gearshift in P
(Park), turn off all the accessories, and start thevehicle. Let the engine idle for at least one minute.
(Engine must be warm in order to ªlearn.º) Also,
allow approximately 10 miles (16 km) of stop and
go traffic for your vehicle's engine to completely
ªrelearnº its idle.
If you do not let the engine relearn its idle, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected
until the idle is relearned. Your vehicle will
eventually relearn its idle while you drive it, but it
takes much longer than if you use the previous
procedure.
Wiper BladesCheck the windshield wiper blades at least twice a
year. Also check them whenever they seem less
effective than usual. Substances such as tree sap
and some hot wax treatments used by commercial
car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper blades.
If the blades do not wipe properly, clean both the
windshield and the wiper blades. Use undiluted
windshield washer solution or a mild detergent.
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253
How to Prepare Your Vehicle for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) TestingIn some localities it may become a legal
requirement to pass an Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) test of the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) II
system. If the vehicle's powertrain system or its
battery has just been serviced, the OBD II system is
reset to a not ready for I/M testing condition. To
prepare for I/M testing, the law specifies that
additional mixed city and highway driving is
required to complete the check of the OBD II
system.
The driving modes required to reach the ready
condition consist of a minimum of 30 minutes of
city and highway driving as described below:q
At least twenty minutes driving in stop and go,
city type traffic with at least four idle periods.
q
At least ten minutes of driving on an
expressway or highway.Before completing the above driving modes, the
engine must be warmed up and at operating
temperature. Once started, the vehicle must not be
turned off during these driving modes.
Lights and Bulb ReplacementIt is a good idea to check the operation of the
following lights frequently:q
headlamps
q
high-mount brakelamp
q
tail lamps
q
brakelamps
q
hazard flasher
q
turn signals
q
license plate lamps
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268Batteryq
Check and recharge as necessary.
q
Keep connections clean and covered with a
light coat of grease.
q
If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days
without recharging the battery, disconnect the
battery cables to ensure battery charge is
maintained for quick starting. NOTE: If battery
cables are disconnected, it will be necessary to
reset any memory features (eg. radio presets).
Brakesq
Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully
released.
Tiresq
Maintain recommended air pressures.
Miscellaneousq
Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and clevis
pins under vehicle are covered with grease to
prevent rust.
q
Move vehicles at least 25 feet (8 m) every 15
days to lubricate working parts and prevent
corrosion.
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296Anti-theft system
arming the system.......... 127
description............. 127
disarming an untriggered system.... 128
disarming a triggered system...... 128
triggering.............. 128
Appeals (see Dispute settlement board) . . 272
Assistance (see Customer assistance) . . . 271
Audio system (see Electronic
sound system)............ 49
Autolamp system (see Headlamps).... 78
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic overdrive..... 177
fluid, adding............. 235
fluid, checking............ 235
fluid, refill capacities......... 264
fluid, specification.......... 265
Axle
lubricant specifications........ 265
refill capacities............ 264
B
Basic vehicle warranty........... 3
Battery................ 236
acid, treating emergencies....... 237
battery saver............. 126
charging system warning light..... 13
disconnecting............ 212
how to service............ 236
jumping a disabled battery....... 209
maintenance-free........... 236
proper disposal, recycling....... 237
replacement, specifications....... 263
servicing.............. 236
when storing your vehicle....... 268
Brake fluid............... 225
brake warning light.......... 10
checking and adding......... 225
description............. 225
specifications............ 265
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310Sliding moon roof (see Moon roof).... 97
Snow tires and chains.......... 242
Spare tire............... 201
changing the tire........... 201
finding the spare........... 202
removing the spare tire........ 203
storing the flat tire.......... 205
temporary spare........... 201
Spark plugs, specifications........ 263
Specification chart, lubricants...... 265
Speed control
turning off............. 94
when towing a trailer......... 187
Speedometer.............. 16
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle..... 165
starting after a collision........ 189
starting your vehicle if the battery
is disabled............. 209Steering, power............ 177
Steering wheel
horn................ 90
locking............... 83
Storage compartments, center console . . . 115
Storing your vehicle........... 266
Sunroof (moon roof)........... 97
Sun visor............... 101
Supplemental air bag readiness light.... 45
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) . . . 145
T
Tachometer.............. 17
Tail lamps
bulb replacement........... 253
cleaning............... 261
Temperature control (see Climate control) . 69
Tether anchor installation
(see Child restraints)......... 162
Tilt/Telescope steering column...... 91
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