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37
AIR RIDE SWITCH OFFÐ This warning message
is displayed when the AIR SUSPENSION SERVICE
SWITCH is in the OFF position. The air suspension
service switch is located in the vehicle trunk in the
jack stowage area on the left side. For more
information refer to theAir Suspensionsection in
theDrivingchapter.
CHECK AIR RIDE SYSTEMÐ This warning
message is displayed when the Air Suspension
System is not operating properly. If this warning
message is displayed while driving, pull off the road
as soon as safely possible. If the vehicle is loaded
beyond the recommended maximum payload, the
ªCHECK AIR RIDE SYSTEMº message may be
displayed. This is a normal condition if the vehicle
is overloaded. To correct this condition, remove or
redistribute the payload per the recommended
maximum requirements. Turn the ignition switch
from ON to OFF to ON again. If the warning
message reappears, turn the Air Suspension Service
Switch (located in the vehicle trunk in the jackstowage area on the left side) OFF and contact your
dealer for service as soon as safely possible. For
further information refer to theAir Suspension
section in theDrivingchapter.
CHANGE OIL SOON/OIL CHANGE
REQUIREDÐ This warning message is displayed
when the engine oil life remaining is 5% or less.
When Oil Life Left is between 5% and 0%, the
ªCHANGE OIL SOONº message will be displayed.
When Oil Life Left reaches 0%, the ªOIL CHANGE
REQUIREDº message will be displayed.
An oil change is required whenever indicated by
the Message Center. USE ONLY RECOMMENDED
ENGINE OILS (seeEngine Oilin the Index).
The Message Center will tell you the percent of oil
left during System Check. This percentage is based
on your driving history and the time since your last
oil change. In order to ensure accurate oil life left
indications, you should only perform the following
OIL CHANGE RESET Procedure after you have the
oil changed.
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45
Check Engine Warning LightThis light illuminates when the engine's Emission
Control System requires service. It will also
illuminate when the ignition key is in the ON
position and the engine is off.
Air Bag Readiness LightThe air bag system uses a readiness light and a tone
to indicate the condition of the system. The
readiness light is in the instrument cluster. When
you turn the ignition key to the ON position, this
light will light up for six (6) seconds and then turn
off. This indicates that the system is operating
normally. NOTE: Regularly scheduled maintenance
of the air bag system is not required.
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167
Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key as
soon as the engine starts. Excessive cranking could
damage the starter.
After you start the engine, let it idle for a few
seconds. Keep your foot on the brake pedal and put
the gearshift lever in gear. Release the parking
brake. Slowly release the brake pedal and drive
away in the normal manner.
NOTE:Your vehicle has an interlock that prevents
you from shifting out of P (Park) unless your foot is
on the brake pedal.
If the engine does not start after two attempts:
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor
and hold it.
3. Turn the ignition key to the START position.4. Release the ignition key when the engine starts.
5. Release the accelerator gradually as the engine
speeds up.
If the engine still does not start, the fuel pump
shut-off switch may have been activated. For
directions on how to reset the switch seeFuel
Pump Shut-Off Switchin the index.
A computer system controls the engine's idle speed.
When you start your vehicle, the engine's idle
speed normally runs higher than when it is warmed
up. These faster engine speeds will make your
vehicle move slightly faster than its normal idle
speed. It should, however, slow down after a short
time. If it does not, have the idle speed checked.
If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, do not allow your vehicle to idle for
more than 10 minutes. Have the vehicle checked.
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170Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems
checked whenever:q
your vehicle is raised for service
q
the sound of the exhaust system changes
q
your vehicle has been damaged in a collision
Improve your ventilation by keeping all air inlet
vents clear of snow, leaves, and other debris.If the engine is idling while you are stopped in an
open area for long periods of time, open the
windows at least one inch (2.5 cm). Also, adjust
the heating or air conditioning system to bring in
outside air.
If you use the Electronic Automatic Climate
Control, set the fan speed selector dial to a medium
or high blower speed with the VENT or PNL-FLR
function buttons pressed.
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174Manual parking brake release leverThe parking brake is not designed to stop a moving
vehicle, but you can use the parking brake to stop
your vehicle in an emergency if the normal brakes
fail. However, since the parking brake applies only
the rear brakes, the stopping distance will increase
greatly and the handling of your vehicle will be
adversely affected.Always check the Brake Warning Light each time
you start your engine. Driving with the parking
brake on will cause the brakes to wear out quickly
and will reduce the fuel economy.
Traction Control
TM
(If equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional
Traction Control
TM
system. This system helps
prevent wheel spin in order to improve tire traction
and is an especially useful feature when you drive
in hilly areas or on slippery, icy or snowy roads.
When the Traction Control system is controlling
wheelspin, an electric motor sound may be heard
from the engine compartment and engine
acceleration may seem slower. This is normal.
Traction Control
TM
works automatically by rapidly
applying and releasing the brakes and reducing
engine torque to prevent one or both of the rear
drive wheels from spinning during acceleration.
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178To move the shifter out of P (Park), the ignition
key must be turned to the ON position. This
vehicle is also equipped with the brake shift
interlock safety feature which prevents shifting the
transmission out of the P (Park) position without
the brake pedal being depressed if the key is in the
ON position.
To operate:
1. Start the engine.
2. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
3. Move the gearshift lever out of P (Park).
Your vehicle is equipped with a Brake Shift
Interlock safety feature. This feature prevents the
gearshift from being moved from the P (Park)
position until the brake pedal is depressed. Thisfeature is active when the ignition is in the ON
position. If the gearshift lever CANNOT be moved
from P (Park) with the brake pedal depressed:
1. Turn the engine off and remove the ignition
key.
2. Apply parking brake.
3. Reinsert the ignition key and turn clockwise to
the first position.
4. Depress the brake pedal, move the gearshift
lever to N (Neutral) and start the engine.
If you need to shift out of P (Park) by using the
alternate procedure described above, it is possible
that a fuse has blown and that your brakelamps
may also not be functional. Please refer to the
Servicing Your Mark VIIIchapter for instructions on
checking and replacing fuses.
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211
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of
the disabled vehicle.Make sure the vehicles
do not touch each other.Set the parking
brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the
jumper cables.
5. Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles. Press
the DEFROST button. Turn off all other
switches and gauges.
Connecting the jumper cables1. Connect one end of the first jumper cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the discharged
battery. (You can connect either jumper cable
to the positive (+) terminal, as long as you use
the same cable for both positive terminals.)
Most jumper cables have a red cable and a
black cable. The red cable is generally used for
the positive terminals and the black for the
negative ones.
2. Connect the other end of the first cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the booster battery.
3. Connect one end of the second cable to the
negative (s) terminal of the booster battery Ð
NOT to the discharged battery.
4. Connect the other end of the second cable to a
good metallic surface on the engine or frame of
the disabled vehicle.
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215
Maintenance and CareService Made EasyFord has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:q
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
q
When possible, we design parts that can be
replaced without tools.
q
We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your vehicle
easy. The maintenance schedule is located in
theMaintenance Schedulebooklet.This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you
need to check and service regularly.
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
Ford Motor Company recommends that the Owner
Maintenance Checks listed in theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet 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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