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176ignition switch is in the ON position and the
shutoff switch is in the OFF position. ªCHECK AIR
RIDEº will appear when a system fault has been
detected and the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
Normal vehicle operation does not require any
action by the driver.
The air suspension switch Ð located behind
the left-hand vertical trim panel in the trunk
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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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181
When to use D (Overdrive)Overdrive is the usual driving position for an
automatic overdrive transmission. It works the same
way Drive works, automatically upshifting or
downshifting as the vehicle speeds or slows.
However, Overdrive also shifts into a fourth gear Ð
an overdrive gear Ð when your vehicle cruises at
an appropriate consistent speed for any length of
time. This fourth gear will increase your fuel
economy when you travel at cruising speeds.When to use Drive (D Ð with
Transmission Control Switch activated)Overdrive may not be appropriate for certain
terrain. If the transmission shifts back and forth
between Third and Fourth gears while you are
driving on hilly roads or if your vehicle does not
have adequate power for climbing hills, depress the
TCS.
You can depress the TCS at any speed.
When to use 2 (Second)Use 2 (Second) for start-up on slippery roads or to
give you more engine braking to slow your vehicle
on downgrades.When to use 1 (Low)Use 1 (Low) when driving down steep grades. It
gives more engine braking to slow your vehicle than
2 (Second) on the downgrades. You can upshift
from 1 (Low) to 2 (Second) or from 1 (Low) to
Overdrive at any speed.P (Park)Always come to a complete stop before you shift
into P (Park). Make sure that the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park). This locks the
transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
rotating.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn off the
ignition whenever you leave your vehicle.
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251
To make sure that the catalytic converter and the
other emission control parts continue to work
properly:q
Use only premium unleaded fuel.
q
Avoid running out of fuel.
q
Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle
is moving, especially at high speeds.
q
Do not push start your vehicle.
q
Have the services listed in theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet performed according to the
specified schedule. The scheduled maintenance
services are required because they are
considered essential to the life and performance
of your vehicle and to its emissions system.In general, maintenance, replacement, or service of
the emissions control devices or systems in your
new Ford Motor Company vehicle or engine may
be performed at your expense by any automotive
repair establishment or individual using automotive
parts equivalent to those which your vehicle or
engine was originally equipped.
Ford strongly recommends the use of genuine Ford
replacement parts. If other than Ford or Motorcraft
parts or Ford authorized remanufactured parts are
used for maintenance replacements or for the
service of components affecting emission control,
such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and
durability. It is the owner's responsibility to
determine the equivalency of such parts. Please
consult your warranty booklet for complete
warranty information.
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257
Before adjusting your headlamps, you must make
sure that the air suspension has been adjusted to
the proper ride height. In order to do this:
1. Position the vehicle on a level surface.
2. Make sure the air suspension switch in the
luggage compartment is in the ON position.
3. Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
4. Open and close the driver's door to allow the
air suspension to fully level.
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295
Index
A
ABS warning light (see Anti-lock
brake system)............ 11
Accessory position on the ignition.... 83
Accident damage............ 216
Air bag supplemental restraint system . . . 145
and child safety seats......... 151
description............. 145
driver air bag............ 145
indicator light............ 45
operation.............. 147
passenger air bag........... 145
tone generator............ 149
Air cleaner filter
location............... 220
specifications............ 263Air conditioning, electronic automatic
temperature control system....... 69
Air suspension
air ride switch off, message center . . . 37
description............. 175
Alarm, activating remote personal..... 123
Aluminum wheels........... 242
Antenna, radio (see Electronic
sound system)............ 66
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)...... 228
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description............. 171
see also Brake............ 171
warning light............ 11
Anti-theft lug nuts and key........ 208
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298Chains, tires.............. 242
Changing a tire............ 201
Charging system warning light...... 13
Child safety restraints.......... 150
child safety belts........... 163
child safety seats........... 151
Child safety seats............ 151
and air bags............. 151
attaching with tether straps...... 162
automatic locking mode (retractor) 143, 151
in front seat............. 151
in rear outboard seat......... 151
in rear seat............. 151
tether anchorage hardware . . . 162, 163
Chime
headlamps on............ 15
key in ignition............ 84
safety belt.............. 44Cleaning your vehicle.......... 260
chrome and aluminum parts...... 260
exterior............... 260
exterior lamps............ 261
fabric................ 262
headlamps.............. 261
instrument panel......... 7,261
interior............... 262
interior lamps............ 262
mirrors............... 100
plastic parts............. 261
polishing.............. 260
rustproofing............. 261
safety belts............. 261
tail lamps.............. 261
upholstery and interior trim...... 262
washing............... 260
waxing............... 260
wheels............... 262
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304Headlamps (continued)
flashing............... 86
high beam............. 86
replacing bulbs........... 253
turning on and off.......... 79
warning chime............ 15
Head restraints............. 131
Heated seats.............. 135
Heating
electronic automatic temperature
control system........... 69
High beams
indicator light............ 14
operation.............. 86
Hitch................. 186
Hood................. 219
latch location............ 219
lubrication specifications....... 265
release lever............. 219
working under the hood....... 217
Horn................. 90
I
Idle, relearning..........212, 217
Ignition
chime............... 84
positions of the ignition........ 83
removing the key.......... 84
Indicator lights and chimes (see Lights) . . . 7
Infant seats (see Safety seats)....150, 151
Instrument panel............. 7
Interval wipers............. 86
J
Jack.................. 202
operation.............. 203
positioning............. 205
storage............... 202
Jump-starting your vehicle
attaching cables........... 211
disconnecting cables......... 212
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