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236NOTE:Always dispose of used automotive fluids in
a responsible manner. Follow your community's
standards for disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out about
recycling automotive fluids.
Automatic transmission dipstick
BatteryYour vehicle may have a Motorcraft
maintenance-free battery. When the original
equipment battery is replaced under warranty it
may be replaced by a low-maintenance battery. See
Motorcraft Partsat the end of this chapter for the
proper replacement battery.
The low-maintenance battery has removable vent
caps for checking the electrolyte level and adding
water. The electrolyte level should be checked at
least every 24 months or 24,000 miles
(40,000 km) in temperatures up to90ÊF(32ÊC)
and more often in temperatures above90ÊF(32ÊC).
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the
level indicator. Do not overfill.
If the level gets low, refill the battery with distilled
water. If necessary, you can add tap water to the
battery, provided the water is not hard or does not
have a high mineral or alkali content. If the battery
needs water quite often, have the charging system
checked for a possible malfunction.
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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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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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