Page 43 of 167
Replacing the batteries
The transmitter is powered by two coin type
three-volt lithium batteries. A decrease in operating
range can be caused by:
²battery failure
²weather conditions
²structures around the vehicle
To replace the batteries:
1. Twist a thin coin between the two halves of the
transmitter. DO NOT TAKE THE FRONT PART OF
THE TRANSMITTER APART.
2. Place the positive (+) side of new batteries down.
3. Snap the two halves back together.
Replacing lost transmitters
Take all your vehicle's transmitters to your dealer for
programming if:
²a transmitter is lost or
²you want to purchase additional transmitters (up
to four)
ILLUMINATED ENTRY SYSTEM
The interior lamps
illuminate when:
²the remote entry
system is used to
unlock the door or
sound the personal
alarm.
The system
automatically turns off after 25 seconds or when the
ignition is turned to the START or ACC position.
The inside lights will not turn off if:
²they have been turned on with the dimmer
control or
LOCKUN
LOCK
PANIC
dno_remote-transmitters
com_illuminated_entry.03
Controls and features
43
Page 59 of 167
safety belt assembly by adding a safety belt
extension assembly (part number 611C22). Safety
belt extension assemblies can be obtained from your
dealer at no cost. This assembly is not for use in the
wagon's rear-facing seat.
Use only extensions manufactured by the same
supplier as the safety belt. Manufacturer
identification is located at the end of the webbing on
the label. Also, use the safety belt extension only if
the safety belt is too short for you when fully
extended. Do not use extensions to change the fit of
the shoulder belt across the torso.
Safety belt warning light and indicator chime
The seat belt warning light illuminates in the
instrument cluster and a chime sounds to remind
the occupants to fasten their safety belts.
Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The driver's safety
belt is not buckled
before the ignition
key is turned to ON...The safety belt indicator
illuminates for one to two
minutes and the warning
chime sounds for four to
eight seconds.
The driver's side
safety belt is buckled
while the indicator
light is illuminated
and the warning
chime is sounding...The safety belt indicator
light and warning chime
turn off.
The driver's safety
belt is buckled before
the ignition key is
turned to ON...The safety belt warning
light and indicator chime
remain off.
dno_warning-light-and-chime
dno_operation
Seating and safety restraints
59
Page 63 of 167
If the air bag is inflated,the air bag will
not function again and must be replaced
immediately. If the air bag is not replaced, the
unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
The SRS consists of:
²driver and passenger air bag modules (which
include the inflators and air bags),
²one or more impact and safing sensors,
²a readiness light and tone
²and the electrical wiring which connects the
components.
The diagnostic module monitors its own internal
circuits and the supplemental air bag electrical
system readiness (including the impact sensors), the
system wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the
air bag back up power and the air bag ignitors.
DETERMINING IF THE SYSTEM IS
OPERATIONAL
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument
cluster or a tone to indicate the condition of the
system. Refer to theAir bag readinesssection in
theInstrumentationchapter. Routine maintenance
of the air bag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or
more of the following:
²The readiness light
will either flash or
stay lit.
²The readiness light
will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
²A group of five beeps will be heard. The tone
pattern will repeat periodically until the problem
and light are repaired.
com_determing_operational.01
Seating and safety restraints
63
Page 77 of 167
Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate
briefly. If a light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is fastened, the
light
does not illuminate.
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the engine's idle
revolutions per minute (RPM). When the engine
starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine.
If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, have the vehicle checked. Do not
allow the vehicle to idle for more than ten minutes.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can
produce very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system, creating the risk of
fire or other damage.
CRUISE
RPMx1000
0 1234
5
6
7EFC H
FUEL DOOR>
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON1020304050 60
70
80
90
100
110
00 20406080100
120
140
160
180P R N D D 1MPH km/h
00
122
00013
P!
BRAKEABS
+ –
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
THEFT LOW
COOLANTO/D
OFFREAR
LAMP
OUT
EFC H
FUEL DOOR>
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOONTHEFT102030405060
70
80
90
100
1202060100
140
180
P R N D 2 1MPH km/h
00
000
00000
P!
BRAKELOW
COOLANT
+ –
110CRUISE
RPMx1000
ABSO/D
OFFREAR
LAMP
OUTPREMIUM UNLEADED
FUEL RECOMMENDED0 1234
5
6
78
com_important_precautions.05
Starting
77
Page 81 of 167
BRAKES
Your brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to the ªService
Guideº for maintenance scheduling.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
The ABS operates by
detecting the onset
of wheel lock up
during brake
applications and
compensating for this
tendency. The front
wheels are prevented
from locking even
when the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts the advantage of
an ABS equipped vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking.
ABS warning lamp
The ABS warning lamp
in the instrument
cluster illuminates if an
ABS fault is detected.
Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
Normal braking
operation is still
effective unless the
BRAKE warning lamp
is also illuminated.
Using ABS
²In an emergency, apply full force on the brake.
The ABS will be activated immediately, thus
allowing you to retain full steering control of your
vehicle and, providing there is sufficient space,
will enable you to avoid obstacles and bring the
vehicle to a quiet stop.
ABS
ABSP!
BRAKE
com_brakes.01
com_abs.01
dno_ABS-warning-light
com_using_abs.01
Driving
81
Page 83 of 167
Pull release handle
toward you to release
parking brake. Driving
with the parking brake
on will cause the
brakes to wear out
quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
TRANSAXLE
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock
feature that prevents the gearshift from being moved
from P (Park) unless the brake pedal is pressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift out of P (Park)
with the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to
LOCK, then remove the key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF. Apply the brake
pedal and shift to N (Neutral).
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to
move the gearshift, it is possible that a fuse has
blown and the vehicle's brake lamps may not be
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin the
Roadside emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify
that the brakelamps are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be
rocked out by shifting from forward and reverse
gears in a steady pattern. Press lightly on the
dno_transaxle
dno_bsi
Driving
83
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If the O/D OFF indicator light (if equipped) is
flashing on and off when the vehicle is started or
does not come on when the O/D OFF switch is
pressed, it means there is a malfunction in your
transaxle's electronic system. Contact your dealer as
soon as possible or damage to the transaxle may
occur.
When to use D (Drive) or press the O/D OFF
switch (if equipped)
D (Drive) eliminates
the needless shifting
back and forth between
third and fourth gears
that your vehicle may
do when driving on
hilly terrain. It also
gives more engine
braking than overdrive
to slow your vehicle on
downgrades.
2 (Second - if equipped)
Use 2 (Second) for
start-up on slippery
roads or to give you
more engine braking to
slow your vehicle on
downgrades.
PRNDD1
P RND21
P RND21
Driving
88
Page 91 of 167
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
Do not use replacement tires with lower weight
capacities than the originals because they may lower
the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR limitations.
Replacement tires with a higher weight limit than
the originals do not increase the GVWR and GAWR
limitations.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing
vehicle. The amount of weight you can safely tow
depends on the type of engine you have in your
vehicle. Your vehicle does not come from the factory
fully equipped to tow. No towing packages are
available through Ford or Mercury/Lincoln dealers.
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been
driven at least 800 km (500 miles). If towing with a
station wagon, inflate the rear tires to 35 psi.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your
vehicle's engine, transaxle, brakes, tires and
suspension. Inspect these components carefully after
towing.
The amount of weight that you can tow depends on
the type of engine in your vehicle. See the following
charts:
3.0L 2-Valve Vulcan Engine
Model Passenger
Load #/kg
(lbs.)Luggage
Load kg
(lbs.)Max Trailer
Wt. kg
(lbs.)
Sedan 5/340 (750) 0 365 (800)
4/270 (600) 70 (150) 365 (800)
2/135 (300) 70 (150) 500 (1100)
2/135 (300) 0 565 (1250)
sab_trailer-towing
Driving
91
