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ICONS
Indicates a warning.
Read the following
section onWarnings
for a full explanation of
them.
Indicates that vehicle
information related to
recycling and other
environmental
concerns will follow.
We must all play our part in protecting the
environment. Correct vehicle usage and the
authorized disposal of waste cleaning and lubrication
materials are significant steps towards this aim.
WARNINGS
How can you reduce the risk of personal injury and
prevent possible damage to others, your vehicle and
its equipment?
In this owner's guide, answers to such questions are
contained in comments highlighted by the warning
triangle symbol.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in rules for your
vehicle. Simply avoid driving too briskly during the
first 1,600 km (1,000 miles) of driving. Vary speeds
frequently. This is necessary to give the moving
parts a chance to break in.
If possible, you should avoid full use of the brakes
for the first 1,600 km (1,000 miles).
From 1,600 km (1,000 miles) onwards you can
gradually increase the performance of your vehicle
up to the permitted maximum speeds.com_icons.01
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Introduction
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To test the vehicle
sensitive (emergency)
locking mode, pull the
shoulder belt quickly to
lock.
The vehicle sensitive mode is the normal retractor
mode, adjusting shoulder belt tightness in response
to vehicle movement. For example, if the driver
brakes suddenly or turns a corner sharply or the
vehicle receives an impact of 8 km/h (5 mph) or
more, the combination safety belts would lock to
help reduce forward movement of the driver and
passengers.
Automatic locking mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is locked in a certain
position by the occupant anddoes notadjust
tightness during vehicle movement.
The automatic locking mode is not available on the
driver belt.
When to use the automatic locking mode
²When a tight lap/shoulder fit is desired.
²Any timea child safety seat is installed in the
vehicle. Refer toChildren and infant or Child
safety seatslater in this chapter.
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Seating and safety restraints
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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
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Driving
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²We recommend that you familiarize yourself with
this braking technique. However, avoid taking any
unnecessary risks.
Parking brake
The parking brake
should be used
whenever the vehicle is
parked. Push pedal
downward to set the
parking brake.
The BRAKE warning
lamp in the instrument
cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated
(when the ignition is turned ON) until the parking
brake is released.
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.
The parking brake is not designed to stop a moving
vehicle. However, if the normal brakes fail, the
parking brake can be used to stop your vehicle in an
emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance will
increase greatly and the handling of your vehicle will
be adversely affected.
P!
BRAKE
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Driving
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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
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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)
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Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer, and
make sure it is properly attached to your vehicle.
See your dealer or a reliable trailer dealer if you
require assistance.
Hitches
Your vehicle has a load carrying hitch. This type of
hitch places the tongue load of a trailer on the rear
wheels of your vehicle. You must distribute the load
in your trailer so that 10±15% of the total weight of
the trailer is on the tongue.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the
vehicle. To connect the trailer's safety chains, cross
the chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack
for turning corners.
If your use a rental trailer, follow the instructions
that the rental agency gives to you.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type
brakes are safe if installed properly and adjust them
to the manufacturer's specifications. The trailer
brakes must meet local and Federal regulations.
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake
system directly to your vehicle's brake
system. Your vehicle may not have enough braking
power and your chances of having a collision
greatly increase.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles.
Make sure your trailer lamps conform to local and
Federal regulations. See your dealer or trailer rental
agency for proper instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.
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Driving
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It is recommended you use the appropriate
Motorcraft oil filter (or another brand meeting Ford
specifications) for your engine application.
BRAKE FLUID
CHECKING AND ADDING BRAKE FLUID
Brake fluid should be checked and refilled as needed
at least once each year:
²Clean the reservoir
cap before removal
to prevent dirt or
water from entering
the reservoir.
²Visually inspect the
fluid level.
²If necessary, add
brake fluid until the level reaches MAX. Do not fill
above this line.
²Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid certified to meet
Ford specifications. Refer toLubricant
specificationsin theCapacities and
specificationschapter.
Brake fluid is toxic.
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3,
you will cause permanent damage to your
brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for the master
cylinder run dry. This may cause the brakes
to fail.
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Maintenance and care
120
