Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's
original tires may also affect the accuracy of your
speedometer.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Driving too fast for conditions creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control. Driving
at very high speeds for extended periods of time
may result in damage to vehicle components.
Snow tires must be the same size and grade
as the tires you currently have on your
vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to
provide traction in rain and snow. However, in some
climates, you may need to use snow tires and
chains. Use chains on the tires only in an emergency
or if the law requires them.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and
chains:
²Chains may damage aluminum wheels.
²Use only Cable Type chains with size P225/55R16
or 245/45ZR17 tires. Use of SAE Class S chains
may damage vehicle.
²SAE Class S chains may be used on P205/65R15
tires.
²Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do
not touch any wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
²Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or
bang against your vehicle, stop and re-tighten the
chains. If this does not work, remove the chains
to prevent damage to your vehicle.
²If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
²Remove the tire chains when they are no longer
needed. Do not use tire chains on dry roads.
Maintenance and care
153
²The suspension insulation and bumpers will help
prevent vehicle damage. Do not remove these
components from your vehicle when using snow
tires and chains.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in
an overfilled tank may cause leakage and
lead to fuel spray and fire.
If you do not use the proper fuel cap, the
pressure in the fuel tank can damage the
fuel system or cause it to work improperly in a
collision.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If
the fuel cap is venting vapor or if you hear a
hissing sound, wait until it stops before completely
removing the cap.
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or
death if misused or mishandled.
Observe the following guidelines when handling
automotive fuel:
²Extinguish all
smoking materials
and any open flames
before fueling your
vehicle.
²Always turn off the
vehicle before
fueling.
Maintenance and care
154
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go
driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only
recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of
alignment will reduce fuel economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant
Specifications.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance
items. Follow the recommended maintenance
schedule and owner maintenance checks found in
your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may
reduce fuel economy at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel
economy (approximately 2 km/h [1 mpg] is lost
for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for
example bug deflectors, rollover/light bars,
running boards, ski/luggage racks) may reduce
fuel economy.
²Use of fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel
economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower
temperatures during the first 12±16 km
(8±10 miles) of driving.
²Flat terrain driving improves fuel economy over
hilly roads.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when
operated in the top cruise gear and with steady
pressure on the gas pedal.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
Maintenance and care
162
Mirrors
side view mirrors
(power) ................... 51
Motorcraft parts ...... 158
Octane rating .......... 157
Odometer ................... 14
Panic alarm feature,
remote entry system 57
Parking brake ............ 90
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ............. 113
Power door locks ...... 51
Power steering .......... 92
fluid, checking and
adding .................... 140
Radio ................ 21,22,23
24,25,26,27,28,29,30
31,32,33,34,35,36,37
38,39,40,41,42,43
Relays ...................... 109
Remote entry
system .............. 56,60,61
illuminated entry .... 58
locking/unlocking
doors ................... 56,57
replacement/additional
transmitters ............. 58
replacing
the batteries ............ 59
Safety belts (see
Safety restraints) ...... 11
Safety restraints
cleaning the safety
belts .................. 71,176
extension assembly 70
for children ........ 76,77
warning light and
chime .................. 11,70
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ........ 66,68,69
Seats .......................... 63
child safety seats .... 78cleaning ................. 175
Seats-easy access/
easyout feature ......... 65
Servicing your
vehicle ............... 126,127
Spark plugs,
specifications ........... 177
Special notice .............. 3
Specification chart,
lubricants ................. 180
Speed control ............ 46
Speedometer ............. 13
Starting your
vehicle .............. 83,84,86
jump starting ........ 120
121,122,123
Steering wheel
tilting ....................... 45
Tachometer ............... 14
Tires ........... 149,150,151
changing ......... 115,116
checking
the pressure .......... 151
replacing ................ 152
rotating .................. 151
snow tires
and chains ............. 153
tire grades ............. 150
treadwear .............. 150
Towing
wrecker .................. 124
Traction control ........ 91
active light .............. 10
Traction-lok
rear axle .................. 101
Transmission ........... 142
automatic
operation ................. 93
fluid, checking and
adding
(automatic) ........... 142
143,144
Index
188
