1998 FORD RANGER check engine light

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Checking and adding washer fluid
Check the washer fluid whenever
you stop for fuel. The reservoir is
highlighted with a
symbol.
If the level is low, add enough fluid
to fill the reservoir. In very cold
weather, do not fill the reservoir all
the way.
Do not put engine coolant in the container for the windshield
washer fluid.
WASHERFLUIDONLY
RADIATOR
COOLANT
ONLY
Maintenance and care
120

The American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) issued a
gasoline specification to provide information on high quality fuels that
optimize the performance of your vehicle. We recommend the use of
gasolines that meet the AAMA specification if they are available.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use a high-quality fuel.
Cleaner air
Ford approves the use of gasolines to improve air quality, including
reformulated gasolines that contain oxygenates up to 10% ethanol or
15% MTBE.
Do not use gasolines containing methanol, which can damage critical fuel
system components. Damage resulting from the use of methanol may not
be covered by your warranty.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out fuel because this situation may have an adverse affect
on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:You may need to crank the engine several
times before the system starts to pump fuel from the tank to the engine.
If you run out of fuel, your Check Engine light may come on. For more
information on the Check Engine light, refer to theInstrumentation
chapter.
Calculating fuel economy
To accurately calculate your vehicle's fuel economy:
1. Fill the tank completely and record the initial odometer reading.
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in liters
or gallons).
3. After at least three to five fuel tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and
record the current mileage reading.
4. Use one of the following equations to calculate fuel economy.
Liters used x 1004Total kilometers traveled
Total miles traveled4Total gallons used
Keep a record for at least one month. This will provide an accurate
estimate of the vehicle's fuel economy.
Maintenance and care
137

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
²Use only unleaded fuel.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
²Have the services listed in your ªService Guideº performed according
to the specified schedule.
The Scheduled Maintenance Services listed in the ªService Guideº are
required because they are considered essential to the life and
performance of your vehicle and to its emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss of oil pressure, the
charging system warning light, the ªCheck Engineº light or the
temperature warning light. These events could indicate that the emission
control system is not working properly.
If you smell exhaust fumes of any kind inside your vehicle, have
the dealer inspect and fix your vehicle immediately. Do not drive
if you smell exhaust fumes. These fumes are harmful and could kill
you.
Maintenance and care
138

Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle's emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II) system. If your ªcheck engine/service
engine soonº light is on, reference the applicable light description in the
Warning Lights and Chimessection of your owners guide. Your vehicle
may not pass the I/M test with the ªcheck engine/service engine soonº
light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the OBD-II system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº condition. To
ready the OBD-II system for I/M testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city
and highway driving is necessary as described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop and go, city type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
EXTERIOR BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps frequently:
²headlamps
²foglamps
²high-mount brakelamp
²brakelamps
Maintenance and care
139

Aiming headlamps ....................142
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................47
and child safety seats ..............48
description ................................47
disposal ......................................50
indicator light ...........................50
passenger air bag ...........48,51,52
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system .......19,20,21
Ambulance packages ....................3
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description ................................66
Anti-theft system ........................35
Battery .......................................128
voltage gauge ............................15
Brake fluid
checking and adding ..............118
Brakes ..........................................64
anti-lock ................................64,65
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .............................66
fluid, checking and adding ....118
Brake-shift interlock ...................67
Break-in period .............................2
Bulbs, replacing ........................139
headlamps ...............................140
specifications ..........................141
Changing a tire .........................101
Child safety seats ........................54
Chime
headlamps on ............................11
Cleaning your vehicle ...............142
engine compartment ..............143
fabric ........................................146
instrument panel ....................146
plastic parts ............................145
safety belts ..............................146
tail lamps .................................145
washing ....................................142
waxing .....................................143wheels ......................................143
windows ..................................146
Clutch
fluid ..........................................119
Controls ..................................23,31
Driving under special
conditions ....................................77
high water .................................78
slippery roads ......................78,79
Emission control system ..........138
Engine ........................................151
service points ............112,113,114
Engine block heater ...................62
Engine coolant
checking and adding ..............121
disposal ....................................122
refill capacities ........................123
Engine oil ...........................115,117
changing oil and oil filter .......118
checking and adding .......115,117
Exhaust fumes ............................63
Foglamps .....................................16
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .........74
control trac ..........................22,75
indicator light ...........................75
Fuel
calculating fuel economy .......137
improving fuel economy ..........92
octane rating ...........................136
quality ......................................136
running out of fuel .................137
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................135
Fuel gauge ...................................12
Fuel pump shut-off switch .........93
Fuse panels
instrument panel ......................95
power distribution box .............98
Fuses .......................................94,95
Gauges, Mechanical
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................13
Index
156

Hazard flashers ...........................93
Headlamps ...................................16
daytime running lights .............16
flashing ......................................17
high beam .................................16
Heating ........................................17
High beams
indicator light .............................9
Hood ..........................................111
Instrument panel
lighting up panel and interior .17
Jump-starting your vehicle .....106,
107
attaching cables ......................107
disconnecting cables ..............108
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............11
Lamps
interior lamps .........................141
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............8
anti-theft .....................................9
brake ............................................8
charging system ..........................9
check engine ............................6,7
cruise indicator .........................10
door ajar ....................................10
fuel reset .....................................8
overdrive off ................................9
safety belt ...................................8
turn signal indicator ...................9
Load limits
trailer towing ............................81
Lubricant specifications ...........150
Manual transmission
driving .............................72,73,74
Mirrors
cleaning ...................................146
side view mirrors (power) .......31
Motorcraft parts ........................147
Odometer .....................................14Off road driving, 4-wheel drive .77
Overdrive .....................................28
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................33
Parking brake ..............................66
Power door locks ........................31
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....123
Radio ............................................24
Recreational towing, all wheels
on the ground .............................89
Refill capacities for fluids ........148
Relays ..........................................94
Remote entry system .................32
illuminated entry ......................34
locking/unlocking doors ...........32
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................34
replacing the batteries .............33
Reporting safety defects ..........155
Safety restraints
extension assembly ..................45
lap and shoulder belts ...40,41,42
maintenance ..............................46
proper use .................................39
warning light and chime .........11,
45,46
Safety seats for children
attaching with tether straps ....57
tether anchorage hardware .....58
Seats ............................................37
adjusting the seat, manual .......37
jump seats ............................38,39
lumbar support .........................38
rear seat access ........................38
Servicing your vehicle ..............110
precautions when servicing ...110
Snowplowing .................................2
Special notice
diesel-powered vehicles .............3
utility-type vehicles ....................2
Speed control ..............................24
Index
157