1998 FORD RANGER fuel

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.
²Automotive fuels can be harmful
or fatal if swallowed. If fuel is
swallowed, call a physician
immediately, even if no symptoms
are immediately apparent. The
toxic effects of fuel may not be visible for hours.
²Fuels can also be harmful if absorbed through the skin. If fuel is
splashed on the skin, promptly remove contaminated clothing and
wash skin thoroughly with soap and water.
²If fuel is splashed in the eyes, remove contact lenses (if worn), flush
with water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention.
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²Be particularly careful if you are taking ªAntabuseº or other forms of
disulfiram for the treatment of alcoholism. Breathing gasoline vapors
or skin contact could cause an adverse reaction. Consult a physician
immediately.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based compounds containing MMT.
Vehicles certified to California emission standards (indicated on the
underhood Vehicle Emissions Control Information label) are designed to
operate on California reformulated gasolines. If California reformulated
gasoline is not available when you refuel, your vehicle can be operated
on non-California fuels. However, even though your engine will perform
adequately on other gasolines, the performance of the emission control
devices and systems may be adversely affected.
Repair of damage caused by using a fuel for which your vehicle was not
designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
ªRegularº unleaded with an (R+M)/2
octane rating of 87. We do not
recommend gasolines labeled as
ªRegularº that are sold with octane
ratings of 86 or lower in high
altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician to prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of ªRegularº gasoline.
ªPremiumº gasoline is not recommended (particularly in the United
States) because it may cause these problems to become more
pronounced. If the problems persist, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
87
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136

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.
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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.
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138

During winter months, it is especially important to wash the vehicle on a
regular basis. Large quantities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove and also cause damage to the vehicle. Remove any exterior
accessories, such as antennas, before entering a car wash.
After washing, apply the brakes several times to dry them.
Waxing your vehicle
Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This could be every three
or four months, depending on operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Use cleaning fluid or
alcohol with a clean cloth to remove any bugs and tar before waxing
vehicle. Use tar remover to remove any tar spots.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage from road debris may be repaired with
touch-up paint, repair foil or aerosol paint spray from the Ford accessory
line. Observe the application instructions on the products.
Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect remains, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout immediately.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash with the same detergent as the body of your vehicle. Do not use
acid-based or alcohol-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, fuel or strong
detergents. Never use abrasives that will damage the finish of special
wheel surfaces. Use a tar remover to remove grease and tar.
Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. When washing:
²Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The high
pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.
²Do not spray with cold water to avoid cracking the engine block or
other engine components.
²Cover the highlighted areas to prevent water damage when cleaning
the engine.
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²2.5L
²Never wash or rinse the engine while it is running; water in the
running engine may cause internal damage.
Cleaning plastic exterior parts
Use vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning. Clean with a tar remover if
necessary. Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or
petroleum-based cleaners.
Cleaning the exterior lamps
Wash with the same detergent as the exterior of your vehicle. Use glass
cleaner or tar remover if necessary.
To avoid scratching the lamps, do not use a dry paper towel, chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners.
Cleaning the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean the wiper blades with
undiluted windshield wiper solution.
Clean the windshield with undiluted windshield wiper solution or a mild
non-abrasive detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
To avoid damaging the blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or
other solvents.
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MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 2.5L I4 engine 3.0L V6 engine 4.0L V6 engine
Air filter FA-1616 FA-1616 FA-1616
Fuel filter FG-872 FG-872 FG-872
Battery BXT-58 BXT-58 BXT-58
Oil filter FL-400S FL-400S FL-1A
PCV valve EV-147 EV-130 EV-225
Spark plugs* AWSF-32F** AWSF-32PP*** AGSF-22PP***
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for
spark plug gap information.
** Two spark plugs per cylinder required (eight total)
*** If any spark plug needs to be removed for inspection, it must be
re-installed in the same cylinder. Cylinders No.1, 2 and 3 have a ªPGº
suffix. Cylinders No. 4, 5 and 6 have a ªPº suffix. If any spark plug
needs to be replaced, use only spark plugs with the service part
number suffix letters ªPPº as shown on the engine decal.
Capacities and specifications
147

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication
Capacity
Fuel tank N/A Regular cab
(Short wheel
base)62.8L (16.6 gallons)
Regular cab
(Long wheel
base)75.7L (20.0 gallons)
SuperCab 74.2L (19.6 gallons)
Transfer
Case FluidWarner 13±54 4x4 Vehicles
1.2L (1.25 quarts)
Front axle
fluidMotorcraft SAE
80W90 Axle
Lubricant4x4 vehicles with
2.5L I4 or 3.0L
V6 engine1.4L (1.5 quarts)
4x4 vehicles with
4.0L V6 engine1.7L (1.8 quarts)
Rear axle
fluid
1Motorcraft SAE
80W90 Rear
Axle LubricantAll
2.4-2.6L
(2.5-2.65 quarts)
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll
Fill to line on
reservoir
1Add 118 ml (4 oz.) of additive friction modifier C8AZ-19B546±A, Ford
specification EST-M2C118±A for complete refill of Traction-Lok axles.
Service refill capacities are determined by filling the rear axle 6 mm to
14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below the bottom of the filler hole.
Capacities and specifications
149