1998 FORD RANGER service

SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
²Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
²Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle has been
parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km
(3 miles).
²Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the Tire
Pressure Label.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle's tires perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate
them as indicated in the ªService Guide.º If you notice that the tires
wear unevenly, have them checked.
The following procedure applies to vehicles equipped with single rear
wheels, if your vehicle is equipped with dual rear wheels it is
recommended that only the front wheels be rotated (side to side).
²Four tire rotation
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132

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
Maintenance and care
136

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

Function Number of
bulbsTrade
number
Backup lamp 2 3156
Dome lamp 1 912
Map/dome-SuperCab (if equipped) 2 906
Map/dome-Regular Cab (if equipped) 1 212-2
2 906
To replace all instrument panel lights - see your dealer.
AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
The alignment of your headlamps should be checked by a qualified
service technician if:
1. Oncoming motorists frequently signal you to deactivate your high
beams, and your high beams are not activated.
2. The headlamps do not seem to provide enough light for clear night
vision.
3. The headlamp beams are pointed substantially away from a slightly
down and to the right position.
CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE
Refer to the ªCustomer Assistance Guideº for a list of Ford-approved
cleaners, polishes and waxes.
Washing your vehicle
Wash your vehicle regularly with
cold or lukewarm water. Never use
strong detergents or soap. If your
vehicle is particularly dirty, use a
quality car wash detergent. Always
use a clean sponge, washing glove
or similar device and plenty of water
for best results. To avoid spots,
avoid washing when the hood is still
warm, immediately after or during
exposure to strong sunlight.
Maintenance and care
142

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

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