1998 FORD RANGER four wheel drive

Check gage (if equipped)
Illuminates when the key is in the
ON position and the engine coolant
temperature is high, the engine oil
pressure is low or the fuel level is
near empty. Refer toEngine coolant temperature gauge, Engine oil
pressure gaugeorFuel gaugein this chapter for more information.
Four wheel drive low (if equipped)
Illuminates when four-wheel drive
low is engaged.
Four wheel drive high (if equipped)
Illuminates when four-wheel drive
high is engaged.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the ignition is in
the ON or START position and any
door is open.
Speed control (if equipped)
This light comes on when either the
SET/ACCEL or RESUME controls
are pressed. It turns off when the
speed control OFF control is
pressed, the brake is applied or the ignition is turned to the OFF
position.
CHECK
GAGE
4WD
LOW
4WD
HIGH
DOOR
AJAR
SPEED
CONT
Instrumentation
10

2. Engage the parking brake.
3. Shift into 1 (First).
4. Turn the ignition to Off.
Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it may move unexpectedly
and injure someone. Use 1 (First) gear and set the parking brake
fully.
Reverse
Ensure that the vehicle is at a complete stop before shifting into R
(Reverse). Failure to do so may damage the transmission.
Put the gearshift into N and wait at least several seconds before shifting
into R.
You can shift into R (Reverse) only by moving the gearshift from left of
3 (Third) and 4 (Fourth) gears before you shift into R (Reverse). This is
a special lockout feature that protects you from accidentally shifting into
R (Reverse) when you downshift from 5 (Overdrive).
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
When Four±wheel drive (4WD) is engaged, power is supplied to all four
wheels through a transfer case. 4WD power can be selected when
additional driving power is desired.
All utility-type vehicles and 4WD vehicles have special design and
equipment features to make them capable of performing in a wide
variety of off-road applications. Specific design characteristics give them
higher centers of gravity than ordinary passenger cars.
Driving
74

Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenotdesigned for
cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more than
low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers in these
vehicles.
4WD operation is not recommended on dry pavement. Doing so could
result in difficult disengagement of the transfer case, increased tire wear
and decreased fuel economy.
4WD system indicator lights
The 4WD system indicator lights illuminate only under the following
conditions. If these lights illuminate during normal driving, have your
vehicle serviced.
²4WD HIGH± illuminates when
the ignition is turned on or when
4H (4WD High) is selected.
²4WD LOW± illuminates when
the ignition is turned on and 4L
(4WD Low) is selected.
Using the electronic shift 4WD system (if equipped)
Positions of the electronic shift system
2WD (2WD High)± Power to rear axle only.
4X4 HIGH (4WD High)± Power delivered to front and rear axles for
increased traction.
4X4 LOW (4WD Low)± Power to front and rear axles at low speeds.
4WD
HIGH
4WD
LOW
Driving
75

Driving off-road with 4WD
Your vehicle is specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and has operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. For more
information on driving off-road, read the ªFour Wheelingº supplement in
your owner's portfolio.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck, shift the transmission in a steady motion between
forward and reverse gears. Allow the transmission to engage, then press
lightly on the accelerator.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be damaged or the engine can
overheat.
Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Do not reduce the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Driving
77

Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area before starting on
a trip to get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other
obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or 1 (First)
(manual transmissions) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval,
²Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper and
²Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (six inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
If the rear axle is submerged in water, the rear axle lubricant should be
changed. Axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked unless a leak is
suspected.
Recreational towing (all wheels on the ground)
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
Driving
89

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
Maintenance and care
132

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