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.
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. Remove any bugs and tar
before waxing vehicle. Use cleaning fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth to
remove. 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.
Maintenance and care
156
Cleaning the wheels
Wash with the same detergent as the body of your vehicle. Do not use
acid-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.
²Never wash or rinse the engine while it is running; water in the
running engine may cause internal damage.
Maintenance and care
157
Aiming headlamps ....................154
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................77
and child safety seats ..............78
description ................................77
disposal ......................................81
indicator light ...........................80
passenger air bag .....................79
Air suspension
description ................................97
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description ................................93
Anti-theft system ........................63
Battery .......................................135
Brake fluid
checking and adding ..............128
Brakes ..........................................93
anti-lock .....................................93
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .............................94
fluid, checking and adding ....128
Brake-shift interlock ...................97
Break-in period .............................2
Bulbs, replacing ........................145
specifications ..........................154
Changing a tire .........................115
Child safety seats ........................82
Chime
headlamps on ............................11
Cleaning your vehicle ...............156
engine compartment ..............157
fabric ........................................158
instrument panel ....................158
plastic parts ............................158
safety belts ..............................158
tail lamps .................................158
washing ....................................156
waxing .....................................156
wheels ......................................157
windows ..................................160
woodtone trim ........................160Climate control system
automatic temperature
control ..............34,35,36,37,38,39
Compass, electronic ...............22,23
Controls ..................................57,58
Defrost
rear window ..............................40
Emission control system ..........144
Engine ........................................164
service points ..........................125
Engine block heater ...................91
Engine coolant
checking and adding ..............130
disposal ....................................131
refill capacities ........................131
Engine oil ...........................126,127
changing oil and oil filter .......128
checking and adding .......126,127
Exhaust fumes ............................92
Floor mats ...................................58
Fuel
calculating fuel economy .......143
improving fuel economy ........106
octane rating ...........................142
quality ......................................142
running out of fuel .................143
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................141
Fuel gauge ...................................14
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......107
Fuse panels
instrument panel ....................109
power distribution box ...........113
Fuses ...................................108,109
Gauges, Mechanical ....................12
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................12
Hazard flashers .........................107
Headlamps ...................................32
daytime running lights .............32
flashing ......................................33
high beam .................................32
Index
168
Heating ........................................34
High beams
indicator light .............................8
Hood
release lever ............................124
Ignition
positions of the ignition ...........40
Instrument panel
lighting up panel
and interior ...............................33
Jump-starting
your vehicle ........................119,120
attaching cables ......................120
disconnecting cables ..............121
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................63
keypad .......................................60
programming entry code ....61,62
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............12
Lamps
headlamps ........................146,151
interior lamps ...........................52
map lamps .................................52
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ........................................10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............6
anti-theft ...................................11
brake ............................................6
charging system ..........................7
check engine ..........................9,10
cruise indicator ...........................8
oil pressure .................................7
overdrive off ..............................11
safety belt ...................................9
turn signal indicator ...................8
Lubricant specifications ...........163
Message center ...........................14
reset button ..............................20
Mirrors
cleaning ...................................160
side view mirrors (power) .......54Moon roof ....................................51
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................60
Parking brake ..............................94
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....161
Power door locks ........................54
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....132
Refill capacities for fluids ........162
Relays ........................................108
Remote entry system .................58
locking/unlocking doors ......58,59
Reporting safety defects ..........167
Safety restraints
automatic locking mode
(retractor) ............................73,74
extension assembly ..................75
for children ...............................81
lap and shoulder belts .............72
maintenance ..............................76
proper use .................................71
warning light and chime .....11,76
Safety seats for children
attaching with tether straps ....86
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................83
in rear seat ................................86
tether anchorage hardware .....87
Seats ............................................66
adjusting the seat, power ........66
auto-glide ..................................69
heated seats ..............................67
lumbar support .........................68
rear seat access ........................70
Servicing your vehicle ..............123
precautions when servicing ...123
Speed control ..............................43
canceling a set speed ...............46
indicator light ...........................47
resuming a set speed ...............47
tap up/tap down .......................45
turning off .................................43
Index
169
Speedometer ...............................13
Starting your vehicle .............88,91
Sunvisor .......................................51
Tachometer
mechanical cluster ...................13
Tilt steering wheel ......................42
Tires ....................................137,139
changing ..................................115
checking the pressure ............139
replacing ..................................140
rotating ....................................139
snow tires and chains ............140
treadwear ................................138
Traction control ..........................96
active light ..................................7
check traction control
message ................................25,31
how to enable/disable ..............15
off light ......................................11
Trailer towing ............................104
tips ...........................................106
Transmission .............................133
automatic
operation ...........97,98,99,100,102
fluid, checking and
adding (automatic) ................133Trunk
using the remote entry
system to open .........................59
Turn signal
lever ...........................................41
Universal transmitter ..................47
erasing channels .......................50
operating ...................................49
programming .............................48
Vehicle dimensions ...................164
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ...........................166
Vehicle loading ..........................103
Ventilating your vehicle .............92
Warning chimes .............................6
Wheels
anti-theft lug nuts ..................118
Windows
power windows, operating .......52
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....129
checking and replacing
wiper blades ............................136
operation ...................................41
Wrecker towing .........................122
Index
170