Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 3
Controls and features 23
Seating and safety restraints 57
Starting and driving
Starting 77
Driving 82
Roadside emergencies 94
Servicing
Maintenance and care 107
Capacities and specifications 142
Reporting safety defects 148
Index 149
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Copyright
r1997 Ford Motor Company
Contents
1
²GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight): Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.
²GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): Maximum total weight of
the base vehicle, passengers, optional equipment and cargo. The
GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Compliance Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating): Carrying capacity for each axle
system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Compliance Label on the driver's door pillar.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
Do not use replacement tires with lower weight capacities than the
originals because they may lower the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher weight limit than the
originals do not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing vehicle. It does not come
from the factory fully equipped to tow. No towing packages are available
through Ford or Mercury/Lincoln dealers. Do not tow a trailer until your
vehicle has been driven at least 3 200 km (2 000 miles).
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these components
carefully after towing.
The amount of weight your loaded trailer should be no more than 907 kg
(2 000 lbs.).
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight could result in engine damage, transmission/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and personal injury.
Driving
90
2. Visually inspect the fluid level.
3. If necessary, add brake fluid until
the level reaches MAX. Do not fill
above this line.
4. Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid
certified to meet Ford specifications.
Refer toLubricant specificationsin theCapacities and specifications
chapter.
Brake fluid is toxic.
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, you will cause
permanent damage to your brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for the master cylinder run dry. This
may cause the brakes to fail.
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Checking and adding washer fluid
Check the washer fluid whenever
you stop for fuel. The reservoir is on
the right side of the engine
compartment and 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.
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and care
113
If you must remove the coolant recovery cap, follow these steps to avoid
personal injury:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the cap. Slowly
turn cap counterclockwise until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
Use Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid E2FZ-19549±AA (in Canada,
Motorcraft CXC-8±B) or an equivalent premium engine coolant that
meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44±A. Ford Premium Engine Coolant
is an optimized formula that will protect all metals and rubber elastomers
used in Ford cooling systems for four years or 80,000 km (50,000 miles).
Do not use alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any engine coolants mixed
with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. Do not use supplemental coolant
additives in your vehicle. These additives may harm your engine cooling
system. The use of an improper coolant may void your warranty of your
vehicle's engine cooling system.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends that Ford and Lincoln-Mercury
dealers use recycled engine coolant produced by Ford-approved
processes. Not all coolant recycling processes produce coolant which
meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44±A, and use of such coolant may
harm engine and cooling system components.
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible manner.
Follow your community's regulations and standards for recycling and
disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling system can hold, refer
toRefill capacitiesin theCapacities and specificationschapter.
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if you have
to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per month.
Maintenance and care
115
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking and adding automatic transmission fluid
Follow the scheduled service intervals outlined in the ªService Guide.º
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and/or dipstick handle
and also in theLubricant specificationssection in theCapacities and
specificationschapter.
An overfill condition of transmission fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is below the bottom hole on
the dipstick and outside
temperatures are above 10ÉC (50ÉF)
(see figure to the right).
Your transmission does not use up fluid. However, it is recommended
that you check the transmission fluid at least twice a year. The fluid level
should be checked if the transmission is not working properly, i.e., if the
transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid
leakage.
Transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating temperatures
66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface. The normal operating
temperature can be reached after approximately 32 km (20 miles) of
driving.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC
[150ÉF-170ÉF]) (see figure to the
right).
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at room temperature
(10ÉC-35ÉC [50ÉF-95ÉF]) (see figure
to the right).
If your vehicle has been operated for an extended period at high speeds,
in city traffic during hot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should
be turned off for about 30 minutes to allow the fluid to cool before
checking.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
DON’T ADD
DON’T ADD
DON’T ADD
Maintenance and care
119
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 4.6L SOHC V8 engine
Air filter FA-1032
Fuel filter FG-800A
Battery (standard) BXT-59
Battery (optional) BXT-65-650
Oil filter FL-820-S
PCV valve EV-98
Spark plugs* AWSF-32PP
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for
spark plug gap information. If a spark plug is removed for inspection, it
must be reinstalled in the same cylinder. Cylinders No. 1, 2, 3 and 4
have a9PG9suffix and Cylinders No. 5, 6, 7 and 8 have a9P9suffix. If a
spark plug needs to be replaced, use only spark plugs with the service
number suffix letter as shown on the engine decal.
Capacities and specifications
142
REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part Name Capacity
Engine oil (includes
filter change)Motorcraft 5W30 Super
Premium Motor Oil4.7L (5.0 quarts)
Brake fluid High Performance DOT 3
Motor Vehicle Brake
FluidFill to line on
reservoir
Power steering fluid Motorcraft MERCONt
AT FFill to line on
reservoir
Transmission fluid Motorcraft MERCONtV
AT F13.1L (13.9 quarts)
Engine coolant
213.3L (14.1 quarts)
Fuel tank N/A 71.9L (19.0 gallons)
Rear axle fluid
1Motorcraft SAE 80W90
Rear Axle Lubricant1.8-1.9L (3.75-4.0
pints)
Windshield washer
fluidUltra-Clear Windshield
Washer ConcentrateFill 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.
Rear axles are considered lubricated for life when the vehicle is used for
normal service. See your ªService Guideº for Severe Duty requirements.
2If your engine coolant is green, use Ford Premium Cooling System
Fluid; if your coolant is orange, use Ford Extended Life Coolant. Refer to
Lubricant Specificationsfor part numbers and specification numbers.
Capacities and specifications
143
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
Item Ford part name Ford part
numberFord
specification
Brake fluid High Performance
DOT 3 Motor Vehicle
Brake FluidC6AZ-
19542-ABESA-M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Door
weatherstripsSilicone Lubricant
C0AZ-19553-
AA and D7AZ-
19553-AAESR-M13P4-A
Engine coolant
222
Engine oil Motorcraft 5W-30
Super Premium
Motor OilXO-5W30-
QSPWSS-M2C153-
G with API
Certification
Mark
Hinges, latches,
striker plates,
fuel filler door
hinge and seat
tracksMulti-Purpose
GreaseDOAZ-19584-
AA or F5AZ-
19G209-AAESB-M1C93-B
or ESR-
M1C159-A
Lock cylinders Penetrating
LubricantE8AZ-
19501-Bnone
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Automatic trans-
mission (4R70W)Motorcraft
MERCONtVATFXT-5-QM
MERCONtV
Rear axle
1Motorcraft Premium
Rear Axle LubricantXY-80W90-QL WSL-
M2C197-A
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateC9AZ-
19550-ABESR-M17P5-A
1Add 118 ml (4 oz.) of additive friction modifier C8AZ-19B546±A, Ford
specification EST-M2C118±A for complete refill of Traction-Lok axles.
2If your coolant is green, use Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid, part number
E2FZ-19659±AA, specification number ESE-M97B44±A; if your coolant is orange,
use Ford Extended Life Coolant, part number F6AZ-19544±AA, specification
number WSS-M97B44±B or DEX-COOL equivalent.
Capacities and specifications
144