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. If you have wax applied to the vehicle at a commercial car wash, it
is recommended that you clean the wiper blades and windshield as
described inCleaning the wiper blades and windshield.
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.
Avoid getting wax on the windshield. If you have wax applied at a
commercial car wash, it is recommended that you clean the wiper blades
and windshield as described inCleaning the wiper blades and
windshield.
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
Maintenance and care
137
Aiming headlamps ....................135
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ..........................67
and child safety seats ..............68
description ................................67
disposal ......................................71
indicator light ...........................70
passenger air bag .....................69
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system ............25,26
Air suspension
description ................................86
Anti-lock brake system
(ABS)#$description
Battery .......................................120
voltage gauge ............................16
Brake fluid
checking and adding ..............112
Brakes ..........................................82
anti-lock .....................................82
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .................83
fluid, checking and adding ....112
traction control .........................84
Brake-shift interlock ...................87
Break-in period .............................2
Bulbs, replacing ........................133
specifications ..........................136
Changing a tire .........................100
Child safety seats ........................72
Childproof locks ..........................48
Chime
headlamps on ............................11
Cleaning your vehicle ...............137
engine compartment .......138,139
exterior ....................................140
headlamps ...............................139
plastic parts ............................139
washing ....................................137
waxing .....................................137
wheels ......................................138windows ..................................141
wiper blades ............................139
Climate control system
automatic temperature
control ...................27,28,29,30,32
Clock ............................................33
Compass, electronic ....................43
calibration .................................44
set zone adjustment .................44
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
temperature gauge ...................15
Defrost
rear window ..............................24
Emission control system ..........131
Engine
service points ..........................109
Engine block heater ...................80
Engine coolant
checking and adding ..............114
disposal ....................................115
refill capacities ........................115
Engine oil ...........................110,111
changing oil and oil filter .......112
checking and adding .......110,111
Exhaust fumes ............................81
Floor mats ...................................49
Fuel
calculating fuel economy .......130
improving fuel economy ..........93
octane rating ...........................129
quality ......................................130
running out of fuel .................130
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................127
Fuel pump shut-off switch .........94
Fuse panels
instrument panel ......................96
power distribution box .............98
Fuses .......................................95,96
Gauges, Mechanical ....................12
fuel gauge ..................................12
Hazard flashers ...........................94
Index
149
head restraints ..........................57
lumbar support .........................60
Servicing your vehicle ..............107
precautions when servicing ...107
Speed control ..............................36
canceling a set speed ...............38
indicator light ...........................39
resuming a set speed ...............39
tap up/tap down ..................37,38
turning off .................................36
Speed sensitive steering ............86
Speedometer ...............................13
Starting your vehicle .............77,80
starting your vehicle if the
battery is disabled ....103,104,105
Steering, power ...........................85
Tilt steering wheel ......................35
Tires ....................................123,125
changing ..................................102
checking the pressure ............125
replacing ..................................126
rotating ....................................125
snow tires and chains ............126
treadwear ................................124
Traction control
active light ................................11
Trailer towing
tips .............................................92
Transmission .............................119
automatic operation .......87,88,89fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................119
Trip odometer .............................15
Trunk
using the remote entry
system to open .........................51
Turn signal
lever ...........................................34
Universal transmitter ..................39
erasing channels .......................42
operating ...................................41
programming .............................40
Vehicle dimensions ...................145
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ...........................147
Vehicle loading ............................89
Ventilating your vehicle .............81
Warning chimes ........................6,22
Wheels
anti-theft lug nuts ..................101
Windows
power windows, operating .......46
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....113
checking and
replacing wiper blades ...........122
operation ...................................34
Wrecker towing .........................106
Index
151