
SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine compartment for easy
location.
²We provide a Scheduled Maintenance Guide which makes tracking
routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your dealership can provide
necessary parts and service. Check your ªWarranty Guideº to find out
which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
²When the engine is running, keep loose clothing, jewelry or long hair
away from moving parts.
²Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open flames and other lit material away from
the battery and all fuel related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive properly, as explained in the
Batterysection in this chapter.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Maintenance and care
148

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
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.
ENGINE COOLANT
Check the level of the engine
coolant in the reservoir. Refer to the
Scheduled Maintenance Guide for
service interval schedules. Be sure
to read and understandPrecautions
when servicing your vehiclein
this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become empty. If this occurs, add
engine coolant to the reservoir. For more information on engine coolant
Maintenance and care
154

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 diagnostics system. If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine
Soonº light is on, refer to the description in theWarning Lights and
Chimessection of theInstrumentationchapter. 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 on-board diagnostics system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics 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
²Tail lamps
²Brakelamps
²High-mount brakelamp
²Turn signals
²Backup lamps
²License plate lamp
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless they will be replaced immediately. If a
bulb is removed for an extended period of time, contaminants may enter
the lamp housings and affect performance.
Maintenance and care
178

Using the right bulbs
Function Trade Number
Headlamp 9007
Park lamp and turn lamp (front) 3457 NAK
Side marker (front) 194 NA
Cornering lamp (front) 3156K
Tail, stop, turn (rear) 3157 K
Side marker (rear) 194
Backup lamp 3156K
License plate lamp 168
High-mount brakelamp 912
Luggage compartment lamp 212-2
Dome lamp 906
Rear reading lamp 211-2
Map lamp 168
Illuminated visor mirror 168
Dual floorwell lamp 906
Glove compartment 168
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:
²Oncoming motorists frequently signal you to deactivate your high
beams, and your high beams are not activated.
²The headlamps do not seem to provide enough light for clear night
vision.
²The headlamp beams are pointed substantially away from a slightly
down and to the right position.
CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE
Refer to the Customer Assistance chapter for a list of Ford-approved
cleaners, polishes and waxes.
Maintenance and care
182

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 Car Care
Chemicals 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
183

Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........................101
and child safety seats ............102
description ..............................101
disposal ....................................105
indicator light .........................104
passenger air bag ...................103
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control system ......27,28,29,30,32
Air suspension ...........................122
Anti-theft system ........................87
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ...................124,125,126
Axle
refill capacities ........................187
Brakes ........................................117
anti-lock ............................117,118
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............118
fluid, checking and adding ....153
shift interlock ..........................123
Break-in period .............................2
CD changer ..................61,63,64,65
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps ..111
in rear seat .......................108,110
tether anchorage hardware ...111
Cleaning your vehicle ...............182
engine compartment ..............184
exterior .............................183,186
exterior lamps .........................185
interior .....................................186
plastic parts ............................185
washing ....................................183
waxing .....................................183
wheels ......................................184
windows ..................................186
wiper blades ............................185
Clock ............................................33
Compass, electronic ....................76calibration .................................77
set zone adjustment .................77
Controls ........................72,73,74,75
power seat ............................93,94
Coolant ......................................156
checking and adding ..............155
refill capacities ........................156
Customer Assistance
Ford accessories for
your vehicle ..............199,200,201
Ford Extended Service Plan .193
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............198
Getting roadside assistance ...192
Getting the
service you need ....................194
Ordering additional
owner's literature ...................203
The Dispute Settlement
Board ..................195,196,197,198
Defrost
rear window ..............................24
Emission control system ..........176
Engine
check engine/
service engine soon light ...........7
coolant .....................................154
idle speed control ...................162
service points ..........................150
starting after a collision .........132
Engine block heater .................115
Engine oil
checking and adding ..............152
dipstick ....................................151
specifications ...................151,152
Exhaust fumes ..........................116
Fail safe cooling .................157,158
Floor mats ...................................81
Fuel
choosing the right fuel ...........171
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................176
Index
205

detergent in fuel .....................173
filling your vehicle
with fuel ...........................169,171
quality ......................................172
running out of fuel .................173
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................169
Fuses ...................................133,134
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ..............173,174,175,176
Gauges ....................................11,12
battery voltage gauge ...............16
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................15
engine oil pressure gauge ........16
fuel gauge ..................................12
odometer ...................................14
speedometer .............................13
trip odometer ............................14
Hazard flashers .........................132
Head restraints ......................91,92
Headlamps
aiming ......................................182
bulb specifications ..................182
high beam ..............................9,23
Heating ........................................25
heating and air
conditioning system ............25,27
Hood ..........................................149
Ignition .......................................189
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................178
Instrument panel ..........................6
cleaning ...................................185
Keyless entry system
keypad .......................................88
programming
entry code .......................88,89,90
Keys
positions of the ignition ...........67
Lamps
autolamp system .......................24daytime running light ...............24
headlamps .................................23
headlamps, flash to pass ..........23
instrument panel, dimming .....23
interior lamps .........................181
replacing bulbs ..178,179,180,181
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................66
Lights, warning and indicator ......6
air bag ..........................................8
air suspension ...........................10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) .........8,22
brake .......................................8,22
charging system ..........................9
low coolant ..................................9
low fuel ........................................6
oil pressure .................................9
overdrive off ..............................10
safety belt ...................................8
speed control ............................72
traction control active .........10,21
turn signal indicator ...................9
Locks
childproof ..................................81
Lumbar support, seats ...............95
Message center ...........................16
reset button ..............................17
select button .............................17
Mirrors
automatic dimming
rearview mirror .........................76
side view mirrors (power) .......80
Motorcraft parts ........................173
Octane rating ............................172
Overdrive .....................................68
Parking brake ............................118
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................136
Power door locks ...................80,83
Power steering ...................121,122
fluid, checking and adding ....159
Index
206