
²Use only unleaded fuel.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
²Have the items listed in your Scheduled Maintenance Guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the Scheduled Maintenance
Guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the charging system warning light,Check Engine
indicator light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange
odors, smoke or loss of oil pressure, could indicate that the emission
control system is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle's emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete emission warranty
information.
Maintenance and care
177

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

Replacing headlamp bulbs
Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep out of
children's reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base and do
not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the bulb to
break the next time the headlamps are operated.
To remove the headlamp bulb:
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in OFF position, then open the hood.
2. Remove the protective cover by turning the three knobs to the unlock
position.
3. Disengage the safety snap on the connector by pulling upward slightly
on the clip.
4. Release clip and disconnect the
electrical connector from the bulb.
5. Remove the bulb retaining ring by
rotating it counterclockwise (when
viewed from the rear) about 1/8
turn to free it from the bulb socket,
and slide the ring off the plastic
base. Keep the ring to retain the
new bulb.
6. With out turning, remove the old bulb from the lamp assembly by
gently pulling it straight back out of the lamp assembly.
To install the new bulb:
1. With the flat side of the new
bulb's plastic base facing upward,
insert the glass end of the bulb into
the lamp assembly. Turn the bulb
left or right to align the grooves in
the plastic base with the tabs in the
lamp assembly. When the grooves are aligned, push the bulb into the
lamp assembly until the plastic base contacts the rear of the lamp
assembly.
Maintenance and care
179

2. Install the bulb retaining ring over the plastic base until it contacts the
rear of the socket by rotating it clockwise until you feel a ªstop.º
3. Connect the electrical connector into the rear of the plastic base until
it snaps, locking it into position.
4. Install the protective cover over headlamps locking it in place with
three knobs.
5. Turn the headlamps on and make sure they work properly. If the
headlamp was correctly aligned before you changed the bulb, you should
not need to align it again.
Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal bulbs
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in OFF position, then open the hood.
2. Remove the protective cover by turning the three knobs to the unlock
position.
3. Disengage the safety snap on the connector by pulling upward slightly
on the clip.
4. Disconnect the electrical
connector from the bulb socket.
5. Rotate the bulb socket
counterclockwise about
1¤4turn and
remove from lamp assembly.
6. Carefully pull bulb straight out of the socket and push in the new
bulb.
7. To complete installation, follow the removal procedure in reverse
order.
Maintenance and care
180

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

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.
Cleaning plastic exterior parts
Use vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning. Clean with a tar remover if
necessary. Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or
petroleum-based cleaners.
Cleaning the exterior lamps
Wash with the same detergent as the exterior of your vehicle. Use glass
cleaner or tar remover if necessary.
To avoid scratching the lamps, do not use a dry paper towel, chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners.
Cleaning the wiper blades and windshield
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean the wiper blade rubber
element with undiluted windshield washer solution or a mild detergent.
To avoid damaging the blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or
other solvents.
If the wiper still does not wipe properly, this could be caused by
substances on the windshield such as tree sap and some hot wax
treatments used by commercial car washes. Clean the outside of the
windshield with a non-abrasive cleanser such as the non-abrasive
Bon-Amitpowder. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.Do notuse
abrasive cleansers on glass as they may cause scratches. The windshield
is clean if beads do not form when you rinse it with water. The
windshield and wiper blades should be cleaned on a regular basis, and
blades or rubber elements replaced when worn.
Cleaning the instrument panel
Clean with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth.
Avoid cleaner or polish that increases the gloss of the upper portion of
the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the driver
from undesirable windshield reflection.
Maintenance and care
185

Ford extended service plan
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP
is an optional service contract which is backed by Ford Motor Company
or Ford Motor Service Company (in the U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in
Canada). It provides:
²Protection against repair costs after your New Vehicle Limited
Warranty period expires;
and
²Other benefits during the warranty period (such as reimbursement for
rentals and towing.)
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury or Ford of Canada dealer. There are several plans
available in various time, distance and deductible combinations which
can be tailored to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also offers
reimbursement benefits for towing and rental coverage. (In Hawaii, rules
vary. See your dealer for details.)
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,200 participating Ford, Lincoln-Mercury and Ford of Canada
dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the
time of purchasing your vehicle, you may still be eligible. Please contact
your dealer for further information. Since this information is subject to
change, please ask your dealer for complete details about Ford Extended
Service Plan coverage options.
Also, please be aware that some dealers offer service contracts that are
not backed by Ford Motor Company or Ford of Canada. On the surface,
many independent plans appear to be like Ford's. The problem is that
they can often require the use of non-factory approved parts and have
much more complex and restrictive claims coverage terms than Ford.
At Ford Motor Company and Ford of Canada, we are dedicated to
providing Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle owners with programs that
will enhance your ownership experience and protect you from
unexpected repair bills. Genuine Ford ESP is the only Extended Service
Plan that enables us to provide that service.
Customer assistance
193