
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transaxle is not working
properly, i.e., if the transaxle slips or shifts slowly or if you notice some
sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 30 km [20 miles]). 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 fluid to cool before
checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated areas for normal operating temperature.
Maintenance and care
141

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 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
the Ultra Touch Prep and Finishing Kit (#F7AZ-19K507±BA), touch-up
paint (#ALBZ-19500±XXXXA), or aerosol paint spray (#ALAZ-19500±
XXXXA) from the Ford Car Care Chemicals line. Please note that the
part numbers (shown as XXXX above) will vary with your vehicle's
specific coloring. Observe the application instructions on the products.
Maintenance and care
170

MOTOCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 2.0L SOHC I4 engine 2.0L DOHC Zetec engine
Air filter element FA-1643 FA-1643
Fuel filter FG-862 FG-862
Battery BXT-58 BXT-58
Oil filter FL-400±A FL-2005
PCV valve EV-224 EV-224
Spark plugs* AGSF-34EE** AZFS-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.If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use only spark plugs
with the same service part number suffix letter as shown on the engine
decal.
REFILL CAPACITIES
FluidFord Part
NameApplication Capacity
Brake fluid High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Engine coolant
1Premium Engine
CoolantAutomatic
transaxles6.0L
(6.3 quarts)
Manual
transaxles5.0L
(5.3 quarts)
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)Motorcraft
5W-30 Super
Premium Motor
OilZX2 4.25L
(4.5 quarts)
Sedan/wagon 3.8L
(4.0 quarts)
Fuel tank
capacityN/A All 48.5L
(12.8 gallons)
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Capacities and specifications
174

FluidFord Part
NameApplication Capacity
Transmission
fluid
Motorcraft
MERCONtAT FAutomatic
transaxles3.9L
(4.1 quarts)
Manual
transaxles3.35L
(3.55 quarts)
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 2.2L
(2.32 quarts)
1Use Ford Premium Engine Coolant (green in color). DO NOT USE Ford
Extended Life Engine Coolant (orange in color). Refer toAdding engine
coolant, in the Maintenance and Care chapter.
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
ItemFord Part
Name or
EquivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Brake fluid High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidC6AZ-19542-AB ESA-M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Door latch, hood
latch, auxiliary
hood latch,
trunk latch, seat
tracks.Multi-Purpose
GreaseDOAZ-19584-AA
or
F5AZ-19G209-AAESB-M1C93-A
or
ESR-M1C159-A
Lock cylinder Penetrating and
Lock LubricantE8AE-19A501-B none
Automatic
transaxleMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Manual transaxle Motorcraft
MERCONtAT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Engine oil Motorcraft
5W-30 Super
Premium Motor
OilXO-5W30-QSP WSS-M2C153-G
and API
Certification
Mark
Capacities and specifications
175

Air bag supplemental
restraint system ..........................71
and child safety seats ..............73
description ................................71
disposal ......................................75
driver air bag ............................73
indicator light ........................8,75
operation ...................................73
passenger air bag .....................73
Air cleaner filter ................146,174
Air conditioning ..........................37
Anti-theft system ...................58,59
arming the system ....................59
disarming a
triggered system ..................59,60
disarming an untriggered
system .......................................59
warning light ...............................9
Automatic transaxle ...................95
driving with ...............................97
fluid, refill capacities ..............174
fluid, specification ..................176
Battery .......................................144
acid, treating emergencies .....144
charging system
warning light .............................10
jumping a disabled battery ....117
maintenance-free ....................144
replacement, specifications ...174
servicing ..................................144
Brakes ..........................................89
anti-lock ................................89,90
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ..............9,89
brake warning light ....................8
fluid, checking and adding ....134
fluid, refill capacities ..............174
fluid, specifications ..........175,176
lubricant specifications ...175,176
parking ......................................90
shift interlock ............................95
Break-in period .............................2Capacities for refilling fluids ....174
Cargo cover .................................54
Child safety restraints ................76
child safety belts ......................76
child safety seats ......................77
Child safety seats ........................77
attaching with tether straps ....80
built-in child seat .....................77
in front seat ..............................78
in rear seat ................................78
tether anchorage
hardware ..............................80,81
Cleaning your vehicle ...............169
engine compartment ..............171
exterior ....................................170
exterior lamps .........................172
instrument panel ....................172
interior .....................................173
plastic parts ............................172
safety belts ..............................173
washing ....................................170
waxing .....................................170
wheels ......................................171
wiper blades ............................172
Clock ..................................19,25,33
Clutch
fluid ..........................................135
operation while driving ............92
recommended shift speeds ......94
Coolant ........................137,139,140
checking and adding ..............138
refill capacities .................139,174
specifications ...................175,176
Customer Assistance ................181
Ford accessories
for your vehicle ......................188
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................182
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................187
Getting roadside assistance ...181
Index
194

Headlamps ...................................42
aiming ...............................168,169
bulb specifications ..................167
daytime running lights .............43
flash to pass ..............................43
high beam ..............................9,43
replacing bulbs .......................162
turning on and off ....................42
warning chime ..........................10
Heating ........................................37
heater only system ...................37
heating and air
conditioning system .................39
Hood ..........................................127
Ignition ................................176,177
positions of the ignition ...........42
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .......................77
Inspection/
maintenance (I/M) testing .......160
Instrument panel ..........................6
cleaning ...................................172
lighting up panel
and interior ...............................14
location of components ..............6
Jump-starting your vehicle ......117
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............10
positions of the ignition ...........42
Lamps
cargo lamps ...............................14
daytime running light ...............43
fog lamps ...................................44
headlamps ..........................42,162
headlamps, flash to pass ..........43
instrument panel, dimming .....14
interior lamps ....................51,167
replacing bulbs ..161,164,165,166
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................43
Lights, warning and indicator ......6
air bag ..........................................8anti-lock brakes (ABS) .........9,89
anti-theft .....................................9
brake ............................................8
charging system ........................10
high beam ...................................9
liftgate ajar ................................10
low fuel ........................................7
oil pressure ...............................10
safety belt ...................................8
service engine soon ....................7
turn signal indicator ...................9
Load limits .................................100
GAWR ......................................100
GVWR ......................................100
trailer towing ..........................100
Locks
childproof ..................................52
Lubricant specifications ....175,176
Manual transaxle .........................92
fluid capacities ........................174
lubricant specifications ..........176
reverse .......................................95
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) .......14
Moon roof ....................................50
Motorcraft parts .................156,174
Octane rating ............................155
Odometer .....................................13
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................57
Parking brake ..............................90
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....174
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................110
Power door locks ........................52
Power steering ............................91
fluid, checking and adding ....140
fluid, refill capacity ................174
fluid, specifications ..........175,176
Radio ............................................15
Relays .................................107,113
Remote entry system ............55,57
Index
196