
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.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash with the same detergent as the body of your vehicle. Do not use
acid-based or alcohol-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, fuel or strong
detergents. Never use abrasives that will damage the finish of special
wheel surfaces. Use a tar remover to remove grease and tar.
The brushes used in some automatic car washes may damage the finish
on your wheels. Before going to a car wash, find out if the brushes are
abrasive.
Underbody
Flush the complete underside of vehicle frequently. Keep body drain
holes unplugged. Inspect for road damage.
Maintenance and care
186

Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. When washing:
²Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The high
pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.
²Do not spray with cold water to avoid cracking the engine block or
other engine components.
²Never apply anything to the drive belt (including belt dressing).
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.
Maintenance and care
187

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.
Cleaning the overhead console
Clean with a damp cloth, then wipe dry with a dry cloth.
Avoid cleaner or polish that increases the gloss of the console. The dull
finish in this area helps protect the driver from undesirable windshield
reflection.
Cleaning the interior fabric
Remove dust and loose dirt with a whisk broom or a vacuum cleaner.
Remove fresh spots immediately. Do not use household or glass cleaners.
These agents can stain and discolor the fabric. Use a mild soap and
water solution if necessary.
Maintenance and care
188

Cleaning and maintaining the safety belts
Clean the safety belts with a mild soap solution recommended for
cleaning upholstery or carpets. Do not bleach or dye the belts, because
these actions may weaken the belt webbing.
Check the safety belt system periodically to make sure there are no
nicks, wear or cuts. If your vehicle has been involved in an accident,
refer to theSafety belt maintenancesection in theSeating and safety
restraintschapter.
Cleaning leather seats (if equipped)
To clean, simply use a soft cloth dampened with water and a mild soap.
Wipe the leather again with a damp cloth to remove soap residue. Dry
with a soft cloth. For tougher soiling concerns, Ford recommends using
the leather cleaning kit F8AZ-19G253±AA, which is available from your
Ford Dealer. This mild cleaner and special pad, cleans the leather and
maintains its natural beauty. Follow the instructions on the cleaner label.
Regular cleaning of your leather upholstery helps maintain its resiliency
and color.
Do not use household cleaning products, alcohol solutions,
solvents or cleaners intended for rubber, vinyl or plastics.
Maintenance and care
189

FluidFord Part
NameApplication Capacity
Rear axle
lubricant
4Motorcraft SAE
75W140
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantAll
2.9-3.1L
(5.5-5.8 pints)
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll
4.1L
(4.5 quarts)
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used for a specific
application. Check the container to verify the fluid is MERCONt
approved. Transmission fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick
handle. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Do NOT use any non-approved automatic transmission fluid for an
application specifying MERCONt. Use of a non-approved fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage.
2Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may
vary based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The
amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the
indication on the dipstick's normal operating range.
3Use 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.
4Your vehicle's rear axle is filled with a synthetic rear axle lubricant and
is considered lubricated for life.These lubricants are not to be checked or
changed unless a leak is suspected, service is required or the axle has
been submerged in water. The axle lubricant should be changed any time
the axle has been submerged in water. Add 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.
Capacities and specifications
193

²sales disputes between customer and dealer except those associated
with warranty repairs or concerns with the vehicle's performance as
designed
²a request for reimbursement of consequential expenses unless a
service or product concern being reviewed
²items not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty (including
maintenance and wear items)
²alleged personal injury/property damage claims
²cases currently in litigation
²vehicles not used primarily for family, personal or household purposes
(except in states where the Dispute Settlement Board is required to
review commercial vehicles)
²vehicles with non-U.S. warranties
Concerns are ineligible for review if the New Vehicle Limited Warranty
has expired at receipt of your application and, in certain states of
eligibility is dependent upon the cutsomer's possession of the vehicle.
Eligibility may differ according to state law. For example, see the unique
brochures for California, West Virginia, Georgia and Wisconsin
purchasers/lessees.
Board membership
The Board consists of:
²three consumer representatives
²a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealership representative
Consumer candidates for Board membership are recruited and trained by
an independent consulting firm. The dealership Board member is chosen
from Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealership management, recognized for
their business leadership qualities.
What the Board needs
To have your case reviewed you must complete the application in the DSB
brochure and mail it to the address provided on the application form.
Your application is reviewed and, if it is determined to be eligible, you
will receive an acknowledgment indicating:
²the file number assigned to your application
²the toll-free phone number of the DSB's independent administrator
Your dealership and a Ford Motor Company representative are asked to
submit statements at this time.
Customer assistance
203

To properly review your case, the Board needs the following information:
²legible copies of all documents and maintenance or repair orders
relevant to the case
²the year, make, model, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) listed
on your vehicle ownership license
²the date of repair(s) and mileage at the time of occurrence(s)
²the current mileage
²the name of the dealer who sold or serviced the vehicle
²a brief description of your unresolved concern
²a brief summary of the action taken by the dealer(s) and Ford Motor
Company
²the names (if known) of all the people you contacted at the
dealership(s)
²a description of the action you expect to resolve your concern
You will receive a letter of explanation if your application does not
qualify for Board review.
Oral presentations
If you would like to make an oral presentation, indicate YES to question
#6 on the application. While it is your right to make an oral presentation
before the Board, this is not a requirement and the Board will decide the
case whether or not an oral presentation is made. Oral presentation may
be requested Board as well.
Making a decision
Board members review all available information related to each complaint,
including oral presentations, and arrive at a fair and impartial decision.
Every effort is made to decide the case within 40 days of the date that
all requested information is received by the Board. Since the Baord
generally meets once a month, it may take more than a month before the
Board can consider some cases.
After a case is reviewed, the Board mails you a decision letter and a
form on which to accept or reject the Board's decision. The decisions of
the Board are binding on Ford (and, in some cases, on the dealer) but
not on consumers who are free to pursue other remedies available to
them under state or federal law.
Customer assistance
204

Engine oil
checking and adding ..............152
dipstick ....................................150
specifications ...................150,152
Exhaust fumes ..........................103
Fail safe cooling ........................157
Floor mats ...................................64
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles ..10,114
control trac .............................115
description ..............................115
driving off road .......................117
electronic shift ............19,116,117
indicator light ...........................10
Fuel
choosing the right fuel ...........172
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................177
detergent in fuel .....................173
filling your vehicle
with fuel ...........................170,173
quality ......................................172
running out of fuel .................173
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................170
Fuses ...................................129,130
Garage door opener ....................56
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ..............174,175,176,177
Gauges .........................................11
battery voltage gauge ...............14
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................12
engine oil pressure gauge ........14
fuel gauge ..................................12
odometer ...................................13
speedometer .............................12
tachometer ................................13
trip odometer ............................13
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
calculating ...............................121
Hazard flashers .........................128Head
restraints .......74,77,78,79,80,81,82
Headlamps
aiming ......................................184
bulb specifications ..................184
high beam ..............................9,54
Heating ........................................38
heating and air
conditioning system ............38,40
Hood ..........................................149
Ignition .......................................196
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................179
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................188
Keyless entry system
locking and unlocking doors ....73
programming entry code .........72
Keys
positions of the ignition ...........48
Lamps
autolamp system .......................18
daytime running light ...............17
fog lamps ...................................17
headlamps .................................17
headlamps, flash to pass ..........55
instrument panel, dimming .....18
interior lamps .........................184
replacing
bulbs ............179,180,181,182,183
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................48
Liftgate ........................................64
Lights, warning and indicator ......6
air bag ..........................................7
air suspension .........................110
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............8
anti-theft .....................................9
brake ............................................8
charging system ..........................9
door ajar ....................................10
engine oil pressure .....................9
Index
213