Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts,
halfshafts and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts
causes an imbalance that could damage drive components.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Water intrusion into the transmission may damage the
transmission.
If the rear axle is submerged in water, the rear axle lubricant should be
checked and changed, if necessary. The rear axle is filled with a
synthetic lubricant and does not normally require a lubricant change for
the life of the vehicle. Rear axle lubricant quantities should not need to
be checked unless a leak is suspected.
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
When driving on a hill, avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes. You could lose traction and slip sideways. Drive straight up,
straight down or avoid the hill completely. Know the conditions on the
other side of a hill before driving over the crest.
When climbing a steep hill, start in a lower gear rather than downshifting
to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has started. This
reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
When descending a steep hill, avoid sudden braking. Shift to a lower gear
when added engine braking is desired.
When speed control is on and you are driving uphill, your vehicle speed
may drop considerably, especially if you are carrying a heavy load.
If vehicle speed drops more than 16 km/h (10 mph), the speed control
will cancel automatically. Resume speed with accelerator pedal.
If speed control cancels after climbing the hill, reset speed by pressing
and holding the SET ACCEL button (to resume speeds over 50 km/h
(30 mph).
Automatic transmission may shift frequently while driving up steep
grades. Eliminate frequent shifting by shifting out of
(Overdrive) into
D (Drive).
Driving
118
fuel reset ...................................11
low fuel ........................................6
low washer fluid .......................10
safety belt ...................................8
service engine soon .................6,7
turn signal indicator ...................8
Locks
childproof ..................................61
doors ..........................................61
Lumbar support, seats ..........74,75
Message center ......................14,57
english/metric button ...............15
menu button .............................15
Mirrors
fold away ...................................63
heated ...................................62,63
side view mirrors (power) .......62
Moon roof ....................................57
Motorcraft parts ........................174
Octane rating ............................172
Overdrive .....................................55
Parking brake ............................107
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....190
Power adjustable foot pedals .....18
Power distribution box (see
Fuses) ........................................133
Power door locks ...................70,71
Power steering ...................108,109
fluid, checking
and adding .......................158,159
Radio .............................20,21,22,23
Relays .................................129,136
Remote entry system ............67,68
illuminated entry ......................70
locking/unlocking doors ...........68
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................70
replacing the batteries .............69
Roof rack ...................................127
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................198
Safety defects, reporting ..........211Safety restraints
cleaning the safety belts ...88,189
extension assembly ..................87
for children ...............................93
lap belt ......................................86
warning light and chime ..........88
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ................83,84,85,86,87
Seats ............................................74
child safety seats ......................94
cleaning ...................................189
Servicing your vehicle ..............148
Snowplowing .................................3
Special notice ................................3
ambulance conversions ..............3
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart, lubricants .194
Speed control ..............................49
Starting your vehicle .........100,102
jump starting ............142,143,145
preparing to start your
vehicle .......................................65
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................53
Tires .............................166,167,168
changing ...........................137,138
checking the pressure ............168
replacing ..................................169
rotating ....................................168
snow tires and chains ............169
tire grades ...............................167
treadwear ................................167
Towing ....122,123,124,125,126,127
wrecker ....................................147
Traction-lok rear axle ...............110
Transmission .............................111
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ...............159,160,161
Vehicle dimensions ...................196
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................198
Vehicle loading ..........................119
Index
214
