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
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 the strain on the engine.
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 transmissions may shift frequently while driving up steep
grades. Eliminate frequent shifting by shifting out of
(Overdrive) into
D (Drive).
Driving
161
speed control ............................84
turn signal indicator ...................8
Locks
childproof ................................100
Lumbar support, seats ......116,118
Manual transmission
reverse .....................................156
Message center ...........................15
economy button ........................16
english/metric button ..........15,16
reset button ..............................16
system check button ...........17,18
Mirrors
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................98
cleaning ...................................246
heated ......................................101
side view mirrors (power) .....100
Moon roof ....................................89
Motorcraft parts ........................231
Octane rating ............................229
Odometer .....................................13
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ..............................106
Parking brake ............................146
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................184
Power door locks ........................99
Power steering ..........................147
fluid, checking and adding ....213
Radio ...33,34,35,36,37,38,40,41,42,
43,44,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,
53,54,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,
63,64,65,66,67,68
Relays ........................................179
Remote entry system .105,113,114
illuminated entry ....................109
locking/unlocking doors .........106
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................109
replacing the batteries ...........108
Reverse sensing system .............31Roof rack ...................................177
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............11
Safety restraints
cleaning the safety belts .126,246
extension assembly ................125
for children .............................133
warning light and chime ...11,125
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ......120,121,122,123,124
Seats ..........................................116
child safety seats ....................134
cleaning ............................245,246
memory seat ....................107,118
Servicing your vehicle .......200,201
Snowplowing .................................3
Spark plugs, specifications .......247
Special notice ................................3
ambulance conversions ..............3
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart, lubricants .250
Speed control ..............................80
Speedometer ...............................12
Starting your vehicle .........140,142
jump starting ............192,193,195
Steering wheel ............................86
tilting .........................................85
Tachometer .................................13
Tires .............................222,223,224
changing ...........................187,188
checking the pressure ............224
replacing ..................................225
rotating ....................................224
snow tires and chains ............226
tire grades ...............................223
treadwear ................................223
Towing ...........168,173,174,175,176
recreational towing .................176
wrecker ....................................198
Traction-lok rear axle ...............165
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................218
Index
259
