
Separate functioning brake systems are required for safe control of
towed vehicles and trailers weighing more than 680 kg (1 500 lbs) when
loaded.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h (55 mph) when towing a trailer.
Speed control may shut off if you are towing on long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
•Use a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills. This will
eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your maintenance guide and or
service guide for more information.
Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area before starting on
a trip to get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other
obstacles.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10% of the loaded trailer weight.
•After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
Driving
36

Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns skin, eyes, and
clothing.
Preparing your vehicle
1.Use only a 12–volt supply to start your vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
3.
Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehiclesdo nottouch. Set the parking brake on both
vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion before
you attach the battery cables. Ensure that vent caps are tight and level.
5. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect any electrical
surges. Turn all other accessories off.
Connecting the jumper cables
1. Connect the positive (+) booster cable to the positive (+) terminal of
the discharged battery.
Note:In the illustrations,lightning boltsare used to designate the
assisting (boosting) battery.
+–+–
Roadside emergencies
49

If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become empty. If this occurs, add
engine coolant to the reservoir. For more information on engine coolant
maintenance, refer toAdding engine coolantin this chapter.
Automotive fluids are not interchangeable;do notuse engine coolant,
antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified function and
vehicle location.
Adding engine coolant
Use only Ford Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549–AA (in
Oregon, F5FZ-19549–CC, in Canada, Motorcraft CXC-10) or a
premium engine coolant that meets Ford specification
ESE-M97B44–A.
•DO NOT USE Ford Extended Life Engine Coolant
F6AZ-19544–AA (orange in color).
•DO NOT USE a DEX-COOLengine coolant or an equivalent
engine coolant that meets Ford specification WSS-M97B44–D.
•DO NOT USE alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any engine
coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze.
•DO NOT USE supplemental coolant additives in your vehicle.
These additives may harm your engine’s cooling system.
•DO NOT MIX recycled coolant and conventional coolant
together in your vehicle. Mixing of engine coolants may harm
your engine’s cooling system.
•The use of an improper coolant may harm engine and cooling
system components and may void the warranty of your vehicle’s
engine cooling system.
•Use only the type of coolant with which your vehicle was
originally equipped. If you are unsure which type of coolant
your vehicle requires, contact your local dealer.
Do not put engine coolant in the container for the windshield
washer fluid.
If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could make it difficult to see
through the windshield.
Maintenance and care
60

When the engine is cool, add a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and
distilled water to the engine coolant reservoir.
Plain water may be added in an emergency, but youmustreplace it with
a 50/50 mixture of coolant and distilled water as soon as possible.
Check the coolant level in the coolant reservoir the next few times you
drive the vehicle. If necessary, add enough of a 50/50 mixture of coolant
and distilled water to bring the liquid level to the fill line on the
reservoir.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
If you must remove the coolant reservoir cap, follow these steps to avoid
personal injury:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the cap. Slowly
turn cap counterclockwise until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
Change your engine coolant according to the appropriate schedule listed
in the Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends that Ford and Lincoln-Mercury
dealers use recycled engine coolant produced by Ford-approved
processes.
Not all coolant recycling processes produce coolant which meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44–A, and use of such coolant may harm engine
and cooling system components.
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible manner.
Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling and
disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling system can hold, refer
toRefill capacitiesin theCapacities and specificationschapter.
Maintenance and care
61

Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if you have
to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per month.
Severe winter climate
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than –36°C [–34°F]), it may
be necessary to increase the coolant concentration above 50%. Refer to
the chart on the coolant container to ensure the coolant concentration in
your vehicle is such that the coolant will not freeze at the temperature
level in which you drive during winter months. Never increase the
coolant concentration above 60%. Increased engine coolant
concentrations above 60% will decrease the freeze protection
characteristics of the engine coolant. Vehicles driven year-round in
non-extreme climates should use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and
distilled water for optimum freeze protection.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•the engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•the
symbol will illuminate.
•the
symbol will illuminate.
•theService Engine Soon
indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate, however:
•the engine power will be limited.
•the air conditioning system will be disabled.
H
C
Maintenance and care
62

Air cleaner filter .........................84
Ambulance packages ....................3
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ...................................29
fluid, refill capacities ................84
fluid, specification ....................87
Axle
lubricant specifications ............87
refill capacities ..........................84
Battery .........................................67
acid, treating emergencies .......67
charging system
warning light ...............................5
jumping a disabled battery ......48
maintenance-free ......................67
replacement, specifications .....84
servicing ....................................67
voltage gauge ............................11
Brakes .....................................25,26
anti-lock ................................25,26
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ..............8,26
brake warning light ....................5
fluid, checking and adding ......58
fluid, refill capacities ................84
fluid, specifications ..............86,87
lubricant specifications .......86,87
shift interlock ............................28
Break-in period .............................2
Capacities for refilling fluids ......84
Cleaning your vehicle .................76
engine compartment ................77
exterior ......................................77
wheels ........................................76
Coolant ..............................59,61,62
checking and adding ................60
refill capacities .....................61,84
specifications .......................86,87
Dipstick
engine oil ...................................55Doors
door ajar warning .......................9
Driveline universal joint
and slip yoke ...............................67
Driving under special
conditions
through water ...........................33
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ............................48
Emission control system ............74
Engine ..........................................87
check engine/
service engine soon light ........6,7
coolant .......................................59
idle speed control .....................67
lubrication specifications ....86,87
refill capacities ..........................84
service points ............................55
Engine block heater ...................23
Engine oil ....................................55
checking and adding ...........55,56
dipstick ......................................55
filter, specifications .............57,84
recommendations .....................57
refill capacities .....................55,84
specifications .............55,57,86,87
Exhaust fumes ............................24
Fail safe cooling ..........................62
Fluid capacities ...........................84
Fuel ..............................................71
calculating fuel economy .........80
capacity .....................................84
choosing the right fuel .............73
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates ...................83
detergent in fuel .......................74
filling your vehicle
with fuel ...............................71,80
filter, specifications .............77,84
gauge .........................................10
improving fuel economy ..........80
low fuel warning light ................4
Index
90