
If the steering wanders or pulls, the condition could be caused by any of
the following:
²underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
²high crown in center of road
²high crosswinds
²wheels out of alignment
²loose or worn components in steering linkage
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The air suspension system is designed to improve ride, handling and
general vehicle performance for static, on and off-road driving conditions.
²The load leveling feature of the air suspension automatically keeps the
vehicle at a constant level if a load is added or removed from the
vehicle.
The air suspension shut-off switch is
located behind an access panel
underneath the passenger side
instrument panel.
On vehicles equipped with
Air Suspension, turn OFF
the Air Suspension switch prior to
jacking, hoisting or towing your
vehicle.
Normal vehicle operation does not
require any action by the driver.
Check air suspension light
The warning and indicator light CK SUSP illuminates when the air
suspension switch is turned off or an air suspension system fault has
been detected.
If the light is displayed while driving and the air suspension system
switch is not turned off, safely pull off the road at your earliest
convenience. Turn the ignition switch from 4 (On) to 3 (Off) and 4 (On)
AIR SUSPENSION
SWITCH
INTERRUPTEUR DE
LA SUSPENSION
PNEUMATIQUE
OFF
Driving
119

again. If the warning light reappears, turn the air suspension switch off
and have the vehicle serviced by a dealer or qualified service technician.
If the vehicle is loaded beyond the recommended maximum payload, the
CK SUSP light may illuminate. To correct this condition, remove or
redistribute the payload according to the recommended requirements
and follow the procedure outlined above.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift from being moved from P (Park) unless the brake pedal is
depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift out of P (Park) with the brake pedal
depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to LOCK, then remove the
key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF. Apply the brake pedal and shift to N
(Neutral).
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift, it is
possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle's brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be damaged or the engine may
overheat.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you leave
your vehicle.
Driving
120

If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving with a 4±speed automatic transmission
Understanding gearshift positions
Pull the gearshift lever towards you and downward to move the
automatic gearshift.
Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift lever
from P (Park) to another position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). Make
sure the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park). This position locks the
transmission and prevents the rear
wheels from turning.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park).
Never leave your vehicle unattended while it is running.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift in R (Reverse),
the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
Driving
121

Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the charging system warning light,Check Engine
indicator light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange
odors, smoke or loss of oil pressure, could indicate that the emission
control system is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By law,
vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases,
trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent it from working.
Information about your vehicle's emission system is on the Vehicle Emission
Control Information Decal located on or near the engine. This decal
identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of the
on-board diagnostic (OBD-II) system. If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine
Soonº light is on, refer to the description in theWarning Lights and
Chimessection of theInstrumentationchapter. Your vehicle may not pass
the I/M test with the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the OBD-II system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº condition. To
ready the OBD-II system for I/M testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city
and highway driving is necessary as described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
Maintenance and care
203

Accessory delay ..........................70
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................95
and child safety seats ..............96
description ................................95
disposal ......................................98
indicator light ...........................98
passenger air bag .....................96
passenger deactivation
switch ..............61,99,100,101,102
Air cleaner filter ................188,189
Air suspension ...........................119
warning light .............................11
Anti-theft system ..............76,77,78
Armrests ......................................88
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ...................121,122,123
Axle
refill capacities ........................215
Battery
voltage gauge ............................14
Brakes ........................................115
anti-lock ............................115,116
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............116
fluid, checking and adding ....174
shift interlock ..........................120
Break-in period .............................2
CD player .....................52,54,55,56
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps ..109
in rear seat .......................106,108
tether anchorage hardware ...109
Cleaning your vehicle ...............209
engine compartment ..............211
exterior .............................210,213
exterior lamps .........................211
interior .....................................212
plastic parts ............................211
washing ....................................209
waxing .....................................210wheels ......................................210
wiper blades ............................212
Clutch
fluid ..........................................175
operation while driving ..........123
recommended
shift speeds ......................125,126
Controls
power seat .................................86
Coolant ...............................178,179
checking and adding ..............177
refill capacities ........................179
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................186
Driving under special
conditions ...........................132,133
sand .........................................132
snow and ice ...........................133
through water .........................132
Emission control system ..........202
Engine
coolant .....................................177
idle speed control ...................186
service points ...................170,171
starting after a collision .........149
Engine block heater .................113
Engine oil
checking and adding ..............173
dipstick ....................................172
specifications ...................172,174
Exhaust fumes ..........................113
Fail safe cooling .................179,180
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles ..10,128
description .......................130,131
driving off road .......................131
electronic shift ...................18,130
indicator light ....................10,128
lever operated shift ..128,129,130
Fuel
choosing the right fuel ...........196
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................202
Index
225

detergent in fuel .....................197
filling your vehicle
with fuel ...........................195,198
quality ......................................197
running out of fuel .................197
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................195
Fuses ...................................150,151
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) ...199,200,201
Gauges .........................................12
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................13
engine oil pressure gauge ........15
fuel gauge ..................................12
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
calculating ...............................135
Hazard flashers .........................149
Headlamps
aiming ......................................209
bulb specifications ..................208
high beam ..............................9,68
warning chime ..........................11
Heating ........................................56
heater only system ..............56,57
heating and air
conditioning system ............58,60
Hood ..........................................169
Ignition .......................................219
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................203
Instrument panel ..........................6
cleaning ...................................212
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............11
positions of the ignition ...........61
removing from the ignition ....127
Lamps
autolamp system .......................17
daytime running light ...............16
fog lamps ...................................16headlamps .................................16
headlamps, flash to pass ..........68
instrument panel, dimming .....17
interior lamps ...........................69
replacing bulbs ..204,206,207,208
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................62
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................8
air suspension .........................119
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............9
anti-theft .....................................9
brake ............................................8
charging system ..........................9
door ajar ....................................11
engine oil pressure ...................10
fuel reset ...................................11
low fuel ........................................6
safety belt ...................................8
service engine soon ....................7
turn signal indicator ...................9
Lumbar support, seats ..........87,88
Manual transmission
reverse .....................................127
Mirrors
fold away ...................................72
side view mirrors (power) .......71
Motorcraft parts ........................198
Octane rating ............................197
Odometer .....................................13
Overdrive .....................................68
Parking brake ............................117
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................154
Power door locks ..............70,80,81
Power steering ..........................118
fluid,
checking and adding .......181,182
Radio ....19,20,21,22,24,25,26,27,28
29,30,31,33,34,35,36
Relays ........................................150
Remote entry system ............79,80
Index
226

illuminated entry ......................83
locking/unlocking doors ...........79
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................82
replacing the batteries .............81
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................11
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................223
Safety defects, reporting ..........224
Safety restraints
cleaning the safety belts ...94,213
extension assembly ..................93
for children .............................103
lap belt ......................................92
warning light and chime .....93,94
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) .....................89,90,91,92
Seats ..................................84,85,86
child safety seats ....................104
cleaning ...................................213
Servicing your vehicle .......168,169
Snowplowing ............3,145,146,147
Spark plugs, specifications .......214
Special notice ................................3
ambulance conversions ..............3
four-wheel drive
vehicles .............................147,148
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................217
Speed control ..............................62
Speedometer ...............................13
Starting your vehicle .........110,112
jump starting ............162,163,165
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................66
Tachometer .................................14
Tailgate ...................................72,73
Tires .............................190,191,192changing ...........................157,158
checking the pressure ............192
replacing ..................................193
rotating ....................................192
snow tires and chains ............194
tire grades ...............................191
treadwear ................................191
Towing
recreational towing ..........144,145
wrecker ....................................167
Traction-lok rear axle ...............118
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................185
Transmission
automatic operation ...............120
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ...............182,183,184
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................184
manual operation ....................123
Transmission control
indictor light ................................10
Trip odometer .............................14
Vehicle dimensions ...................220
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................223
Vehicle loading ..........................134
Ventilating your vehicle ...........114
Warning chimes ........................6,11
Washer fluid ..............................176
Water,
Driving through ....136,137,138,139
140,141,142,143
Windows .................................69,70
Windshield washer fluid
and wipers
checking and cleaning ............189
operation ...................................67
replacing wiper blades ...........190
Index
227