1999 FORD RANGER Owners Manual

5. Release the clutch slowly while pressing gradually down on the
accelerator pedal.
²Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal. Do not use
the clutch to hold your vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a hill.
These actions may reduce clutch life.
Parking
1. Apply the brake and shift into N
(Neutral).
2. Engage the parking brake.
3. Shift into 1 (First).
4. Turn the ignition to Off.
Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it may move unexpectedly
and injure someone. Use 1 (First) gear and set the parking brake
fully.
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Recommended shift speeds
Upshifts when accelerating (for best fuel economy)
Shift from:Transfer case position (if equipped)
4H 4L
1 - 2 14 km/h (10 mph) 5 km/h (4 mph)
2 - 3 32 km/h (22 mph) 11 km/h (9 mph)
3 -4 50 km/h (33 mph) 19 km/h (13 mph)
4 - 5 (Overdrive) 71 km/h (41 mph) 27 km/h (17 mph)
Upshifts when cruising (recommended for best fuel economy)
Shift from:Transfer case position (if equipped)
4H 4L
1 -2 16 km/h (10 mph) 6 km/h (4 mph)
2 - 3 26 km/h (19 mph) 10 km/h (8 mph)
3 - 4 43 km/h (28 mph) 16 km/h (12 mph)
4 - 5 (Overdrive) 68 km/h (40 mph) 26 km/h (16 mph)
Maximum downshift speeds
Shift from:Transfer case position (if equipped)
4H 4L
5 (Overdrive) - 4 88 km/h (55 mph) 34 km/h (22 mph)
4 - 3 72 km/h (45 mph) 34 km/h (18 mph)
3 - 2 56 km/h (35 mph) 21 km/h (14 mph)
2 - 1 32 km/h (20 mph) 11 km/h (8 mph)
Reverse
Ensure that the vehicle is at a complete stop before shifting into R
(Reverse). Failure to do so may damage the transmission.
Put the gearshift into N and wait at least several seconds before shifting
into R.
You can shift into R (Reverse) only by moving the gearshift from left of 3
(Third) and 4 (Fourth) gears before you shift into R (Reverse). This is a
special lockout feature that protects you from accidentally shifting into R
(Reverse) when you downshift from 5 (Overdrive).
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FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
When Four±wheel drive (4WD) is engaged, power is supplied to all four
wheels through a transfer case. 4WD power can be selected when
additional driving power is desired.
If equipped with the Electronic Shift 4WD System, and the
instrument panel control is moved to 4WD Low while the vehicle
is moving, the system will not engage and no damage will occur to
the 4WD system.
All utility-type vehicles and 4WD vehicles have special design and
equipment features to make them capable of performing in a wide
variety of off-road applications. Specific design characteristics give them
higher centers of gravity than ordinary passenger cars.
Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenotdesigned for
cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more than
low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers in these
vehicles.
4WD operation is not recommended on dry pavement. Doing so could
result in difficult disengagement of the transfer case, increased tire wear
and decreased fuel economy.
4WD system indicator lights
The 4WD system indicator lights illuminate only under the following
conditions. If these lights illuminate during normal driving, have your
vehicle serviced.
²4WD HIGH-illuminates when
the ignition is turned on or when
4H (4WD High) is engaged.
²4WD LOW±illuminates when the
ignition is turned on or when 4L
(4WD Low) is engaged.
4WD
HIGH
4WD
LOW
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Using the electronic shift 4WD system (if equipped)
Positions of the electronic shift system
2WD (2WD High)± Power to rear axle only.
4X4 HIGH (4WD High)± Power delivered to front and rear axles for
increased traction.
4X4 LOW (4WD Low)± Power to front and rear axles at low speeds.
Shifting from 2WD (2WD high) to 4X4 HIGH (4WD high)
Move the 4WD control to the 4X4
HIGH position.
At temperatures below 0ÉC (32ÉF),
shifts from 2WD to 4X4 HIGH
should not be performed above 72
km/h (45 mph).
²Do not shift into 4X4 HIGH with
the rear wheels slipping.
Shifting from 4X4 HIGH (4WD high) to 2WD (2WD high)
Move the 4WD control to 2WD
position at any forward speed. You
do notneed to put the gearshift in
R (Reverse) to disengage your front
hubs.
Shifting from 2WD (2WD high) to 4X4 LOW (4WD low)
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral) (automatic transmission) or depress
the clutch (manual transmission).
4X4
HIGH
2WD4X4
LOW
4X4
HIGH
2WD4X4
LOW
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4. Move the 4WD control to the 4X4
LOW position.
Shifting from 4X4 LOW (4WD low) to 2WD (2WD high)
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral) (automatic transmission) or depress
the clutch (manual transmission).
4. Move the 4WD control to the
2WD position.
Shifting between 4X4 HIGH (4WD high) and 4X4 LOW (4WD low)
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral) (automatic transmission) or depress
the clutch (manual transmission).
4X4
HIGH
2WD4X4
LOW
4X4
HIGH
2WD4X4
LOW
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4. Move the 4WD control to the 4X4
HIGH or 4X4 LOW position.
Driving off-road with 4WD
Your vehicle is specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and has operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. For more
information on driving off-road, read the ªFour Wheelingº supplement in
your owner's portfolio.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck 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 can
overheat.
Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
2WD4X4
LOW4X4
HIGH
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Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Do not reduce the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the hubs (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the
ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
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.
Replace rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in
water. The rear axle does not normally require a lubricant change for the
life of the vehicle. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or
changed unless a leak is suspected or repair is required.
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.
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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 on snow and ice
A 4WD vehicle has advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
When braking, apply the brakes as you normally would. In order to allow
the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to operate properly, keep steady
pressure on the brake pedal.
Allow more stopping distance and drive slower than usual. Consider
using one of the lower gears.
TRACTION-LOK AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
Traction-Lok axle functions like a standard rear axle.
Extended use of other than the manufacturer's specified size tires on a
Traction-Lok rear axle could result in a permanent reduction in
effectiveness. This loss of effectiveness does not affect normal driving
and should not be noticeable to the driver.
To avoid injury, never run the engine with one wheel off the
ground, such as when changing a tire.
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