
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield under
the hood).
²When placing objects on top of your instrument panel, be careful to
not place them over the defroster outlets. These objects can block
airflow and reduce your ability to see through your windshield. Also,
avoid placing small objects on top of your instrument panel. These
objects can fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow and
possibly damage your climate control system.
Manual heating and air conditioning system (if equipped)
Fan speed control
Controls the volume of air circulated
in the vehicle.
Temperature control knob
Controls the temperature of the
airflow inside the vehicle.
OFFA/CMAX
A/C
Controls and features
19

Mode selector control
Controls the direction of the airflow
to the inside of the vehicle.
The air conditioning compressor will operate in all modes except
and
. However, the air conditioning will only function if the outside
temperature is about 10ÉC (50ÉF) or above.
Since the air conditioner removes considerable moisture from the air
during operation, it is normal if clear water drips on the ground under
the air conditioner drain while the system is working and even after you
have stopped the vehicle.
Under normal conditions, your vehicle's climate control system should be
left in any position other than MAX A/C or OFF when the vehicle is
parked. This allows the vehicle to ªbreatheº through the outside air inlet
duct.
²MAX A/C-Uses recirculated air to cool the vehicle. MAX A/C is noisier
than A/C but more economical and will cool the inside of the vehicle
faster. Airflow will be from the instrument panel registers. This mode
can also be used to prevent undesirable odors from entering the
vehicle.
²A/C-Uses outside air to cool the vehicle. It is quieter than MAX A/C
but not as economical. Airflow will be from the instrument panel
registers.
²
(Vent)-Distributes outside air through the instrument panel
registers. However, the air will not be cooled below the outside
temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in this
mode.
²OFF-Outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate. For short
periods of time only, use this mode to prevent undesirable odors from
entering the vehicle.
OFFA/CMAX
A/C
Controls and features
20

²(Panel and floor)-Distributes outside air through the instrument
panel registers and the floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning
capabilities are provided in this mode. For added customer comfort,
when the temperature control knob is anywhere in between the full
hot and full cold positions, the air distributed through the floor ducts
will be slightly warmer than the air sent to the instrument panel
registers.
²
(Floor)-Allows for maximum heating by distributing outside air
through the floor ducts. However, the air will not be cooled below the
outside temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in
this mode.
²
(Floor and defrost)-Distributes outside air through the
windshield defroster ducts and the floor ducts. Heating and air
conditioning capabilities are provided in this mode. For added
customer comfort, when the temperature control knob is anywhere in
between the full hot and full cold positions, the air distributed through
the floor ducts will be slightly warmer than the air sent to the
instrument panel registers. If the temperature is about 10ÉC (50ÉF) or
higher, the air conditioner will automatically dehumidify the air to
prevent fogging.
²
-Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster ducts.
It can be used to clear ice or fog from the windshield. If the
temperature is about 10ÉC (50ÉF) or higher, the air conditioner will
automatically dehumidify the air to prevent fogging.
Operating tips
²In humid weather, selectbefore driving. This will prevent your
windshield from fogging. After a few minutes, select any desired
position.
²To prevent humidity buildup inside the vehicle, don't drive with the
climate control system in the OFF position.
²Don't put objects under the front seat that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats (if equipped).
Controls and features
21

²Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield under
the hood).
²If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during hot
weather, the air conditioner will do a much faster job of cooling if you
drive for two or three minutes with the windows open. This will force
most of the hot, stale air out of the vehicle. Then operate your air
conditioner as you would normally.
²When placing objects on top of your instrument panel, be careful to
not place them over the defroster outlets. These objects can block
airflow and reduce your ability to see through your windshield. Also,
avoid placing small objects on top of your instrument panel. These
objects can fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow and
possibly damage your climate control system.
4WD CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
This control operates the 4WD.
Refer to theDrivingchapter for
more information.
4X4
HIGH
2WD4X4
LOW
Controls and features
22

Safety belt maintenance
Inspect the safety belt systems periodically to make sure they work
properly and are not damaged. Inspect the safety belts to make sure
there are no nicks, wears or cuts, replacing if necessary. All safety belt
assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle
assemblies (slide bar)(if equipped), shoulder belt height adjusters (if
equipped), child safety seat tether bracket assemblies (if equipped), and
attaching hardware, should be inspected after a collision. Ford
recommends that all safety belt assemblies used in vehicles involved in a
collision be replaced. However, if the collision was minor and a qualified
technician finds that the belts do not show damage and continue to
operate properly, they do not need to be replaced. Safety belt assemblies
not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if
either damage or improper operation is noted.
Failure to inspect and if necessary replace the safety belt
assembly under the above conditions could result in severe
personal injuries in the event of a collision.
Refer toCleaning and maintaining the safety beltsin the
Maintenance and caresection.
AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)
OFFRSM
SET
ACC
COAST OFF ON
SRS
ABS
CHECK
ENGINEFH
H
H
!
PBRAKEELSPEED
CONTO/D
OFFPRND21LL10MPH 205060
70
304080
90
km/h
0 0 010 100
1
20
10 0 0 0 0 0406080100
120
140
160
180
20
OFFA/CMAX
A/C
TUNESEEK
12
34AM-FM
ON
OFF
OFF
PASSENGER AIRBAG
Seating and safety restraints
81

The SRS consists of:
²driver and passenger air bag modules (which include the inflators and
air bags),
²one or more impact and safing sensors, passenger air bag deactivation
switch and diagnostic monitor (RCM)
²a readiness light and tone
²and the electrical wiring which connects the components.
The RCM (restraints control module) monitors its own internal circuits
and the supplemental air bag electrical system warning (including the
passenger air bag deactivation switch, the impact sensors, the system
wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the air bag back up power and
the air bag ignitors).
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses readiness lights in the instrument cluster and the
passenger air bag deactivate switch or a tone to indicate the condition of
the system. Refer to theAir bag readinesssection in the
Instrumentationchapter orPassenger air bag deactivate switch
section in this chapter. Routine maintenance of the air bag is not
required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
²The readiness lights will either
flash or stay lit.
²The readiness lights will not
illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned on.
²A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your dealership or by a qualified technician immediately. Unless
serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a
collision.
Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped vehicles
For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles, see your local
dealership or qualified technician. Air bags MUST BE disposed of by
qualified personnel.
Seating and safety restraints
85

The vast majority of drivers and passengers are much safer with an air
bag than without. To do their job and reduce the risk of life threatening
injuries, air bags must open with great force, and this force can pose a
potentially deadly risk in some situations, particularly when a front seat
occupant is not properly buckled up. The most effective way to reduce
the risk of unnecessary air bag injuries without reducing the overall
safety of the vehicle is to make sure all occupants are properly
restrained in the vehicle, especially in the front seat. This provides the
protection of safety belts and permits the air bags to provide the
additional protection they were designed to provide. If you choose to
deactivate your air bag, you are losing the very significant risk reducing
benefits of the air bag and you are also reducing the effectiveness of the
safety belts, because safety belts in modern vehicles are designed to
work as a safety system with the air bags.
Read all air bag Warning labels in the vehicle as well as the other
important air bag instructions and Warnings in this Owner's Guide.
NHTSA deactivation criteria (excluding Canada)
1.Infant.An infant (less than 1 year old) must ride in the front seat
because:
²the vehicle has no rear seat;
²the vehicle has a rear seat too small to accommodate a rear-facing
infant seat; or
²the infant has a medical condition which, according to the infant's
physician, makes it necessary for the infant to ride in the front so that
the driver can constantly monitor the child's condition.
2.Child age 1 to 12.A child age 1 to 12 must ride in the front seat
because:
²the vehicle has no rear seat;
²although children ages 1 to 12 ride in the rear seat(s) whenever
possible, children ages 1 to 12 sometimes must ride in the front
because no space is available in the rear seat(s) of the vehicle; or
²the child has a medical condition which, according to the child's
physician, makes it necessary for the child to ride in the front seat so
that the driver can constantly monitor the child's condition.
Seating and safety restraints
88

3.Medical condition.A passenger has a medical condition which,
according to his or her physician:
²causes the passenger air bag to pose a special risk for the passenger;
and
²makes the potential harm from the passenger air bag in a crash
greater than the potential harm from turning OFF the air bag and
allowing the passenger, even if belted, to hit the dashboard or
windshield in a crash.
This vehicle has special energy management safety belts for the
driver and/or right front passenger. These particular belts are
specifically designed to work with air bags to help reduce the risk of
injury in a collision. The energy management safety belt is designed to
give or release additional belt webbing in some accidents to reduce
concentration of force on an occupant's chest and reduce the risk of
certain bone fractures and injuries to underlying organs. In a crash, if
the air bag is turned OFF, this energy management safety belt might
permit the person wearing the belt to move forward enough to incur a
serious or fatal injury. The more severe the crash, and the heavier the
occupant, the greater the risk is. Be sure the air bag is turned ON for
any person who does not qualify under the NHTSA deactivation
criteria.
Transport Canada deactivation criteria (Canada Only)
1.Infant:An infant (less than 1 year old) must ride in the front seat
because:
²my vehicle has no rear seat;
²the rear seat in my vehicle cannot accommodate a rear-facing infant
seat; or
²the infant has a medical condition which, according to the infant's
physician, makes it necessary for the infant to ride in the front so that
the driver can monitor the infant's condition.
2.Child age 12 or under:A child age 12 or under must ride in the
front seat because:
²my vehicle has no rear seat;
²although children age 12 and under ride in the rear seat whenever
possible, children age 12 and under have no option but to sometimes
ride in the front because rear seat space is insufficient; or
Seating and safety restraints
89