
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4.If your vehicle is equipped
with the 3.0L V6 Vulcan engine,
check the fluid level on the dipstick.
It should be between the arrows in
the FULL HOT range. Do not add
fluid if the level is within this range.
5.If your vehicle is equipped with the 3.8L OHV V6 engine,check
the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN and MAX
lines. Do not add fluid if the level is within this range.
6. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the correct operating range. Be sure to put the
cap back on the reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transaxle is not working
properly, i.e., if the transaxle slips or shifts slowly or if you notice some
sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic
during hot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before
checking.
FULL HOT
Maintenance and care
201

REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Brake fluid
1All Fill to MAX line
on reservoir
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)Motorcraft 5W30
Super Premium
Motor Oil3.0L engine 4.3L
(4.5 quarts)
3.8L engine 4.7L
(5.0 quarts)
Engine coolant
2Without rear
heater14.0L
(14.8 quarts)
With rear heater 15.0L
(15.9 quarts)
Fuel tank N/A All 98.4L
(26.0 gallons)
Automatic
transaxle fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FAll 11.6L
(12.25 quarts)
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll Fill to line on
reservoir
1Use only brake fluids certified to meet Ford specifications. Refer to
Lubricant Specificationsin this chapter. DOT 3 fluid is recommended.
However, if DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be used.
2If your engine coolant is green in color, use Ford Premium Cooling
System Fluid. If your coolant is orange in color, use Ford Extended Life
Engine Coolant. Refer toAdding engine coolant, in the Maintenance
and Care chapter.
Capacities and specifications
237

LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
Item Ford part
nameFord part
numberFord
specification
Brake fluid High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
Fluid
1
C6AZ-19542-AB ESA-M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Door
weatherstripsSilicone
LubricantF7AZ-
19G208-BA and
F5AZ-19553-AAESR-M13P4-A
Engine coolant Ford Premium
Engine Coolant
(green in color)E2FZ-19549-AA ESE-M97B44-A
Ford Extended
Life Engine
Coolant (orange
in color)F6AZ-19544-AA WSS-M97B44-D
or DEX-COOLt
equivalent
Engine oil Motorcraft 5W30
Super Premium
Motor OilXO-5W30-QSP WSS-M2C153-G
with API
Certification
Mark
Door latch, hood
latch,auxiliary
hood latch, door
and liftgate
hinges, striker
plates, seat
tracks and fuel
filler door hinge.Multi-Purpose
GreaseD0AZ-19584-AA
or F5AZ-
19G209-AAESB-M1C93-B or
ESR-M1C159-A
Lock cylinders Penetrating
LubricantE8AZ-19501-B none
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Automatic
transaxle
(AX4S)Motorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FXT-5-QM MERCONtV
Capacities and specifications
238

Accessory delay ..........................78
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................................124
and child safety seats ............126
description .......................125,128
disposal ....................................131
indicator light ..................128,130
passenger air bag ............126,129
Air filter, cabin ..........................203
Anti-theft system ...99,100,101,102
,103
arming the system ..................100
disarming a triggered system 100
Automatic transaxle .................155
driving with ...............156,157,158
Brakes ........................................151
anti-lock ............................151,152
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................152
fluid, checking and adding ....195
shift interlock ..........................155
Break-in period .............................3
Cargo net ...................................104
CD player .....................64,65,66,67
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps ..136
in rear seat .......................133,136
tether anchorage
hardware ...................137,138,140
Cleaning your vehicle ...............230
built-in child seat ...........141,142,
145,146
engine compartment ..............232
exterior .............................231,234
exterior lamps .........................233
interior .....................................234
plastic parts ............................232
washing ....................................231
waxing .....................................231
wheels ......................................232
windows ..................................235
wiper blades ............................233Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .......22,23,24
Console ........................................90
overhead ....................................86
Controls
power seat ...............................108
Coolant ......................................199
checking and adding ..............197
refill capacities ........................199
Cupholder(s) .110,112,113,115,117
Defrost
rear window ..............................37
Doors
power sliding .............87,88,89,90
Emission control system ..........222
Engine
check engine/service engine
soon light ...............................9,10
coolant .....................................197
idle speed control ...................206
service points ...................190,191
starting after a collision .........167
Engine block heater .................149
Engine oil
checking and adding ..............193
dipstick ....................................192
specifications ...................192,194
Exhaust fumes ..........................150
Floor mats ...................................91
Fuel
choosing the right fuel ...........216
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................221
detergent in fuel .....................217
filling your vehicle
with fuel ...........................214,215
gauge .........................................12
quality ......................................217
running out of fuel .................218
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................214
Fuses ...................................168,169
Index
243

Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ..............218,219,220,221
Gauges .........................................12
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................13
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
calculating ...............................161
Hazard flashers .........................167
Head restraints ...........105,109,110
Headlamps
aiming ........................228,229,230
bulb specifications ..................228
high beam ..............................8,26
warning chime ..........................11
Heating ........................................27
heater only system ...27,28,29,30,
31,32,33,34
rear seat controls .....................35
Hood ..........................................189
Ignition .......................................239
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................223
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................233
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................99
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............11
positions of the ignition ...........70
Lamps
autolamp system .......................27
daytime running light ...............26
headlamps .................................25
headlamps, flash to pass ..........26
instrument panel, dimming .....25
interior lamps ......................85,87
replacing bulbs .........224,226,227
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................74
Liftgate ......................................103Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............8
anti-theft .....................................7
brake ............................................9
charging system ..........................6
door ajar ....................................10
high beam .................................11
low fuel ........................................6
low washer fluid .......................11
oil pressure .................................8
overdrive off ................................9
safety belt ...................................7
traction control off .....................7
turn signal indicator ...................7
Locks
childproof ..................................80
Lumbar support, seats ......108,109
Message center ......................14,15
system check button ...........15,16
warning messages ................16,21
Mirrors .........................................81
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................80
cleaning ...................................235
fold away ...................................79
heated ........................................79
side view mirrors (power) .......78
Motorcraft parts ........................218
Octane rating ............................217
Odometer .....................................13
Overdrive ..............................75,156
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................95
Parking brake ............................152
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................173
Power door locks ...................79,80
Power steering ..........................154
fluid, checking and
adding ...............................200,201
Index
244

Item Information
Recommended fuel Unleaded fuel only - 87 octane
Fuel tank capacity 98.4L (26.0 gallons)
Engine oil capacity-3.0L engine
(includes filter change)4.3L (4.5 quarts). Use Motorcraft
5W30 Super Premium Motor Oil, Ford
specification WSS-M2C153-G.
Engine oil capacity-3.8L engine
(includes filter change)4.7L (5.0 quarts). Use Motorcraft
5W30 Super Premium Motor Oil, Ford
specification WSS-M2C153-G.
Tire size and pressure See Safety Compliance Certification
Label on the driver's side B-pillar.
Hood release Pull handle under the left side of the
instrument panel.
Coolant capacity (without rear
heater)
114.0L (14.8 quarts)
Coolant capacity (with rear
heater)
115.0L (15.9 quarts)
Power steering fluid capacity Fill to line on reservoir or dipstick.
Use Motorcraft MERCONtAT F.
Automatic transmission fluid
capacity (AX4S)
211.6L (12.25 quarts). Use Motorcraft
MERCONtV ATF.
1If your engine coolant is green in color, use Ford Premium Cooling
System Fluid. If your engine coolant is orange in color, use Ford
Extended Life Engine Coolant. Refer toAdding engine coolant, in the
Maintenance and Care chapter.
2Ensure correct automatic transmission fluid is used for a specific
application. Check the container to verify the fluid is MERCONtand/or
MERCONtV approved. Some fluids have been approved as meeting both
MERCONtand MERCONtV requirements and will be labeled as such.
Fluids labeled as meeting only MERCONtor only MERCONtV
requirements must not be used interchangeably. DO NOT mix MERCONt
and MERCONtV. Transmission fluid requirements are indicated on the
dipstick or on the dipstick handle. Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance
Guide to determine the correct service interval.
Filling station information
248