Waxing your vehicle
Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This could be every three
or four months, depending on operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Use cleaning fluid or
alcohol with a clean cloth to remove any bugs and tar before waxing
vehicle. Use tar remover to remove any tar spots.
Avoid getting wax on the windshield. If you have wax applied at a
commercial car wash, it is recommended that you clean the wiper blades
and windshield as described inCleaning the wiper blades and
windshield.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage from road debris may be repaired with
touch-up paint, repair foil or aerosol paint spray from the Ford accessory
line. Observe the application instructions on the products.
Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect remains, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout immediately.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash with the same detergent as the body of your vehicle. Do not use
acid-based or alcohol-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, fuel or strong
detergents. Never use abrasives that will damage the finish of special
wheel surfaces. Use a tar remover to remove grease and tar.
Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. When washing:
²Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The high
pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.
²Do not spray with cold water to avoid cracking the engine block or
other engine components.
Maintenance and care
191
Accessory delay ..........................75
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................................101
and child safety seats ............102
description .......................101,105
disposal ....................................107
indicator light ..................105,107
passenger air bag ............103,106
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control system ...........26,27,28,30
Air filter, cabin ..........................166
Air suspension
warning light ...........................124
Anti-theft system .................79,122
arming the system ....................79
disarming a triggered system ..80
Automatic transaxle .................125
driving with ...............127,128,129
Automatic transmission
fluid, refill capacities ................12
Brakes ........................................120
anti-lock ............................120,121
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................121
fluid, checking and adding ....157
shift interlock ..........................125
Break-in period .............................3
CD player .....................44,45,46,47
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps ..114
in rear seat ..............................111
tether anchorage hardware ...114
Cleaning your vehicle ...............190
engine compartment ..............191
exterior .............................191,193
exterior lamps .........................192
plastic parts ............................192
washing ....................................190
waxing .....................................191
wheels ......................................191
windows ..................................194wiper blades ............................192
woodtone trim ........................194
Clock ............................................32
Compass, electronic ....................71
calibration .................................72
set zone adjustment .................71
Console ...................................78,79
overhead ....................................55
Controls
power seat ............................92,94
Coolant ...............................160,161
checking and adding ..............159
refill capacities ........................161
Defrost
rear window ..............................31
Emission control system ..........182
Engine
coolant .....................................158
idle speed control ...................164
service points ..........................153
starting after a collision .........135
Engine block heater .................118
Engine oil
checking and adding ..............155
dipstick ....................................154
specifications ...................154,156
Exhaust fumes ..........................118
Floor mats ...................................79
Fuel
choosing the right fuel ...........176
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................181
detergent in fuel .....................178
filling your vehicle
with fuel ...........................174,176
fuel filler door override ............78
fuel filler door release lever ....78
gauge .........................................10
quality ......................................177
running out of fuel .................178
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................174
Index
202
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................84
replacing the batteries .............83
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .................9
Safety restraints
cleaning the safety
belts ..................................100,193
extension assembly ..................99
for children ......................108,109
lap belt ......................................98
warning light and chime .....9,100
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) .....................95,96,97,98
Seats ............................................92
child safety seats ....................110
cleaning ............................193,194
Seats-easy access/easyout
feature .........................................95
Servicing your vehicle ..............152
Spark plugs, specifications .......195
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................196
Speed control ..............................50
Speedometer ...............................11
Starting your vehicle .........115,117
jump starting ............146,147,149
Steering wheel ............................49
tilting .........................................53
Tachometer .................................11
Tires ...............168,169,170,171,172
changing ..................................142
checking the pressure ............172
replacing ..................................173rotating ....................................172
snow tires and chains ............174
tire grades ...............................172
treadwear ................................171
Towing
wrecker ....................................151
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............195
Transmission .............................162
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ......................162,163
Trunk ...........................................82
remote release lever .................77
Turn signal ..................................10
Universal transmitter
(see garage door opener) ....67,68,
69,70
Vehicle dimensions ...................197
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................200
Vehicle loading .....130,132,133,134
Ventilating your vehicle ...........119
Warning chimes .............................6
Washer fluid ..............................158
Water, Driving through .............130
Wheels
anti-theft lug nuts ..................145
Windows .................................74,75
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and cleaning ............168
operation ...................................48
replacing wiper blades ...........168
Index
204