
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to help steer the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
²Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left
for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
²Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
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
Speed sensitive steering
The steering in your vehicle is speed sensitive. At high speeds, steering
assist will decrease to improve steering feel. At lower speeds,
maneuverability will be increased.
If the amount of effort required to steer your vehicle changes at a
constant vehicle speed, have the power steering system checked by your
dealer or a qualified service technician.
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
The air suspension system is designed to improve ride, handling and
general vehicle performance during:
²certain road conditions
²steering maneuvers
²braking
²accelerations
This system keeps the rear of your vehicle at a constant level by
automatically adding air or releasing air from the springs.
Driving
113

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
4.6L SOHC V8 engine
1. Brake fluid reservoir
2. Engine oil dipstick
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Air filter assembly
5. Power steering fluid reservoir
6. Engine coolant reservoir
7. Battery
8. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
9. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
89123
6547
Maintenance and care
143

When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
5. Re-start the engine and take your vehicle to a service facility.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to a
service facility as soon as possible.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance
Guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONtAT F.
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.
Maintenance and care
151

4. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir. It should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. 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 transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission 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 at normal operating
temperature (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.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.DONOTOVERFILLPOWERSTEERINGFLUID
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and care
152

MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 4.6L SOHC V8 engine
Air filter element FA-1668
Fuel filter FG-986B
Battery (standard) BXT-65-650
Battery (optional) BXT-65-750
Oil filter FL-820-S
PCV valve EV-98
Spark plugs* AWSF-32P
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part Name Capacity
Engine oil (includes
filter change)Motorcraft 5W-30 Super
Premium Motor Oil4.7L (5.0 quarts)
Brake fluid
1Fill to line on reservoir
Power steering fluid Motorcraft MERCONt
AT FFill to line on reservoir
Transmission fluid Motorcraft MERCONtV
AT F13.1L (13.9 quarts)
Engine coolant
2Premium Engine Coolant 15.0L (15.8 quarts)
Fuel tank N/A 71.9L (19.0 gallons)
Rear axle lubricant
3Motorcraft SAE 80W90
Premium Rear Axle
Lubricant1.8-1.9L
(3.75-4.0 pints)
Windshield washer
fluidUltra-Clear Windshield
Washer ConcentrateFill 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.
2Use Ford Premium Engine Coolant (green in color). DO NOT USE Ford
Extended Life Engine Coolant (orange in color). Refer toAdding engine
coolant, in the Maintenance and Care chapter.
Capacities and specifications
181

Item Ford part name Ford part
numberFord
specification
Hinges,
latches,
striker
plates, fuel
filler door
hinge and
seat tracksMulti-Purpose
GreaseDOAZ-19584-AA
or
F5AZ-19G209-AAESB-M1C93-B or
ESR-M1C159-A
Lock
cylindersPenetrating and
Lock LubricantE8AZ-19501-B N/A
Power
steering fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Automatic
transmission
(4R70W)Motorcraft
MERCONtVATFXT-5-QM
MERCONtV
Rear axle
lubricant
2Motorcraft SAE
80W90 Premium
Rear Axle LubricantXY-80W90-QL WSP-M2C197_A
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateC9AZ-19550-AC ESR-M17P5-A
1Use only brake fluids certified to meet Ford specifications. DOT 3 fluid
is recommended. However, if DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be
used.
2Add 118 ml (4 oz.) of additive friction modifier C8AZ-19B546±A, Ford
Specification EST-M2C118±A for complete refill of Traction-Lok rear
axles.
For limousine, use 2.2±2.4L (4.75±5.0 pints) of Motorcraft Synthetic High
Performance Rear Axle Lubricant F1TZ-19580±B, Ford Specification
WSL-M2C192±A for complete refill of rear axles.
Capacities and specifications
183

Accessory delay ..........................67
Air bag supplemental
restraint system .....................91,95
and child safety seats ..............92
description ...........................91,95
disposal ......................................98
driver air bag .......................93,96
indicator light ...................7,94,97
operation ..............................93,96
passenger air bag ................93,96
Air cleaner filter .......................181
Air conditioning ..........................22
automatic temperature
control system ..........................22
Air suspension ...........................113
air leveling disabled warning,
message center .......................113
air ride switch off warning,
message center .......................113
check air ride system
warning, message center .......113
check air suspension warning,
message center .......................113
description ..............................113
warning light ...........................113
Anti-theft system ..............77,78,79
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................115
fluid, refill capacities ..............181
fluid, specification ..................184
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........184
refill capacities ........................181
traction lok ..............................117
Battery .......................................154
acid, treating emergencies .....154
jumping a disabled battery ....135
maintenance-free ....................154
replacement, specifications ...181
servicing ..................................154
Brakes ........................................109anti-lock ............................109,110
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ............8,110
brake warning light ....................8
fluid, checking and adding ....146
fluid, refill capacities ..............181
fluid, specifications ..........182,184
lubricant specifications ...182,184
shift interlock ..........................114
Break-in period .............................2
Capacities for refilling fluids ....181
CD changer .................................48
Child safety restraints ................98
child safety belts ......................98
child safety seats ......................99
Child safety seats ........................99
attaching with tether straps ..103
built-in child seat .....................99
in front seat ............................101
in rear seat ..............................101
tether anchorage hardware ...104
Cleaning your vehicle ...............176
engine compartment ..............178
exterior .............................177,180
exterior lamps .........................179
instrument panel ....................179
interior ..............................179,180
mirrors .....................................180
plastic parts ............................178
safety belts ..............................180
washing ....................................176
waxing .....................................177
wheels ......................................177
windows ..................................180
wiper blades ............................179
Clock ............................................52
Compass, electronic
calibration .................................17
set zone adjustment .................16
Controls ........................60,61,62,63
power seat ............................80,82
steering column ........................59
Index
200

Mirrors
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................64
cleaning ...................................180
heated ........................................68
programmable memory ............74
side view mirrors (power) .......67
Moon roof ....................................64
Motorcraft parts .................165,181
Octane rating ............................164
Odometer .....................................13
Overdrive .....................................59
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................71
Parking brake ............................110
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....181
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................128
Power door locks ........................67
Power steering ..........................113
fluid, checking and adding ....151
fluid, refill capacity ................181
fluid, specifications ..........182,184
Radio ............................................28
Relays ........................................124
Remote entry system ............69,71
illuminated entry ......................72
locking/unlocking doors ...........70
opening the trunk .....................71
panic alarm ...............................71
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................72
replacing the batteries .............71
Roadside emergencies ................77
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ...........12,84,85,86,87,88
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................186
Safety defects, reporting ..........199
Safety restraints ......84,85,86,87,88
cleaning the safety belts ...90,180
extension assembly ..................89for adults .........................85,86,87
for children ...............................98
lap belt ......................................88
warning light
and chime .....................7,12,89,90
Safety seats for children ............99
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............84
Seats ............................................80
child safety seats ......................99
cleaning ............................179,180
memory seat ...................68,74,84
Seats-easy access/
easyout feature ...........................83
Servicing your vehicle ..............141
Spark plugs,
specifications ......................181,184
Specification chart,
lubricants ............................182,184
Speed control ..............................55
Speedometer ...............................13
Starting your vehicle .........105,107
jump starting ..........................135
preparing to start your
vehicle .......................................77
Steering wheel ............................59
tilting .........................................54
Tilt steering wheel ......................54
Tires ......................130,157,158,159
changing ...........................130,131
checking the pressure ............159
replacing ..................................160
rotating ....................................159
snow tires and chains ............160
tire grades ...............................158
treadwear ................................158
Towing .......................................119
trailer towing ..........................119
wrecker ....................................140
Traction control ........................111
how to enable/disable ............112
Traction-lok rear axle ...............117
Index
203