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.
If the rear axle is submerged in water, the rear axle lubricant should be
checked and changed, if necessary. The rear axle is filled with a
synthetic lubricant and does not normally require a lubricant change for
the life of the vehicle. Rear axle lubricant quantities should not need to
be checked unless a leak is suspected.
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.
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
159
economy button ........................17
english/metric button ...............16
reset button ..............................17
system check button ...........17,18
Mirrors
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................98
cleaning ...................................232
heated ......................................101
side view mirrors (power) .....101
Moon roof ....................................89
Motorcraft parts ........................217
Octane rating ............................215
Odometer .....................................13
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ..............................106
Parking brake ............................144
Power distribution box (see
Fuses) ........................................175
Power door locks ......................100
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....201
Radio ...34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,
43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,
54,55,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,
66,67,68,69
Relays ........................................170
Remote entry system .......105,113,
114,115
illuminated entry ....................109
locking/unlocking doors .........106
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................109
replacing the batteries ...........108
Reverse sensing system .............32
Roof rack ...................................167
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............11
Safety restraints
cleaning the safety belts .125,231
extension assembly ................124
for children .............................132warning light and chime ...11,124
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ......119,120,121,122,123
Seats ..........................................116
child safety seats ....................133
cleaning ............................230,231
memory seat ...........................107
Servicing your vehicle ..............191
Snowplowing .................................3
Spark plugs, specifications .......233
Special notice ................................3
ambulance conversions ..............3
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart, lubricants .235
Speed control ..............................81
Speedometer ...............................12
Starting your vehicle .........139,141
jump starting ............183,184,186
Steering wheel ............................86
tilting .........................................85
Tachometer .................................13
Tires ....................................209,210
changing ...........................178,179
checking the pressure ............210
replacing ..................................211
rotating ....................................210
snow tires and chains ............212
tire grades ...............................210
treadwear ................................209
Towing ..................163,165,166,167
recreational towing .................167
wrecker ....................................189
Traction-lok rear axle ...............160
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................205
Transmission ......................146,203
automatic operation ...............146
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ......................203,204
Trip odometer .............................13
Index
244
