Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle’s original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
The tires on your vehicle have been match mounted to the original
equipment wheels. Replacement tires should be mounted so that the
match mount mark on the tire aligns with the small dimple in the face of
the wheel rim.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use chains, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and specifications) be used as chains may chip
aluminum wheels.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Use only SAE Class S chains.
•Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
•The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and chains.
Maintenance and care
78
Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant Specifications.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Maintenance and care
84
CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE
Refer to the Customer Assistance chapter for a list of Ford-approved
cleaners, polishes and waxes.
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.
The brushes used in some automatic car washes may damage the finish
on your wheels. Before going to a car wash, find out if the brushes are
abrasive.
Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. When washing:
•Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The high
pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.
•Do not spray with cold water to avoid cracking the engine block or
other engine components.
•Cover the air cleaner and battery to prevent water damage when
cleaning the engine.
•Never wash or rinse the engine while it is running; water in the
running engine may cause internal damage.
Underbody
Flush the complete underside of vehicle frequently. Keep body drain
holes unplugged. Inspect for road damage.
Maintenance and care
91
Air cleaner filter ....................61,92
Ambulance packages ....................3
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ...........................27,28
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ...................................31
fluid, refill capacities ................93
fluid, specification ....................95
Axle
lubricant specifications ............95
refill capacities ..........................93
Battery .........................................72
acid, treating emergencies .......72
charging system warning light ..7
jumping a disabled battery ......52
maintenance-free ......................72
replacement, specifications .....92
servicing ....................................72
voltage gauge ............................13
Brakes .....................................27,28
anti-lock ................................27,28
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ............10,28
brake warning light ....................7
fluid, checking and adding ......62
fluid, refill capacities ................93
fluid, specifications ..............94,95
lubricant specifications .......94,95
shift interlock ............................30
Break-in period .............................3
Capacities for refilling fluids ......93
Cleaning your vehicle .................91
engine compartment ................91
exterior ......................................91
wheels ........................................91
Coolant ..............................64,66,67
checking and adding ................65
refill capacities .....................67,93
specifications .......................94,95
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................18Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................16
Dipstick
engine oil ...................................59
Doors
door ajar warning .....................10
Driveline universal joint
and slip yoke ...............................72
Driving under special
conditions
through water ...........................38
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ............................52
Emission control system ............88
Engine ..........................................95
check engine/
service engine soon light ........8,9
coolant .......................................64
idle speed control .....................72
lubrication specifications ....94,95
refill capacities ..........................93
service points ............................58
Engine block heater ...................26
Engine oil ....................................59
checking and adding ...........59,60
dipstick ......................................59
filter, specifications .............60,92
recommendations .....................60
refill capacities .....................59,93
specifications .............59,60,94,95
Exhaust fumes ............................26
Fail safe cooling ..........................68
Fluid capacities ...........................93
Fuel ..............................................79
calculating fuel economy .........82
capacity .....................................93
choosing the right fuel .............81
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates ...................85
detergent in fuel .......................82
filling your vehicle
with fuel ...............................79,82
Index
98
