Page 107 of 224
²Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch
pedal and do not use the clutch to hold your
vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a hill.
These actions will greatly reduce clutch life.
Recommended shift speeds
Do not downshift into 1 (first) when your
vehicle is moving faster then 24 km/h (15 mph).
This will damage the clutch.
Upshift according to the following chart:
Upshifts when accelerating
(recommended for best fuel economy)
Shift from:
1 - 2 18 km/h (11 mph)
2 - 3 31 km/h (19 mph)
3 - 4 48 km/h (30 mph)
4 - 5 64 km/h (40 mph)
Parking your vehicle
1. Disengage the
clutch, apply brake
and shift into N
(Neutral).
2. Set parking brake.
3. Shift into 1 (First).
1
24R3
5
Driving
107
Page 108 of 224
4. Turn the ignition key
to position 3 (OFF).
Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it may
move unexpectedly and injure someone. Use
1 (First) gear and set the parking brake fully.
Reverse
You must be at a complete stop to shift into R
(Reverse). You can shift into R (Reverse) only by
moving the gearshift lever to the right of 5 (Fifth)
gear before you shift into R (Reverse). This is a
feature that protects you from accidentally shifting
into R (Reverse) when you downshift from 5 (Fifth).
Make sure that your vehicle is at a complete
stop before you shift into R (Reverse). Failure
to do so may damage the transmission.
To shift into R
(Reverse):
1. Bring your vehicle to
a complete stop.
2. Hold the brake pedal
down.
3. Hold the clutch
pedal down.
4. Move the gearshift
lever all the way to the
right and pull it back
into R ( Reverse).
5. Release the brake
pedal.
6. Slowly release the clutch pedal.
3
2
1
5
4
1
24R3
5
Driving
108
Page 125 of 224
²try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it
from its wheel
²use the wheel for any other type of vehicle
Tire change procedure
To prevent the vehicle from moving when
you change a tire, be sure the parking brake
is set, then block (in both directions) the wheel
that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of
the vehicle) to the tire being changed.
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or
someone else could be seriously injured.
1. Park on a level
surface, activate hazard
flashers and set
parking brake.
2. Place gearshift lever
in P (Park) or R (manual transmission), turn engine
OFF, and block the diagonally opposite wheel.
3. Remove the spare
tire, jack and lug
wrench.
Roadside emergencies
125
Page 128 of 224

2. Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and
apply pressure on the key with the wrench.
3. Install the lug nut.
JUMP STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The gases around the battery can explode if
exposed to flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes.
An explosion could result in injury or vehicle
damage.
Do not push start your vehicle. You could
damage the catalytic converter.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can
burn skin, eyes, and clothing, if contacted.
Do not attempt to push start your vehicle.
Automatic transmissions do not have
push-start capability.
Preparing your vehicle
1.Use only a 12±volt supply to start your
vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle as this could damage the vehicle's electrical
system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the
disabled vehicle making sure the two vehiclesdo
nottouch. Set the parking brake on both vehicles
and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other
moving parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the battery
cables. Ensure that vent caps are tight and level.
5. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect
any electrical surges. Turn all other accessories off.
Roadside emergencies
128
Page 133 of 224

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine
compartment for easy location.
²We provide a Scheduled Maintenance Guide which
makes tracking routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your
dealership can provide necessary parts and service.
Check your ªWarranty Guideº to find out which parts
and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and
service parts conforming to specifications. Motorcraft
parts are designed and built to provide the best
performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR
VEHICLE
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing
your vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
²When the engine is running, keep loose clothing,
jewelry or long hair away from moving parts.
²Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running
in an enclosed space, unless you are sure you
have enough ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open flames and other lit
material away from the battery and all fuel related
parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must
ªrelearnº its idle conditions before your vehicle will
drive properly, as explained in theBatterysection in
this chapter.
Working with the engine off
²Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park).
Maintenance and care
133
Page 134 of 224
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
²Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Depress the clutch and place the gearshift in 1
(First).
3. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
4. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
²Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Do not start your engine with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it while the
engine is running.
²Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake, depress the clutch and
place the gearshift in N (Neutral).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Do not start your engine with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it while the
engine is running.
Maintenance and care
134
Page 138 of 224
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmissions) or 1 (First) (manual transmissions).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level
indicator (dipstick).
²3.8L OHV V6 engine
²4.6L SOHC V8
engine
6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator fully,
then remove it again.
²If the oil level isbetween the MINÐMAX
marks,the oil level is acceptable.DO NOT ADD
OIL.
²If the oil level is below the MIN mark, add enough
oil to raise the level within the MINÐMAX range.
MAX MIN
MAX MIN
Maintenance and care
138
Page 154 of 224

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. If necessary, refer toIdentifying
components in the engine compartmentin this
chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in
the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level.
The fluid should be in the designated area for
normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the
vehicle if the fluid level
is at the bottom of the
dipstick and the ambient temperature is above 10ÉC
(50ÉF).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal
operating temperature 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on
a level surface. The normal operating temperature
can be reached after approximately 30 km (20
miles) of driving.
Maintenance and care
154