Page 158 of 224

Batteries normally produce explosive gases
which can cause personal injury. Therefore,
do not allow flames, sparks or lighted substances
to come near the battery. When working near the
battery, always shield your face and protect your
eyes. Always provide proper ventilation.
When lifting a plastic-cased battery,
excessive pressure on the end walls could
cause acid to flow through the vent caps, resulting
in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or
battery. Lift the battery with a battery carrier or
with your hands on opposite corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid. Avoid contact
with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes when
working near the battery to protect against
possible splashing of acid solution. In case of acid
contact with skin or eyes, flush immediately with
water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get
prompt medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call
a physician immediately.
Because your vehicle's engine is electronically
controlled by a computer, some control conditions
are maintained by power from the battery. When the
battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed,
the engine must relearn its idle and fuel trim
strategy for optimum driveability and performance.
To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the
parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or the neutral position (manual
transmission), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
Maintenance and care
158
Page 212 of 224

Air bag supplemental
restraint system ... 75,76
and child
safety seats ............. 77
description .............. 76
disposal .................... 80
driver air bag .......... 78
indicator light ...... 9,80
operation ................. 78
passenger air bag ... 78
Air cleaner filter ..... 191
Air conditioning ........ 20
manual heating
and air conditioning
system ..................... 20
Antifreeze (see
Engine coolant) ...... 143
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......... 95,96
Anti-theft system
warning light ............. 9
Audio system
(see Radio) ................ 23
Automatic
transmission ............ 100
driving an automatic
overdrive ............... 102
fluid, adding .......... 153
fluid, checking ...... 153
fluid,
refill capacities ...... 191
fluid,
specification .......... 194
Auxiliary
power point ............... 52
Axle
lubricant
specifications.. 193,194
refill capacities ...... 191
traction lok ............ 109
Battery ..................... 157acid, treating
emergencies .......... 157
charging system
warning light ............. 9
jumping a disabled
battery ................... 128
maintenance-free .. 157
replacement,
specifications ........ 191
servicing ................ 157
voltage gauge .......... 16
Belt minder ............... 71
Brakes ................... 95,97
anti-lock .............. 95,96
anti-lock brake
system (ABS)
warning light ...... 12,96
brake
warning light ........... 12
fluid, checking
and adding ............ 141
fluid,
refill capacities ...... 191
fluid,
specifications.. 193,194
lubricant
specifications.. 193,194
parking .................... 97
shift interlock ........ 100
Break-in period ........... 3
Capacities for
refilling fluids .......... 191
Certification Label .. 196
Child safety
restraints ................... 81
child safety belts .... 81
Child
safety seats ........... 82,83
attaching with
tether straps ........... 87
in front seat ............ 84
in rear seat .............. 84
Index
212
Page 216 of 224

low fuel .................... 11
overdrive off ............ 11
safety belt ................. 8
service engine soon .. 9
traction
control active .......... 12
turn signal
indicator .................... 8
Load limits ............... 109
GAWR .................... 109
GVWR .................... 109
trailer towing ........ 109
Locks
doors ........................ 47
Lubricant
specifications .... 193,194
Lug nuts,
anti-theft .................. 127
Lumbar support,
seats ........................... 64
Manual
transmission ............ 106
fluid capacities ...... 191
lubricant
specifications ........ 194
reverse ................... 108
Mirrors
cleaning ................. 186
side view mirrors
(power) ................... 47
Motorcraft
parts .................. 171,191
Octane rating .......... 169
Odometer ................... 15
Oil
(see Engine oil) ...... 137
Overdrive ............ 52,102
Panic alarm feature,
remote
entry system .............. 55
Parking brake ............ 97Parts (see
Motorcraft parts) .... 191
Power distribution
box (see Fuses) ...... 122
Power door locks ...... 47
Power steering ........ 100
fluid, checking and
adding .................... 151
fluid,
refill capacity ........ 191
fluid,
specifications.. 193,194
Radio .......................... 23
Relays ...................... 118
Remote
entry system ......... 53,55
illuminated entry .... 55
locking/unlocking
doors ........................ 54
opening the trunk ... 54
panic alarm ............. 55
replacement/
additional
transmitters ............. 56
replacing
the batteries ............ 56
Safety belts
(see Safety
restraints) ............. 13,65
67,68,69
Safety defects,
reporting .................. 211
Safety
restraints .... 65,67,68,69
belt minder ............. 71
cleaning the safety
belts .................. 74,189
extension
assembly .................. 70
for adults ....... 67,68,69
for children ........ 80,81
Index
216