Page 5 of 224
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Panic Alarm
Engine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When
HotBattery
Avoid Smoking,
Flames, or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering
FluidMaintain Correct
Fluid LevelMAX
MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger
Compartment Air
FilterJack
Introduction
5
Page 14 of 224

Optional instrument cluster gauges
Fuel gauge
Displays approximately
how much fuel is in the
fuel tank (when the
key is in the ON
position). The fuel gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion. The ignition should be in the
OFF position while the vehicle is being refueled.
When the gauge first indicates empty, there is a
small amount of reserve fuel in the tank. When
refueling the vehicle from an empty indication, the
amount of fuel that can be added will be less than
the advertised capacity due to the reserve fuel.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the
temperature of the
engine coolant. At
normal operating
temperature, the needle remains within the normal
area (the area between the ªHº and ªCº). If it enters
the red section, the engine is overheating. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible, switch off the
engine immediately and let the engine cool. Refer to
Engine coolantin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap
while the engine is running or hot.
P! BRAKE
0
00000 00
FH
H
102040608020 40608010 012 0 14 0
160
180
200
220
240
100
120
140
305070 90
110
13 0
1504
5
6
7
8 3
2
1
H
THEFT
RPMX1000
FUEL DOORSELECT/RESET
LOW
FUELO/D
OFF AIR
BAGSERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
MPH km/h
ABS
.
L
L
F
CH
Instrumentation
14
Page 15 of 224
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine
coolant, not the coolant level. If the coolant is not at
its proper level the gauge indication will not be
accurate.
Speedometer
Indicates the current vehicle speed.
²Base instrument
cluster
²Optional instrument
cluster
Odometer
Registers the total
kilometers (miles) of
the vehicle.
Tachometer
Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per
minute.
Driving with your tachometer pointer at the top of
the scale or in the red zone may damage the engine.
10 203020 406080100
120
140
160
180
405060 70
80
90
100
11 0
120
FUEL DOOR MPH km/h
102040608020 40608010 012 0 14 0
160
180
200
220
240
100
120
140
305070 90
110
13 0
150
FUEL DOOR MPH km/h
0
00000 00
4
5
6
7
8 3
2
1RPMX1000
SELECT/RESET
.
Instrumentation
15
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2. If the temperature is above ±12ÉC (10ÉF) and the
engine does not start within five seconds on the first
try, turn the key to OFF, wait 10 seconds and try
again.
3. If the temperature is below -12É C (10É F) and
the engine does not start in 15 seconds on the first
try, turn the key OFF and wait 10 seconds and try
again. If the engine does not start in two attempts,
press the accelerator pedal all the way to floor and
hold. Turn the key to START position.
4. When the engine starts, release the key, then
release the accelerator pedal gradually as the engine
speeds up.
5. After idling for a few seconds, apply the brake
and release the parking brake.
Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant,
which improves starting, warms up the engine faster
and allows the heater-defroster system to respond
quickly. Use of an engine block heater is strongly
recommended if you live in a region where
temperatures reach -23ÉC (-10ÉF) or below.
For best results, plug the heater in at least three
hours before starting the vehicle. Using the heater
for longer than three hours will not harm the engine,
so the heater can be plugged in the night before
starting the vehicle.
To prevent electrical shock, do not use your
heater with ungrounded electrical systems
or two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Although odorless and colorless, carbon monoxide is
present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
Starting
93
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A50/50 mixtureof distilled water and Ford
Premium Engine Coolantprovides:
²maximum cooling system efficiency.
²freeze protection down to -36É C (-34É F).
²boiling protection up to 129É C (265É F).
²protection against rust and other forms of
corrosion.
²an accurate temperature readout from the
engine coolant gauge.
The engine coolant must be maintained at the
correct fluid level and concentration to work
properly. If the engine coolant fluid level and
concentration is not maintained correctly,
damage to the engine and cooling system may
result.
²3.8L OHV V6 engine
²4.6L SOHC V8
engine
Maintenance and care
144
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protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²refer to the chart on the coolant container
to ensure the coolant concentration in your
vehicle will provide adequate freeze
protection at the temperatures in which you
drive in the winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
²it is still necessary to maintain the coolant
concentration above 40%.
²NEVER decrease the coolant concentration
below 40%.
²decreased engine coolant concentrations
below 40% will decrease the corrosion
protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²decreased engine coolant concentrations
below 40% will decrease the freeze
protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²refer to the chart on the coolant container
to ensure the coolant concentration in your
vehicle will provide adequate protection at
the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates
should use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and
distilled water for optimum cooling system and
engine protection.
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.
Maintenance and care
151
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If your vehicle is
equipped with the
3.8L V6 engine,check
the power steering
fluid level with the
engine at normal
operating temperature.
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.
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick. It should be
within the FULL HOT range. Do not add fluid if the
level is within this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts,
continuously checking the level until it reaches the
correct operating range. Be sure to put the cap back
on the reservoir.
FILL
HOT
Maintenance and care
152
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Doors
lubricant
specifications ........ 193
Driving under special
conditions
through water ....... 115
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ........ 128
Emission
control system ......... 175
Engine ...................... 194
check engine/service
engine soon light ...... 9
cleaning ................. 187
coolant ................... 143
idle speed
control ................... 157
lubrication
specifications.. 193,194
refill capacities ...... 191
service points.. 136,137
starting after a
collision ................. 117
Engine block heater... 93
Engine oil ................ 137
checking
and adding ............ 137
dipstick .................. 137
filter,
specifications.. 140,191
recommendations... 140
refill capacities ...... 191
specifications.. 193,194
Exhaust fumes .......... 93
Floor mats ................. 53
Fluid capacities ....... 191
Foglamps ................... 48
Fuel .......................... 165
calculating fuel
economy ................ 171
cap ......................... 168
capacity ................. 191choosing
the right fuel ......... 169
comparisons with
EPA fuel economy
estimates ............... 175
detergent in fuel ... 170
filling your vehicle
with fuel .. 165,168,171
filter,
specifications.. 171,191
fuel pump shut-off
switch .................... 117
gauge ....................... 14
improving fuel
economy ................ 171
low fuel
warning light ........... 11
octane rating .. 169,194
quality .................... 170
running
out of fuel ............. 170
safety information
relating to
automotive fuels ... 165
Fuses ................. 118,119
Gas cap
(see Fuel cap) ......... 168
Gas mileage (see
Fuel economy) ........ 171
Gauges .................. 13,14
battery
voltage gauge .......... 16
engine coolant
temperature
gauge ....................... 14
engine oil
pressure gauge ....... 17
fuel gauge ................ 14
odometer ................. 15
speedometer ........... 15
tachometer .............. 15
trip odometer .......... 16
Index
214