
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.
OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located at the bottom
left of the instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and
release the auxiliary latch that is
located under the front center of
the hood by pushing upward on the
handle.
3. Lift the hood until the lift cylinders hold it open.
Maintenance and care
196

2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park) (automatic transmission) or 1 (First) (manual transmission).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator fully, then remove it
again.
²If the oil level isbetween the MIN and MAX 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 MIN-MAX range.
²Oil levels above the MAX mark may cause engine damage. Some oil
must be removed from the engine by a service technician.
7. Put the indicator back in and ensure it is fully seated.
MAX MIN
Maintenance and care
199

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.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
²The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
²If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
Maintenance and care
214

3. Install the protective cover and secure with four tabs.
4. Turn the headlamps on and make sure they work properly. If the
headlamp was correctly aligned before you changed the bulb, you should
not need to align it again.
Replacing foglamp bulbs
The halogen bulb contains gas under pressure. The bulb may
shatter if the glass envelope is scratched or if the bulb is
dropped. Handle the bulb carefully. Grasp the bulb only by its
base. Avoid touching the glass envelope.
1. Disconnect the electrical
connector from the foglamp bulb.
2. Rotate the foglamp bulb
counterclockwise and remove from
the foglamp (the rear side of the
foglamp is shown).
3. Install the foglamp bulb in
foglamp by rotating clockwise.
4. Connect the electrical connector
to the new foglamp bulb.
Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal lamp bulbs
For bulb replacement, see a dealer or qualified technician.
Replacing high-mount brakelamp bulbs
For bulb replacement, see a dealer or qualified technician.
Replacing tail lamp/backup bulbs
For bulb replacement, see a dealer or qualified technician.
Replacing license plate lamp bulbs
For bulb replacement, see a dealer or qualified technician.
Interior bulbs
Check the operation of the following interior bulbs frequently:
²Front map lamps
²Rear dome/reading lamp
For bulb replacement, see a dealer or qualified technician.
Maintenance and care
238

Accessory delay ..........................99
AdvanceTrac ..............................153
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ..........128,129,133
and child safety seats ............130
description .......................129,133
disposal ....................................136
driver air bag ...................131,134
indicator light .............11,132,135
operation ..........................131,134
passenger air bag ............131,134
side air bag ..............................133
Air cleaner filter ................215,247
Air conditioning ..........................31
automatic temperature
control system ..........................31
Air filter, cabin ..........................217
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................204
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) .......................149,150
Anti-theft system ......................106
arming the system ..................107
disarming a
triggered system .....................107
Audio system (see Radio) .........42
Automatic transmission ............155
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................156
fluid, adding ............................211
fluid, checking ........................211
fluid, refill capacities ..............247
fluid, specification ..................251
Axle
lubricant specifications ...249,251
refill capacities ........................247
Battery .......................................213
acid, treating emergencies .....213
charging system
warning light .............................11
jumping a disabled battery ....188
maintenance-free ....................213replacement, specifications ...247
servicing ..................................213
Belt minder ...............................124
Brakes ........................................149
anti-lock ............................149,150
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ..........10,150
brake warning light ..................10
fluid, checking and adding ....202
fluid, refill capacities ..............247
fluid, specifications ..........249,251
lubricant specifications ...249,251
parking ....................................150
shift interlock ..........................155
Break-in period .............................3
Capacities for refilling fluids ....247
Cassette tape player ...................54
CD changer .................................66
Certification Label ....................253
Child safety restraints ..............136
child safety belts ....................136
Child safety seats ......................137
attaching with tether straps ..141
in front seat ............................139
in rear seat ..............................139
Cleaning your vehicle ...............241
engine compartment ..............244
exterior .............................242,243
exterior lamps .........................243
instrument panel ....................245
instrument panel lens ............245
interior ..............................245,246
mirrors .....................................243
plastic parts ............................243
safety belts ..............................245
washing ....................................241
waxing .....................................242
wheels ......................................243
windows ..................................245
wiper blades ............................243
woodtone trim ........................245
Index
266

headlamps, flash to pass ..........28
instrument panel, dimming .....29
interior lamps .............83,238,239
replacing bulbs .........236,237,238
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................72
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
AdvanceTrac .............................12
air bag ........................................11
anti-lock brakes (ABS) .....10,150
brake ..........................................10
bulb warning .............................12
charging system ........................11
check engine ...............................8
cruise indicator .........................13
door ajar ....................................13
high beam ............................10,12
low coolant ..................................8
low fuel ......................................11
low washer fluid .......................12
oil pressure ...............................11
safety belt .................................11
speed control ............................82
steering column lock ................13
transmission PRNDL
indicator ....................................13
turn signal indicator .................10
Load limits .................................167
GAWR ......................................167
GVWR ......................................167
trailer towing ..........................167
Locks
autolock ...................................105
childproof ................................100
doors ..........................................99
Lubricant specifications ....249,251
Lug nuts, anti-theft ...................187
Lumbar support, seats .............115
Manual transmission .................163
fluid capacities ........................247
lubricant specifications ..........251
reverse .....................................166Message center ......................16,18
select button .............................17
warning messages .....................21
Mirrors .........................................84
automatic dimming
rearview mirror .........................83
cleaning ...................................243
heated ........................................30
programmable memory ..........106
side view mirrors (power) .......29
Moon roof ....................................82
Motorcraft parts .................231,247
Octane rating ............................230
Odometer .....................................16
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................198
Panic alarm feature,
remote entry system ................103
Parking brake ............................150
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....247
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ........................179,182
Power door locks .................99,105
Power steering ...................151,152
fluid, checking and adding ....211
fluid, refill capacity ................247
fluid, specifications ..........249,251
Radio ............................................42
Relays ........................................175
Remote entry system ........101,103
illuminated entry ....................103
locking/unlocking doors ..101,102
opening the trunk ...................103
panic alarm .............................103
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................105
replacing the batteries ...........104
Roof rack ...................................172
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ......................14,117,119
120,121,122,123
Safety defects, reporting ..........265
Index
269