
and also in theLubricant specificationssection in theCapacities and
specificationschapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage and void the warranty.
Checking and adding manual transmission fluid
1. Clean the filler plug.
2. Remove the filler plug and
inspect the fluid level.
3. Fluid level should be at bottom of
the opening.
4. Add enough fluid through the
filler opening so that the fluid level
is at the bottom of the opening.
5. Install and tighten the fill plug
securely.
Use only fluid that meets Ford specifications. Refer to theCapacities
and specificationschapter.
Maintenance and care
212

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

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Rear axle
3Motorcraft SAE
75W-140 High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantAll 1.4L
(2.9-3.0 pints)
Fuel tank N/A All 68.2L
(18.0 gallons)
Transmission
fluid
4Motorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FAutomatic
(5R55N)11.2L
(11.9 quarts)5
Motorcraft
MERCONtAT FManual 1.1L
(2.3 pints)6
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll Fill to line on
reservoir
1Use only brake fluids certified to meet Ford specifications. Refer to
Lubricant Specificationsin this chapter. DOT 3 fluid is recommended.
However, if DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be used.
2Use Ford Premium Engine Coolant (green in color). DO NOT USE Ford
Extended Life Engine Coolant (orange in color). Refer toAdding engine
coolant, in the Maintenance and Care chapter.
3Your vehicle's rear axle is filled with a synthetic rear axle lubricant and
is considered lubricated for life. These lubricants do not need to be
checked or changed unless a leak is suspected, service is required or the
axle assembly has been submerged in water. The axle lubricant should
be changed any time the rear axle has been submerged in water. Fill 6
mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below bottom of fill hole.
4Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. MERCONtand
MERCONtV are not interchangeable. DO NOT MIX MERCONtand
MERCONtV. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide to determine
the correct service interval.
5Approximate dry capacity, includes cooler and tubes. Fluid level should
be checked by a qualified service technician.
6Service refill capacity is determined by filling the transmission to the
bottom of the filler hole with the vehicle on a level surface.
Capacities and specifications
248

Item Ford part
nameFord part
numberFord
specification
Automatic
transmission
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtV
AT F
3
XT-5-QM MERCONtV
Manual
transmission
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT F
3
XT-2-QDX MERCONt
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateC9AZ-19550-AC ESR-M17P5-A
1Use only brake fluids certified to meet Ford specifications. DOT 3 fluid
is recommended. However, if DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be
used.
2Ford design rear axles contain a synthetic lubricant that does not
require changing unless the axle has been submerged in water.
3Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. MERCONtand
MERCONtV are not interchangeable. DO NOT MIX MERCONtand
MERCONtV. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide to determine
the correct service interval.
Capacities and specifications
250

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

Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............31
Clock ............................................51
Clutch
fluid ..........................................203
operation while driving ..........163
recommended shift speeds ....164
Console ......................................100
overhead ....................................88
Controls
power seat ...............................113
steering column ........................74
Coolant
checking and adding ..............204
coolant temperature light ..........8
refill capacities .................208,247
specifications ...................249,251
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................77
Customer Assistance ................173
Ford accessories
for your vehicle ......................261
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................254
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............260
Getting roadside assistance ...173
Getting the
service you need ....................254
Ordering additional
owner's literature ...................264
The Dispute
Settlement Board ...................257
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............260
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................27
Defrost
rear window ..............................42
Dipstick
automatic
transmission fluid ...................211engine oil .................................198
Doors
central unlocking ......................99
door ajar warning .....................13
lubricant specifications ..........249
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................166
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................188
Emission control system ..........235
Engine ........................................251
check engine/
service engine soon light ...........8
cleaning ...................................244
coolant .....................................204
fail-safe coolant ......................209
idle speed control ...................213
lubrication
specifications ...................249,251
refill capacities ........................247
service points ...................197,198
starting after a collision .........174
Engine block heater .................147
Engine fan .................................210
Engine oil ..................................198
checking and adding ..............198
dipstick ....................................198
filter, specifications .........201,247
recommendations ...................201
refill capacities ........................247
specifications ...................249,251
Exhaust fumes ..........................147
Fail safe cooling ........................209
Floor mats .................................100
Fluid capacities .........................247
Foglamps .....................................28
Fuel ............................................227
calculating fuel economy ..18,232
cap ...........................................229
capacity ...................................247
choosing the right fuel ...........229
Index
267

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

Safety restraints .................117,119
120,121,122,123
belt minder .............................124
cleaning the
safety belts .......................127,245
extension assembly ................127
for adults ............119,120,121,122
for children .............................136
warning light
and chime ......................11,13,124
Safety seats for children ..........137
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............117
Seats ..........................................112
child safety seats ....................137
cleaning ............................245,246
easy access/easyout feature ..115
memory seat ....................106,116
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system .........107,108,109
Select Shift Transmission
(SST) shifter .............................160
Servicing your vehicle ..............195
Spark plugs,
specifications ......................247,251
Specification chart,
lubricants ............................249,251
Speed control ..............................77
Speedometer ...............................15
Starting your vehicle .........144,146
jump starting ..........................188
Steering
speed sensitive .......................152
Steering wheel
controls ......................................74
tilting ...............................13,71,73
Tachometer .................................15
Tilt steering wheel ......................73
Tires .............................184,222,223
changing ...........................184,185
checking the pressure ............223replacing ..................................225
rotating ....................................224
snow tires and chains ............226
tire grades ...............................223
treadwear ................................222
Towing ................................168,223
recreational towing .................172
trailer towing ..........................168
wrecker ....................................194
Traction control ........................152
active light ................................12
Transmission ...............................13
automatic operation ...............155
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................211
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................212
fluid, refill capacities ..............247
lubricant specifications ...249,251
manual operation ...............13,163
Trip odometer .............................16
Trunk .........................................110
remote release ...................30,103
Turn signal ........................10,14,72
Vehicle dimensions ...................251
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................253
Vehicle loading ..........................167
Ventilating your vehicle ...........147
Warning chimes ......................13,14
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Water, Driving through .............166
Windows
power .........................................98
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and cleaning ............220
operation ...................................72
replacing wiper blades ...........221
Wrecker towing .........................194
Index
270