4. Turn the ignition to position 5
(START) to start the engine, let the
engine idle for a few seconds.
5. Depress the brake pedal.
6. Release the parking brake.
7. Move the gearshift lever to the
desired gear.
8. Release the brake pedal.
9. Slowly release the clutch pedal
while slowly pressing down on the
accelerator pedal.
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
Upshift according to the following chart:
Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best fuel economy)
5-speed manual transmission
Shift from:
1 - 2 24 km/h (15 mph)
2 - 3 45 km/h (28 mph)
3 - 4 60 km/h (37 mph)
4 - 5 82 km/h (51 mph)
2
3
4
5
1
Driving
164
Reverse
Make sure that your vehicle is at a complete stop before you shift into R
(Reverse). Failure to do so may damage the transmission.
Put the gearshift lever in N
(Neutral) and wait at least three
seconds before shifting into R
(Reverse).
Shift into R (Reverse) only by
moving the gearshift lever left of 1
(First) gear and then forward into R
(Reverse) gear.
Removing key from ignition
²Turn the ignition key to position
1 (LOCK).
²Remove the ignition key.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine's air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transmission/transmission
vent tube is submerged may allow water into the transmission
and cause internal transmission damage.
1
2
45
R3
1
2
3
4
5
1
Driving
166
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
²Base Curb Weight:Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include passengers or
aftermarket equipment.
²Payload:Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, passengers
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
²GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.
²GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating):Maximum total weight of
the base vehicle, passengers, optional equipment and cargo. The
GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Compliance Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating):Carrying capacity for each axle
system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Compliance Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GCW (Gross Combined Weight):The combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo) and the trailer.
²GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating):Maximum combined
weight of towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo) and the
trailer. The GCWR indicates the maximum loaded weight that the
vehicle is designed to tow.
²Maximum Trailer Weight Rating:Maximum weight of a trailer the
vehicle is permitted to tow. The maximum trailer weight rating is
determined by subtracting the vehicle curb weight for each
engine/transmission combination, any required option weight for trailer
towing and the weight of the driver from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.
²Maximum Trailer Weight:Maximum weight of a trailer the loaded
vehicle (including passengers and cargo) is permitted to tow. It is
determined by subtracting the weight of the loaded trailer towing
vehicle from the GCWR for the towing vehicle.
²Trailer Weight Range:Specified weight range that the trailer must
fall within that ranges from zero to the maximum trailer weight rating.
Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.
Driving
167
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than the
originals because they may lower the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
The Certification Label, found on the inside pillar of the driver's door,
lists several important vehicle weight rating limitations. Before adding
any additional equipment, refer to these limitations. If you are adding
weight to the front of your vehicle, (potentially including weight added
to the cab), the weight added should not exceed the front axle reserve
capacity (FARC). Additional frontal weight may be added to the front
axle reserve capacity provided you limit your payload in other ways (i.e.
restrict the number of passengers or amount of cargo carried).
You may add equipment throughout your vehicle if the total weight
added is equal to or less than the total axle reserve capacity (TARC)
weight. You should NEVER exceed the total axle reserve capacity.
Always ensure that the weight of passengers, cargo and equipment being
carried is within the weight limitations that have been established for
your vehicle including both gross vehicle weight and Front and rear
gross axle weight rating limits. Under no circumstance should these
limitations be exceeded. Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation
could result in serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with your vehicle may require the use of a trailer tow
option package.
Trailer towing puts additional loads on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires, and suspension. For your safety and to
maximize vehicle performance, be sure to use the proper equipment
while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing procedure:
²Stay within your vehicle's load limits. If exceeded, cargo should be
removed from the trailer and/or the vehicle until all weights are within
specified limits.
²Thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing. Refer toPreparing to
towin this chapter.
Driving
168
²Use extra caution when driving while trailer towing. Refer toDriving
while you towin this chapter.
²Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to the
severe duty schedule in the Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
²Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least 800 km
(500 miles).
²Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the
proper installation and adjustment specifications.
To ensure that the electrical system is not damaged, you will require a
trailer tow package which includes a trailer tow module and the
necessary wiring to connect the trailer tow module to the electrical
system and to the trailer. This option is available through your dealer or
through Ford Customer Service Division. Please refer toPreparing to
towfor further information.
TRAILER TOWING TABLE
Engine Maximum GCWRTrailer weight range
(0 - maximum)
3.0L 0- 2 885 kg (0- 6 361 lbs.) 0-454 kg (0-1 000 lbs.)
3.9L 0- 2 925 kg (0- 6 450 lbs.) 0-683 kg (0-1500 lbs.)
3.0L with
Sport Package0- 2 915 kg (0-6 426 lbs.) 0-907 kg (0-2 000 lbs.)
3.9L with
Sport Package0- 2 950 kg (0- 6 504 lbs.) 0-907 kg (0-2 000 lbs.)
Do not exceed the maximum loads listed on the Certification label. For
load specification terms found on the label, refer toVehicle loadingin
this chapter. Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded
trailer when figuring the total weight.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could result in
engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss of control
and personal injury.
Driving
169
vehicle lamps from functioning. Your lamp outage feature will also be
disabled or provide incorrect information.
Your vehicle is ready to install a Trailer Tow module that will provide the
proper communication with the vehicle electrical system so your trailer
lamps will function properly. See your dealer or trailer rental agency for
proper instructions and equipment for hooking up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
²Ensure that you turn off your speed control. The speed control may
shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
²Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
²Shift out of D5 (Overdrive) and into D4 (Drive) or a lower gear when
towing up or down steep hills. This will eliminate excessive
downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel economy and
transmission cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide
for more information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area before starting on
a trip to get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other
obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10% of the loaded trailer weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) or N (Neutral) and increase idle speed. This
aids engine cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Driving
171
Recreational towing (all wheels on the ground)
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
All Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) vehicles
This applies to all cars and 4x2 trucks/sport utilities with rear wheel
drive capability.
An example of recreational towing is towing your vehicle behind a
Motorhome. The following recreational towing guidelines are designed to
ensure that your transmission is not damaged.
²Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
²Maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph).
²Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles).
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of 56 km/h (35 mph) must
be exceeded, you must disconnect the driveshaft. Ford recommends the
driveshaft be removed/installed only by a qualified technician. See your
local dealer for driveshaft removal/installation.
Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft can cause
transmission fluid loss, damage to the driveshaft and internal
transmission components.
LUGGAGE RACK (IF EQUIPPED)
The luggage rack is dealer installed only. See your local Lincoln Mercury
dealership.
The maximum load is 75 kg (165 lb) on the luggage rack structure. The
vehicle's roof panel is not designed to carry a load.
When loading the luggage rack, it is recommended to evenly distribute
the load, as well as maintain a low center of gravity. Ensure that the load
is securely fastened.
Driving
172
The high-current fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
1 10A* A/C Clutch
2 10A* Windshield Washer Pump
3 15A* Fog Lamp
4 15A* Horn
5 20A* Fuel Injectors
6 15A* Transmission Solenoid
7 Ð Not Used
8 Ð Not Used
9 Ð Not Used
10 Ð Not Used
11 15A* HEGO's
12 10A* COP's
13 30A** Heated Wiper Park
RELAY
14RELAY
15
RELAY
11RELAY
12
RELAY
1013
1234
5678
9 10111214 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24
RELAY
13RELAY 08DIODE
RELAY 04 RELAY 05RELAY 01
RELAY 09
RELAY 06
RELAY 02RELAY 07
RELAY 03
Roadside emergencies
180