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If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified
technician.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause shift and/or engagement concerns
and/or possible damage.
BATTERY
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Motorcraft maintenance-free battery
which normally does not require
additional water during its life of
service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature climates, check the
battery electrolyte level. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for
the service interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the ªlevel indicatorº.
Do not overfill the battery cells.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can add plain tap water
to the battery, as long as you do not use hard water (water with a high
mineral or alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill the battery
cells with distilled water. If the battery needs water often, have the
charging system checked.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled
after the battery has been cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to
the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals, remove the cables
from the terminals and clean with a wire brush. You can neutralize the
acid with a solution of baking soda and water.
DON’T ADD
Maintenance and care
166
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When refueling always shut the engine off and never allow
sparks or open flames near the filler neck. Never smoke while
refueling. Fuel vapor is extremely hazardous under certain conditions.
Care should be taken to avoid inhaling excess fumes.
The flow of fuel through a fuel pump nozzle can produce static
electricity, which can cause a fire if fuel is pumped into an
ungrounded fuel container.
Use the following guidelines to avoid static build-up when filling an
ungrounded fuel container:
²Place approved fuel container on the ground.
²DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the vehicle.
²Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
²DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a 1/8 turn on/off
feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops.
If the ªService Engine Soon/Check Engineº indicator comes on and stays
on when you start the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly
installed. Turn off the engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap
properly and reinstall it.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
Maintenance and care
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unleaded gasoline should not be used (particularly in the United States)
if ªRegularº unleaded gasoline is recommended because it may cause
these problems to become more pronounced. If the problems persist, see
your dealer or a qualified service technician.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use a high quality fuel. Aftermarket products
could cause damage to the fuel system. Repairs to correct the effects of
using an aftermarket product in your fuel may not be covered by your
warranty.
Many of the world's automakers issued the World-wide Fuel Charter that
recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved performance
and emission control system protection for your vehicle. Gasolines that
meet the World-wide Fuel Charter should be used when available. Ask
your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the World-wide Fuel
Charter.
Cleaner air
Ford approves the use of reformulated ªcleaner-burningº gasolines to
improve air quality. These gasolines may contain oxygenates up to 10%
ethanol or 15% MTBE.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
affect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
²You may need to cycle the ignition from OFF to ON several times after
refueling, to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
²Your ªService Engine Soonº indicator may come on. For more
information on the ªService Engine Soonº indicator, refer to the
Instrumentationchapter.
Fuel Filter
For fuel filter replacement, see your dealer or a qualified service
technician. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for the
appropriate intervals for changing the fuel filter.
Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.
Maintenance and care
178
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air bag ..........................................9
air suspension ...........................12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) .....10,119
brake ..........................................10
charging system ........................11
cruise indicator .........................13
door ajar ....................................12
high beam .................................10
liftgate ajar ................................12
low coolant ................................11
low washer fluid .......................14
oil pressure ...............................11
safety belt ...................................9
service engine soon ....................8
speed control ............................59
traction control system .......11,13
turn signal indicator .................10
Load limits .................................127
GAWR ......................................127
GVWR ......................................127
trailer towing ..........................127
Locks
autolock .....................................75
childproof ..................................69
doors ..........................................68
Lubricant specifications ....197,198
Lug nuts, anti-theft ...................144
Lumbar support, seats ...............87
Message center ...........................16
english/metric button ...............22
reset button ..............................18
Mirrors
automatic dimming
rearview mirror .........................65
cleaning ...................................192
heated ........................................69
programmable memory ............76
side view mirrors (power) .......68
Moon roof ....................................65
Motorcraft parts .................178,195
Octane rating ............................177
Odometer .....................................15Oil (see Engine oil) ..................153
Overdrive ..............................60,125
Panic alarm feature,
remote entry system ..................73
Parking brake ............................119
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....195
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................138
Power door locks ........................68
Power steering ..........................122
fluid, checking and adding ....163
fluid, refill capacity ................195
fluid, specifications ..........197,198
Radio ............................................30
Relays ........................................134
Remote entry system ............72,73
illuminated entry ......................75
locking/unlocking doors ...........72
opening the trunk .....................73
panic alarm ...............................73
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................75
replacing the batteries .............74
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ................14,89,90,91,92
Safety defects, reporting ..........213
Safety restraints ...........89,90,91,92
belt minder ...............................94
cleaning the safety belts ...98,194
extension assembly ..................94
for adults .........................90,91,92
for children .............................106
lap belt ......................................93
warning light and chime ..9,14,94
Safety seats for children ..........107
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............89
Seats ............................................84
child safety seats ....................107
cleaning ...................................194
easy access/easyout feature ....88
heated ........................................86
Index
217