
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature:
²the
symbol will begin to flash.
²if your vehicle is equipped with digital gauges, the gauge bars will
flash and a tone will sound every five seconds for one minute.
²the engine will completely shut down, causing steering and braking
effort to increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
5. Re-start the engine and take your vehicle to a service facility.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to a
service facility as soon as possible.
Maintenance and care
163

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.
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 in the
reservoir. It should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
DONOTOVERFILLPOWERSTEERINGFLUID
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and care
164

Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........................101
and child safety seats ............103
description ..............................101
disposal ....................................105
driver air bag ..........................103
indicator light ....................10,105
operation .................................103
passenger air bag ...................103
Air cleaner filter ................169,197
Air conditioning ..........................26
automatic temperature
control system ..........................28
Air suspension ...........................122
description ..............................122
warning light .............................12
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................157
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) .......................118,119
Audio system (see Radio) .........35
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................124
fluid, adding ............................164
fluid, checking ........................164
fluid, refill capacities ..............197
fluid, specification ..................200
Axle
lubricant specifications ...198,200
refill capacities ........................197
traction lok ..............................126
Battery .......................................167
acid, treating emergencies .....167
charging system
warning light .............................12
jumping a disabled battery ....144
maintenance-free ....................167
replacement, specifications ...197
servicing ..................................167
voltage gauge ............................19
Belt minder .................................97Brakes ........................................118
anti-lock ............................118,119
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ..........11,119
brake warning light ..................11
fluid, checking and adding ....156
fluid, refill capacities ..............197
fluid, specifications ..........198,200
lubricant specifications ...198,200
shift interlock ..........................123
Break-in period .............................3
Capacities for refilling fluids ....197
Cassette tape player ...................46
CD changer .................................55
Certification Label ....................202
Child safety restraints ..............106
child safety belts ....................106
Child safety seats ......................107
attaching with tether straps ..111
in front seat ............................108
in rear seat .......................108,111
Cleaning your vehicle ...............190
engine compartment ..............193
exterior ....................................192
exterior lamps .........................192
instrument panel ....................194
instrument panel lens ............194
interior ..............................195,196
mirrors .....................................192
plastic parts ............................192
safety belts ..............................195
washing ....................................191
waxing .....................................191
wheels ......................................192
windows ..................................195
wiper blades ............................193
woodtone trim ........................195
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............26
Clock ............................................34
Compass, electronic ....................69
calibration .................................71
Index
215

set zone adjustment .................70
Controls
power seat ............................89,90
Coolant
checking and adding ..............157
coolant temperature light ........10
refill capacities .................160,197
specifications ...................198,200
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................62
Customer Assistance ................133
Ford accessories
for your vehicle ......................210
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................203
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............209
Getting roadside assistance ...133
Getting the service
you need .................................203
Ordering additional
owner's literature ...................213
The Dispute
Settlement Board ...................206
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............209
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................24
Defrost
rear window ..............................25
Dipstick
automatic
transmission fluid ...................164
engine oil .................................153
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........198
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................132
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................144
Emission control system ..........183Engine ........................................200
check engine/
service engine soon light ...........9
cleaning ...................................193
coolant .....................................157
fail-safe coolant ......................161
idle speed control ...................167
lubrication
specifications ...................198,200
refill capacities ........................197
service points ..........................152
starting after a collision .........134
Engine block heater .................116
Engine oil ..................................153
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................153
checking and adding ..............153
dipstick ....................................153
filter, specifications .........155,197
recommendations ...................155
refill capacities ........................197
specifications ...................198,200
Exhaust fumes ..........................116
Fail safe cooling ........................161
Floor mats ...................................74
Fluid capacities .........................197
Fuel ............................................175
calculating fuel economy .......180
cap ...........................................177
capacity ...................................197
choosing the right fuel ...........178
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................183
detergent in fuel .....................179
filling your
vehicle with fuel .......175,177,180
filter, specifications .........180,197
fuel pump shut-off switch .....134
gauge .........................................15
improving fuel economy ........180
low fuel warning light ................8
octane rating ....................179,200
Index
216

quality ......................................179
running out of fuel .................179
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................175
Fuses ...................................135,136
Garage door opener ....................65
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............177
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................180
Gauges .........................................15
battery voltage gauge ...............19
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................18
engine oil pressure gauge ........19
fuel gauge ..................................15
odometer ...................................17
speedometer .............................16
trip odometer ............................18
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....127
definition .................................127
driving with a heavy load ......127
location ....................................127
GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) .............127
calculating ...............................127
definition .................................127
driving with a heavy load ......127
location ....................................127
Hazard flashers .........................134
Head restraints ...........................87
Headlamps ...................................24
aiming ......................................190
autolamp system .......................25
bulb specifications ..................189
daytime running lights .............24
flash to pass ..............................25
high beam ............................11,25
replacing bulbs .......................185
turning on and off ....................24
warning chime ..........................15
Heating ........................................26heating and air conditioning
system .......................................26
HomeLink universal
transceiver (see Garage
door opener) ................65,66,67,68
Hood ..........................................151
Ignition .......................................200
positions of the ignition ...........60
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................107
Inspection/
maintenance (I/M) testing .......184
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................194
cluster ...................................8,194
lighting up
panel and interior .....................24
location of components ..............8
Jump-starting your vehicle ......144
Keyless entry system .................82
autolock .....................................76
keypad .......................................82
programming entry code .........83
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............14
positions of the ignition ...........60
Lamps
autolamp system .......................25
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................189
cargo lamps ...............................24
daytime running light ...............24
headlamps .................................24
headlamps, flash to pass ..........25
instrument panel, dimming .....24
interior lamps ....................24,189
replacing bulbs .........185,187,189
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................59
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
air bag ........................................10
air suspension ...........................12
Index
217