Page 7 of 248
7
Instrumentation
On various models the
appearance and location of
some items may differ from
those shown here. However,
the page references given
still apply.
OFF LO PNL/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
DEF FLR
DEF
MAX
A/C HI/
POWER AUDIO AM/FM
SCAN
SEEK 31245ANSSIDE 1-2EJECTVOLUMECLOCK
Page 26
Climate control system Page 72
Anti-theft system status
indicator*
Page 34
Electronic sound system
* if equipped Page 25
Instrument panel
dimmer switch
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Page 26 of 248
Controls and features
26
OFF LO PNL/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
DEF FLR
DEF
MAX
A/C HI/
POWER AUDIO AM/FM
SCAN
SEEK 31245ANSSIDE 1-2EJECTVOLUME
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
10 0
110
120
13 0MPH20 406055
80120 10 0
14 0
160
18 0
200EF12
03x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
CHECK
ENGINE TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
MIRRORS
CLOCK
TRACTION
ROL
CH
Climate control system
Vents
Airflow from the vents may be
adjusted by moving the horizontal
control or vertically adjusting the
vent (except passenger side outer
vent) according to your airflow
preference.
Your vehicle has one of the
following climate control systems:
• Manual heating system
• Manual heating and air
conditioning system
In some modes, the two systems
function similarly. In modes where
the systems do not function
similarly, the different functions
are noted.
13MCfen 24.6.99 15:05 Uhr Seite 26
Page 28 of 248

Controls and features
28• FLR/DEF – Distributes outside
air through the floor ducts and the
windshield defroster ducts.
• DEF – Distributes outside air
through the windshield defroster
ducts. It can be used to clear ice or
fog from the windshield.
Operating tips
• In humid weather, select DEF
before driving. This will help to
reduce fogging on your windshield.
After a few minutes, select any
desired position.
• To reduce humidity buildup
inside the vehicle, don’t drive with
the climate control system in the
OFF position.
• Don’t put objects under the front
seat that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
• Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield under the
hood).
• Do not place objects over the
defroster outlets. These objects
can block airflow and reduce your
ability to see through your
windshield. Also, avoid placing
small objects on top of your
instrument panel. These objects
can fall down into the defroster
outlets and block airflow and
possibly damage your climate
control system.
13MCfen 24.6.99 15:05 Uhr Seite 28
Page 30 of 248

Controls and features
30Under normal conditions, your
vehicle’s climate control system
should be left in any position other
than MAX A/C or OFF when the
vehicle is parked. This allows the
vehicle to “breathe” through the
outside air inlet duct.
In snowy or dirty conditions, leave
the mode selector in the OFF
position when the ignition is off.
• MAX A/C – Uses recirculated air
to cool the vehicle. MAX A/C is
noisier than A/C but more
economical and will cool the inside
of the vehicle faster. Airflow will be
from the instrument panel
registers. This mode can also be
used to prevent undesirable odors
from entering the vehicle.
• A/C – Uses outside air to cool the
vehicle. It is quieter than MAX A/C
but not as economical. Airflow will
be from the instrument panel
registers.
• PANEL – Distributes outside air
through the instrument panel
registers. However, the air will not
be cooled below the outside
temperature because the air
conditioning does not operate in
this mode.
• OFF – Outside air is shut out and
the fan will not operate. For short
periods of time only, use this mode
to prevent undesirable odors from
entering the vehicle.
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Page 32 of 248

Controls and features
32• DEF – Distributes outside air
through the windshield defroster
ducts. It can be used to clear ice or
fog from the windshield. If the
temperature is about 10°C (50°F)
or higher, the air conditioner will
automatically dehumidify the air to
reduce fogging.
Operating tips
• In humid weather, select DEF
before driving. This will reduce
fogging on your windshield. After a
few minutes, select any desired
position.
• To reduce humidity buildup
inside the vehicle, don’t drive with
the climate control system in the
OFF position.
• Don’t put objects under the front
seat that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
• Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield under the
hood).
• If your vehicle has been parked
with the windows closed during hot
weather, the air conditioner will do
a much faster job of cooling if you
drive for two or three minutes with
the windows open. This will force
most of the hot, stale air out of the
vehicle. Then operate your air
conditioner as you would normally.
13MCfen 24.6.99 15:05 Uhr Seite 32
Page 33 of 248
Controls and features
33 Cabin air filter
Your vehicle is equipped with an air
filter that removes pollen and road
dust from outside air before it is
directed to the interior of the
vehicle. Refer to the Maintenance
and carechapter for maintenance
of this filter. • Do not place objects over the
defroster outlets. These objects
can block airflow and reduce your
ability to see through your
windshield. Also, avoid placing
small objects on top of your
instrument panel. These objects
can fall down into the defroster
outlets and block airflow and
possibly damage your climate
control system.
13MCfen 24.6.99 15:05 Uhr Seite 33
Page 186 of 248
Maintenance and care
186Checking wiper blades
Check the wiper blades on your
vehicle for roughness by running
the tips of your fingers over the
edge of the blade.
Traces of grease, silicone and fuel
prevent wiper blades from
functioning properly. We
recommend Ford cleaning
solutions or equivalent to clean
wiper blades.
Change the wiper blades on your
vehicle at least once a year.
Cabin air filter replacement
In your climate control system, you
have a filter that cleans the air
before it enters the interior of the
vehicle. This filter should be
replaced at the intervals in the
“Scheduled Maintenance Guide“.
To replace the cabin air filter:
1. Unscrew the nut in the base of
each windshield wiper arm.
Remove the windshield wiper arms.
31MMCen 24.6.99 15:31 Uhr Seite 186
Page 189 of 248

Maintenance and care
189 Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half
(1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of
tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices,
and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest
to lowest are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire’s
ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled
conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned
to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
31MMCen 24.6.99 15:31 Uhr Seite 189