Page 13 of 248
Instrumentation
13 What you should do if the check
engine light illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system
has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause
your check engine light to
illuminate. Examples are:
• The vehicle has run out of fuel
(The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
• Poor fuel quality or water in the
fuel
• The fuel cap may not have been
securely tightened. The check engine indicator light
illuminates when the ignition is
first turned to the ON position to
check the bulb. If it comes on
after the engine is started, one of
the engine’s emission control
systems may be malfunctioning.
The light may illuminate without a
driveability concern being noted.
The vehicle will usually be drivable
and will not require towing.
12MInen 24.6.99 15:03 Uhr Seite 13
Page 14 of 248

Instrumentation
14These temporary malfunctions can
be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or
properly tightening the fuel cap.
After three drive cycles without
these or any other temporary
malfunctions present, the check
engine light should turn off. (A
driving cycle consists of a cold
engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No
additional vehicle service is
required.
If the check enginelight remains
on, have your vehicle serviced at
the first available opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occuring which
could damage your catalytic
converter. You should drive in a
moderate fashion (avoid heavy
acceleration and deceleration) and
have your vehicle serviced at the
first available opportunity.
Under engine misfire
conditions, excessive
exhaust temperatures could
damage the catalytic converter,
the fuel system, interior floor
coverings or other vehicle com-
ponents, possibly causing a fire.
12MInen 24.6.99 15:03 Uhr Seite 14
Page 15 of 248

Instrumentation
15
CHECK
ENGINE
CHECK
ENGINE
Low fuel reminder
Illuminates as an early reminder of
a low fuel condition indicated on
the fuel gauge (refer to Fuel
Gauge in this chapter for more
information). When refueling the
vehicle after the light first comes
on, the amount of fuel that can be
added will be less than the
advertised capacity since there is
still fuel in the tank. The ignition
must be in the ON position for this
lamp to illuminate. The lamp will
also illuminate for several seconds
immediately after the ignition is
turned to the ON position
regardless of the fuel level for bulb
verification.CHECK
ENGINE
Air bag readiness
Briefly illuminates when the
ignition is turned on. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to
flash, or remains on, have the
system serviced immediately.
Front foglamps (if equipped)
Illuminates when foglamps are
switched on.
Refer to Foglamp controlin the
Controls and features chapter for
notes on use.
12MInen 24.6.99 15:03 Uhr Seite 15
Page 21 of 248
Instrumentation
21
EF
Fuel gauge
The fuel gauge displays
approximately how much fuel is in
the tank (when the key is in the
ON position). The fuel gauge may
vary slightly when the vehicle is in
motion. The ignition should be in
the OFF position while the vehicle
is being refueled. When the gauge
first indicates empty, there is a
small amount of reserve fuel in the
tank. When refueling the vehicle
from empty indication, the amount
of fuel that can be added will be
less than the advertised capacity
due to the reserve fuel.
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
110
120
13 0
MPH
20 4060
55
80120 10 0
14 0
160
18 0
20010 0
EF12
03
x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
O/D
OFFCHECK
ENGINE
BRAKE
TRACTION
CONTROL
CH
Tachometer
Indicates the engine speed in
revolutions per minute (rpm).
12
03
x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
12MInen 24.6.99 15:03 Uhr Seite 21
Page 196 of 248
Maintenance and care
196IMPORTANT FUEL
INFORMATON
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank.
The pressure in an overfilled
tank may cause leakage and lead
to fuel spray and fire.
If you do not use the proper
fuel cap, the pressure in the
fuel tank can damage the fuel
system or cause it to work
improperly in a collision.
The fuel system may be
under pressure. If the fuel
cap is venting vapor or if you hear
a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the
cap.
Automotive fuels can cause
serious injury or death if
misused or mishandled.
31MMCen 24.6.99 15:31 Uhr Seite 196
Page 197 of 248

Maintenance and care
197 Observe the following guidelines
when handling automotive fuel:
• Extinguish all smoking materials
and any open flames before fueling
your vehicle.
• Always turn off the vehicle
before fueling.
• Make sure the fuel cap is
correctly fitted after fueling.
Failure to do so may cause the on
board diagnostic system to
illuminate the check enginelight.
• Automotive fuels can be harmful
or fatal if swallowed. If fuel is
swallowed, call a physician
immediately, even if no symptoms
are immediately apparent. The
toxic effects of fuel may not be
visible for hours.
• Fuels can also be harmful if
absorbed through the skin. If fuel is
splashed on the skin, promptly
remove contaminated clothing and
wash skin thoroughly with soap
and water.
• If fuel is splashed in the eyes,
remove contact lenses (if worn),
flush with water for 15 minutes and
seek medical attention.
• Be particularly careful if you are
taking “Antabuse” or other forms of
disulfiram for the treatment of
alcoholism. Breathing gasoline
vapors or skin contact could cause
an adverse reaction. Consult a
physician immediately.
31MMCen 24.6.99 15:31 Uhr Seite 197
Page 200 of 248

Maintenance and care
200Fuel filler cap
If the check engineindicator
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 and reinstall it being
careful to align the cap properly.
If you must replace the fuel
filler cap, replace it with an
authorized Motorcraft part.
The customer warranty may be
void for any damage to the fuel
tank or fuel system if an
authorized Motorcraft fuel
filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be
under pressure. If the fuel
filler cap is venting vapor or if you
hear a hissing sound, wait until it
stops before completely removing
the fuel filler cap. Otherwise fuel
may spray out and injure you or
others.
Cleaner air
Ford approves the use of gasolines
to improve air quality, including
reformulated gasolines that contain
oxygenates such as a maximum of
10% ethanol or 15% MTBE. There
should be no more than 5%
methanol with cosolvents and
additives to protect the fuel
system.
31MMCen 24.6.99 15:31 Uhr Seite 200
Page 223 of 248
223
Capacities and specifications
* Refer to Vehicle Emission Control Information (VECI) decal for spark plug and gap specifications.
** If a spark plug is removed for examination, it must be reinstalled in the same cylinder.
If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use only spark plugs with the service part number suffix
letter “FE” as shown on the engine decal.
Motorcraft parts
Component
Spark plug*
Air filter
Passenger compartment
air filter
Fuel filter
Oil filter
Battery
PCV valve
Crankcase ventilation
filter2.0 litre engine
AZFS-22F # 1+2**
AZFS-22FE# 3+4
FA-1612
FP4
FG-800A
FL-2005
BXT-40R
EV-224
FA-1621
2.5 litre engine
AWSF-32F
FA-1613
FP4
FG-800A
FL-820
BXT-40R
EV-152
—
Part number
32MCSen 24.6.99 15:34 Uhr Seite 223