
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
²The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
²If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the
transmission must relearn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation to its
optimum shift feel.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
²Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
Check the wiper blades at least twice a year or when they seem less
effective. Substances such as tree sap and some hot wax treatments used
by commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper blades.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and care
218

Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of ªRegularº unleaded
gasoline. ªPremiumº unleaded gasoline is not recommended (particularly
in the United States) 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 high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. 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. In Canada,
look for fuels that display theAuto Makers' Choiceylogo.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated ªcleaner-burningº gasolines to
improve air quality.
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.
²The
indicator may come on. For more information on the ªCheck
Engineº indicator, refer to theInstrumentationchapter.
Maintenance and care
228

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.
After refueling, if the ªCHECK FUEL CAPº
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 securely. The
indicator should turn
off after three driving cycles with the fuel filler cap properly installed. A
driving cycle consists of a cold engine start-up followed by mixed
city/highway driving.
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
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford or 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.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible
personal injury.
Maintenance and care
229

²Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
Maintenance and care
232

Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps frequently:
²Headlamps
²Foglamps
²High-mount brakelamp
²Brakelamps
²Turn signals
²License plate lamp
²Tail lamps
²Back-up lamps
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless they can be replaced immediately with
new ones. If a bulb is removed for an extended period of time,
contaminants may enter the lamp housings and affect lamp performance.
Replacing headlamp bulbs
1. Make sure that the headlamp control is in the OFF position.
2. Open the hood.
3. Press two tabs and disconnect the
electrical connector from the bulb.
Maintenance and care
235

Item Ford Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Manual transaxle
2Motorcraft SAE
75W-90 Special
BlendÐF32Z-19C547±MAWSS-M2C203-A1
Automatic
transaxle
2Motorcraft
MERCONtAT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Rear axle (4X4)
4Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle LubricantXY-80W90-QL WSP-M2C197-A
Power
Take-off(PTO)
(4X4-Manual
Transaxle)Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Thermally StableXY-80W90-QL WSP-M2C197-A
Power
Take-off(PTO)
3
(4X4-Automatic
Transaxle)Motorcraft SAE
75W-140
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantF1TZ-19580-B WSL-M2C192-A
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateC9AZ-19550-AC ESR-M17P5-A
1DO NOT USE Ford Extended Life Engine Coolant F6AZ-19544-AA,
meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D (orange in color) Refer to
Adding engine coolant,in theMaintenance and Carechapter.
2Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. MERCONtand MERCONtV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONtand MERCONtV. Refer to your scheduled maintenance
guide to determine the correct service interval.
3The Power Take-off(PTO) is lubricated for life with synthetic lube.
Lubricant levels are not to be checked or changed unless a leak is
Capacities and specifications
251

A
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................118±119, 124
and child safety seats ............121
description ......................119, 124
disposal ....................................127
driver air bag ..................121, 125
indicator light ...........11, 123, 126
operation .........................121, 125
passenger air bag ...........121, 125
side air bag ..............................124
Air cleaner filter ...............207, 247
Air conditioning ..........................21
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road ...................20, 150
Ambulance packages ....................5
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................208
Anti-lock brake system (see
Brakes) ..............................142±143
Anti-theft system ........................95
arming the system ....................96
disarming a triggered system ..96
warning light .............................13
Audio system (see Radio) ...26, 54
Automatic transaxle .................146
driving with .............................147
fluid, adding ............................214
fluid, checking ........................214
Automatic transmission
fluid, refill capacities ..............247
fluid, specification ..................252
Auxiliary power point .................85
Axle
lubricant specifications ..250, 252
refill capacities ........................247B
Battery .......................................216
acid, treating emergencies .....216
charging system warning light 13
jumping a disabled battery ....188
maintenance-free ....................216
replacement, specifications ...247
servicing ..................................216
Belt minder ...............................113
Brakes ........................................142
anti-lock ...........................142±143
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .....................12, 142
brake warning light ..................12
fluid, checking and adding ....205
fluid, refill capacities ..............247
fluid, specifications .........250, 252
lubricant specifications ..250, 252
parking ....................................143
shift interlock ..........................146
Break-in period .............................3
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....247
Cargo cover .................................86
Cargo net .....................................86
Certification Label ....................254
Child safety restraints ..............127
child safety belts ....................127
Child safety seats ......................128
attaching with tether straps ..132
in front seat ............................129
in rear seat ..............................129
LATCH .....................................134
Cleaning your vehicle ...............241
engine compartment ..............243
Index
270

exterior ............................242±243
exterior lamps .........................244
instrument cluster lens ..........246
instrument panel ....................245
interior .............................245±246
mirrors .....................................246
plastic parts ............................244
safety belts ..............................246
washing ....................................242
waxing .....................................242
wheels ......................................244
windows ..................................246
wiper blades ............................245
woodtone trim ........................246
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............21
Clock ..........................32, 41, 51, 69
Clutch
fluid ..........................................206
Console ........................................85
overhead ....................................78
Controls
power seat .................................99
Coolant
checking and adding ..............208
refill capacities ................212, 247
specifications ..................250, 252
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................73
Customer Assistance ................173
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................263
Ford Extended Service Plan .255
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................262
Getting roadside assistance ...173
Getting the service you
need .........................................256Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................267
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................258
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................261
D
Daytime running lamps (see
Lamps) .........................................81
Defrost
rear window ..............................20
Dipstick
automatic transmission fluid .214
engine oil .................................201
Doors
door ajar warning .....................14
lubricant specifications ..........250
Driving under special
conditions ..................................154
mud ..........................................153
sand .........................................153
snow and ice ...................153±154
through water .................153, 157
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................188
Emission control system ..........233
Engine ........................................252
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
cleaning ...................................243
coolant .....................................208
idle speed control ...................216
Index
271