
Do not attempt to push-start your vehicle. Automatic
transmissions do not have push-start capability; also, the
catalytic conveter may become damaged.
Preparing your vehicle
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is 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.
1.Use only a 12±volt supply to start your vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle's electrical system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehiclesdo nottouch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other moving
parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion before
you attach the battery cables. Ensure that vent caps are tight and level.
5. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect any electrical
surges. Turn all other accessories off.
Connecting the jumper cables
1. Connect the positive (+) booster cable to the positive (+) terminal of
the discharged battery.
Note:In the illustrations,lightning boltsare used to designate the
assisting (boosting) battery.
+–+–
Roadside emergencies
167

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member, your roadside assistance center.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
On 4x2 vehicles, it is acceptable to tow the vehicle with the front wheels
on the ground (without dollies) and the rear wheels off the ground.
On 4x4 vehicles, it is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a
wheel lift and dollies or flatbed equipment with all the wheels off the
ground.
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Special Conditions:
²Release the parking brake.
²Turn the ignition to the OFF/UNLOCKED position.
Roadside emergencies
172

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine compartment for easy
location.
²We provide a scheduled maintenance guide which makes tracking
routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your dealership can provide
the necessary parts and service. Check yourWarranty Guideto find out
which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
²When the engine is running, make sure that loose clothing, jewelry or
long hair does not get caught up in moving parts.
²Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open flames and other lit material away from
the battery and all fuel related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive properly, as explained inBattery
in this chapter.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Maintenance and care
174

ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator fully, then remove it
again.
²If the oil level is in the hashmarks, the oil level is acceptable.DO
NOT ADD OIL.
Maintenance and care
177

operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about 30
minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km (20
miles) of driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 10ÉC (50ÉF). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC
[150ÉF-170ÉF]).
Maintenance and care
189

When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the
end walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps,
resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery.
Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite
corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle's engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
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.
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.
Maintenance and care
193

A
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................................103, 109
and child safety seats ............105
description ......................103, 109
disposal ....................................112
driver air bag ..................106, 110
indicator light ...........12, 108, 111
operation .........................106, 110
passenger air bag ...........106, 110
side air bag ..............................109
Air cleaner filter ...............182, 224
Air conditioning ..........................22
rear seat controls .....................25
Ambulance packages ....................4
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................183
Anti-lock brake system (see
Brakes) ..............................125±126
Anti-theft system
warning light .............................13
Audio system (see Radio) .........28
Automatic transmission ............129
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................130
fluid, adding ............................188
fluid, checking ........................188
fluid, refill capacities ..............224
fluid, specification ..................228
Auxiliary power point .................72
Axle
lubricant specifications ..226, 228
refill capacities ........................224
traction lok ..............................128B
Battery .......................................192
acid, treating emergencies .....192
charging system warning
light ............................................13
jumping a disabled battery ....166
maintenance-free ....................192
replacement, specifications ...224
servicing ..................................192
voltage gauge ............................18
Belt minder .................................99
Brakes ........................................125
anti-lock ...........................125±126
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .....................12, 126
brake warning light ..................12
fluid, checking and adding ....180
fluid, refill capacities ..............224
fluid, specifications .........226, 228
lubricant specifications ..226, 228
parking ....................................126
shift interlock ..........................129
Break-in period .............................3
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....224
Cargo area shade ........................74
Cargo cover .................................74
Cassette tape player ...................37
Certification Label ....................231
Child safety restraints ..............112
child safety belts ....................112
Child safety seats ......................113
attaching with tether straps ..117
in front seat ............................115
in rear seat ..............................115
Index
245

charging system ........................13
check coolant ............................13
check engine .............................10
cruise indicator .........................15
door ajar ....................................14
fuel cap light .............................11
high beam .................................13
overdrive off ..............................14
safety belt .................................12
speed control ............................61
turn signal indicator .................13
Load limits .................................141
GAWR ......................................141
GVWR ......................................141
trailer towing ..........................141
Loading instructions .................142
Locks
autolock .....................................82
doors ..........................................70
Lubricant specifications ...226, 228
Lumbar support, seats ...............90
M
Manual transmission .................133
fluid capacities ........................224
lubricant specifications ..........228
reverse .....................................134
Mirrors
cleaning ...................................223
fold away ...................................71
side view mirrors (power) .......70
Moon roof ....................................65
Motorcraft parts ................206, 224
O
Octane rating ............................203Odometer .....................................17
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................177
Overdrive .....................................63
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................77
Parking brake ............................126
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....224
Power distribution box (see
Fuses) ........................................158
Power door locks ........................70
Power steering ..........................127
fluid, checking and adding ....188
fluid, refill capacity ................224
fluid, specifications .........226, 228
Preparing to drive your vehicle 128
R
Radio ............................................28
Rear window defroster ...............26
Relays ........................................154
Remote entry system ...........75, 77
illuminated entry ......................79
locking/unlocking doors .....76, 79
panic alarm ...............................77
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................78
replacing the batteries .............77
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ........................15, 93±98
Safety defects, reporting ..........244
Index
249