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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
201
Page 250 of 264

Protection and appearance equipment
Air bag anti-theft locks
Automatic headlamp system
Bed mats
Berber floor mats
Carpet floor mats
Cleaners, waxes and polishes
Door edge guards
Front end covers (full and mini)
Hood deflectors
Locking gas cap
Lubricants and oils
Molded splash guards
Molded vinyl floor mats
Rear window deflectors
Side window air deflectors
Skid plate kit
Spare tire lock
Tonneau covers (hard)
Touch-up paint
Truck covers
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
²When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
compliance certification label). Consult your dealer for specific weight
information.
²
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems - such as two-way radios, telephones and theft
alarms - that are equipped with radio transmitters. Any such equipment
installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC regulations
and should be installed only by a qualified service technician.
Customer assistance
250
Page 254 of 264

A
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................................112
and child safety seats ............114
description ..............................112
disposal ....................................117
driver air bag ..........................115
indicator light ...................10, 117
operation .................................115
passenger air bag ...................115
Air cleaner filter ...............190, 233
Air conditioning ..........................20
rear seat controls .....................23
Ambulance packages ....................3
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................191
Anti-lock brake system (see
Brakes) ..............................132±133
Anti-theft system
warning light .............................11
Audio system (see Radio) .........27
Automatic transmission ............136
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................137
fluid, adding ............................196
fluid, checking ........................196
fluid, refill capacities ..............233
fluid, specification ..................238
Auxiliary power point .................73
Axle
lubricant specifications ..235, 238
refill capacities ........................233
traction lok ..............................135
B
Battery .......................................200acid, treating emergencies .....200
charging system
warning light .............................11
jumping a disabled battery ....174
maintenance-free ....................200
replacement, specifications ...233
servicing ..................................200
voltage gauge ............................16
Belt minder ...............................108
Brakes ........................................132
anti-lock ...........................132±133
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .........10, 133
brake warning light ..................10
fluid, checking and adding ....188
fluid, refill capacities ..............233
fluid, specifications .........235, 238
lubricant specifications ..235, 238
parking ....................................133
shift interlock ..........................136
Break-in period .............................3
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....233
Cargo cage ...................................76
Cassette tape player ...................37
Certification Label ....................240
Child safety restraints ..............118
child safety belts ....................118
Child safety seats ......................119
attaching with tether straps ..124
in front seat ............................121
in rear seat ......................121, 123
Cleaning your vehicle ...............227
engine compartment ..............229
exterior ............................228, 232
exterior lamps .........................230
Index
254
Page 258 of 264

high beam .................................11
overdrive off ..............................12
safety belt .................................10
speed control ............................60
turn signal indicator .................11
Load limits .................................148
GAWR ......................................148
GVWR ......................................148
trailer towing ..........................148
Loading instructions .................149
Locks
autolock .....................................91
childproof ..................................70
doors ..........................................69
Lubricant specifications ...235, 238
Lumbar support, seats ...............99
M
Manual transmission .................140
fluid capacities ........................233
lubricant specifications ..........238
reverse .....................................141
Mirrors
cleaning ...................................232
fold away ...................................71
side view mirrors (power) .......70
Moon roof ....................................64
Motorcraft parts ................215, 233
O
Octane rating ............................211
Odometer .....................................15
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................185
Overdrive .....................................62P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................86
Parking brake ............................133
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....233
Power distribution box (see
Fuses) ........................................165
Power door locks ........................69
Power steering ..........................134
fluid, checking and adding ....196
fluid, refill capacity ................233
fluid, specifications .........235, 238
Preparing to drive
your vehicle ...............................135
R
Radio ............................................27
Relays ........................................161
Remote entry system ...........84, 86
illuminated entry ......................88
locking/unlocking doors .....85, 88
panic alarm ...............................86
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................87
replacing the batteries .............86
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................13, 102±106
Safety defects, reporting ..........253
Safety restraints ................102±106
belt minder .............................108
cleaning the
safety belts ......................111, 231
extension assembly ................107
Index
258