If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, you will cause
permanent damage to your brakes.
Do not let the fluid level in the reservoir for the master cylinder
fall below the MIN mark. If master cylinder runs dry, this may
cause the brakes to fail.
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Checking and adding washer fluid
Check the washer fluid whenever
you stop for fuel. The reservoir is
highlighted with a
symbol.
If the level is low, add enough fluid
to fill the reservoir. In very cold
weather, do not fill the reservoir all
the way.
Only use a washer fluid that meets Ford specifications. Refer to
Lubricant specificationsin theCapacities and specificationschapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging the
vehicle's paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling
system components.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
Your engine's cooling system has been factory-filled with a 50/50 mixture
of distilled water and Ford Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (in
Maintenance and care
154
2. Carefully separate the two halves
of the air filter housing.
3. Remove the air filter element
from the open end of the air filter
housing.
4. Install a new air filter element, ensuring the arrow on the top half of
the air filter housing lines up with the notch on the bottom half of air
filter housing. Be careful not to crimp the filter element edges between
the air filter housing. This could cause filter damage and allow
unmetered air to enter the engine if not properly seated.
5. Replace the two halves of the air filter housing and secure the clamp.
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.
Checking the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean both the windshield and
wiper blades using undiluted windshield wiper solution or a mild
detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. To avoid damaging the
blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents.
Maintenance and care
168
Changing the wiper blades
To replace the wiper blades:
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the
windshield and lock into the service
position.
2. Turn the blade at an angle from
the wiper arm. Push the lock pin
manually to release the blade and
pull the wiper blade down toward
the windshield to remove it from the
arm.
3. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into place
until a click is heard.
INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
²Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the following
information about tire grades exactly as the government has written it.
Maintenance and care
169
Washing your vehicle
Wash your vehicle regularly with
cold or lukewarm water. Never use
strong detergents or soap. If your
vehicle is particularly dirty, use a
quality car wash detergent. Always
use a clean sponge, washing glove
or similar device and plenty of water
for best results. To avoid spots,
avoid washing when the hood is still
warm, immediately after or during
exposure to strong sunlight.
During winter months, it is especially important to wash the vehicle on a
regular basis. Large quantities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove and also cause damage to the vehicle.
Any gasoline spilled on the vehicle or deposits such as bird droppings
should be washed and sponged off as soon as possible. Deposits not
removed promptly can cause damage to the vehicle's paintwork.
Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a car
wash. If you have wax applied to the vehicle at a commercial car wash, it
is recommended that you clean the wiper blades and windshield as
described inCleaning the wiper blades and windshield.
After washing, apply the brakes several times to dry them.
Underbody
Flush the complete underside of vehicle frequently. Keep body drain
holes unplugged. Inspect for road damage.
Maintenance and care
189
Waxing your vehicle
Waxing your vehicle on a regular basis will reduce minor scratches and
paint damage.
Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This could be every three
or four months, depending on operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Use a cleaning fluid with a
clean cloth to remove any bugs before waxing your vehicle. Use tar
remover to remove any tar spots.
Avoid getting wax on the windshield, or on any surfaces which appear
coarse or bumpy. If you have wax applied at a commercial car wash, it is
recommended that you clean the wiper blades and windshield as
described inCleaning the wiper blades and windshield.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage from road debris may be repaired with
the Ultra Touch Prep and Finishing Kit (#F7AZ-19K507±BA), Lacquer
Touch-up Paint (#ALBZ-19500±XXXXA), or Exterior Acrylic Spray
Lacquer (#ALAZ-19500±XXXXA) from the Ford Car Care Chemicals line.
Please note that the part numbers (shown as XXXX above) will vary with
your vehicle's specific coloring. Observe the application instructions on
the products.
Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect remains, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout immediately.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash with the same detergent as the body of your vehicle. Do not use
acid-based or alcohol-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, fuel or strong
detergents. Never use abrasives that will damage the finish of special
wheel surfaces. Use a tar remover to remove grease and tar.
The brushes used in some automatic car washes may damage the finish
on your wheels. Before going to a car wash, find out if the brushes are
abrasive.
Maintenance and care
190
To avoid scratching the lamps, do not use a dry paper towel, chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners.
Cleaning the wiper blades, windshield and rear window
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean the wiper blade rubber
element with undiluted windshield washer solution or a mild detergent.
To avoid damaging the blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or
other solvents.
If the wiper still does not wipe properly, this could be caused by
substances on the windshield or rear window such as tree sap and some
hot wax treatments used by commercial car washes. Clean the outside of
the windshield or rear window with a non-abrasive cleaner such as Ford
Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner, (E4AZ-19C507±AA), available from your
Ford Dealer.Do notuse abrasive cleansers on glass as they may cause
scratches. The windshield or rear window is clean if beads do not form
when you rinse it with water. The windshield, rear window and wiper
blades should be cleaned on a regular basis, and blades or rubber
elements replaced when worn.
Cleaning the instrument panel
Clean with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth.
Avoid cleaner or polish that increases the gloss of the upper portion of
the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the driver
from undesirable windshield reflection.
Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning
the steering wheel or instrument panel to avoid contamination of
the air bag system.
Cleaning the instrument cluster lens
Clean with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth.
Do not use household or glass cleaners as these may damage the lens.
Cleaning the interior fabric
Remove dust and loose dirt with a whisk broom or a vacuum cleaner.
Remove fresh spots immediately. Do not use household or glass cleaners.
These agents can stain and discolor the fabric. Use a mild soap and
water solution if necessary.
Maintenance and care
192
Accessory delay ..........................59
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ..........................90
and child safety seats ..............92
description ................................90
disposal ......................................94
driver air bag ............................92
indicator light ........................9,94
operation ...................................92
passenger air bag .....................92
Air cleaner filter ................167,194
Air conditioning ..........................43
Ambulance packages ....................3
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................154
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) .......................107,108
Anti-theft system
warning light .............................11
Armrests ......................................79
Audio system (see Radio) .........21
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................113
fluid, adding ............................161
fluid, checking ........................161
fluid, refill capacities ..............194
fluid, specification ..................199
Auxiliary power point .................20
Axle
lubricant specifications ...197,199
refill capacities ........................194
traction lok ..............................110
Battery .......................................165
acid, treating emergencies .....165
charging system
warning light .............................11
jumping a disabled battery ....142
maintenance-free ....................165
replacement, specifications ...194
servicing ..................................165
voltage gauge ............................15Bed extender ..............................62
Belt minder .................................86
Brakes ........................................107
anti-lock ............................107,108
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ..........10,108
brake warning light ..................10
fluid, checking and adding ....153
fluid, refill capacities ..............194
fluid, specifications ..........197,199
lubricant specifications ...197,199
parking ....................................109
pedals (see Power
adjustable foot pedals) ............19
shift interlock ..........................112
Break-in period .............................3
Capacities for refilling fluids ....194
Cassette tape player ...................29
CD changer .................................39
Certification Label ....................201
Child safety restraints ................95
child safety belts ......................95
Child safety seats ........................96
attaching with tether straps ..101
in front seat ..............................97
in rear seat .........................97,100
Cleaning your vehicle ...............188
engine compartment ..............191
exterior .............................189,190
exterior lamps .........................191
instrument panel ....................192
instrument panel lens ............192
interior .....................................192
plastic parts ............................191
safety belts ..............................193
washing ....................................189
waxing .....................................190
wheels ......................................190
wiper blades ............................192
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............43
Clock .......................................29,38
Index
216
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............79
Seats ............................................73
child safety seats ......................96
cleaning ...................................193
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ....................64,65
Servicing your vehicle ..............148
Snowplowing .................................3
Spark plugs,
specifications ......................194,199
Special notice ................................3
ambulance conversions ..............3
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart,
lubricants ............................197,199
Speed control ..............................47
Speedometer ...............................14
Starting your vehicle .........103,105
jump starting ..........................142
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................51
Tachometer .................................15
Tailgate ...................................61,62
Tires ......................137,169,170,171
changing ...........................137,139
checking the pressure ............171
replacing ..................................172
rotating ....................................171
snow tires and chains ............173
tire grades ...............................170
treadwear ................................170
Towing .......................................171recreational towing .................127
wrecker ....................................147
Traction-lok rear axle ...............110
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................164
Transmission .............................112
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................161
fluid, refill capacities ..............194
lubricant specifications ...197,199
Transmission control
indicator light ..............................11
Trip odometer .............................15
Turn signal .............................10,46
Vehicle dimensions ...................199
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ...........................201
Vehicle loading ..........................120
Ventilating your vehicle ...........106
Warning chimes ......................12,13
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Washer fluid ..............................154
Water, Driving through .............122
Windows
power .........................................58
Windshield washer
fluid and wipers
checking and adding fluid .....154
checking and cleaning ............168
operation ...................................51
replacing wiper blades ...........169
Wrecker towing .........................147
Index
220