
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of 56
km/h (35 mph) must be exceeded, you must
disconnect the driveshaft. Ford recommends the
driveshaft be removed/installed only by a qualified
technician. See your local dealer for driveshaft
removal/installation.
Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft
can cause transmission fluid loss, damage to
the driveshaft and internal transmission
components.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water,
especially if the depth is unknown. Traction or brake
capability may be limited and if the ignition system
gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also
enter your engine's air intake and severely damage
your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is
unavoidable, proceed very slowly. Never drive
through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims
(for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet
brakes do not stop the vehicle as effectively as dry
brakes. Drying can be improved by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the
brake pedal.
Driving through deep water where the
transmission vent tube is submerged may allow
water into the transmission and cause internal
transmission damage.
Driving
128

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, keep loose clothing,
jewelry or long hair away from 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 in theBatterysection in
this chapter.
Working with the engine off
²Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park).
Maintenance and care
147

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 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.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and care
173

Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA,
A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and
C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
Maintenance and care
176

Observe the following guidelines when handling
automotive fuel:
²Extinguish all
smoking materials
and any open flames
before fueling your
vehicle.
²Always turn off the
vehicle before fueling.
²Automotive fuels can be harmful or fatal if
swallowed. Fuel such as gasoline is highly toxic
and if swallowed can cause death or permanent
injury. 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.
²Avoid inhaling fuel vapors. Inhaling too much fuel
vapor of any kind can lead to eye and respiratory
tract irritation. In severe cases, excessive or
prolonged breathing of fuel vapor can cause
serious illness and permanent injury.
²Avoid getting fuel liquid in your eyes. If fuel is
splashed in the eyes, remove contact lenses (if
worn), flush with water for 15 minutes and seek
medical attention. Failure to seek proper medical
attention could lead to permanent injury.
²Fuels can also be harmful if absorbed through the
skin. If fuel is splashed on the skin and/or
clothing, promptly remove contaminated clothing
and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water.
Repeated or prolonged skin contact with fuel
liquid or vapor causes skin irritation.
²Be particularly careful if you are taking
ªAntabuseº or other forms of disulfiram for the
treatment of alcoholism. Breathing gasoline
vapors, or skin contact could cause an adverse
reaction. In sensitive individuals, serious personal
injury or sickness may result. If fuel is splashed
on the skin, promptly wash skin thoroughly with
Maintenance and care
181

EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window
sticker. Contact your dealer if the window sticker is
not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA window
sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy
comparisons with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left
corner of the window sticker. These numbers
represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG) expected
on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel
economy may vary depending upon the method of
operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission
control components and a catalytic converter which
will enable your vehicle to comply with applicable
exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the
catalytic converter and other emission control
components continue to work properly:
²Use only the specified fuel listed.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is
moving, especially at high speeds.
²Have the items listed in your scheduled
maintenance guide performed according to the
specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the
scheduled maintenance guide are essential to the life
and performance of your vehicle and to its emissions
system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized
parts are used for maintenance replacements or for
service of components affecting emission control,
such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and
durability.
Maintenance and care
190

4.On the wall or screen
you will observe a light
pattern with flat edges
at the top of the beam
pattern. If the flat edges
are not at the horizontal
reference line, the beam will need to be adjusted.
5. Locate the vertical adjuster on each headlamp,
then usea6mmallen wrench or screwdriver to
adjust the headlamp up or down.
6. HORIZONTAL AIM IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS
VEHICLE AND IS NON-ADJUSTABLE.
7. Close the hood and turn off the lamps.
CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE
Refer to the Customer Assistance chapter for a list
of Ford-approved cleaners, polishes and waxes.
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.
Maintenance and care
199

Ford Extended Service Plan
You can get more protection for your new car or
light truck by purchasing Ford Extended Service
Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP is an optional
service contract which is backed by Ford Motor
Company or Ford Motor Service Company (in the
U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in Canada). It provides
the following:
²benefits during the warranty period depending on
the plan you purchase (such as: reimbursement
for rentals; coverage for certain maintenance and
wear items)
²protection against covered repair costs after your
Bumper-to- Bumper Warranty expires
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating
Ford and Lincoln Mercury and Ford of Canada
dealer. There are several plans available in various
time, distance and deductible combinations which
can be tailored to fit your own driving needs. Ford
ESP also offers reimbursement benefits for towing
and rental coverage.
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind
protection throughout the United States and Canada,
provided by a network of more than 5,000
participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended
Service Plan at the time of purchasing your vehicle,
you may still be eligible. Please contact your dealer
for further information. Since this information is
subject to change, please ask your dealer for
complete details about Ford Extended Service Plan
coverage options, or visit the Ford ESP website at
www.ford-esp.com.
Customer assistance
212