Page 146 of 240
will not effect function or durability of the
transmission. Over time, the adaptive learning
process will fully update transmission operation to
its optimum shift feel.
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.
If your vehicle is to be towed from the rear using
wheel lift equipment, the front wheels must be
placed on a dolly to prevent damage to the front
fascia (bumper).
If the vehicle is towed by other means or
incorrectly, vehicle damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company provides a towing manual for
all authorized tow truck operators. Have your tow
truck operator refer to this manual for proper
hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Roadside emergencies
146
Page 189 of 240

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.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant
specifications.
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.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower
temperatures during the first 12±16 km (8±10
miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel
economy as compared to driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when
operated in the top cruise gear and with steady
pressure on the gas pedal.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
Maintenance and care
189
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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
Page 232 of 240

Instrument panel
cleaning ................. 204
cluster ................ 8, 204
lighting up panel and
interior ..................... 19
location of
components ............... 8
J
Jack .......................... 137
positioning ............. 137
storage ................... 137
Jump-starting your
vehicle ...................... 141
K
Keys ..................... 67±69
key in ignition
chime ....................... 13
positions of the
ignition .................... 52
removing from the
ignition .................. 122
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications
chart ...................... 197
cargo lamps ............. 19
daytime running
light .......................... 18
fog lamps ................. 19
headlamps ....... 18, 193
headlamps, flash to
pass .......................... 51
instrument panel,
dimming ................... 19interior
lamps ............... 56, 197
replacing
bulbs .............. 192±196
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ...... 51
Lights, warning and
indicator ...................... 8
air bag ........................ 9
anti-lock brakes
(ABS) .............. 12, 109
anti-theft ................... 9
brake ........................ 13
charging system ........ 9
fuel cap light ........... 11
high beam ................. 8
low fuel .................... 11
overdrive off ............ 12
safety belt ................. 9
service engine soon .. 9
traction control
active ....................... 12
turn signal
indicator .................... 8
Load limits ............... 122
GAWR .................... 122
GVWR .................... 122
trailer towing ........ 122
Locks
doors ........................ 57
Lubricant
specifications ... 208±209
Lug nuts,
anti-theft .................. 140
Lumbar support,
seats ........................... 75
Index
232
Page 234 of 240

Safety seats for
children ...................... 95
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) .................. 76
Seats .......................... 73
child safety seats .... 95
cleaning ......... 204±205
easy access/easyout
feature ..................... 75
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft
system .................. 67±69
Servicing your
vehicle ...................... 147
Spark plugs,
specifications ........... 206
, 209±210
Special notice .............. 3
Specification chart,
lubricants ......... 208±209
Speed control ............ 53
Speedometer ............. 15
Starting your
vehicle ...... 103±104, 106
jump starting ........ 141
Steering wheel
tilting ....................... 52
T
Tachometer ............... 16
Tires ......... 137, 175±177
changing ........ 137±138
checking the
pressure ................. 177
replacing ................ 178
rotating .................. 177snow tires and
chains .................... 179
tire grades ............. 176
treadwear .............. 175
Towing ..................... 124
recreational
towing .................... 127
trailer towing ........ 124
wrecker .................. 146
Traction
control ............... 50, 111
active light .............. 12
Traction-lok rear
axle .......................... 122
Transmission
automation
operation ............... 113
fluid, checking and
adding
(automatic) ........... 167
fluid, checking and
adding (manual) ... 170
fluid, refill
capacities ............... 206
lubricant
specifications. 208±209
manual operation .. 119
Trip odometer ........... 17
Trunk ......................... 71
remote release .. 50, 65
Turn signal ............ 8, 51
V
Vehicle
dimensions ............... 210
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ......... 211
Index
234
Page 235 of 240
Vehicle loading ........ 122
Ventilating your
vehicle ...................... 107
W
Warning chimes ......... 13
Warning lights (see
Lights) ......................... 8
Washer fluid ............ 157
Water, Driving
through .................... 128Windows
power ....................... 56
Windshield washer fluid
and wipers
checking and adding
fluid ........................ 157
checking and
cleaning ................. 174
operation ................. 51
replacing wiper
blades .................... 174
Wrecker towing ....... 146
Index
235