
BATTERY
Your vehicle is
equipped with a
Motorcraft
maintenance-free
battery which normally
does not require
additional water during
its life of service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature
climates, check the battery electrolyte level. Refer to
the scheduled maintenance guide for the service
interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the
ªlevel indicatorº. Do not overfill the battery
cells.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can
add plain tap water to the battery, as long as you do
not use hard water (water with a high mineral or
alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill
the battery cells with distilled water. If the battery
needs water often, have the charging system
checked.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it
is reinstalled after the battery has been
cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of
the battery clean and dry. Also, make certain the
battery cables are always tightly fastened to the
battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals,
remove the cables from the terminals and clean with
a wire brush. You can neutralize the acid with a
solution of baking soda and water.
Maintenance and care
171

Batteries normally produce explosive gases
which can cause personal injury. Therefore,
do not allow flames, sparks or lighted substances
to come near the battery. When working near the
battery, always shield your face and protect your
eyes. Always provide proper ventilation.
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.
Maintenance and care
172

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

If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the on-board diagnostics system
is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº condition. To
ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M
testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city and
highway driving is necessary as described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an
expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go,
city-type traffic with at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours
without starting the engine. Then, start the engine
and complete the above driving cycle. The engine
must warm up to its normal operating temperature.
Once started, do not turn off the engine until the
above driving cycle is complete.
BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps
frequently:
²Headlamps
²Tail lamps
²Brakelamps
²High-mount brakelamp
²Turn signals
²Backup lamps
²License plate lamp
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless they will be
replaced immediately. If a bulb is removed for an
extended period of time, contaminants may enter
the lamp housings and affect performance.
Maintenance and care
192

MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.8L OHV V6 engine 4.6L SOHC V8 engine
Air filter element FA-1611 FA-1634
Fuel filter FG-986 FG-986B
Battery BXT-59 BXT-59
Oil filter FL-400S FL-820S
PCV valve EV-152 EV-98
Spark plugs* AWSF-42EE** AWSF-32P
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI)
decal for spark plug gap information.
**If a spark plug is removed for inspection, it must be
reinstalled in the same cylinder. If a spark plug needs to
be replaced, use only spark plugs with the same service
part number suffix letter as shown on the engine decal.
REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part Name Application Capacity
Brake fluid High Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
OilAll 4.7L (5.0 quarts)
Engine coolant
1Motorcraft
Premium Engine
Coolant
(green-colored)
orMotorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)3.8L OHV V6
engine11.2L (11.8
quarts)
4.6L SOHC V8
engine13.3L (14.1
quarts)
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT F3.8L OHV V6
engineKeep in FULL
HOT range on
dispstick
4.6L SOHC V8
engineFill to between
MIN and MAX
lines on reservoir
Capacities and specifications
206

Not all accessories are available for all models.
Vehicle Security
Styled wheel locks
Vehicle security systems
Comfort and convenience
Ash Cup
Cargo nets
Cargo organizers
Dash trim
Electrochromic mirror with compass
Electrochromic mirror with compass and
temperature display
Engine block heaters
Travel equipment
Auto headlamps with daytime running lights (DRL)
Cassette holder
Daytime running lights (DRL)
Fog lights
Heavy-duty battery
Removable luggage rack
Removable luggage rack adapters
Soft luggage cover
Speed control
Protection and appearance equipment
Air bag anti-theft locks
Cargo liners, interior
Carpet floor mats
Cleaners, waxes and polishes
Flat splash guards
Customer assistance
223

A
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........ 88
and child safety
seats ......................... 90
description .............. 88
disposal .................... 93
driver air bag .......... 91
indicator light ..... 9, 92
operation ................. 91
passenger air bag ... 91
Air cleaner filter ..... 206
Air conditioning ........ 20
manual heating and air
conditioning
system ..................... 20
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) ................... 157
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) .... 108±109
Anti-theft system
warning light ............. 9
Audio system (see
Radio) ........................ 24
Automatic
transmission ............ 113
driving an automatic
overdrive ............... 115
fluid, adding .......... 167
fluid, checking ...... 167
fluid, refill
capacities ............... 206
fluid,
specification .......... 209
Auxiliary power
point ........................... 60Axle
lubricant
specifications. 208±209
refill capacities ...... 206
traction lok ............ 122
B
Battery ..................... 171
acid, treating
emergencies .......... 171
charging system
warning light ............. 9
jumping a disabled
battery ................... 141
maintenance-free .. 171
replacement,
specifications ........ 206
servicing ................ 171
voltage gauge .......... 17
Belt minder ............... 83
Brakes .............. 108, 110
anti-lock ......... 108±109
anti-lock brake
system (ABS) warning
light .................. 12, 109
brake warning
light .......................... 13
fluid, checking and
adding .................... 155
fluid, refill
capacities ............... 206
fluid,
specifications 208±209
lubricant
specifications 208±209
parking .................. 110
shift interlock ........ 113
Break-in period ........... 3
Index
228

fuel pump shut-off
switch .................... 130
gauge ....................... 14
improving fuel
economy ................ 186
low fuel warning
light .......................... 11
octane
rating ..... 184, 209±210
quality .................... 184
running out of
fuel ......................... 185
safety information
relating to automotive
fuels ....................... 180
Fuses ................ 131±132
G
Gas cap (see
Fuel cap) ........... 11, 182
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ................. 186
Gauges ....................... 14
battery voltage
gauge ....................... 17
engine coolant
temperature
gauge ....................... 15
engine oil pressure
gauge ....................... 17
fuel gauge ................ 14
odometer ................. 16
speedometer ........... 15
tachometer .............. 16
trip odometer .......... 17
GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating) ........ 122
definition ............... 122driving with a heavy
load ........................ 122
location .................. 122
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ........ 122
calculating ............. 122
definition ............... 122
driving with a heavy
load ........................ 122
location .................. 122
H
Hazard flashers ....... 130
Head restraints ......... 73
Headlamps ................. 18
aiming .................... 198
bulb specifications 197
daytime running
lights ........................ 18
flash to pass ............ 51
high beam ........... 8, 18
replacing bulbs ..... 193
turning on and off .. 18
warning chime ........ 13
Heating ...................... 20
heating and air
conditioning
system ..................... 20
Hood ........................ 149
I
Ignition ....... 52, 209±210
removing the key .. 122
Infant seats (see Safety
seats) ......................... 95
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ............ 191
Index
231