Page 140 of 240

To lessen the risk of personal injury, do not
put any part of your body under the vehicle
while changing a tire. Do not start the engine
when your vehicle is on the jack. The jack is only
meant for changing the tire.
6. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
7.
Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making
sure the valve stem is facing outward. Reinstall lug
nuts until the wheel is snug against the hub. Do not
fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been
lowered.
If you are using the temporary tire, the lug nut
washers will not appear to be flush with the rim. This
is normal only when using the temporary spare tire.
8. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise.
9. Remove the jack and
fully tighten the lug
nuts in the order
shown.
10. Put flat tire, jack
and lug wrench away.
Make sure jack is
fastened so it does not rattle when you drive.
11. Unblock the wheels.
Anti-theft lug nuts (if equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with this feature, one of
the lug nuts on each wheel must be removed and
replaced with a special key. The key and registration
card are attached to the lug wrench and stored with
the spare tire. If you lose the key, send the
registration card to the manufacturer (not the dealer)
to get a replacement key. If the lug wrench/lug nut
key assembly is lost, see your nearest Ford or
Lincoln/Mercury dealer who has access to the master
set of keys.Do not use an impact wrench with
the anti-theft key.
1
4 3
2 5
Roadside emergencies
140
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 148 of 240

2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
²Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Depress the clutch and place the gearshift in 1
(First).
3. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
4. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
²Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Do not start your engine with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it while the
engine is running.
²Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake, depress the clutch and
place the gearshift in neutral.
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Do not start your engine with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it while the
engine is running.
The cooling fan is automatic and may come
on at any time. Always disconnect the
negative terminal of the battery before working
near the fan.
Maintenance and care
148
Page 166 of 240

²refer to the chart on the coolant container
to ensure the coolant concentration in your
vehicle will provide adequate protection at
the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates
should use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and
distilled water for optimum cooling system and
engine protection.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING
FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the
scheduled maintenance guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use only
MERCONtAT F.
If your vehicle is
equipped with the
3.8L V6 engine,check
the power steering
fluid level with the
engine at normal
operating temperature.
1. Start the engine and
let it run until it
reaches normal
operating temperature
(the engine coolant
temperature gauge
indicator will be near
the center of the
normal area between H
and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel
left and right several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick. It should be
within the FULL HOT range. Do not add fluid if the
level is within this range.
FILL
HOT
Maintenance and care
166
Page 167 of 240

5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts,
continuously checking the level until it reaches the
correct operating range. Be sure to put the cap back
on the reservoir.
If your vehicle is
equipped with a 4.6L
V8 engine,check the
power steering fluid
level with the engine at
ambient temperature.
Allow at least one-half
hour after driving for
the power steering
fluid to cool.
1.
Start the engine and
allow the engine to idle.
2. Turn the steering
wheel left and right
several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be
between the MIN and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if
the level is within this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts,
continuously checking the level until it reaches the
correct operating range. Be sure to put the cap back
on the reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
(if equipped)
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
scheduled intervals for fluid checks and changes.
Your transmission does not consume fluid. However,
the fluid level should be checked if the transmission
is not working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips
or shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid
leakage.MAXMIN
Maintenance and care
167
Page 176 of 240

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
Page 179 of 240

Failure to follow these precautions may
adversely affect the handling of the vehicle
and make it easier for the driver to lose control
and roll over.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's
original tires may also affect the accuracy of your
speedometer.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Driving too fast for conditions creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control. Driving
at very high speeds for extended periods of time
may result in damage to vehicle components.
Snow tires must be the same size and grade
as the tires you currently have on your
vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to
provide traction in rain and snow. However, in some
climates, you may need to use snow tires and chains.
Use chains on the tires only in an emergency or if the
law requires them.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and
chains:
²Chains may damage aluminum wheels.
²Use only Cable Type chains with size P225/55R16
or 245/45ZR17 tires. Use of SAE Class S chains
may damage your vehicle.
²SAE Class S chains may be used on P205/65R15
tires.
²Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do
not touch any wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
²Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or
bang against your vehicle, stop and re-tighten the
chains. If this does not work, remove the chains
to prevent damage to your vehicle.
Maintenance and care
179
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