Page 172 of 240

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
Page 228 of 240

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
Page 233 of 240

M
Manual
transmission ............ 119
fluid capacities ...... 206
lubricant
specifications ........ 209
reverse ................... 121
Mirrors
cleaning ................. 201
side view mirrors
(power) ................... 58
Motorcraft
parts ................. 185, 206
O
Octane rating .......... 184
Odometer ................... 16
Oil (see Engine
oil) ............................ 151
Overdrive ........... 58, 115
P
Panic alarm feature,
remote entry
system ........................ 65
Parking brake .......... 110
Parts (see Motorcraft
parts) ....................... 206
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ............. 135
Power door locks ...... 57
Power steering ........ 113
fluid, checking and
adding .................... 166fluid, refill
capacity ................. 206
fluid,
specifications 208±209
R
Radio .......................... 24
Relays ...................... 131
Remote entry
system .................. 64±65
illuminated entry .... 66
locking/unlocking
doors .................. 64±65
opening the trunk ... 65
panic alarm ............. 65
replacement/additional
transmitters ............. 66
replacing the
batteries .................. 67
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ........... 13, 76,
78±81
Safety defects,
reporting .................. 227
Safety restraints ........ 76
, 78±81
belt minder ............. 83
cleaning the safety
belts ................. 87, 204
extension
assembly .................. 82
for adults ........... 78±81
for children ....... 93±94
warning light and
chime ....... 9, 13, 82±83
Index
233