2001 FORD RANGER checking oil

ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park) (automatic transmission) or 1 (First) (manual transmission).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
²2.3L I4 engine
Maintenance and care
189

²4.0L SOHC V6 engine
²Oil levels above the MAX mark may cause engine damage. Some oil
must be removed from the engine by a service technician.
7. Put the indicator back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
MAX mark or the letter F in FULL on the engine oil level indicator
(dipstick).
4. Install the indicator and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
until three clicks can be heard.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level indicator and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Maintenance and care
192

SAE 5W-30 engine oil is recommended.
Only use oils ªCertified For Gasoline Enginesº by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). Use Motorcraft (Part: XO±5W30±QSP in U.S.)
or an equivalent oil meeting Ford Specification WSS-M2C153±G.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, oil treatments or engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could, under certain conditions,
lead to engine damage which is not covered by your warranty.
Change your engine oil according to the appropriate schedule listed in
the scheduled maintenance guide.
Engine Oil Filter Recommendation
Change your engine oil filter according to the appropriate schedule listed
in the scheduled maintenance guide. Ford production and aftermarket
(Motorcraft) oil filters are designed for added engine protection and long
life. If a replacement oil filter is used that does not meet Ford Material
and design specifications, start-up engine noises or knock may be
experienced.
It is recommended you use the appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford specifications) for your engine.
BRAKE FLUID
Checking and adding brake fluid
Brake fluid should be checked and
refilled as needed. Refer to the
scheduled maintenance guide for
the service interval schedules.
1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt or water
from entering the reservoir.
Maintenance and care
194

Note:Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling system
components.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance guide. The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and water, which
equates to a freeze point of -36É C (-34É F). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014±R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the ªcold fullº of ªcold fill rangeº level in the
coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions
in theAdding Engine Coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50±50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
²Freeze protection down to -36É C (-34É F).
²Boiling protection up to 129É C (265É F).
²Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
²Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
²2.3L engines
Maintenance and care
197

Cleaning your vehicle ...............234
engine compartment ..............236
exterior ....................234±235, 239
exterior lamps .........................238
instrument cluster lens ..........238
instrument panel ....................238
interior .....................................239
mirrors .....................................239
plastic parts ............................237
safety belts ..............................239
washing ....................................234
waxing .....................................234
wheels ......................................235
windows ..................................239
wiper blades ............................238
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............22
Clock ..........................32, 39, 48, 62
Clutch
fluid ..........................................195
operation while driving ..........136
recommended shift speeds ....137
Console ........................................73
Coolant
checking and adding ..............197
refill capacities ................201, 240
specifications ..................243, 245
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................65
Customer Assistance ................158
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................256
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................249
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............255
Getting roadside assistance ...158
Getting the service
you need .................................249Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................260
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................252
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................255
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................20
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................203
engine oil .................................189
Doors
door ajar warning .....................14
lubricant specifications ..........243
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................207
Driving under special
conditions ..........................142±143
mud ..........................................142
sand .........................................142
snow and ice ...........................143
through water .................142, 144
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................178
Emission control system ..........225
Engine ................................245±246
check engine/service
engine soon light ......................10
cleaning ...................................236
coolant .....................................197
idle speed control ...................207
Index
264

lubrication specifications ......243,
245
refill capacities ........................240
service points ..................186±188
starting after a collision .........159
Engine block heater .................126
Engine oil ..................................189
checking and adding ..............189
dipstick ....................................189
filter, specifications ........193, 240
recommendations ...................193
refill capacities ........................240
specifications ..................243, 245
Exhaust fumes ..........................127
F
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....215
Fluid capacities .........................240
Foglamps .....................................20
Four-Wheel Drive
vehicles ................................14, 138
control trac ...............................27
description ..............................139
driving off road .......................141
electronic shift ..................27, 139
indicator light .........................139
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................131
Fuel ............................................215
calculating fuel economy .......222
cap .....................................11, 218
capacity ...................................240
choosing the right fuel ...........219
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................225
detergent in fuel .....................221
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................215, 218, 222filter, specifications ........221, 240
fuel pump shut-off switch .....159
gauge .........................................16
improving fuel economy ........222
octane rating ...........219, 245±246
quality ......................................220
running out of fuel .................221
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................215
Fuses ..................................161±162
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......11, 218
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................222
Gauges .........................................16
battery voltage gauge ...............19
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................17
engine oil pressure gauge ........19
fuel gauge ..................................16
odometer ...................................18
speedometer .............................18
tachometer ................................17
trip odometer ............................18
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................144
calculating ...............................146
definition .................................144
driving with a heavy load ......144
location ....................................144
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................144
calculating .......................144, 146
definition .................................144
driving with a heavy load ......144
location ....................................144
Index
265

trailer towing ..........................144
Loading instructions .................146
Lubricant specifications ...243, 245
Lumbar support, seats ...............90
M
Manual transmission .................136
fluid capacities ........................240
lubricant specifications ..........245
reverse .....................................138
Mirrors
cleaning ...................................239
side view mirrors (power) .......73
Moon roof ....................................64
Motorcraft parts ................221, 240
O
Octane rating ............................219
Odometer .....................................18
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................189
Overdrive .....................................69
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................83
Parking brake ............................129
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....240
Power distribution box (see
Fuses) ........................................165
Power door locks ........................73
Power steering ..........................130
fluid, checking and adding ....202
fluid, refill capacity ................240fluid, specifications .........243, 245
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................131
R
Radio ............................................29
Relays ........................................161
Remote entry system ...........81, 83
illuminated entry ......................85
locking/unlocking doors ...........82
panic alarm ...............................83
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................84
replacing the batteries .............83
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ........................15, 91±96
Safety defects, reporting ..........262
Safety restraints ....................91±96
belt minder ...............................99
cleaning the safety
belts .................................102, 239
extension assembly ..................98
for adults .............................92±95
for children .....................112±113
lap belt ......................................97
warning light and
chime .............................12, 15, 98
Safety seats for children ..........114
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................91
Seats ............................................89
child safety seats ....................114
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ....................................85±87
Index
267