
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with either green-colored
Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant meeting Ford specification
ESE-M97B44±A or yellow-colored Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine
Coolant meeting Ford Specification WSS-M97B51±A1. To determine your
vehicle's coolant type (color), check your coolant reservoir.
²Add Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant (green-colored),
VC-4±A (U.S.) or CXC-10 (Canada) or Motorcraft Premium
Gold Engine Coolant (yellow-colored), VC-7±A (VC-7±B in
Oregon), depending on the type of coolant originally equipped
in your vehicle.If you are unsure which type of coolant your vehicle
requires, check your coolant reservoir or contact your local dealer.
Note:Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6,
darkens the color of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from
yellow to golden tan.
²Do not add/mix an orange-colored, extended life coolant such
as Motorcraft Speciality Orange Engine Coolant, VC-2 (US) or
CXC-209 (Canada), meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44±D
with the factory-filled coolant.Mixing Motorcraft Speciality Orange
Engine Coolant or any orange-colored extended life product with your
factory filled coolant can result in degraded corrosion protection.
²A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
²Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
²Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
²Do not mix with recycled coolant unless from a Ford-approved
recycling process (seeUse of Recycled engine coolantsection).
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the ªcold fullº level. For all other vehicles, which have a coolant
Maintenance and Specifications
239

degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to remove the
coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with an overflow
system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (an opaque plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the ªcold fill rangeº or the ªcold fullº level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration see
Checking Engine Coolant section). If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to ±34É F/±36É C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage.
Maintenance and Specifications
240

operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km
(20 miles) of driving.
The transmission fluid should be in
the crosshatch zone if at normal
operating temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC
[150ÉF-170ÉF]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the crosshatch
zone may result in transaxle failure.
An overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or
possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and also in the
Lubricant specificationssection in this chapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transaxle component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 250 ml (1/2 pint) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified
technician.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
Maintenance and Specifications
255

A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................159
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................136±137, 141
and child safety seats ............139
description ......................137, 141
disposal ....................................144
driver air bag ..................139, 142
indicator light ...........12, 141, 143
operation .........................139, 142
passenger air bag ...........139, 142
side air bag ..............................141
Air cleaner filter .......256±257, 262
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................63
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................169
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................237
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................159
Anti-theft system ......................111
arming the system ..................111
disarming a triggered
system .....................................112
warning light .............................14
Audio system (see Radio) ...25, 46
Automatic transaxle .................163
driving with .............................166
fluid, adding ............................254
fluid, checking ........................254
Automatic transmission
fluid, refill capacities ..............262
fluid, specification ..................267Auxiliary power point .................83
Axle
lubricant specifications ..265, 267
refill capacities ........................262
B
Battery .......................................235
acid, treating emergencies .....235
charging system
warning light .............................12
jumping a disabled battery ....200
maintenance-free ....................235
replacement, specifications ...262
servicing ..................................235
BeltMinder .................................132
Brakes ........................................158
anti-lock ...................................159
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .........12, 160
brake warning light ..................11
fluid, checking and adding ....253
fluid, refill capacities ..............262
fluid, specifications .........265, 267
lubricant specifications ..265, 267
parking ....................................160
shift interlock ..........................163
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................73
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....262
Cargo cover .................................91
Cargo net .....................................91
CD-single .....................................18
CD-single premium .....................25
Certification Label ....................269
Index
274

Changing a tire .........................195
Child safety restraints ..............145
child safety belts ....................145
Child safety seats ..............145±146
attaching with tether straps ..150
in front seat ............................147
in rear seat ..............................147
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............219
exterior ....................................224
instrument cluster lens ..........223
instrument panel ....................222
interior .............................223±224
plastic parts ............................221
safety belts ..............................224
washing ....................................218
waxing .....................................218
wheels ......................................219
windows ..................................223
wiper blades ............................222
woodtone trim ........................223
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......62±63
Clock ..........................24, 33, 43, 59
Clutch
fluid ..........................................256
Console ........................................89
overhead ....................................82
Controls
power seat ...............................114
Coolant
checking and adding ..............237
refill capacities ................241, 262
specifications ..................265, 267
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................86
Customer Assistance ................186Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................225
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................210
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............214
Getting roadside assistance ...186
Getting the service
you need .................................208
Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................215
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................211
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................214
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................68
Defrost
rear window ..............................67
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................254
engine oil .................................231
Doors
central unlocking ....................102
door ajar warning .....................13
lubricant specifications ..........265
Driving under special
conditions ..........................172, 174
sand .........................................173
snow and ice ...........................175
through water .................173, 178
Index
275

GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ..........................178
calculating .......................178, 180
definition .................................178
driving with a heavy load ......178
location ....................................178
H
Hazard flashers .........................187
Head restraints .........................115
Headlamps ...................................68
aiming ........................................70
bulb specifications ....................73
daytime running lights .............68
flash to pass ..............................69
high beam ...........................13, 69
replacing bulbs .........................74
turning on and off ....................68
warning chime ..........................15
Heating
heater only system ...................62
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................63
Hood ..........................................227
I
Ignition ...............................154, 267
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .............145±146
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................251
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................222
cluster ................................10, 223
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................69J
Jack ............................................195
positioning ...............................195
storage .....................................195
Jump-starting your vehicle ......200
K
Keys ...................................107±109
key in ignition chime ...............15
positions of the ignition .........154
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................73
cargo lamps ...............................69
daytime running light ...............68
fog lamps ...................................68
headlamps .................................68
headlamps, flash to pass ..........69
instrument panel, dimming .....69
interior lamps ...............71±72, 74
replacing bulbs ...................73±77
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................71
Liftgate ........................................90
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
air bag ........................................12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....12, 160
anti-theft ...................................14
brake ..........................................11
charging system ........................12
cruise indicator .........................13
door ajar ....................................13
fuel cap light .............................14
high beam .................................13
low coolant ................................14
Index
277