
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
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.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about 30
minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface. The normal
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
Maintenance and specifications
252

DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND SLIP YOKE
Your vehicle may be equipped with universal joints that require
lubrication. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for maintenance
intervals. If the original universal joints are replaced with universal joints
equipped with grease fittings, lubrication will also be necessary.
AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for changing the air filter element.
When changing the air filter element, use only the Motorcraft air filter
element listed. Refer toMotorcraft Part Numbers.
Note:Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do not
remove it while the engine is running.
Changing the air filter element
1. Loosen the clamp that secures
the air inlet tube to the engine air
filter cover and disconnect the tube
from the cover.
2. Loosen the clamp that secures
the air filter cover to the air filter
housing and carefully separate the
cover from housing.
Maintenance and specifications
254

E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................202
Emission control system ..........248
Engine ................................265±266
check engine/
service engine soon light .........10
cleaning ...................................219
coolant .....................................234
fail-safe coolant ......................238
idle speed control ...................231
lubrication
specifications ..................263, 265
refill capacities ........................260
service points ..........................227
starting after a collision .........187
Engine block heater .................153
Engine oil ..................................228
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................228
checking and adding ..............228
dipstick ....................................228
filter, specifications ........230, 259
recommendations ...................230
refill capacities ........................260
specifications ..................263, 265
Exhaust fumes ..........................154
F
Fail safe cooling ........................238
Floor mats ...................................93
Fluid capacities .........................260
Foglamps .....................................59
Four-Wheel Drive
vehicles ................................14, 167
control trac .............................167description ..............................167
driving off road .......................169
electronic shift ........................168
indicator light ...........................14
preparing to
drive your vehicle ...................160
Fuel ............................................240
calculating fuel economy .......245
cap ...........................................242
capacity ...................................260
choosing the right fuel ...........243
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................248
detergent in fuel .....................244
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................240, 242, 245
filter, specifications ........244, 259
fuel pump shut-off switch .....187
gauge .........................................16
improving fuel economy ........245
low fuel warning light ..............12
octane rating ...........243, 265±266
quality ......................................243
running out of fuel .................244
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................240
Fuses ..................................189±190
G
Garage door opener ..............72, 86
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............242
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................245
Gauges .........................................14
battery voltage gauge ...............16
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................15
engine oil pressure gauge ........15
fuel gauge ..................................16
Index
275

odometer ...................................17
speedometer .............................16
tachometer ................................17
trip odometer ............................17
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....177
calculating ...............................179
definition .................................177
driving with a heavy load ......177
location ....................................177
GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) .............177
calculating .......................177, 179
definition .................................177
driving with a heavy load ......177
location ....................................177
H
Hazard flashers .........................187
Head restraints .................108, 113
Headlamps ...................................59
aiming ........................................61
autolamp system .......................59
bulb specifications ....................63
daytime running lights .............60
flash to pass ..............................60
high beam ...........................13, 60
replacing bulbs .........................64
turning on and off ....................59
warning chime ..........................14
Heating ........................................50
heating and
air conditioning system ............47
HomeLink universal
transceiver (see
Garage door opener) ............86±89
Hood ..........................................226I
Ignition .......................150, 265±266
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................141
Inspection/
maintenance (I/M) testing .......249
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................221
cluster ................................10, 222
lighting up
panel and interior .....................60
J
Jack ............................................196
positioning ...............................196
storage .....................................196
Jump-starting your vehicle ......202
K
Keyless entry system
autolock ...................................101
locking and unlocking doors ..103
programming entry code .......102
Keys ...................................104±106
key in ignition chime ...............14
positions of the ignition .........150
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................59
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................63
cargo lamps ...............................60
daytime running light ...............60
fog lamps ...................................59
headlamps .................................59
Index
276

Preparing to drive
your vehicle ...............................160
R
Rear window defroster ...............58
Relays ................................189, 196
Remote entry system ...........96, 98
illuminated entry ....................100
locking/unlocking doors .....95±97
panic alarm ...............................98
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................99
replacing the batteries .............98
Reverse sensing system ...........165
Roof rack .....................................94
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ............14, 120±124, 126
Safety defects, reporting ..........217
Safety restraints ................120±126
belt minder .............................128
cleaning the
safety belts ......................131, 223
extension assembly ................131
for adults .........................121±124
for children .............................140
lap belt ....................................126
warning light
and chime ............11, 14, 127±128
Safety seats for children ..........141
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............120
Seats ..........................................108
child safety seats ....................141
cleaning ...................................222memory seat ...................100, 112
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ...............104±106
Servicing your vehicle ..............225
Snowplowing .................................7
Spark plugs,
specifications .............259, 265±266
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................263, 265
Speed control ..............................83
Speedometer ...............................16
Starting
your vehicle ...............150±151, 153
jump starting ..........................202
Steering
speed sensitive .......................158
Steering wheel
controls ................................71, 83
tilting .........................................71
T
Tachometer .................................17
Tires ...........................196, 255±257
changing ..........................196, 198
checking the pressure ............257
replacing ..................................258
rotating ....................................257
snow tires and chains ............259
tire grades ...............................256
treadwear ................................256
Towing .......................................180
recreational towing .................185
trailer towing ..........................180
Index
278