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5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops.
If the ªCheck Fuel Capº
indicator comes on or if ªService Engine
Soon/Check Engineº indicator comes on and stays on when you start the
engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly installed. Turn off the
engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap properly and reinstall it.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford or Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible
personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based compounds containing MMT.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
ªRegularº unleaded gasoline with
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend the use of
gasolines labeled as ªRegularº that
are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and Specifications
274
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Many of the world's automakers
issued the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline
specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control
system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-wide
Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier
about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter. In Canada,
look for fuels that display theAuto Makers' Choiceylogo.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated ªcleaner-burningº gasolines to
improve air quality.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
affect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
²You may need to cycle the ignition from OFF to ON several times after
refueling, to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
²Your ªService Engine Soonº indicator may come on. For more
information on the ªService Engine Soonº indicator, refer to the
Instrument Clusterchapter.
Fuel Filter
For fuel filter replacement, see your dealer or a qualified service
technician. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate
intervals for changing the fuel filter.
Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.
Maintenance and Specifications
276
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ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fillups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1 600 km (1 000 miles)
of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 3 000 km±5 000 km (2 000 miles-3 000 miles).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill capacities
section of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
²Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
²Use the same filling rate setting (low Ð medium Ð high) each time
the tank is filled.
²Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
²Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
²Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
²Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
²Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Maintenance and Specifications
277
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E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................226
Emission control system ..........280
Engine ................................301±302
check engine/service
engine soon light ......................11
cleaning ...................................244
coolant .....................................265
fail-safe coolant ......................270
idle speed control ...................263
lubrication
specifications ..................299, 301
refill capacities ........................295
service points ..................255±257
starting after a collision .........211
Engine block heater .................169
Engine oil ..................................258
checking and adding ..............258
dipstick ....................................258
filter, specifications ........262, 294
recommendations ...................262
refill capacities ........................295
specifications ..................299, 301
Exhaust fumes ..........................169
F
Fail safe cooling ........................270
Floor mats ...................................97
Fluid capacities .........................295
Foglamps .....................................65
Four-Wheel Drive
vehicles ................................15, 184
description ..............................187
driving off road .......................188
electronic shift ........................187indicator light ...................15, 185
lever operated shift ................185
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................174
Fuel ............................................271
calculating fuel economy .......277
cap .....................................12, 273
capacity ...................................295
choosing the right fuel ...........274
comparisons with EPA
fuel economy estimates .........280
detergent in fuel .....................276
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................271, 273, 277
filter, specifications ........276, 294
fuel pump shut-off switch .....211
gauge .........................................18
improving fuel economy ........277
low fuel warning light ..............13
octane rating ...274±275, 301±302
quality ......................................275
running out of fuel .................276
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................271
Fuses ..................................213±214
G
Garage door opener ..............79, 93
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......12, 273
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................277
Gauges .........................................16
battery voltage gauge ...............18
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................17
engine oil pressure gauge ........17
fuel gauge ..................................18
odometer ...................................19
speedometer .............................18
Index
315