Page 224 of 264

Use the following guidelines to avoid static build-up
when filling an ungrounded fuel container:
²Place approved fuel container on the ground.
²DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the
vehicle (including the cargo area).
²Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the
fuel container while filling.
²DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel
pump handle in the fill position.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with
a 1/8 turn on/off feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8
of a turn until it stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with
the notches on the filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
ªCheck Fuel Capº illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position to ensure your bulb is
working. When this light turns on, check the fuel
filler cap. Continuing to operate the vehicle with the
Check Fuel Cap light on, can activate the Service
Engine Soon warning. When the fuel filler cap is
properly re-installed, the light(s) will turn off after a
period of normal driving.It may take a long
period of time for the system to detect an
improperly installed fuel filler cap.
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
224
Page 233 of 264

Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. By law, vehicle owners and anyone
who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases,
trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are
not permitted to intentionally remove an emission
control device or prevent it from working.
Information about your vehicle's emission system is
on the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal
located on or near the engine. This decal identifies
engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete
emission warranty information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to
pass an I/M test of the on-board diagnostics system.
If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light is
on, refer to the description in theWarning lights
and chimessection of theInstrument Cluster
chapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the on-board diagnostics system
is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº condition. To
ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M
testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city and
highway driving is necessary as described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an
expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go,
city-type traffic with at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours
without starting the engine. Then, start the engine
and complete the above driving cycle. The engine
must warm up to its normal operating temperature.
Once started, do not turn off the engine until the
above driving cycle is complete.
Maintenance and Specifications
233
Page 258 of 264

A
ABS (see Brakes) ... 143
Air bag
supplemental restraint
system .............. 120±121
and child safety
seats ....................... 123
description ............ 121
disposal .................. 126
driver air bag ........ 123
indicator light... 11, 125
operation ............... 123
passenger air bag . 123
Air cleaner filter ..... 246
Air conditioning
manual heating and
air conditioning
system ..................... 67
Antifreeze (see
Engine coolant) ...... 213
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) .... 143±144
Anti-theft system
warning light ........... 11
Audio system
(see Radio) .... 20, 45±46
Automatic
transmission ............ 148
driving an automatic
overdrive ............... 150
fluid, adding .......... 238
fluid, checking ...... 238
fluid, refill
capacities ............... 247
fluid, specification.. 251
Auxiliary power
point ........................... 83Axle
lubricant
specifications. 249, 251
refill capacities ...... 247
traction lok ............ 147
B
Battery ..................... 210
acid, treating
emergencies .......... 210
charging system
warning light ........... 11
jumping a disabled
battery ................... 174
maintenance-free .. 210
replacement,
specifications ........ 246
servicing ................ 210
voltage gauge .......... 17
BeltMinder ............... 114
Brakes .............. 142, 145
anti-lock ......... 143±144
anti-lock brake
system (ABS)
warning light ... 14, 144
brake warning light.. 15
fluid, checking
and adding ............ 235
fluid, refill
capacities ............... 247
fluid,
specifications. 249, 251
lubricant
specifications. 249, 251
parking .................. 142
shift interlock ........ 148
Break-in period ........... 6
Bulbs .......................... 75
Index
258
Page 260 of 264

The Dispute
Settlement Board . 183
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ................. 187
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) .............. 71
Defrost
rear window ............ 70
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ........................ 238
engine oil ............... 206
Doors
lubricant
specifications ........ 249
Driving under special
conditions
through water ....... 158
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ........ 174
Emission control
system ...................... 232
Engine ...................... 251
check engine/service
engine soon light .... 11
cleaning ................. 194
coolant ................... 213
idle speed control.. 210
lubrication
specifications. 249, 251
refill capacities ...... 247
service
points ............. 204±205starting after
a collision .............. 164
Engine block
heater ....................... 140
Engine oil ................ 206
checking and
adding .................... 206
dipstick .................. 206
filter,
specifications. 209, 246
recommendations... 209
refill capacities ...... 247
specifications. 249, 251
Exhaust fumes ........ 140
F
Floor mats ................. 90
Fluid capacities ....... 247
Foglamps ................... 71
Fuel .......................... 221
calculating fuel
economy ................ 227
cap ................... 13, 224
capacity ................. 247
choosing the
right fuel ................ 225
comparisons with EPA
fuel economy
estimates ............... 231
detergent in fuel ... 226
filling your vehicle
with
fuel
......... 221, 224, 227
filter,
specifications. 227, 246
fuel pump shut-off
switch .................... 164
gauge ....................... 18
improving fuel
economy ................ 227
Index
260