It is recommended you use the appropriate
Motorcraft oil filter (or another brand meeting Ford
specifications) for your engine application.
BATTERY
Your vehicle is
equipped with a
Motorcraft
maintenance-free
battery which normally
does not require
additional water during
its life of service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature
climates, check the battery electrolyte level. Refer to
the scheduled maintenance guide for the service
interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the
ªlevel indicatorº. Do not overfill the battery
cells.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can
add plain tap water to the battery, as long as you do
not use hard water (water with a high mineral or
alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill
the battery cells with distilled water. If the battery
needs water often, have the charging system
checked.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it
is reinstalled after the battery has been
cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of
the battery clean and dry. Also, make certain the
battery cables are always tightly fastened to the
battery terminals.
Maintenance and Specifications
210
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals,
remove the cables from the terminals and clean with
a wire brush. You can neutralize the acid with a
solution of baking soda and water.
Batteries normally produce explosive gases
which can cause personal injury. Therefore,
do not allow flames, sparks or lighted substances
to come near the battery. When working near the
battery, always shield your face and protect your
eyes. Always provide proper ventilation.
When lifting a plastic-cased battery,
excessive pressure on the end walls could
cause acid to flow through the vent caps, resulting
in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or
battery. Lift the battery with a battery carrier or
with your hands on opposite corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid. Avoid contact
with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes when
working near the battery to protect against
possible splashing of acid solution. In case of acid
contact with skin or eyes, flush immediately with
water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get
prompt medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call
a physician immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle's engine is electronically
controlled by a computer, some control conditions
are maintained by power from the battery. When the
battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed,
the engine must relearn its idle and fuel trim
strategy for optimum driveability and performance.
Maintenance and Specifications
211
To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the
parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or the neutral position (manual
transmission), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for
at least one minute.
6. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning
process.
²The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km
(10 miles) or more to relearn the idle and fuel
trim strategy.
²If you do not allow the engine to relearn its
idle trim, the idle quality of your vehicle may
be adversely affected until the idle trim is
eventually relearned.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery
installed, the transmission must relearn its adaptive
strategy. As a result of this, the transmission may
shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the
transmission. Over time the adaptive learning
process will fully update transmission operation to
its optimum shift feel.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new
battery has been installed, the clock and the preset
radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
Maintenance and Specifications
212
²Always dispose of
automotive batteries
in a responsible
manner. Follow your
local authorized
standards for
disposal. Call your
local authorized
recycling center to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should
be checked at the mileage intervals 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 gages to function properly
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and Specifications
213
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
²Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or
bang against your vehicle, stop and re-tighten the
chains. If this does not work, remove the chains
to prevent damage to your vehicle.
²If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
²Remove the tire chains when they are no longer
needed. Do not use tire chains on dry roads.
²The suspension insulation and bumpers will help
prevent vehicle damage. Do not remove these
components from your vehicle when using snow
tires and chains.
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.8L OHV V6
engine4.6L SOHC V8
engine
Air filter element FA-1611 FA-1634
Fuel filter FG-986 FG-986B
Battery BXT-59 BXT-59
Oil filter FL-400S FL-820S
PCV valve EV-152 EV-98
Spark plugs* AWSF-42EE** AWSF-32P
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information
(VECI) decal for spark plug gap information.
**If a spark plug is removed for inspection, it must
be reinstalled in the same cylinder. If a spark plug
needs to be replaced, use only spark plugs with the
same service part number suffix letter as shown on
the engine decal.
Maintenance and Specifications
246
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
low fuel warning
light .......................... 13
octane rating.. 225, 251
quality .................... 226
running out of fuel 226
safety information
relating to automotive
fuels ....................... 221
Fuses ................ 165±166
G
Gas cap
(see Fuel cap) ... 13, 224
Gas mileage (see
Fuel economy) ........ 227
Gauges ....................... 16
battery voltage
gauge ....................... 17
engine coolant
temperature gauge... 16
engine oil pressure
gauge ....................... 17
fuel gauge ................ 18
odometer ................. 18
speedometer ........... 18
tachometer .............. 19
trip odometer .......... 19
GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating) ........ 158
definition ............... 158
driving with a
heavy load ............. 158
location .................. 158
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ........ 158
calculating ............. 158
definition ............... 158
driving with a
heavy load ............. 158
location .................. 158H
Hazard flashers ....... 163
Head restraints ....... 104
Headlamps ................. 71
aiming ...................... 73
bulb specifications .. 75
daytime running
lights ........................ 71
flash to pass ............ 72
high beam ......... 10, 72
replacing bulbs ....... 76
turning on and off .. 71
warning chime ........ 15
Heating
heating and air
conditioning
system ..................... 67
Hood ........................ 203
I
Ignition ............. 136, 251
removing the key .. 157
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) ... 128
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ............ 233
Instrument panel
cleaning ................. 197
cluster .............. 10, 198
lighting up panel
and interior ............. 72
J
Jack .......................... 170
positioning ............. 170
storage ................... 170
Jump-starting your
vehicle ...................... 174
Index
261