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3. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
4. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
²Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Note:Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do not
remove it while the engine is running.
²Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake, depress the clutch and place the gearshift in
neutral.
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Note:Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do not
remove it while the engine is running.
The cooling fan is automatic and may come on at any time.
Always disconnect the negative terminal of the battery before
working near the fan.
OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located under the
bottom of the instrument panel near
the steering column.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and
release the auxiliary latch that is
located under the front center of
the hood.
3. Lift the hood and support it with
the prop rod.
Maintenance and Specifications
231
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IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
2.3L I4 engine
1. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2. Engine coolant reservoir
3. Engine oil dipstick
4. Transmission fluid dipstick (automatic transmission)
5. Engine oil filler cap
6. Brake fluid reservoir
7. Power distribution box
8. Clutch fluid reservoir (manual transmission)
9. Battery
10. Power steering fluid reservoir
11. Air filter assembly
Maintenance and Specifications
232
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3.0L V6 engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick (if equipped)
5. Engine oil dipstick
6. Brake fluid reservoir
7. Power distribution box
8. Clutch fluid reservoir (if equipped)
9. Battery
10. Power steering fluid reservoir
11. Air filter assembly
Maintenance and Specifications
233
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4.0L SOHC V6 engine
1. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick (if equipped)
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Engine oil dipstick
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Power distribution box
7. Clutch fluid reservoir (if equipped)
8. Battery
9. Power steering fluid reservoir
10. Air filter assembly
11. Engine coolant reservoir
Maintenance and Specifications
234
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CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONtAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4.If your vehicle is equipped with a 3.0L V6 engine,check the fluid
level on the dipstick. It should be within the FULL HOT range. Do not
add fluid if the level is within this range.
5.If your vehicle is equipped with a 4.0L SOHC V6 or 2.3L I4
engine,check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is within this range.
6. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the FULL HOT range. Be sure to put the
dipstick back in the reservoir.
Maintenance and Specifications
259
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* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
** Two spark plugs per cylinder required (eight total).
*** If any spark plug needs to be removed for inspection, it must be
re-installed in the same cylinder. Cylinders No.1, 2 and 3 have a ªPGº
suffix. Cylinders No. 4, 5 and 6 have a ªPº suffix. If any spark plug needs
to be replaced, use only spark plugs with the service part number suffix
letters ªPPº as shown on the engine decal.
REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)Motorcraft SAE
5W- 20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil2.3L engine 3.8L
(4.0 quarts)
3.0L V6 engine 4.3L
(4.5 quarts)
Motorcraft SAE
5W- 30 Super
Premium Motor
Oil4.0L V6 engine 4.7L
(5.0 quarts)
Brake fluid and
Clutch fluidMotorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Fill to line or
step (for clutch)
on reservoir
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FAll Fill to range on
dipstick or
reservoir
Maintenance and Specifications
271
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ItemFord part
name or
equivalentFord part
numberFord
specification
Engine oil2.3L and 3.0L
engines
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
OilXO-5W20-QSP WSS-M2C153-H
and API
Certification
Mark
4.0L engines
Motorcraft SAE
5W-30 Super
Premium Motor
OilXO-5W30-QSP WSS-M2C205±A
and API
Certification
Mark
Hinges, door
checks, latches,
striker plates,
fuel filler door
hinge and seat
tracksMulti-Purpose
GreaseXG-4 or
F5AZ-19G209-AAESB-M1C159-A
Transmission
/steering/parking
brake linkages
and pivots,
brake and clutch
pedal shaft,
clutch pilot
bearing and.
input shaft
spline (manual
transmission)Motorcraft
Premium
Long-Life GreaseXG-1-C or
XG-1-KESA-M1C75-B
Maintenance and Specifications
275
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ItemFord part
name or
equivalentFord part
numberFord
specification
Power steering
fluid, transfer
case fluid (4X4)
and transmission
fluid (manual)Motorcraft
MERCONtAT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Automatic
transmission
(5R44E and
5R55E)Motorcraft
MERCONtV
AT F
2
XT-5-QM MERCONtV
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateC9AZ-19550-AC ESR-M17P5-A
1Add 118 ml (4 oz.) of Additive Friction Modifier C8AZ-19B546-A or
equivalent meeting Ford specification EST-M2C118±A for complete refill
of Traction-Lok axles.
2Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. MERCONtand MERCONtV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONtand MERCONtV. Refer to your scheduled maintenance
guide to determine the correct service interval.
ENGINE DATA
Engine 2.3L I4 engine 3.0L V6 engine 4.0L V6 engine
Cubic inches 138 182 245
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-3-4-2 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark plug gap1.04-1.19 mm
(0.041-0.047
inch)1.07-1.1 7mm
(0.042-0.046
inch)1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-0.056
inch)
Ignition system EDIS EDIS EDIS
Compression
ratio9.7:19.7:1 9.0:1
Maintenance and Specifications
276