ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park) (automatic transmission) or 1 (First) (manual transmission).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
²2.3L I4 engine
Maintenance and Specifications
236
²4.0L SOHC V6 engine
²Oil levels above the MAX mark may cause engine damage. Some oil
must be removed from the engine by a service technician.
7. Put the indicator back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
MAX mark or the letter F in FULL on the engine oil level indicator
(dipstick).
4. Install the indicator and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
until three clicks can be heard.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level indicator and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Maintenance and Specifications
239
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............224
exterior ....................................228
instrument cluster lens ..........227
instrument panel ....................227
interior .....................................227
plastic parts ............................226
safety belts ..............................228
washing ....................................222
waxing .....................................222
wheels ......................................223
windows ..................................227
wiper blades ............................226
Clock ....................21, 28, 41, 50, 64
Clutch
fluid ..........................................261
operation while driving ..........157
recommended shift speeds ....159
Console ........................................92
Coolant
checking and adding ..............243
refill capacities ................248, 271
specifications ..................274, 276
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................87
Customer Assistance ................187
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .............................229, 280
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................214
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................218
Getting roadside assistance ...187
Getting the service you
need .........................................212
Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................219
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................215Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................218
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................73
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................261
engine oil .................................236
Doors
door ajar warning .....................13
lubricant specifications ..........274
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................265
Driving under special
conditions ..........................166, 169
sand .........................................167
snow and ice ...........................170
through water .................168, 173
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................206
Emission control system ..........257
Engine ................................276±277
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
cleaning ...................................224
coolant .....................................243
idle speed control ...................241
lubrication
specifications ..................274, 276
refill capacities ........................271
service points ..................232±234
starting after a collision .........188
Index
284
Engine block heater .................147
Engine oil ..................................236
checking and adding ..............236
dipstick ....................................236
filter, specifications ........240, 270
recommendations ...................240
refill capacities ........................271
specifications ..................274, 276
Exhaust fumes ..........................148
F
Fluid capacities .........................271
Foglamps .....................................73
Four-Wheel Drive
vehicles ................................14, 162
description ..............................162
driving off road .......................164
electronic shift ........................162
indicator light .........................162
lever operated shift ................160
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................152
Fuel ............................................249
calculating fuel economy .......254
cap .....................................12, 251
capacity ...................................271
choosing the right fuel ...........252
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................257
detergent in fuel .....................253
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................249, 251, 254
filter, specifications ........253, 270
fuel pump shut-off switch .....188
gauge .........................................16
improving fuel economy ........254
octane rating ...........252, 276±277
quality ......................................252
running out of fuel .................253safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................249
Fuses ..................................190±191
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......12, 251
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................254
Gauges .........................................15
battery voltage gauge ...............16
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................15
engine oil pressure gauge ........16
fuel gauge ..................................16
odometer ...................................17
speedometer .............................17
tachometer ................................17
trip odometer ............................17
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................173
calculating ...............................175
definition .................................173
driving with a heavy load ......173
location ....................................173
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................173
calculating .......................173, 175
definition .................................173
driving with a heavy load ......173
location ....................................173
H
Hazard flashers .........................188
Headlamps ...................................73
aiming ........................................74
bulb specifications ....................76
daytime running lights .............73
Index
285
M
Manual transmission .................157
fluid capacities ........................271
lubricant specifications ..........276
reverse .....................................159
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) .......87
Motorcraft parts ................253, 270
O
Octane rating ............................252
Odometer .....................................17
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................236
Overdrive .....................................91
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ..............................103
Parking brake ............................150
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....270
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................194
Power door locks ......................100
Power steering ..........................151
fluid, checking and adding ....259
fluid, refill capacity ................271
fluid, specifications .........274, 276
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................152
R
Radio ................................18, 43, 52
Relays ........................................190Remote entry system .......101, 103
illuminated entry ....................105
locking/unlocking
doors ................................100, 102
panic alarm .............................103
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................104
replacing the batteries ...........103
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................14, 111±115
Safety defects, reporting ..........221
Safety restraints ................111±115
belt minder .............................119
cleaning the safety
belts .................................122, 228
extension assembly ................118
for adults .........................112±114
for children .............................133
lap belt ....................................117
warning light and
chime ...........................12, 14, 118
Safety seats for children ..........134
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............111
Seats ..........................................109
child safety seats ....................134
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ...............106, 108
Servicing your vehicle ..............230
Snowplowing .................................7
Spark plugs,
specifications .............270, 276±277
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................6
Index
287