²Do not mix with recycled coolant unless from a Ford-approved
recycling process (seeUse of Recycled Engine Coolantsection).
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the ªcold fullº level. For all other vehicles, which have a coolant
degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to remove the
coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with an overflow
system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
To avoid personal injury, make sure the engine is cool before
unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The cooling system is
under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out forcefully when the
cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (an opaque plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the ªcold fill rangeº or the ªcold fullº level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration see
Checking Engine Coolant section). If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to ±34É F/±36É C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
Maintenance and Specifications
255
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends the use of a recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved processes in vehicles originally equipped
with Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant (green-colored). However, not
all coolant recycling processes produce coolant that meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44±A. Use of such coolant may harm the engine
and cooling system components.
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community's regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling system can hold, refer
toRefill capacitiesin this chapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this chapter.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than ±36É C [±34É F]):
²It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
²NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
²Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
Maintenance and Specifications
256
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
²It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
²NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
²Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an overfilled tank
may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
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.
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death if misused or
mishandled.
Maintenance and Specifications
257
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.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
²3.8L OHV V6 engine
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
267
REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Brake fluid Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
Fluid
1
All Fill to MAX line
on reservoir
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil3.8L engine 5.44L
(5.75 quarts)
Engine coolant
2Motorcraft
Premium Engine
Coolant
(green-colored)
or
Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)Without rear
heater14.0L
(14.8 quarts)
With rear heater 15.0L
(15.9 quarts)
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Fuel tank N/A All 98.4L
(26.0 gallons)
Automatic
transaxle fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FAll 13.0L
(13.7 quarts)
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll Fill to line on
reservoir
1Use only brake fluids certified to meet Ford specifications. Refer to
Lubricant Specificationsin this chapter. DOT 3 fluid is recommended.
However, if DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be used.
2Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
Maintenance and Specifications
278
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
Item Ford part
nameFord part
numberFord
specification
Brake fluid Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
Fluid
1
PM-1 ESA-M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Door
weatherstripsSilicone
LubricantF7AZ-19G208-BA
and
F5AZ-19553-AAESR-M13P4-A
Engine coolant Motorcraft
Premium Engine
Coolant (green
colored)VC-4±A
(in Canada,
Motorcraft
CXC-10)ESE-M97B44-A
Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow colored)VC-7±A WSS-M97B51-A1
Engine oil Motorcraft SAE
5W20 Super
Premium Motor
OilXO-5W20-QSP WSS-M2C153-H
with API
Certification
Mark
Door latch, hood
latch,auxiliary
hood latch, door
and liftgate
hinges, striker
plates, seat
tracks, sliding
door both sides
(upper and
lower track) and
fuel filler door
hinge.Multi-Purpose
GreaseXG-4or
F5AZ-19G209-AAESR-M1C159-A
Lock cylinders Penetrating and
Lock LubricantMotorcraft XL-1 none
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Maintenance and Specifications
279
A
Accessory delay ..........................87
AdvanceTrac ..............................183
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........155±156, 160
and child safety seats ............157
description ......................156, 160
disposal ....................................162
driver air bag ..................158, 161
indicator light ...................12, 158
operation .........................158, 161
passenger air bag ...........158, 161
side air bag ..............................160
Air cleaner filter .......................277
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................60
Air filter, cabin ............................66
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................252
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................180
Anti-theft system ......................127
arming the system ..................128
disarming a triggered
system .....................................128
warning light .............................14
Audio system (see Radio) .........44
Automatic transaxle .................186
driving with .............................187
fluid, adding ............................269
fluid, checking ........................269
fluid, refill capacities ..............278
fluid, specification ..................280
Auxiliary power point ...........86, 94
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........279B
Battery .......................................249
acid, treating emergencies .....249
charging system
warning light .............................12
jumping a disabled battery ....218
maintenance-free ....................249
replacement,
specifications ..........................277
servicing ..................................249
Belt minder ...............................150
Brakes ........................................179
anti-lock ...................................180
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .........12, 181
brake warning light ..................12
fluid, checking and adding ....268
fluid, refill capacities ..............278
fluid, specifications .........279±280
lubricant
specifications ..................279±280
parking ....................................181
pedals (see Power
adjustable foot pedals) ............90
shift interlock ..........................186
Break-in period .............................6
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....278
Cargo net ...................................111
Cellular telephone (see your
Cellular Phone Guide) ................94
Certification Label ....................282
Child safety restraints ..............163
child safety belts ....................163
Child safety seats ......................164
in front seat ............................165
Index
287
in rear seat ......................165, 167
tether anchorage
hardware .................................168
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............237
exterior ....................................241
instrument cluster lens ..........239
instrument panel ....................239
interior .....................................239
plastic parts ............237±238, 240
safety belts ..............................240
washing ....................................235
waxing .....................................235
wheels ......................................236
windows ..................................240
wiper blades ............................238
woodtone trim ........................238
Clock ..........................22, 31, 37, 48
Compass, electronic ............88, 107
Console ........................................94
overhead ....................................82
Controls
power seat ...............................130
Coolant
checking and adding ..............252
refill capacities ................256, 278
specifications ..................279±280
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................90
Cupholder(s) .............................134
Customer Assistance ................200
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................241
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................227
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............231Getting roadside
assistance ................................200
Getting the service
you need .................................225
Ordering additional
owner's literature ...................232
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................228
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............231
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................67
Defrost
rear window ..............................66
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................269
engine oil .................................246
Doors
door ajar warning .....................14
lubricant specifications ..........279
power sliding ............................83
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................192
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................218
Emission control system ..........265
Engine ................................280±281
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
cleaning ...................................237
coolant .....................................252
Index
288