
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Child Safety Door
Lock/Unlock
Interior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check fuel capLow tire warning
Introduction
9 

STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to help steer the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
²Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left
for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
²Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, the condition could be caused by any of
the following:
²underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
²uneven vehicle loading
²high crown in center of road
²high crosswinds
²wheels out of alignment
²loose or worn suspension components
Speed sensitive steering
The steering in your vehicle is speed sensitive. At high speeds, steering
assist will decrease to improve steering feel. At lower speeds,
maneuverability will be increased.
SeeElectronic Message Centerin theDriver controlschapter for
personalized adjustment.
If the amount of effort required to steer your vehicle changes at a
constant vehicle speed, have the power steering system checked by your
dealer or a qualified service technician.
TRACTION CONTROLY
Traction Controlyhelps maintain the stability and steerability of your
vehicle. It is especially useful on slippery and/or hilly road surfaces. The
system operates by detecting and controlling wheel spin. The system
borrows many of the electronic and mechanical elements already present
in the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Driving
141 

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
4.6L DOHC V8 engine
1. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
2. Brake fluid reservoir
3. Battery
4. Air filter assembly
5. Engine oil dipstick
6. Engine oil filler cap
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
9. Engine coolant reservoir
10. Cabin air filter
910
5
213
4678
Maintenance and Specifications
193 

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
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. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir. It should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.
Maintenance and Specifications
214 

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONt
AT FAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Fuel tank N/A All 75.7L (20.0
gallons)
Automatic
transaxle
3Motorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FAll 13.0L (13.7
quarts)
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 3.4L (3.6 quarts)
1Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
2Use 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.
3Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. MERCONtand
MERCONtV are not interchangeable. DO NOT MIX MERCONtand
MERCONtV. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide to determine
the correct service interval.
Maintenance and Specifications
225 

ItemFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateC9AZ-19550-AC ESR-M17P5-A
1Use only brake fluids certified to meet Ford specifications. DOT 3 fluid
is recommended. However, if DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be
used.
ENGINE DATA
Engine 4.6L DOHC V8 engine
Cubic inches 281
Recommended fuel 91 octane
Firing order 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark plug gap 1.3-1.4 mm (0.052-0.056 inch)
Ignition system Coil on plug
Compression ratio 9.8:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle dimensions mm (in)
(1) Overall length 5 294.7 (208.4)
(2) Overall width 1 870.3 (73.6)
(3) Overall height 1 421.9 (55.9)
(4) Wheelbase 2 769.8 (109.0)
(5) Track - Front 1 600.2 (63.0)
(5) Track - Rear 1 562.1 (61.5)
Maintenance and Specifications
227 

plastic parts ....................186±187
safety belts ..............................189
washing ....................................184
waxing .....................................184
wheels ......................................185
windows ..................................189
wiper blades ............................187
Clock ............................................55
Compass, electronic ....................60
calibration .................................62
set zone adjustment .................61
Console ........................................56
Controls
power seat ...............................103
steering column ........................67
Coolant
checking and adding ..............199
refill capacities ................203, 224
specifications ..................226±227
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................63
Customer Assistance ................154
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................190
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................176
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................180
Getting roadside assistance ...154
Getting the service you
need .........................................174
Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................181
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................177
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................180D
Daytime running lamps (see
Lamps) .........................................40
Defrost
rear window ..............................39
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................216
engine oil .................................194
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........226
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................148
E
Electronic message center .........76
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................167
Emission control system ..........212
Engine ........................................227
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
cleaning ...................................186
coolant .....................................199
idle speed control ...................197
lubrication
specifications ..................226±227
refill capacities ........................224
service points ..........................193
starting after a collision .........155
Engine block heater .................136
Engine oil ..................................194
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................194
checking and adding ..............194
Index
235 

system check button ................78
warning messages .....................79
Mirrors .........................................55
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................59
heated ........................................59
programmable memory ............93
side view mirrors (power) .......58
Moon roof ....................................68
Motorcraft parts ................209, 224
O
Octane rating ............................207
Odometer .....................................15
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................194
Overdrive ...................................144
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................91
Parking brake ............................139
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....224
Power distribution box (see
Fuses) ........................................162
Power door locks ........................87
Power steering ..........................141
fluid, checking and adding ....214
fluid, refill capacity ................224
fluid, specifications .........226±227
R
Rear window defroster ...............39
Relays ................................156, 163
Remote entry system ...........90±91illuminated entry ......................93
locking/unlocking doors .....90±91
opening the trunk .....................91
panic alarm ...............................91
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................93
replacing the batteries .............92
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................13, 106±110
Safety defects, reporting ..........183
Safety restraints ................106±110
belt minder .............................112
cleaning the safety
belts .................................116, 189
extension assembly ................111
for adults .........................107±109
for children .............................125
lap belt ....................................110
warning light and
chime ................... 12±13, 111±112
Safety seats for children ..........126
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................................106
Seats ..........................................103
child safety seats ....................126
cleaning ...................................188
easy access/easyout feature ..106
heated ......................................105
memory seat .............................93
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ............................97±98, 100
Servicing your vehicle ..............191
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................224, 227
Index
238