Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Ensure that your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal Regulations.
Do not splice or modify the vehicle electrical wiring or lamps for
trailer towing.
Your vehicle uses an advanced electronic module with ground side
switching to control and monitor your vehicle lamps. Splicing into the
wiring or attaching wiring to the vehicle bulbs will DISABLE the rear
vehicle lamps from functioning. Your lamp outage feature will also be
disabled or provide incorrect information.
Your vehicle is ready to install a Trailer Tow module that will provide the
proper communication with the vehicle electrical system so your trailer
lamps will function properly. See your dealer or trailer rental agency for
proper instructions and equipment for hooking up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
²Ensure that you turn off your speed control. The speed control may
shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
²Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
²Shift out of D5 (Overdrive) and into D4 (Drive) or a lower gear when
towing up or down steep hills. This will eliminate excessive
downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel economy and
transmission cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
more information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
Driving
185
²If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do
not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become
less effective.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10% of the loaded trailer weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (ALL WHEELS ON THE GROUND)
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
All Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) vehicles
This applies to all cars and 4x2 trucks/sport utilities with rear wheel
drive capability.
An example of recreational towing is towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome. The following recreational towing guidelines are designed to
ensure that your transmission is not damaged.
²Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
²Maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph).
²Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles).
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of 56 km/h (35 mph) must
be exceeded, you must disconnect the driveshaft. Ford recommends the
driveshaft be removed/installed only by a qualified technician. See your
local dealer for driveshaft removal/installation.
Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft can cause
transmission fluid loss, damage to the driveshaft and internal
transmission components.
Driving
186
GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
To fully assist if you should have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor Company
offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This program is
separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service is available:
²24±hours, seven days a week
²for the Basic warranty period (Canada) or New Vehicle Limited
Warranty period (U.S.) of three years or 60 000 km (36 000 miles),
whichever comes first on Ford and Mercury vehicles, and four years or
80 000 km (50 000 miles) on Lincoln vehicles
Roadside assistance will cover:
²changing a flat tire
²jump-starts
²lock-out assistance
²limited fuel delivery*
²towing of your disabled vehicle to the nearest Ford Motor Company
dealership, or your selling dealer if within 25 kms (15.5 miles) of the
nearest Ford Motor Company dealership (one tow per disablement).
Even non-warranty related tows, like accidents or getting stuck in the
mud or snow, are covered (some exclusions apply, such as impound
towing or repossession).
* Canadian customers refer to yourRoadside Assistance supplement
for exact fuel amounts.
USING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Complete the roadside assistance identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In the United States, this card is found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment in Ford vehicles and is
mailed to you if you own a Mercury or Lincoln. In Canada, the card is
found in the Roadside Assistance book in the glove compartment.
U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicle customers who require roadside assistance,
call 1±800±241±3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1±800±521±4140.
Canadian customers who require roadside assistance, call
1±800±665±2006.
Roadside Emergencies
187
WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member, your roadside assistance center.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company provides a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Roadside Emergencies
209
In some states (in the U.S.) you must directly notify Ford in writing
before pursuing remedies under your state's warranty laws. Ford is also
allowed a final repair attempt in some states.
In the United States, a warranty dispute must be submitted to the
Dispute Settlement Board before taking action under the Magnuson-Moss
Warranty Act, or to the extent allowed by state law, before pursuing
replacement or repurchase remedies provided by certain state laws. This
dispute handling procedure is not required prior to enforcing state
created rights or other rights which are independent of the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state replacement or repurchase laws.
FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP
is an optional service contract which is backed by Ford Motor Company
or Ford Motor Service Company (in the U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in
Canada). It provides the following:
²Benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items).
²Protection against covered repair costs after your Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty expires.
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln
Mercury and Ford of Canada dealer. There are several plans available in
various time, distance and deductible combinations which can be tailored
to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also offers reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental coverage.
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,000 participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the
time of purchasing your vehicle, you may still be eligible. Please contact
your dealer for further information. Since this information is subject to
change, please ask your dealer for complete details about Ford Extended
Service Plan coverage options, or visit the Ford ESP website at
www.ford-esp.com.
Customer Assistance
212
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
Maintenance and Specifications
269
low fuel ......................................14
low washer fluid .......................14
oil pressure ...............................12
safety belt .................................12
speed control ............................83
steering column lock ................14
traction control active ..............13
transmission PRNDL
indicator ....................................13
turn signal indicator .................14
Load limits .................................181
GAWR ......................................181
GVWR ......................................181
trailer towing ..........................181
Locks
autolock ...................................115
childproof ................................109
doors ........................................108
Lubricant
specifications .....................263±264
Lug nuts, anti-theft ...................201
Lumbar support, seats .............122
M
Manual transmission .................177
fluid capacities ........................261
lubricant specifications ..........264
reverse .....................................180
Message center .....................94±95
select button .............................94
warning messages .....................98
Mirrors .........................................73
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................74
heated ........................................78
programmable memory ..........116
side view mirrors (power) .......77Moon roof ....................................86
Motorcraft parts ................250, 261
O
Octane rating ............................248
Odometer .....................................17
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................232
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ..............................113
Parking brake ............................162
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....261
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .......................193, 196
Power door locks ..............108, 115
Power steering ..........................163
fluid, checking and adding ....250
fluid, refill capacity ................261
fluid, specifications .........263±264
R
Rear window defroster ...............59
Relays ........................................190
Remote entry system .......111, 113
illuminated entry ....................115
locking/unlocking
doors ................................112±113
opening the trunk ...................114
panic alarm .............................113
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................115
replacing the batteries ...........114
Roof rack ...................................107
Index
280
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ....15, 126, 128±131, 133
Safety defects, reporting ..........219
Safety restraints ........126, 128±133
belt minder .............................134
cleaning the safety
belts .................................138, 226
extension assembly ................137
for adults .........................128±131
for children .....................146±147
warning light
and chime ............12, 15, 133±134
Safety seats for children ..........148
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............126
Seats ..........................................121
child safety seats ....................148
cleaning ...................................225
easy access/easyout
feature .....................................124
memory seat ...................116, 125
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ...............117, 119
Select Shift Transmission
(SST) shifter .............................173
Servicing your vehicle ..............228
Spark plugs,
specifications .............261, 264±265
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................263±264
Speed control ..............................78
Speedometer ...............................17
Starting your vehicle ........156±158
jump starting ..........................202Steering
speed sensitive .......................163
Steering column lock ................106
Steering wheel
controls ..........................72, 78, 84
tilting ...................................14, 72
T
Tachometer .................................18
Tires ...........................198, 255±257
changing ..........................198±199
checking the pressure ............257
replacing ..................................259
rotating ....................................257
snow tires and chains ............260
tire grades ...............................256
treadwear ................................256
Towing .......................................183
recreational towing .................186
trailer towing ..........................183
wrecker ....................................209
Traction control ........................164
active light ................................13
Transmission ...............................13
automatic operation ...............167
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................252
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................252
fluid, refill capacities ..............261
lubricant specifications ..263±264
manual operation ..............13, 177
Trip odometer .............................17
Trunk .........................................109
remote release ................104, 114
Turn signal ......................14±15, 64
Index
281