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SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine compartment for easy
location.
²We provide a scheduled maintenance guide which makes tracking
routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your dealership can provide
the necessary parts and service. Check yourWarranty Guideto find out
which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
²When the engine is running, keep loose clothing, jewelry or long hair
away from moving parts.
²Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open flames and other lit material away from
the battery and all fuel related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must ªrelearnº its idle
conditions and the transmission must ªrelearnº its shift schedules before
your vehicle will drive properly, as explained in theBatterysection in
this chapter.
Working with the engine off
²Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
²Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake.
Maintenance and Specifications
228
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How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
²The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the H (hot)
area.
²The
symbol will
illuminate.
²The
symbol will illuminate.
²The
symbol will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
²The engine power will be limited.
²The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
H
C
Maintenance and Specifications
243
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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.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based compounds containing MMT.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
ªPremiumº unleaded gasoline with
an (R+M)/2 octane rating of 91 or
higher for optimum performance.
The use of gasolines with lower
octane ratings may degrade performance. We do not recommend the use
of gasolines labeled as ªPremiumº in high altitude areas that are sold
with octane ratings of less than 91.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician to prevent any engine damage.
91(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and Specifications
248
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Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle's fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style Ð good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
²Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
²Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
²Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance and Specifications
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A
Accessory delay ..........................74
AdvanceTrac ..............................165
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ................139, 143
and child safety seats ............141
description ......................139, 143
disposal ....................................146
driver air bag ..................141, 144
indicator light ...........12, 143, 145
operation .........................141, 144
passenger air bag ...........141, 144
side air bag ..............................143
Air cleaner filter .......253±254, 261
Air conditioning ..........................48
Air filter, cabin ............................59
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................237
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................161
Anti-theft system ......................120
arming the system ..................120
disarming a triggered
system .....................................120
Audio system (see Radio) .........31
Automatic transmission ............167
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................168
fluid, adding ............................252
fluid, checking ........................252
fluid, refill capacities ..............261
fluid, specification ..................264
Axle
lubricant specifications ..263±264
refill capacities ........................261B
Battery .......................................235
acid, treating
emergencies ............................235
charging system
warning light .............................12
jumping a disabled battery ....202
maintenance-free ....................235
replacement, specifications ...261
servicing ..................................235
Belt minder ...............................134
Brakes ........................................160
anti-lock ...................................161
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .........12, 162
brake warning light ..................11
fluid, checking and adding ....251
fluid, refill capacities ..............261
fluid, specifications .........263±264
lubricant
specifications ..................263±264
parking ....................................162
shift interlock ..........................167
Break-in period .............................6
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....261
Cargo net ...................................107
Cassette tape player ...................31
CD changer .................................44
Certification Label ....................271
Child safety restraints ..............147
child safety belts ....................147
Child safety seats ......................148
attaching with tether
straps .......................................152
Index
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