
Operating tips
²In humid weather, select
andRbefore driving. This will
reduce fogging on your windshield. After a few minutes, select any
desired position.
²To prevent humidity buildup inside the vehicle, don't drive with the
climate control system in the OFF position.
²DO NOT leave the DATC system in recirculated air mode for extended
periods of time while the system is in a heating mode or in cold or
damp conditions as this may cause interior fogging of the front, side
and rear windows.
²Do not place objects under the front seat that will interfere with the
airflow to the rear seats.
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
²If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during hot
weather, the air conditioner will do a much faster job of cooling if you
drive for two or three minutes with the windows open. This will force
most of the hot, stale air out of the vehicle. Then operate the air
conditioner as you would normally.
²If the air conditioner works well with the recirculation feature on, but
not in the outside air mode, this may indicate that the cabin air filter
needs to be replaced.
²Do not place objects over the defroster outlets. These objects can
block airflow and reduce your ability to see through your windshield.
Also, avoid placing small objects on top of your instrument panel.
These objects can fall down into the defroster outlets and block
airflow and possibly damage your climate control system.
Climate Controls
57

REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
Press the rear window defroster
control to clear the rear window and
sideview mirrors of thin ice or fog.
The indicator will illuminate when
the rear window defroster is
selected.
The ignition must be in the RUN position and the engine running in
order to operate the rear window defroster.
The rear window defroster turns off automatically after 10 minutes or
sooner if a low battery condition is detected, or when the ignition is
turned to the OFF position. To manually turn off the rear window
defroster before 10 minutes have passed, push the control again.
CABIN AIR FILTER
Your vehicle is equipped with a Cabin air filter. The particulate air
filtration system is designed to reduce the concentration of airborne
particles such as dust, spores and pollen in the air being supplied to the
interior of the vehicle. The particulate filtration system gives the
following benefits to customers:
²Improves the customer's driving comfort by reducing particle
concentration
²Improves the interior compartment cleanliness
²Protects the climate control components from particle deposits
The filter is located just in front of the windshield under the cowl grille
on the passenger side of the vehicle.
For more information, or to replace the filter, see your Ford, Lincoln or
Mercury Dealer.
R
Climate Controls
59

STATUS
Selecting this function from the STATUS control causes the message
center to cycle through each of the systems being monitored. For each
of the monitored systems, the message center will indicate either an OK
message or a warning message for four seconds.
The sequence of the status check report is as follows:
²oil life in XX%
²AC (cabin) filter XX%
²charging system
²engine temperature
²brake fluid level
²washer fluid level
²doors closed (driver and passenger side, front and rear). This message
can only be reset by closing the door(s). If the RESET control is
pressed, PLEASE CLOSE DOOR will be displayed.
²trunk status
²exterior lamps (front and rear turn, brake, tail and side repeater lamp
(if equipped) status)
²Traction Controlyor AdvanceTracy(if equipped)
Message center functions
Dist To Empty (DTE)
Selecting this function from the
FUEL control will give you an
estimate of how far you can drive
with the remaining fuel in your tank
under normal driving conditions.
Remember to turn the ignition OFF when refueling your vehicle.
Otherwise, the display will not show the addition of fuel for a few
kilometers (miles).
The DTE function will display LOW FUEL LEVEL and sound a tone for
one second when you have 80 km (50 miles) to empty. This tone will
sound every 10 minutes until you refuel.
Driver Controls
95

Warnings Status
Engine power reduced Warning cannot be reset
Pull off road safely
Turn off ignition
Driver's door ajar
Passenger door ajar
Driver rear door ajar
Passenger rear door ajar
Check engine temp Warning returns after 10 minutes
Check charging system
Transmission overheated
Check transmission
Low fuel level
Check fuel cap
Low brake fluid level Warning returns after the ignition key
is turned from OFF to RUN
Check tail lamps
Check brake lamps
Check front turn lamps
Check side repeater lamps (if
equipped)
Check rear turn lamps
Check Traction Control (if
equipped)
Check AdvanceTrac (if
equipped)
Trunk ajar
Low washer fluid
Check AC (cabin) filter
Change oil soon
Oil change required
Data error
Driver Controls
99

CHECK ADVANCETRAC (if equipped).Displayed when the
AdvanceTracysystem is not operating properly. If this message is
displayed on the message center the AdvanceTracysystem will be
partially operable. If this warning stays on while the engine is running,
contact your dealer for service as soon as possible. For further
information, refer toAdvanceTracystability enhancement systemin
theDrivingchapter.
TRUNK AJAR.Displayed when the trunk is not completely closed.
LOW WASHER FLUID.Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is less than
one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer toChecking and
adding washer fluidin theMaintenance and specificationschapter.
CHECK AC (cabin) FILTER.Displayed when the A/C cabin filter life
remaining is 5 percent or less. When A/C filter life left is between 5%
and 0%, the CHANGE A/C FILTER SOON message will be displayed.
When A/C filter life left reaches 0%, the AC FILTER CHANGE
REQUIRED message will be displayed.
To reset the A/C filter monitoring system to 100% after each A/C Filter
change:
1. Press the STATUS control to
access the System Check function,
the message center will display A/C
FILTER XXX% RESET FOR NEW.
2. Press and hold the RESET
control to set to 100%, the message
center will display IF NEW FILTER
HOLD RESET.
3. After a successful reset, the
message center will display A/C
FILTER LIFE SET TO 100%.
CHANGE OIL SOON/OIL CHANGE REQUIRED.Displayed when the
engine oil life remaining is 5 percent or less. When oil life left is between
5% and 0%, the CHANGE OIL SOON message will be displayed. When oil
life left reaches 0%, the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message will be
displayed.
%
%
Driver Controls
102

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
276