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
215
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine
Soonº light is on, refer to the description in theWarning lights and
chimessection of theInstrument Clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
217
A
Accessory delay ..........................62
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................................121, 125
and child safety seats ............123
description ......................121, 125
disposal ....................................128
driver air bag ..................123, 126
indicator light ...................12, 125
operation .........................123, 126
passenger air bag ...........123, 126
side air bag ..............................125
Air cleaner filter ...............221, 226
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control system ..........................43
Air suspension ...........................145
description ..............................145
warning light .............................14
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................201
Anti-lock brake system (see
Brakes) ......................................141
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................147
fluid, adding ............................219
fluid, checking ........................219
fluid, refill capacities ..............227
fluid, specification ..................230
Auxiliary power point .................62
Axle
lubricant specifications ..228, 230
refill capacities ........................227
traction lok ..............................149B
Battery .......................................199
acid, treating emergencies .....199
charging system warning
light ............................................12
jumping a disabled battery ....169
maintenance-free ....................199
replacement, specifications ...226
servicing ..................................199
Belt minder ...............................116
Brakes ........................................140
anti-lock ...................................141
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .....................12, 142
brake warning light ..................12
fluid, checking and adding ....218
fluid, refill capacities ..............227
fluid, specifications .........228, 230
lubricant
specifications ..................228, 230
pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) ...............................64
shift interlock ..........................146
Break-in period .............................6
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....227
Cassette tape player ...................26
CD changer .................................38
Certification Label ....................232
Child safety restraints ..............129
child safety belts ....................129
Child safety seats ..............129±130
attaching with tether
straps .......................................133
Index
237
in front seat ............................131
in rear seat ..............................131
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............187
exterior ....................................191
instrument cluster lens ..........190
instrument panel ....................190
interior .....................................190
plastic parts ............................189
safety belts ..............................191
washing ....................................186
waxing .....................................186
wheels ......................................187
windows ..................................191
wiper blades ............................189
Clock ................................22, 32, 61
Compass, electronic ....................63
calibration .................................79
set zone adjustment ...........78±79
Console
rear ............................................85
Controls
power seat ...............................103
steering column ........................68
Coolant
checking and adding ..............201
coolant temperature light ........13
refill capacities ................205, 227
specifications ..................228, 230
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................65
Customer Assistance ................156
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .............................192, 234
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................178
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................182
Getting roadside assistance ...156Getting the service you
need .........................................176
Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................183
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................179
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................182
D
Daytime running lamps (see
Lamps) .........................................49
Defrost
rear window ..............................48
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................219
engine oil .................................195
Doors
door ajar warning .....................15
lubricant specifications ..........228
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................149
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................169
Emission control system ..........216
Engine ........................................230
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
cleaning ...................................187
coolant .....................................201
fail-safe coolant ......................206
idle speed control ...................199
Index
238