
2. Engine oil dipstick
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Air filter assembly
5. Power steering fluid reservoir
6. Engine coolant reservoir
7. Battery
8. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
9. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Checking and adding washer fluid
Check the washer fluid whenever
you stop for fuel.
If the level is low, add enough fluid
to fill the reservoir. In very cold
weather, do not fill the reservoir all
the way.
Only use a washer fluid that meets
Ford specifications. Refer toRefill
capacitiesin this chapter.
State or local regulations on volatile
organic compounds may restrict the use of methanol, a common
windshield washer antifreeze additive. Washer fluids containing
non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used only if they provide cold
weather protection without damaging the vehicle's paint finish, wiper
blades or washer system.
Note:Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling system
components.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
Maintenance and Specifications
195

Brake fluid is toxic. If brake fluid contacts the eyes, flush eyes
with running water for 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if
irritation persists. If taken internally, drink water and induce vomiting.
Seek medical attention immediately.
If you use DOT 5 or any other brake fluid that is not DOT 3 or
DOT 4, you will cause permanent damage to your brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for the master cylinder run dry, this may
cause the brakes to fail.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about 30
minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
Maintenance and Specifications
219

7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km (20
miles) of driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 10ÉC (50ÉF). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC
[150ÉF-170ÉF]).
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at ambient temperature
(10ÉC-35ÉC [50ÉF-95ÉF]).
DON’T ADD
DON’T ADD
DON’T ADD
Maintenance and Specifications
220

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

lap belt ....................................114
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................108
warning light and
chime ...................12, 16, 115±116
Safety seats for
children ..............................129±130
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................................106
Seats ..........................................102
child safety seats ............129±130
cleaning ...................................190
easy access/easyout feature ..105
heated ......................................105
memory seat ...............84, 94, 106
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..................................98±100
Servicing your vehicle ..............193
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................226, 230
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................228, 230
Speed control ..............................65
Speedometer ...............................18
Starting your vehicle ........136±138
jump starting ..........................169
Steering
speed sensitive .......................145
Steering wheel
controls ..........................60, 65, 68
tilting .........................................60
T
Tires ...........................165, 222±224changing ..........................165±166
checking the pressure ............224
replacing ..................................225
rotating ....................................224
snow tires and chains ............225
tire grades ...............................223
treadwear ................................223
Towing .......................................151
recreational towing .................154
trailer towing ..........................151
wrecker ....................................175
Traction control ........................143
active light ................................13
how to enable/disable ............144
off light ......................................14
Traction-lok rear axle ...............149
Transmission .............................146
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................219
fluid, refill capacities ..............227
lubricant
specifications ..................228, 230
Trunk ...........................................89
remote release ....................83, 91
Turn signal ......................15±16, 53
V
Vehicle Communication
System .........................................73
Vehicle dimensions ...................230
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................232
Vehicle loading ..........................150
Ventilating your vehicle ...........140
Index
242