WARNING: To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the
engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief
cap. The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid
can come out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (an opaque plastic
bottle). Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins
to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the ªcold fill rangeº or the ªcold fullº level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill
the radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, run the engine for a few minutes to
mix the coolant. Check the coolant concentration. Make sure the engine
is off and cool before removing the coolant pressure relief cap (see
preceding steps on cap removal). Check the concentration per the
Checking Engine Coolantsection. If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to ±34ÉF/±36ÉC), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage).
Maintenance and Specifications
222
The transmission fluid should be in
the crosshatch zone if at normal
operating temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC
[150ÉF-170ÉF]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the
crosshatch zone may result in
transaxle failure. An overfill
condition of transmission fluid
may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or
possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and also in the
Lubricant specificationssection in this chapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transaxle component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 250 mL (1/2 pint) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified
technician.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
Maintenance and Specifications
237
A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................135
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................................109, 114
and child safety seats ............111
description ......................109, 114
disposal ............................113, 117
driver air bag ..................111, 116
indicator light ...........12, 113, 117
operation .........................111, 116
passenger air bag ...........111, 116
side air bag ..............................114
Air cleaner filter ...............238±239
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................50
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................148
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................219
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................135±136
Anti-theft system ........................85
arming the system ....................85
disarming a triggered system ..86
warning light .............................13
Audio system (see Radio) ...19, 31
Automatic transaxle .................139
driving with .............................141
fluid, adding ............................236
fluid, checking ........................236
Automatic transmission
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
Auxiliary power point .................66
Axle
refill capacities ........................244
B
Battery .......................................217acid, treating emergencies .....217
charging system warning
light ............................................13
jumping a disabled battery ....180
maintenance-free ....................217
servicing ..................................217
Brakes ........................................134
anti-lock ...........................135±136
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .....................13, 136
brake warning light ..................12
fluid, checking and adding ....235
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
fluid, specifications .................246
lubricant specifications ..........246
parking ....................................136
shift interlock ..........................139
Break-in period .............................4
Bulbs ............................................57
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....244
Cargo cover .................................74
CD-single .....................................19
Cell phone warning ...................250
Certification Label ....................248
Child safety restraints ..............118
child safety belts ....................118
Child safety seats ......................122
attaching with tether straps ..126
in front seat ............................123
in rear seat ..............................123
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............199
instrument panel ....................201
interior .....................................201
plastic parts ............................200
washing ....................................198
Index
251
waxing .....................................198
wheels ......................................199
wiper blades ............................200
woodtone trim ........................201
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............50
Clock ......................................30, 45
Clutch
fluid ..........................................238
operation while driving ..........144
recommended shift speeds ....145
Console ........................................74
overhead ..............................65±66
Controls
power seat .................................89
Coolant
checking and adding ..............219
refill capacities ................223, 244
specifications ..........................246
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................69
Customer
Assistance ..165±166, 188±189, 192
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................202
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................54
Defrost
rear window ..............................53
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................236
engine oil .................................213
Doors
door ajar warning .....................14Driving under special
conditions ..........................150, 153
sand .........................................151
snow and ice ...........................154
through water .................152, 157
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................180
Emission control system ..........232
Engine ........................................247
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
cleaning ...................................199
coolant .....................................219
idle speed control ...................217
lubrication specifications .......246
refill capacities ........................244
service points ..................211±212
starting after a collision .........167
Engine block heater .................133
Engine oil ..................................213
checking and adding ..............213
dipstick ....................................213
filter, specifications ................216
recommendations ...................216
refill capacities ........................244
specifications ..........................246
Exhaust fumes ..........................133
F
Fluid capacities .........................244
Foglamps .....................................55
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
description ..............................148
driving off road .......................149
indicator light ...................14, 149
Index
252
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................138
Fuel ............................................224
calculating fuel economy .......229
cap .....................................15, 227
capacity ...................................244
choosing the right fuel ...........226
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................231
detergent in fuel .....................227
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................224, 227, 229
filter, specifications ................228
fuel filler door release ..............73
fuel pump shut-off switch .....167
gauge .........................................17
improving fuel economy ........229
low fuel warning light ..............12
octane rating ...................226, 247
quality ......................................226
running out of fuel .................227
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................224
Fuses ..................................168±169
G
Garage door opener ....................66
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......15, 227
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................229
Gauges .........................................16
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................16
fuel gauge ..................................17
odometer ...................................18
speedometer .............................17
tachometer ................................17
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................157calculating ...............................159
definition .................................157
driving with a heavy load ......157
location ....................................157
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................157
calculating .......................157, 159
definition .................................157
driving with a heavy load ......157
location ....................................157
H
Hazard flashers .........................167
Head restraints .....................87, 90
Headlamps ...................................54
aiming ........................................56
bulb specifications ....................58
daytime running lights .............54
flash to pass ..............................55
high beam ...........................13, 54
replacing bulbs .........................59
turning on and off ....................54
warning chime ..........................15
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................50
Hood ..........................................210
I
Ignition ...............................130, 247
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................122
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................233
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................201
cluster ........................................10
Index
253