TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your scheduled maintenance section for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transaxle is not working
properly, i.e., if the transaxle 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 warmed up
(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
compartmentin this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be
in the crosshatch zone for normal operating temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the outside temperatures are
above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperatures 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km (20
miles) of driving.
Maintenance and Specifications
236
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
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................55
location of components ............10
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......180
K
Keys .......................................82±84
key in ignition chime ...............15
positions of the ignition .........130
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................58
cargo lamps ...............................55
daytime running light ...............54
fog lamps ...................................55
headlamps .................................54
headlamps, flash to pass ..........55
instrument panel, dimming .....55
interior lamps .....................56, 58
replacing bulbs .............57, 59±61
Lane change indicator (see
Turn signal) .................................56
Liftgate ........................................75
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
air bag ........................................12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....13, 136
anti-theft ...................................13
brake ..........................................12
charging system ........................13
cruise indicator .........................13
door ajar ....................................14
fuel cap light .............................15
high beam .................................13
low coolant ................................14low fuel ......................................12
oil pressure ...............................14
overdrive off ..............................14
safety belt .................................12
service engine soon ..................10
turn signal indicator .................13
Load limits .................................157
GAWR ......................................157
GVWR ......................................157
trailer towing ..........................157
Loading instructions .................159
Locks
childproof ..................................78
doors ..........................................77
Lubricant specifications ...........246
Lumbar support, seats ...............89
M
Manual transaxle .......................144
fluid, checking and adding ....238
reverse .....................................146
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................244
Mirrors
fold away ...................................69
side view mirrors (power) .......68
Moon roof ....................................74
Motorcraft parts ........................228
O
Octane rating ............................226
Odometer .....................................18
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................213
Overdrive ...................................141
Index
254