2003 FORD EXCURSION warning

Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position when the engine is not running, or
in a position between ON and START, or by applying the parking brake
when the ignition is turned to the ON position. If the brake system
warning light does not illuminate at this time, seek service immediately
from your dealership. Illumination after releasing the parking brake
indicates low brake fluid level and the brake system should be inspected
immediately by your servicing dealership.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer immediately.
Anti-lock brake system:If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately. Normal
braking is still functional unless the brake warning light also is
illuminated.
Air bag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately. A chime will also sound when a malfunction in the
supplemental restraint system has been detected.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A chime will also
sound to remind you to fasten your
safety belt.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
ABS
Instrument Cluster
11

Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators stay on or flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams:Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC position and the driver’s door is
opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (and the key is not in the ignition) and
the driver’s door is opened.
GAUGES
Speedometer:Indicates the
current vehicle speed.
Instrument Cluster
13

Yellow area(warning) — the
transmission fluid is higher than
normal operating temperature. This
can be caused by special operation
conditions (i.e. snowplowing, towing
or off road use). Refer toSpecial
Operating Conditionsin the
scheduled maintenance guide for
instructions. Operating the
transmission for extended periods of
time with the gauge in the yellow
area may cause internal transmission damage.
Altering the severity of the driving conditions is recommended to lower
the transmission temperature into the normal range.
Red area(over temperature) —
the transmission fluid is overheating.
Stop the vehicle to allow the
temperature to return to normal
range.
If the gauge is operating in the Yellow or Red area, stop the vehicle and
verify the airflow is not restricted such as snow or debris blocking airflow
through the grill. If the gauge continues to show high temperatures, see
your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer.
Instrument Cluster
16

Power side view mirrors (if equipped)
To adjust your mirrors
1. SelectLto adjust the left mirror
orRto adjust the right mirror.
2. Move the control in the direction
you wish to tilt the mirror.
3. Return to the center position to
disable the adjust function.
Heated outside mirrors
(if equipped)
Both mirrors are heated
automatically to remove ice, mist
and fog when the rear window
defrost is activated.
Do not remove ice from the
mirrors with a scraper or
attempt to readjust the mirror
glass if it is frozen in place.
These actions could cause damage to the glass and mirrors.
Signal mirrors (if equipped)
When the turn signal is activated,
the appropriate mirror will show a
blinking red arrow.
The arrow provides an additional
warning to other drivers that your
vehicle is about to turn. Driver and
passengers seated inside the vehicle
cannot see the arrow.
Driver Controls
60

Reclining the second row seatback
Locate the release handle located on
the outboard side of the seat
cushion and lift gently to allow the
seatback to be adjusted to the
desired location.
Reclining the seatback can cause an occupant to slide under the
seat’s safety belt, resulting in severe personal injuries in the
event of a collision.
Third row seat (if equipped)
The third row seat is equipped with combination lap and shoulder belts
in the outboard seating positions and a manual adjust tongue lap belt in
the center seating position. For information on the proper operation of
the safety restraints, refer toSafety Restraintsin this chapter.
The third row seat may be removed from the vehicle for additional cargo
space.
Accessing the third row seat
Your vehicle is equipped with an easy entry second row seat feature
which allows ready access to the third row seat. You may enter the third
row seat through either rear side door.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, the second row seat should
not be left in the forward, E-Z entry position while the vehicle is
in motion. Please ensure that the seat is in the upright, fully latched
rearward position before putting the vehicle in motion. Refer to the
warning label on the seat side shield.
Seating and Safety Restraints
95

1. Pull the seat release lever located
on the lower right side of the
seatback while pushing the seatback
down onto the seat cushion.
•The seatback will latch onto the
cushion.
2. Lift the seat release bar located
at the center of the seat near the
floor to release the floor latches.
3. While pulling up on the release
bar, lift the seat up and out of the floor tubs and roll seat rearward.
4. With assistance, lift the seat out of the vehicle.
Installing the third row seat
Always latch the vehicle seat to the floor, whether the seat is
occupied or empty. If not latched, the seat may cause injury
during a sudden stop.
When reinstalling a rear seat in your vehicle it must be placed in
its original position. Improper installation of the seat will prevent
correct use of the safety belts and could increase the risk of injury.
Refer to the warning label on the seat belt.
For proper latching, ensure that the
floor tubs are clear of debris.
From the rear of the vehicle, with
the liftgate open:
1. With assistance, lift the seat into
the rear of the vehicle. Roll the seat
forward and guide the front locators
over the seat locator pins of the front floor tubs.
•When the rear of the seat is 10–13 cm (4–5 in) above the rear pins,
let the seat drop. This will ensure that the seat will properly latch into
the floor.
2. Push up on the seat to verify that it is latched into the floor.
3. Verify that the safety belts can move freely on either side of the seat.
4. Lift the lever and pull up the seatback to drive position.
Seating and Safety Restraints
97

•2nd row center seating position (if equipped)
The lap belt will adjust automatically. To fasten, grasp the tongue, and
with a continuous motion, pull out enough webbing to buckle the tongue
into the correct buckle. If you did not pull out enough webbing to reach
the buckle, allow the tongue to retract fully before trying to pull it out
again.
Safety belt warning light and indicator chime
The safety belt warning light illuminates in the instrument cluster and a
chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts.
Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The driver’s safety belt is not
buckled before the ignition
switch is turned to the ON
position...The safety belt warning light
illuminates 1-2 minutes and the
warning chime sounds 4-8 seconds.
The driver’s safety belt is
buckled while the indicator
light is illuminated and the
warning chime is sounding...The safety belt warning light and
warning chime turn off.
The driver’s safety belt is
buckled before the ignition
switch is turned to the ON
position...The safety belt warning light and
indicator chime remain off.
BeltMinder
The BeltMinder feature is a supplemental warning to the safety belt
warning function. This feature provides additional reminders to the
driver that the driver’s safety belt is unbuckled by intermittently
sounding a chime and illuminating the safety belt warning lamp in the
instrument cluster.
Seating and Safety Restraints
104

If... Then...
The driver’s safety belt is not
buckled before the vehicle has
reached at least 5 km/h (3 mph)
and 1-2 minutes have elapsed
since the ignition switch has
been turned to ON...The BeltMinder feature is activated -
the safety belt warning light
illuminates and the warning chime
sounds for 6 seconds every 30
seconds, repeating for approximately
5 minutes or until safety belt is
buckled.
The driver’s safety belt is
buckled while the safety belt
indicator light is illuminated
and the safety belt warning
chime is sounding...The BeltMinder feature will not
activate.
The driver’s safety belt is
buckled before the ignition
switch is turned to the ON
position...The BeltMinder feature will not
activate.
The following are reasons most often given for not wearing safety belts:
(All statistics based on U.S. data)
Reasons given... Consider...
“Crashes are rare events”36700 crashes occur every day.The
more we drive, the more we are
exposed to “rare” events, even for
good drivers.1in4ofuswillbe
seriously injured in a crash during
our lifetime.
“I’m not going far”3of4fatal crashes occur within25
miles of home.
“Belts are uncomfortable” We design our safety belts to enhance
comfort. If you are uncomfortable -
try different positions for the safety
belt upper anchorage and seatback
which should be as upright as
possible; this can improve comfort.
Seating and Safety Restraints
105