
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (as much as
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
Maintenance and Specifications
287

Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
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“Check Engine/Service Engine
Soon”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“Check Engine/Service Engine Soon”light on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a“not ready for I/M test”
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:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, 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 Ford Premium Power Steering Fluid or MERCONAT F.
Maintenance and Specifications
289

High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transmission 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 transmission 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.
DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND SLIP YOKE
Your vehicle may be equipped with universal joints that require
lubrication. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for maintenance
intervals. If the original universal joints are replaced with universal joints
equipped with grease fittings, lubrication will also be necessary.
AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for changing the air filter element.
When changing the air filter element, use only the Motorcraft air filter
element listed. Refer toMotorcraft Part Numbers.
Note:Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do not
remove it while the engine is running.
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
Maintenance and Specifications
293

The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
•Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
•Check the tire pressure when tires arecold,after the vehicle has
been parked for at least 3 hours or has been driven less than 5 km (3
miles). As you drive, the temperature in the tire warms up, increasing
the tire pressure.
•Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
Certification Label. Tire pressure information can also be found on the
Tire Information label located on the inside of the fuel filler door.
•Check tires for proper air pressure monthly. Check spare tire for
proper air pressure every six months.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Maintenance and Specifications
296

A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................195
Accessory delay ........................100
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........168–169, 173
and child safety seats ............170
description ......................169, 173
disposal ....................................176
driver air bag ..................171, 174
indicator light ...........12, 172, 176
operation .........................171, 174
passenger air bag ...........171, 174
Air cleaner filter .......293–294, 300
Air conditioning ..........................72
auxiliary heater and air
conditioner ................................78
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................69
Air suspension
warning light .............................14
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................274
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................195–196
Armrests ....................................142
Audio system
(see Radio) ................19, 27, 37–38
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................203
fluid, adding ............................291
fluid, checking ........................291
fluid, refill capacities ..............300
fluid, specification ..................305
Auxiliary power point .................97Axle
lubricant
specifications ..................303, 305
refill capacities ........................300
B
Battery .......................................272
acid, treating emergencies .....272
charging system warning
light ............................................12
jumping a disabled battery ....241
maintenance-free ....................272
replacement, specifications ...300
servicing ..................................272
voltage gauge ............................16
BeltMinder .................................164
Brakes ........................................195
anti-lock ...........................195–196
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .........11, 196
brake warning light ..................11
fluid, checking and adding ....290
fluid, refill capacities ..............300
fluid, specifications .........303, 305
lubricant
specifications ..................303, 305
parking ....................................196
pedals (see Power
adjustable foot pedals) ..102, 125
shift interlock ..................202, 206
Break-in period .............................6
Bulbs ............................................86
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....300
CD-6 disc .....................................38
CD-single premium ...............19, 27
Certification Label ....................307
Index
313

Changing a tire .........................236
Child safety restraints ..............177
child safety belts ....................177
Child safety seats ......................180
in front seat ............................181
in rear seat ......................181, 184
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............260
instrument panel ....................262
interior .............................262–263
plastic parts ............................261
washing ....................................259
waxing .....................................259
wheels ......................................260
wiper blades ............................262
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......69, 72
Clock ................................23, 34, 43
Compass, electronic ..........100, 112
calibration ...............................113
set zone adjustment .......113, 115
Console ......................................125
overhead ..............................95, 97
Controls
power seat ...............................143
steering column ......................106
Coolant
checking and adding ..............274
refill capacities ................278, 300
specifications ..................303, 305
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ..................103
Customer Assistance ................227
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................264
Ford Extended Service Plan .251
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............255Getting roadside assistance ...227
Getting the service
you need .................................249
Ordering additional
owner’s literature ...................256
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................252
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............255
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................82
Defrost
rear window ..............................80
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................291
engine oil .................................269
Doors
door ajar warning ...............13, 15
lubricant specifications ..........303
Driveline universal joint
and slip yoke .............................293
Driving under special
conditions ..........................212, 215
sand .........................................214
snow and ice ...........................216
through water .................215, 219
E
Electronic message center .......114
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................241
Emission control system ..........288
Engine ........................................305
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
Index
314

GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ..........................219
calculating .......................219, 221
definition .................................219
driving with a heavy load ......219
location ....................................219
H
Hazard flashers .........................228
Headlamps ...................................81
aiming ........................................83
autolamp system .......................81
bulb specifications ....................86
daytime running lights .............82
flash to pass ..............................82
high beam ...........................13, 82
replacing bulbs .........................87
turning on and off ....................81
warning chime ..........................14
Heating
heating and air
conditioning system ...........69, 72
HomeLink universal
transceiver (see Garage
door opener) .............108–109, 111
Hood ..........................................266
I
Ignition ...............................191, 305
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................180
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................289
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................262
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................83J
Jack ............................................236
positioning ...............................236
storage .....................................236
Jump-starting your vehicle ......241
K
Keyless entry system
locking and unlocking
doors ........................................137
programming entry code .......135
Keys ...................................137–139
key in ignition chime ...............15
positions of the ignition .........191
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................81
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................86
cargo lamps ...............................83
daytime running light ...............82
fog lamps ...................................81
headlamps .................................81
headlamps, flash to pass ..........82
instrument panel, dimming .....83
interior lamps ...............84–85, 87
replacing bulbs ...................86–90
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................84
Liftgate ..............................126, 130
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
AdvanceTrac .............................12
air bag ........................................12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....11, 196
brake ..........................................11
charging system ........................12
check coolant ............................13
Index
316