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CleaningWASHING THE EXTERIOR
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral
Ph shampoo, such as Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3–A), which is available
from your dealer.
•Never use strong household detergents or soap, such as dish washing
or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted
surfaces.
•Never wash a vehicle that is“hot to the touch”or during exposure to
strong, direct sunlight.
•Always use a clean sponge or carwash mitt with plenty of water for
best results.
•Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel in order to
eliminate water spotting.
•It is especially important to wash the vehicle regularly during the
winter months, as dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and cause
damage to the vehicle.
•Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bird droppings
and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle’s
paintwork and trim over time.
•Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a
car wash.
•Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted
surface; if these substances come in contact with your vehicle,
wash off as soon as possible.
WAXING
Applying a polymer paint sealant to your vehicle every six months will
assist in reducing minor scratches and paint damage.
•Wash the vehicle first.
•Do not use waxes that contain abrasives.
•Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with any non-body
(low-gloss black) colored trim, such as grained door handles, roof
racks, bumpers, side moldings, mirror housings or the windshield cowl
area. The paint sealant will“gray”or stain the parts over time.
Cleaning
154
Page 200 of 216
ENGINE DATA
Engine2.0L SPI
engine2.0L Zetec E
engine2.3L I4 engine
Cubic inches 121 121 138
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1–3–4–21–3–4–21–3–4–2
Spark plug gap1.4 mm (0.054
inch)1.3 mm (0.051
inch)1.3 mm (0.051
inch)
Ignition systemElectronic
IgnitionElectronic
IgnitionC.O.P.
Compression
ratio9.35:1 9.6:1 9.7:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle
dimensionsSedan mm (in) Coupe mm
(in)Wagon mm
(in)
(1) Overall
length4447 (175.1 4297 (169.2) 4550 (179.1)
(2) Overall
width1998 (78.7) 1998 (78.7) 1998 (78.7)
(3) Overall
height1484 (58.4) 1484 (58.4) 1491 (58.7)
1
(4) Wheelbase 2615 (103) 2615 (103) 2615 (103)
(5) Track -
Front1502 (59.1) 1502 (59.1) 1502 (59.1)
(5) Track -
Rear1495 (58.9) 1495 (58.9) 1502 (59.1)
1Overall height with roof rack is 1532 (60.3)
Maintenance and Specifications
200
Page 211 of 216

instrument panel, dimming .....39
interior lamps ...........................42
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................41
Liftgate ........................................59
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........111
Load limits .................................120
GAWR ......................................120
GVWR ......................................120
trailer towing ..........................120
Locks
childproof ..................................63
Lubricant specifications ...198, 200
M
Manual transaxle
lubricant specifications ..........200
Manual transmission .................119
fluid capacities ........................196
reverse .....................................119
Mirrors .........................................53
side view mirrors (power) .......53
Moon roof ....................................56
Motorcraft parts ................182, 196
O
Octane rating ............................181
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................166
P
Parking brake ............................112
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....196
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................131Power steering ..........................115
fluid, checking and adding ....188
fluid, refill capacity ................196
fluid, specifications .........198, 200
Power Windows ...........................52
R
Rear window defroster ...............37
Relays ........................................127
Remote entry system .................65
locking/unlocking doors ...........62
opening the trunk .....................66
Roadside assistance ..................125
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............88
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ........................76, 79–83
Safety defects, reporting ..........153
Safety restraints ..............76, 79–83
belt minder ...............................84
extension assembly ..................88
for adults .............................80–82
for children .........................95–96
safety belt maintenance ...........88
warning light and chime ..........84
Safety seats for children ............99
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................76
Seats ............................................72
child safety seats ......................99
Servicing your vehicle ..............161
Spare tire (see Changing the
Tire) ...........................................135
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................196, 200
Index
211
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Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................198, 200
Speed control ..............................53
Starting your vehicle .......107–108,
110
jump starting ..........................138
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................51
Sunroof (moonroof) ...................56
T
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .................35
Tilt steering wheel ......................51
Tires ...................................192–193
changing ..........................135–136
checking the pressure ............193
replacing ..................................194
rotating ....................................193
snow tires and chains ............195
tire grades ...............................193
treadwear ................................192
Towing .......................................122
recreational towing .................124
trailer towing ..........................122
wrecker ....................................144
Traction control ........................112
Transaxle
lubricant specifications ..........200
Transmission
automatic operation ...............115fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................189
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................191
fluid, refill capacities ..............196
lubricant specifications ..........198
manual operation ....................119
Trunk ...........................................63
remote release ..........................66
Turn signal ..................................41
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................200
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................204
Vehicle loading ..........................120
Ventilating your vehicle ...........111
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................166
Water, Driving through .............120
Windows
power .........................................52
rear wiper/washer .....................50
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....166
liftgate reservoir .....................166
operation ...................................50
replacing wiper blades .............51
Wrecker towing .........................144
Index
212