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surfaces.The system operates by detecting and
controlling wheel spin. The system borrows many of
the electronic and mechanical elements already
present in the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Wheel-speed sensors allow excess rear wheel spin to
be detected by the Traction Controlportion of the
ABS computer. Any excessive wheel spin is
controlled by automatically applying and releasing
the rear brakes in conjunction with engine torque
reductions. Engine torque reduction is realized via
the fully electronic spark and fuel injection systems.
This process is very sensitive to driving conditions
and very fast acting. The rear wheels“search”for
optimum traction several times a second and
adjustments are made accordingly.
The Traction Controlsystem will allow your
vehicle to make better use of available traction on
slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid which
makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on
snow, ice covered and gravel roads.
During Traction
Controloperation,
the traction control
active light will
illuminate, you may hear an electric motor type of
sound coming from the engine compartment and the
engine will not“rev-up”when you push further on
the accelerator. This is normal system behavior.
The Traction Control
on/off switch, located
below the radio,
illuminates when the
system is OFF. The
Traction Controlsystem will revert to the ON
position every time the ignition is turned OFF and
ON.
If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a
very slippery road surface, try switching the Traction
Controlsystem off. This may allow excess wheel
spin to“dig”the vehicle out and enable a successful
“rocking”maneuver.
Driving
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4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the
current odometer reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to
determine fuel economy:
Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by
total kilometers traveled.
Divide total miles traveled by total gallons
used.
Keep a record for at least one month and record the
type of driving (city or highway). This will provide
an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel economy
under current driving conditions. Additionally,
keeping records during summer and winter will show
how temperature impacts fuel economy. In general,
lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style—good driving and fuel economy
habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you
may be able to change a number of variables and
improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10%
savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give
the best fuel economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one
minute) may waste fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate
the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel
economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h
[55 mph] uses 15% less fuel than traveling at 105
km/h [65 mph]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may
reduce fuel economy.
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•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 (approximately 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.
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Failure to follow these precautions may
adversely affect the handling of the vehicle
and make it easier for the driver to lose control
and roll over.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle’s
original tires may also affect the accuracy of your
speedometer.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Driving too fast for conditions creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control. Driving
at very high speeds for extended periods of time
may result in damage to vehicle components.
Snow tires must be the same size and grade
as the tires you currently have on your
vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to
provide traction in rain and snow. However, in some
climates, you may need to use snow tires and
chains. Use chains on the tires only in an emergency
or if the law requires them.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and
chains:
•Chains may damage aluminum wheels.
•Use only Cable Type chains with size P225/55R16
or 245/45ZR17 tires. Use of SAE Class S chains
may damage your vehicle.
•SAE Class S chains may be used on P205/65R15
tires.
•Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do
not touch any wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or
bang against your vehicle, stop and re-tighten the
chains. If this does not work, remove the chains
to prevent damage to your vehicle.
Maintenance and Specifications
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Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Rear axle
lubricant
2Motorcraft
SAE 80W-90
Premium
Rear Axle
Lubricant7 .5 inch axle 1.5L (3.25
pints)
Motorcraft
SAE 75W-140
Synthetic
Rear Axle
Lubricant8.8 inch axle 2.0L (4.25
pints)
Fuel tank N/A All 59.4L (15.7
gallons)
Transmission
fluid
3Motorcraft
MERCONV
AT FAutomatic
with 3.8L
OHV V6
engine13.1L (13.9
quarts)4
Automatic
with 4.6L
SOHC V8
engine12.0L (12.8
quarts)4
Motorcraft
MERCON
AT FManual with
3.8L OHV V6
engine2.6L (5.6
pints)5
Synthetic
MERCON
AT FManual with
4.6L SOHC
V8 engine3.8L (8.0
pints)5
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 3.8L (4.0
quarts)
1Add the coolant type originally equipped in your
vehicle.
2Rear axle lubricants do not need to be checked or
changed unless a leak is suspected, service is
required or the axle assembly has been submerged
in water. The axle lubricant should be changed any
time the rear axle has been submerged in water. Fill
6 mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below
bottom of fill hole. Add 118 ml (4 oz.) of Additive
Friction Modifier C8AZ-19B546-A or equivalent
Maintenance and Specifications
239