2003 FORD RANGER Owners Manual

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 are cold, after the vehicle has been
parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km (3
miles).
•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.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover and/or personal injury.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle’s tires perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate
Maintenance and Specifications
225

them as indicated in the scheduled maintenance guide. If you notice that
the tires wear unevenly, have them checked.
The following procedure applies to vehicles equipped with single rear
wheels, if your vehicle is equipped with dual rear wheels it is
recommended that only the front wheels be rotated (side to side).
•Four tire rotation
•Five tire rotation
Maintenance and Specifications
226

Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads. Due to exposure to the
elements and exhaust you should
replace the spare tire when you
replace the other tires.
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial bias-belted, or
bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the
Certification Label. Make sure that all tires are the same size, speed
rating, and load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire combinations
recommended on the label. If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle handling may be affected which can lead to loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
speed rating, load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g.,“All
Terrain”,“Touring”, etc.), as originally offered by Ford.
Do not replace your tires with“high performance”tires or larger
size tires.
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle, and increase the risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
227

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. If you need to use snow tires and chains, it is
recommended that steel wheels are used of the same size and
specifications as those originally installed.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Do not use tire chains on aluminum wheels. Chains may chip the
wheels.
•Use only SAE Class S chains.
•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.
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
•The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and chains.
Maintenance and Specifications
228

MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component2.3L
I4engine3.0LV6
engine3.0L V6 FFV
engine4.0L V6
engine
Air filter
element FA-1658 FA-1658 FA-1658FA-1658
FA-1665
(FX4 only)
Fuel filter FG-1002 FG-1002 FG-1002 FG-1002
Battery BXT-59 BXT-59 BXT-59 BXT-59
Oil filter FL-400S FL-400S FL-400S FL-820S
PCV valve EV-227 EV-130 EV-130 EV-225
Spark plugs* AWSF-32FEM AWSF-32PP** AGSF-22PP** AGSF-34FP
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
** If any spark plug needs to be removed for inspection, it must be
re-installed in the same cylinder. Cylinders No.1, 2 and 3 have a“PG”
suffix. Cylinders No. 4, 5 and 6 have a“P”suffix. If any spark plug needs
to be replaced, use only spark plugs with the service part number suffix
letters“PP”as shown on the engine decal.
REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)Motorcraft SAE
5W- 20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil2.3L engine 3.8L (4.0
quarts)
3.0L V6 engine 4.3L (4.5
quarts)
Motorcraft SAE
5W- 30 Super
Premium Motor
Oil4.0L V6 engine 4.7L (5.0
quarts)
Brake fluid and
Clutch fluidMotorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Fill to line or
step (for clutch)
on reservoir
Maintenance and Specifications
229

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FAll Fill to range on
dipstick or
reservoir
Transmission
fluid
1Motorcraft
MERCONAT F5-speed manual 2.65L (2.8
quarts)3
Motorcraft
MERCONV
AT F4x2 vehicles
with automatic
and 2.3L I4
engine9.4L (9.9
quarts)2
4x2 vehicles
with automatic
and 3.0L or 4.0L
engines9.5L (10.0
quarts)2
4x4 vehicles
with automatic
and 3.0L or 4.0L9.8L (10.3
quarts)2
Maintenance and Specifications
230

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Engine coolant
4Motorcraft
Premium Engine
Coolant
(green-colored)
orMotorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)2.3 L I4 engine
with manual
transmission10.0L (10.5
quarts)
2.3L I4 engine
with automatic
transmission9.7L (10.2
quarts)
3.0L V6 engine
with manual
transmission14.3L (15.1
quarts)
3.0L V6 engine
with automatic
transmission14.0L (14.8
quarts)
4.0L V6 engine
with manual
transmission13.0L (13.7
quarts)
4.0L V6 engine
with automatic
transmission12.5L (13.2
quarts)
Fuel tank N/A Regular cab
(Short wheel
base)62.4L (16.5
gallons)
Regular cab
(Long wheel
base)75.7L (20.0
gallons)
SuperCab 73.8L (19.5
gallons)
Transfer case
FluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT F4x4 Vehicles 1.2L (1.25
quarts)
Front axle
lubricantMotorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle Lubricant4x4 Vehicles 1.7L (3.6 pints)
Maintenance and Specifications
231

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Rear axle
lubricant
5, 6Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle LubricantAll (except
FX4)2.4-2.5L (5.0-5.3
pints)
Rear axle
lubricant (FX4
only)
6
Motorcraft SAE
75W-140
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantFX4 only 2.5-2.6L
(5.25-5.5 pints)
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 2.6L (2.75
quarts)
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. MERCONand MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONand MERCONV. Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide to determine the correct service interval.
2Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary
based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount
of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the indication on
the dipstick’s normal operating range.
3Service refill capacity for the manual transmission is determined by
filling the transmission to the bottom of the filler hole with the vehicle
on a level surface.
4Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
5Traction-Lok axles use 2.2–2.4L (4.75–5.0 pints) of rear axle lubricant.
6Add 118 ml (4 oz.) of Additive Friction Modifier XL–3 or equivalent
meeting Ford specification EST-M2C118–A for complete refill of
Traction-Lok axles.
Service refill capacities are determined by filling the rear axle 6 mm to
14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below the bottom of the filler hole.
Maintenance and Specifications
232