
Automotive fuels can cause serious injuryor death if misused or
mishandled.
Gasoline maycontain benzene, which is a cancer-causing agent.
Observe the following guidelines when handling automotive fuel:
•Extinguish all smoking materials
and anyopen flames before
fueling your vehicle.
•Always turn off the vehicle before
fueling.
•Automotive fuels can be harmful
or fatal if swallowed. Fuel such as gasoline is highlytoxic and if
swallowed can cause death or permanent injury. If fuel is swallowed,
call a physician immediately, even if no symptoms are immediately
apparent. The toxic effects of fuel maynot be visible for hours.
•Avoid inhaling fuel vapors. Inhaling too much fuel vapor of anykind
can lead to eye and respiratory tract irritation. In severe cases,
excessive or prolonged breathing of fuel vapor can cause serious
illness and permanent injury.
•Avoid getting fuel liquid in your eyes. If fuel is splashed in the eyes,
remove contact lenses (if worn), flush with water for 15 minutes and
seek medical attention. Failure to seek proper medical attention could
lead to permanent injury.
•Fuels can also be harmful if absorbed through the skin. If fuel is
splashed on the skin and/or clothing, promptlyremove contaminated
clothing and wash skin thoroughlywith soap and water. Repeated or
prolonged skin contact with fuel liquid or vapor causes skin irritation.
•Be particularlycareful if you are taking “Antabuse” or other forms of
disulfiram for the treatment of alcoholism. Breathing gasoline vapors,
or skin contact could cause an adverse reaction. In sensitive
individuals, serious personal injuryor sickness mayresult. If fuel is
splashed on the skin, promptlywash skin thoroughlywith soap and
water. Consult a physician immediately if you experience an adverse
reaction.
Maintenance and Specifications
206

When refueling always shut the engine off and never allow
sparks or open flames near the filler neck. Never smoke while
refueling. Fuel vapor is extremelyhazardous under certain conditions.
Care should be taken to avoid inhaling excess fumes.
The flow of fuel through a fuel pump nozzle can produce static
electricity, which can cause a fire if fuel is pumped into an
ungrounded fuel container.
Use the following guidelines to avoid static build-up when filling an
ungrounded fuel container:
•Place approved fuel container on the ground.
•DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the vehicle (including the
cargo area).
•Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
•DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a 1/8 turn on/off
feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefullyturn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops.
If the “Service Engine Soon/Check Engine” indicator comes on and stays
on after you start the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly
installed. Turn off the engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap
properlyand reinstall it.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
Maintenance and Specifications
207

A
Accessorydelay ..........................47
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................79
and child safetyseats ..............80
description ................................79
disposal ......................................83
driver air bag ............................81
indicator light ...........................82
operation ...................................81
passenger air bag .....................81
passenger deactivation
switch ........................................83
Air cleaner filter .......220–221, 228
Ambulance packages ....................6
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................199
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................103–104
Audio system
(see Radio) ................17–18, 21, 25
Automatic transmission ............106
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................107
fluid, adding ............................216
fluid, checking ........................216
fluid, refill capacities ..............228
fluid, specification ..................235
Auxiliarypower point .................46
Axle
lubricant specifications ..232, 235
refill capacities ........................228
traction lok ..............................105
B
Battery.......................................197
acid, treating emergencies .....197jumping a disabled battery....168
maintenance-free ....................197
replacement, specifications ...228
servicing ..................................197
BeltMinder ...................................74
Brakes ........................................102
anti-lock ...........................102–104
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................103
fluid, checking and adding ....215
fluid, refill capacities ..............228
fluid, specifications .........232, 235
lubricant specifications ..232, 235
parking ....................................104
shift interlock ..........................106
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................38
C
Calculating load ........................127
Capacities for refilling fluids ....228
Cassette tape player ...................25
CD changer .................................28
CD-single premium .........17–18, 21
Certification Label ....................243
Child safetyrestraints ................88
child safetybelts ......................88
Child safetyseats ........................90
attaching with tether straps ....94
in front seat ..............................92
in rear seat ................................92
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............185
instrument panel ....................187
interior .....................................187
interior trim ............................187
plastic parts ............................186
Index
249

Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................187
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................37
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......168
K
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................61
Keys
positions of the ignition ...........98
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................35
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................38
cargo lamps ...............................37
daytime running light ...............36
fog lamps ...................................36
headlamps .................................35
headlamps, flash to pass ..........37
instrument panel, dimming .....37
interior lamps ...........................38
replacing bulbs ...................38–43
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................37
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........103
speed control ............................51
Load limits .................................125
GAWR ......................................125
GVWR ......................................125
trailer towing ..........................125
Loading instructions .................127Locks
autolock .....................................61
childproof ..................................57
Lubricant specifications ...232, 235
Lumbar support, seats ...............67
M
Manual transmission .................109
fluid capacities ........................228
lubricant specifications ..........235
reverse .....................................110
Message center ...........................51
english/metric button ...............52
menu button .............................52
Mirrors .........................................45
fold away...................................48
side view mirrors (power) .......47
Motorcraft parts ................209, 228
O
Octane rating ............................208
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................194
P
Parking brake ............................104
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....228
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................48
Power adjustable foot pedals .....48
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................155
Power door locks ..................56, 61
Power point .................................46
Power steering ..........................105
fluid, checking and adding ....215
Index
252