
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.
(Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through four.
(Overdrive) can be deactivated
bypressing the transmission control switch on the end of the gearshift
lever. This will illuminate the O/D OFF lamp and activate Drive.
Drive (not shown)
Drive is activated when the transmission control switch is pressed.
•This position allows for all forward gears except overdrive.
•O/D OFF lamp is illuminated.
•Provides engine braking.
•Use when driving conditions cause excessive shifting from O/D to
other gears. Examples: citytraffic, hillyterrain, heavyloads, trailer
towing and when engine braking is required.
•To return to O/D (overdrive mode), press the transmission control
switch. The O/D OFF lamp will not be illuminated.
•O/D (Overdrive) is automaticallyreturned each time the keyis turned
off.
2 (Second)
This position allows for second gear only.
•Provides engine braking.
•Use to start-up on slipperyroads.
•To return to
(Overdrive), move the gearshift lever into the
(Overdrive) position.
•Selecting 2 (Second) at higher speeds will cause the transmission to
downshift to second gear at the appropriate vehicle speed.
1 (First)
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•Allows upshifts bymoving gearshift lever.
•Will not downshift into 1 (First) at high speeds; allows for 1 (First)
when vehicle reaches slower speeds.
Forced downshifts
•Allowed in
(Overdrive) or Drive.
Driving
108

Vehicles with a higher center of gravitysuch as utilityand
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differentlythan vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars anymore
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorilyunder
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiouslycould result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injuryand death.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the waythe vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
Parking
On some 4WD vehicles, when the transfer case is in the N (Neutral)
position, the engine and transmission are disconnected from the rest of
the driveline. Therefore, the vehicle is free to roll even if the automatic
transmission is in P (Park) or the manual transmission is in gear. Do not
leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N (Neutral)
position. Always set the parking brake fully and turn off the ignition
when leaving the vehicle.
4WD Systems
4WD (when you select a 4WD mode), uses all four wheels to power the
vehicle. This increases traction, enabling you to drive over terrain and
road conditions that a conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.
Power is supplied to all four wheels
through a transfer case. On 4WD
vehicles, the transfer case allows
you to select 4WD when necessary.
Information on transfer case
operation and shifting procedures
can be found in theDriving
chapter. Information on transfer
case maintenance can be found in theMaintenance and specifications
chapter. You should become thoroughlyfamiliar with this information
before you operate your vehicle.
Normal characteristics
On some 4WD models, the initial shift from two-wheel drive to 4x4 while
the vehicle is moving can cause some momentaryclunk and ratcheting
Driving
119

Book. These instructions are available through your Ford dealer; they
include the list of vehicle models recommended for snowplowing and
snowplow weight limits. Use of the Snowplow Package Option, or its
equivalent, along with these instructions will help avoid possible
powertrain and chassis damage from snowplowing.
The front and rear GAWR, GVWR, Total AccessoryReserve Capacity
(TARC) and tire inflation pressures are found on the SafetyCompliance
Certification Label located on one of the vehicle’s door jambs. This label
is applied to all vehicles completed byFord Motor Company. Incomplete
vehicles built byFord Motor Companywill have an Incomplete Vehicle
Label in place of the SafetyCompliance Label. The TARC does not apply
to Incomplete Vehicles and will not be shown on the Incomplete Vehicle
Label. The weight of the vehicle with occupants must never exceed the
front and rear GAWR or the GVWR.
The TARC is the weight of the permanentlyattached equipment that can
be added to the vehicle without violating the vehicle’s SafetyCompliance
Certification. This includes the snowplow mounting hardware but does
not include the removable portion of the snowplow assembly.
Installing the snowplow
Read the following instructions before installing a snowplow:
•Front GAWR must not exceed 63% of the GVW. Add ballast weight to
the back of the vehicle, if necessary. Refer to the Safety Compliance
Certification Label to find your vehicle’s front GAWR.
•
The Front Axle AccessoryReserve Capacityand the TARC listed on the
bottom right of the SafetyCompliance Certification Label will determine
whether or not the addition of a snowplow will overload your vehicle.
•The weight of the snowplow and supporting components distributed to
the front axle must not exceed the Front Axle AccessoryReserve
Capacity.
•The total weight of the snowplow and aftermarket equipment must
not exceed the TARC.
•The weight of the installed snowplow and aftermarket equipment must
not load the vehicle beyond the GAWR (front/rear) and GVWR listed
on the SafetyCompliance Certification Label.
•The total weight of the snowplow and aftermarket equipment must be
considered part of the payload and must not exceed the GCWR for
towing.
•Federal and most local regulations require additional exterior lamps
for snowplow-equipped vehicles. Consult your dealer for additional
information.
Driving
149

2. Connect the other end of the positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the assisting battery.
3. Connect the negative (-) cable to the negative (-) terminal of the
assisting battery.
4. Make the final connection of the negative (-) cable to an exposed
metal part of the stalled vehicle’s engine, awayfrom the batteryand the
carburetor/fuel injection system.Do notuse fuel lines, engine rocker
covers or the intake manifold asgroundingpoints.
Do not connect the end of the second cable to the negative (-)
terminal of the batteryto be jumped. A spark maycause an
explosion of the gases that surround the battery.
5. Ensure that the cables are clear of fan blades, belts, moving parts of
both engines, or anyfuel deliverysystem parts.
Jump starting
1. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and run the engine at
moderatelyincreased speed.
2. Start the engine of the disabled vehicle.
+–+–
+–+–
Roadside Emergencies
170

•A Ford or Lincoln Mercurydealership representative
Consumer candidates for Board membership are recruited and trained by
an independent consulting firm. The dealership Board member is chosen
from Ford and Lincoln Mercurydealership management, recognized for
their business leadership qualities.
What the Board needs
To have your case reviewed you must complete the application in the
DSB brochure and mail it to the address provided on the application
form. Some states will require you to use certified mail, with return
receipt requested.
Your application is reviewed and, if it is determined to be eligible, you
will receive an acknowledgment indicating:
•The file number assigned to your application.
•The toll-free phone number of the DSB’s independent administrator.
Your dealership and a Ford Motor Companyrepresentative will then be
asked to submit statements.
To properlyreview your case, the Board needs the following information:
•Legible copies of all documents and maintenance or repair orders
relevant to the case.
•The year, make, model, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) listed
on your vehicle ownership license.
•The date of repair(s) and mileage at the time of occurrence(s).
•The current mileage.
•The name of the dealer(s) who sold or serviced the vehicle.
•A brief description of your unresolved concern.
•A brief summaryof the action taken bythe dealer(s) and Ford Motor
Company.
•The names (if known) of all the people you contacted at the
dealership(s).
•A description of the action you expect to resolve your concern.
You will receive a letter of explanation if your application does not
qualifyfor Board review.
Oral presentations
If you would like to make an oral presentation, indicate YES to question
6 on the application. While it is your right to make an oral presentation
Customer Assistance
179

•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same everytime.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completelyand record the initial odometer reading
(in kilometers or miles).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in liters
or gallons).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel
economy:
Calculation 1:Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total
kilometers traveled.
Calculation 2: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
economyunder 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.
•Steadyspeeds without stopping will usuallygive the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) maywaste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down mayeliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations mayreduce 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]).
Maintenance and Specifications
211