
The appearance of your vehicle’s trip computer may differ depending on
your vehicle’s option package, but the functions are the same.
The trip computer onlyoperates with the ignition in the ON position.
Trip computer features are as follows:
Selectable features
English/metric display
Press this control to change the trip
computer displaybetween metric
and English units.
Mode control
Each press of the MODE control will
displaya different feature as follows:
Average fuel economy.The
displaywill indicate the vehicle’s
average fuel economyin liters/100
km (or miles/gallon) since the
average fuel economywas last reset.
If you calculate your average fuel
economybydividing liters of fuel used by100 kilometers traveled (miles
traveled by gallons used), your figure may be different than displayed for
the following reasons:
•your vehicle was not perfectly level during fill-up
•differences in the automatic shut-off points on the fuel pumps at
service stations
•variations in top-off procedure from one fill-up to another
•rounding of the displayed values to the nearest liter (gallon)
To reset the average fuel economy:
1. Press the MODE control repeatedlyuntil average fuel economyis
displayed (this is the only resettable display).
Driver Controls
52

Never place your arm over the air bag module as a deploying air
bag can result in serious arm fractures or other injuries.
To properlyposition yourself awayfrom the air bag:
•Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the
pedals comfortably.
•Recline the seat slightlyone or two degrees from the upright position.
Do not put anything on or over the air bag module. Placing
objects on or over the air bag inflation area maycause those
objects to be propelled bythe air bag into your face and torso causing
serious injury.
Do not attempt to service, repair, or modifythe air bag
supplemental restraint systems or its fuses. See your Ford or
Lincoln Mercurydealer.
The front passenger air bag is not designed to offer protection to
an occupant in the center front seating position.
Modifying or adding equipment to the front end of the vehicle
(including frame, bumper, front end bodystructure and tow
hooks) mayaffect the performance of the air bag system, increasing
the risk of injury. Do not modify the front end of the vehicle.
Additional equipment such as snowplow equipment mayeffect
the performance of the air bag sensors increasing the risk of
injury. Please refer to the Body Builders Lay out Book for instructions
about the appropriate installation of additional equipment.
Removing the blocker beam without installing snow plow
attachment hardware mayeffect air bag deployment in a crash.
Do not operate the truck unless either the blocker beam or snow plow
attachment hardware is installed on the vehicle.
Children and air bags
For additional important safetyinformation, read all information on
safetyrestraints in this guide.
Seating and Safety Restraints
80

If anyof these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your dealership or by a qualified technician immediately. Unless
serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a
collision.
Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped vehicles
(including pretensioners)
See your local dealership or qualified technician. Air bags MUST BE
disposed of byqualified personnel.
Passenger air bag ON/OFF switch
An air bag ON/OFF switch
has been installed in this
vehicle. Before driving,always
look at the face of the switch to
be sure the switch is in the proper
position in accordance with these
instructions and warnings. Failure
to put the switch in a proper
position can increase the risk of
serious injuryor death in a
collision.
Turning the passenger air bag off
1. Insert the ignition key, turn the
switch to OFF position and hold in
OFF position while removing the
key.
2. When the ignition is turned to the
ON position the OFF light
illuminates briefly, momentarily
shuts off and then turns back on.
This indicates that the passenger air
bag is deactivated.
If the light fails to illuminate when the passenger air bag switch
is in the OFF position and the ignition switch is in ON, have the
passenger air bag switch serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer immediately.
PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF
OFF ON
PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF
OFF ON
Seating and Safety Restraints
83

In order to avoid inadvertent activation of the switch, always
remove the ignition keyfrom the passenger air bag ON/OFF
switch.
Turning the passenger air bag back on
The passenger air bag remains OFF until you turn it back ON.
1. Insert the ignition keyand turn
the switch to ON.
2. The OFF light will briefly
illuminate when the ignition is
turned to On. This indicates that the
passenger air bag is operational.
If the OFF light is illuminated when the passenger air bag switch
is in the ON position and the ignition switch is in ON, have the
passenger air bag switch serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer immediately.
The passenger side air bag should always be ON (the air bag OFF light
shouldnotbe illuminated) unless the passenger is a person who meets
the requirements stated either in Category1, 2 or 3 of the
NHTSA/Transport Canada deactivation criteria which follows.
The safetybelts for the driver and right front passenger seating
positions have been specificallydesigned to function together
with the air bags in certain types of crashes. When you turn OFF your
air bag, you not only lose the protection of the air bag, you also may
reduce the effectiveness of your safety belt system, which was
designed to work with the air bag. If you are not a person who meets
the requirements stated in the NHTSA/Transport Canada deactivation
criteria turning OFF the air bag can increase the risk of serious injury
or death in a collision.
PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF
OFF ON
Seating and Safety Restraints
84

•Turn the keyto 4 (ON) without
turning the keyto 5 (START).
Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or illuminate briefly. If a
light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.
•If the driver’s safetybelt is fastened, the
light maynot illuminate.
Starting the engine
1. Turn the keyto 4 (ON) without
turning the keyto 5 (START).
2. Turn the keyto 5 (START), then
release the keyas soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
Note:If the engine does not start within five seconds on the first try,
turn the keyto 3 (OFF), wait 10 seconds and tryagain. If the engine still
fails to start, press the accelerator to the floor and tryagain; this will
allow the engine to crank with the fuel shut off in case the engine is
flooded with fuel.
1
2
34
5
3
2
1
5
4
Driving
101

Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
Use of an engine block heater is
stronglyrecommended if you live in
a region where temperatures reach
-23° C (-10° F) or below. For best
results, plug the heater in at least
three hours before starting the
vehicle. The heater can be plugged
in the night before starting the
vehicle.
To prevent electrical shock, do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater)
adapters.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped for a long period of
time, open the windows at least 2.5 cm (one inch) or adjust the heating
or air conditioning to bring in fresh air.
BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings maybe worn-out
and should be inspected bya qualified service technician. If the vehicle
has continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
the vehicle should be inspected bya qualified service technician.
Rear Anti-lock Brake System (RABS) (if equipped)
Your vehicle maybe equipped with a Rear Anti-lock Braking System
(RABS). This system helps you maintain steering control during
Driving
102

emergencystops bykeeping the rear brakes from locking. The front
wheels, however, maystill lock since theyare not controlled bythe
RABS. Noise from the ABS pump motor and brake pedal pulsation may
be observed during ABS braking; this is normal.
RABS warning lamp
The
ABSwarning lamp in the instrument cluster momentarilyilluminates
when the ignition is turned to the ON position. If the light does not
illuminate momentarilyat start up, remains on or continues to flash, the
ABS needs to be serviced.
With the ABS light on, the anti-lock
brake system is disabled and normal
braking is still effective unless the
brake warning light also remains
illuminated with parking brake released. (If your brake warning lamp
illuminates, have your vehicle serviced immediately.)
Using RABS
In an emergency, apply ing full pressure may cause the front wheels to
lock.If the front brakes lock, the vehicle cannot be steered.Yo u
should applythe brakes with steadilyincreasing force, as if “squeezing”
the brakes. If you feel the front wheels begin to lock, momentarily
release the pedal and repeat the “squeeze” technique.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
Your vehicle maybe equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
This system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops
bykeeping the brakes from locking. Noise from the ABS pump motor
and brake pedal pulsation maybe observed during ABS braking; any
pulsation or mechanical noise you may feel or hear is normal.
ABS warning lamp
ABS
TheABSlamp in the instrument cluster momentarilyilluminates when
the ignition is turned to ON. If the light does not illuminate during start
up, remains on or flashes, the ABS maybe disabled and the ABS may
need to be serviced.
Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. (If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system serviced immediately.)
Driving
103

hold the brake pedal down, release the parking brake, then trypushing
the parking brake pedal further down. Chock the wheels if required. If
the parking brake cannot hold the weight of the vehicle, the parking
brake mayneed to be serviced.
STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an underinflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
TRACTION-LOK AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slipperysurfaces, particularlywhen
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
Traction-Lok axle functions like a standard rear axle.
To reduce the risk of injury, never run the engine with one wheel
off the ground, such as when changing a tire.
PREPARING TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
Utilityvehicles have a significantlyhigher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantlymore likely
to die than a person wearing a safetybelt.
Your vehicle has larger tires and increased ground clearance, giving the
vehicle a higher center of gravitythan a passenger car.
Driving
105