
Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarilyilluminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position when the engine is not running, or
in a position between ON and START, or byapplying the parking brake
when the ignition is turned to the ON position. If the brake system
warning light does not illuminate at this time, seek service immediately
from your dealership. Illumination after releasing the parking brake
indicates low brake fluid level and the brake system should be inspected
immediatelybyyour servicing dealership.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked byyour dealer immediately.
Anti-lock brake system:If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately. Normal
braking is still functional unless the brake warning light also is
illuminated.
Air bag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately. A chime will also sound when a malfunction in the
supplemental restraint system has been detected.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A chime will also
sound to remind you to fasten your
safetybelt.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the batteryis not charging properly.
ABS
Instrument Cluster
11

Door ajar:Illuminates when the
ignition is in the ON position and
anydoor is open.
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators stayon or flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams:Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the keyis left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC position and the driver’s door is
opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (and the keyis not in the ignition) and
the driver’s door is opened.
GAUGES
Speedometer:Indicates the
current vehicle speed.
Instrument Cluster
13

Transmission fluid temperature gauge
(automatictransmission only):If the gauge is in the:
White area(normal) - the
transmission fluid is within the
normal operating temperature
(between “H” and “C”).
Yellow area(warning) — the
transmission fluid is higher than
normal operating temperature. This
can be caused byspecial operation
conditions (i.e. snowplowing, towing
or off road use). Refer toSpecial
Operating Conditionsin the
scheduled maintenance guide for
instructions. Operating the
transmission for extended periods of
time with the gauge in the yellow
area maycause internal transmission damage.
Altering the severityof the driving conditions is recommended to lower
the transmission temperature into the normal range.
Red area(over temperature) —
the transmission fluid is overheating.
Stop the vehicle to allow the
temperature to return to normal
range.
If the gauge is operating in the
Yellow or Red area, stop the vehicle
and verifythe airflow is not
restricted such as snow or debris
blocking airflow through the grill. If
the gauge continues to show high
temperatures, see your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer.
Instrument Cluster
16

•4–door Super Cab (if equipped)
To adjust the shoulder belt height,
push the button and slide the height
adjuster up or down. Release the
button and pull down on the height
adjuster to make sure it is locked in
place.
Position the safetybelt height adjusters so that the belt rests
across the middle of your shoulder. Failure to adjust the safety
belt properlycould reduce the effectiveness of the seat belt and
increase the risk of injuryin a collision.
Safety belt warning light and indicator chime
The safetybelt warning light illuminates in the instrument cluster and a
chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safetybelts.
Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The driver’s safetybelt is not
buckled before the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position...The safetybelt warning light
illuminates 1-2 minutes and the
warning chime sounds 4-8
seconds.
The driver’s safetybelt is buckled
while the indicator light is
illuminated and the warning chime
is sounding...The safetybelt warning light and
warning chime turn off.
The driver’s safetybelt is buckled
before the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position...The safetybelt warning light and
indicator chime remain off.
BeltMinder
The BeltMinder feature is a supplemental warning to the safetybelt
warning function. This feature provides additional reminders to the
driver that the driver’s safetybelt is unbuckled byintermittently
sounding a chime and illuminating the safetybelt warning lamp in the
instrument cluster.
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74

If... Then...
The driver’s safetybelt is not
buckled before the vehicle has
reached at least 5 km/h (3 mph)
and 1-2 minutes have elapsed
since the ignition switch has been
turned to ON...The BeltMinder feature is
activated - the safetybelt warning
light illuminates and the warning
chime sounds for 6 seconds every
30 seconds, repeating for
approximately5 minutes or until
safetybelt is buckled.
The driver’s safetybelt is buckled
while the safetybelt indicator light
is illuminated and the safetybelt
warning chime is sounding...The BeltMinder feature will not
activate.
The driver’s safetybelt is buckled
before the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position...The BeltMinder feature will not
activate.
The following are reasons most often given for not wearing safetybelts:
(All statistics based on U.S. data)
Reasons given... Consider...
“Crashes are rare
events”36700 crashes occur every day.The more we
drive, the more we are exposed to “rare” events,
even for good drivers.1in4ofuswillbe
seriously injured in a crash during our
lifetime.
“I’m not going far”3of4fatal crashes occur within25miles of home.
“Belts are
uncomfortable”We design our safetybelts to enhance comfort. If
you are uncomfortable - try different positions for
the safetybelt upper anchorage and seatback
which should be as upright as possible; this can
improve comfort.
“I was in a hurry”Prime time for an accident.BeltMinder reminds
us to take a few seconds to buckle up.
“Seat belts don’t
work”Safety belts,when used properly,reduce risk of
deathto front seat occupants by45% in cars,
and by60% in light trucks.
Seating and Safety Restraints
75

•The driver’s safetybelt is unbuckled.
•The parklamps/headlamps are in OFF position (If vehicle is equipped
with Autolamps, this will not affect the procedure).
To reduce the risk of injury, do not deactivate/activate the Belt
Minder feature while driving the vehicle.
BeltMinder activation and deactivation procedure
1. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN (or ON) position. (DO NOT
START THE ENGINE.)
2. Wait until the safetybelt warning light turns off. (Approximately1–2
minutes.)
•Steps 3–5 must be completed within 60 seconds or the procedure will
have to be repeated.
3. Buckle then unbuckle the safetybelt three times, ending with the
safetybelt unbuckled. This can be done before or during BeltMinder
warning activation.
4. Turn on the parklamps/headlamps, turn off the parklamps/headlamps.
5. Buckle then unbuckle the safetybelt three times, ending with the
safetybelt unbuckled.
•After step 5 the safetybelt warning light will be turned on for three
seconds.
6. Within seven seconds of the safetybelt warning light turning off,
buckle then unbuckle the safetybelt.
•This will disable BeltMinder if it is currentlyenabled, or enable
BeltMinder if it is currentlydisabled.
7. Confirmation of disabling BeltMinder is provided bythe safetybelt
warning light flashing four times per second for three seconds.
8. Confirmation of enabling BeltMinder is provided by:
•The safetybelt warning light flashing four times per second for three
seconds.
•Followed bythree seconds with the safetybelt warning light off.
•Once again, the safetybelt warning light will flash four times per
second for three seconds.
9. After receiving confirmation, the deactivation/activation procedure is
complete.
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77

restrained or are otherwise out of position at the time of air bag
deployment. Thus, it is extremely important that occupants be properly
restrained as far awayfrom the air bag module as possible while
maintaining vehicle control.
Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not
touch them after inflation.
If the air bag has deployed,the air bag will not function
again and must be replaced immediately.If the air bag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injuryin a
collision.
The SRS consists of:
•driver and passenger (if equipped) air bag modules (which include the
inflators and air bags),
•one or more impact and safing sensors,
•a readiness light and tone
•and the electrical wiring which connects the components.
The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical system warning (including the impact
sensors), the system wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the air
bag back up power and the air bag ignitors.
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer toAir bag readinesssection
in theInstrument clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the air bag is
not required.
A difficultywith the system is indicated byone or more of the following:
•The readiness light will either
flash or staylit.
•The readiness light will not
illuminate immediatelyafter
ignition is turned on.
•A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodicallyuntil the problem and/or light are repaired.
Seating and Safety Restraints
82

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