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•Warming upa vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
Maintenance and Specifications
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Cargo liners, interior
Carpet floor mats
Door edge guards
Flat splash guards
Fog lamps
Front end covers (full and sport)
Front hood deflectors
Locking gas cap
Molded splash guards
Secure start — emergency battery start
Side window air deflectors
Universal floor mats
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
•When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
compliance certification label). Consult your dealer for specific weight
information.
•The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems - such as two-way radios, telephones and
theft alarms - that are equipped with radio transmitters. Any such
equipment installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC
regulations and should be installed only by a qualified service
technician.
•Mobile communications systems may harm the operation of your
vehicle, particularly if they are not properly designed for automotive
use or are not properly installed. When operated, such systems may
cause the engine to stumble or stall or cause the transmission to be
damaged or operate improperly. In addition, such systems may be
damaged or their performance may be affected by operating your
vehicle. (Citizens band [CB] transceivers, garage door openers and
other transmitters with outputs of five watts or less will not ordinarily
affect your vehicle’s operation.)
•Ford cannot assume responsibility for any adverse effects or damage
that may result from the use of such equipment.
Accessories
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cleaning ...................................237
coolant .....................................251
fail-safe coolant ......................254
idle speed control ...................249
lubrication
specifications ..................273, 275
refill capacities ........................270
service points ..........................244
starting after a collision .........201
Engine block heater .................167
Engine oil ..................................245
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................245
checking and adding ..............245
dipstick ....................................245
filter, specifications ........248, 270
recommendations ...................248
refill capacities ........................270
specifications ..................273, 275
Exhaust fumes ..........................167
F
Fail safe cooling ........................254
Floor mats ...................................99
Fluid capacities .........................270
Foglamps .....................................50
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................183
indicator light ...........................14
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................173
Fuel ............................................255
calculating fuel
economy ............................88, 260
cap...........................................257
capacity ...................................270
choosing the right fuel ...........258
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................262detergent in fuel .....................259
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................255, 257, 260
filter, specifications ........259, 270
fuel pump shut-off switch .....201
gauge .........................................16
improving fuel economy ........260
octane rating ...................258, 275
quality ......................................258
running out of fuel .................259
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................255
Fuses ..................................202–203
G
Garage door opener ....................82
Gas cap(see Fuel cap) ............257
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................260
Gauges .........................................15
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................15
fuel gauge ..................................16
odometer ...................................16
speedometer .............................16
tachometer ................................17
tripodometer ............................17
GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating) ..........................191
calculating ...............................193
definition .................................191
driving with a heavy load ......191
location ....................................191
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ..........................191
calculating .......................191, 193
definition .................................191
driving with a heavy load ......191
location ....................................191
Index
283