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To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (an opaque plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the“cold fill range”or the“cold full”level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration, refer
toChecking Engine Coolantsection. If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to–34°F/–36°C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
Maintenance and Specifications
222
Page 257 of 264

plastic parts ............................203
safety belts ..............................204
washing ....................................200
waxing .....................................200
wheels ......................................201
wiper blades ............................203
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............32
Compass, electronic ....................66
calibration .................................67
set zone adjustment ...........66, 69
Console ........................................50
overhead ....................................51
rear ......................................51, 54
Controls
power seat .................................99
steering column ........................60
Coolant
checking and adding ..............219
refill capacities ................223, 244
specifications ..................246, 248
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................56
Customer Assistance ................163
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................205
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................192
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............196
Getting roadside assistance ...163
Getting the service you
need .........................................190
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................197
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................193
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................196D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................37
Defrost
rear window ..............................36
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................237
engine oil .................................212
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........246
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................238
Driving under special
conditions ..................................152
through water .........................155
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) ...........................32
E
Electronic message center .........68
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................183
Emergency Flashers .................164
Emission control system ..........234
Engine ................................248–249
cleaning ...................................201
coolant .....................................219
fail-safe coolant ......................223
idle speed control ...................217
lubrication
specifications ..................246, 248
refill capacities ........................244
service points ..................209–210
starting after a collision .........165
Engine block heater .................145
Index
257
Page 258 of 264

Engine oil ..................................212
checking and adding ..............212
dipstick ....................................212
filter, specifications ........215, 243
recommendations ...................215
refill capacities ........................244
specifications ..................246, 248
Exhaust fumes ..........................145
F
Fail safe cooling ........................223
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....225
Floor mats ...................................79
Fluid capacities .........................244
Foglamps .....................................37
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................148
Fuel ............................................225
calculating fuel
economy ............................70, 230
cap ...........................................229
capacity ...................................244
choosing the right fuel ...........227
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................233
detergent in fuel .....................229
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................225, 229, 231
filter, specifications ........230, 243
fuel pump shut-off switch .....165
improving fuel economy ........230
octane rating ...........228, 248–249
quality ......................................228
running out of fuel .................229
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................225
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .........................225, 227–228Fuses ..................................166–167
G
Garage door opener ..............52, 62
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............229
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................230
Gauges .........................................14
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................156
calculating ...............................157
definition .................................156
driving with a heavy load ......156
location ....................................156
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................156
calculating .......................156–157
definition .................................156
driving with a heavy load ......156
location ....................................156
H
Hazard flashers .........................164
Head restraints ...........................97
Headlamps
aiming ........................................39
bulb specifications ....................41
daytime running lights .............37
flash to pass ..............................38
high beam .................................38
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................31–32
HomeLink universal
transceiver (see Garage door
opener) ..................................62, 65
Hood ..........................................207
Index
258