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•Use when driving conditions cause excessive
shifting from O/D to other gears. Examples: city
traffic, hilly terrain, heavy loads, 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 automatically returned each
time the key is turned off.
2 (Second)
This position allows for second gear only.
•Provides engine braking.
•Use to start-up on slippery roads.
•To return to D (Overdrive), move the gearshift
lever into the D (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 by moving gearshift lever.
•Will not downshift into 1 (First) at high speeds;
allows for 1 (First) when vehicle reaches slower
speeds.
Forced downshifts
•Allowed in D (Overdrive) or Drive.
•Depress the accelerator to the floor.
•Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be
rocked out by shifting from forward and reverse
gears, stopping between shifts in a steady pattern.
Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at
normal operating temperature or damage to
the transmission may occur.
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Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute
or damage to the transmission and tires may
occur, or the engine may overheat.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION OPERATION
(IF EQUIPPED)
Using the clutch
The manual transmission has a starter interlock that
prevents cranking the engine unless the clutch pedal
is fully depressed.
To start the vehicle:
1. Make sure the parking brake is fully set.
2. Press the clutch pedal to the floor, then put the
gearshift lever in the neutral position.
3. Start the engine, then press the brake pedal and
release the parking brake.
4. Move the gearshift lever to the desired gear, then
slowly release the clutch pedal while slowly pressing
on the accelerator.
During each shift, the clutch pedal must be fully
depressed to the floor. Failure to fully depress the
clutch pedal to the floor may cause increased shift
efforts and prematurely wear components in the
transmission. Make sure the floor mat is properly
positioned so it doesn’t interfere with the full
extension of the clutch pedal.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch
pedal or use the clutch pedal to hold your vehicle at
135
24
R
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a standstill while waiting on a hill. These actions will
reduce the life of the clutch.
Recommended shift speeds
Do not downshift into 1 (First) when your
vehicle is moving faster than 24 km/h (15 mph).
This will damage the clutch.
Upshift according to the following chart:
Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best
fuel economy)
Shift from:
1 - 2 18 km/h (11 mph)
2 - 3 31 km/h (19 mph)
3 - 4 48 km/h (30 mph)
4 - 5 64 km/h (40 mph)
Reverse
1. Make sure that your vehicle is at a complete stop
before you shift into R (Reverse). Failure to do so
may damage the transmission.
2. Move the gearshift lever into the neutral position
and wait at least three seconds before shifting into R
(Reverse).
•The gearshift lever can only be moved into R
(Reverse) by moving it from left of 3 (Third) and
4 (Fourth) before shifting into R (Reverse). This
is a lockout feature that protects the transmission
from accidentally being shifted into R (Reverse)
from 5 (Overdrive).
Parking your vehicle
1. Apply the brake and shift into the neutral
position.
2. Fully apply the parking brake, then shift into 1
(First).
3. Turn the ignition off.
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Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it may
move unexpectedly and injure someone. Use
1 (First) gear and set the parking brake fully.
Removing the key
Turn the ignition off,
push the release lever
(located above the
ignition), then turn the
key toward you and
remove the key.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water,
especially if the depth is unknown. Traction or brake
capability may be limited and if the ignition system
gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also
enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage
your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is
unavoidable, proceed very slowly. Never drive
through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims
(for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet
brakes do not stop the vehicle as effectively as dry
brakes. Drying can be improved by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the
brake pedal.
Driving through deep water where the
transmission vent tube is submerged may allow
water into the transmission and cause internal
transmission damage. Have the fluid checked
and, if water is found, replace the fluid.
PUSH
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VEHICLE LOADING–WITH AND WITHOUT A
TRAILER
This section will guide you in the proper loading of
your vehicle and/or trailer, to keep your loaded
vehicle weight within its design rating capability,
with or without a trailer. Properly loading your
vehicle will provide maximum return of vehicle
design performance. Before loading your vehicle,
familiarize yourself with the following terms for
determining your vehicle’s weight ratings, with or
without a trailer, from the vehicle’s Safety
Certification Label and Tire and Load Information
Label:
Base Curb Weight–is the weight of the vehicle
including a full tank of fuel and all standard
equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or
optional equipment.
Vehicle Curb Weight–is the weight of your new
vehicle when you picked it up from your dealer plus
any aftermarket equipment.
Cargo Weight–includes all weight added to the
Base Curb Weight, including cargo and optional
equipment. When towing, trailer tongue load or king
pin weight is also part of cargo weight.
GAW (Gross Axle Weight)–is the total weight
placed on each axle (front and rear)–including
vehicle curb weight and all payload.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)–is the
maximum allowable weight that can be carried by a
single axle (front or rear).These numbers are
shown on the Safety Compliance Certification
Label located on the driver’s door or door
pillar. The total load on each axle must never
exceed its GAWR.
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Exceeding the Safety Certification Label
axle weight rating limits could result in
substandard vehicle handling, performance, engine,
transmission and/or structural damage, serious
damage to the vehicle, loss of control and personal
injury.
Note:For trailer towing information refer toTrailer
Towingfound in this chapter or the RV and Trailer
Towing Guide provided by your dealership.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)–is the Vehicle Curb
Weight + cargo + passengers.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating)–is
the maximum allowable
weight of the fully
loaded vehicle
(including all options,
equipment, passengers
and cargo).The
GVWR is shown on
the Safety
Compliance
Certification Label
located on the
driver’s door or door pillar. The GVW must
never exceed the GVWR.
Exceeding the Safety Certification Label
axle weight rating limits could result in
substandard vehicle handling, performance, engine,
transmission and/or structural damage, serious
damage to the vehicle, loss of control and personal
injury.
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GCW (Gross Combined Weight)–is the weight
of the loaded vehicle (GVW) plus the weight of the
fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)–is the
maximum allowable weight of the vehicle and the
loaded trailer–including all cargo and passengers–
that the vehicle can handle without risking damage.
(Important: The towing vehicle’s braking system is
rated for operation at GVWR, not at GCWR. Separate
functional brakes should be used for safe control of
towed vehicles and for trailers weighing more than
680 kg [1,500 lbs]).The GCW must never exceed
the GCWR.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight–is the highest
possible weight of a fully loaded trailer the vehicle
can tow. It assumes a vehicle with only mandatory
options, no cargo (internal or external), a tongue
load of 10–15% (conventional trailer) or king pin
weight of 15–25% (fifth wheel trailer), and driver
only (68 kg [150 lbs]).Consult your dealership
(or the RV and Trailer Towing Guide provided
by your dealership) for more detailed
information.
Tongue Load or Fifth Wheel King Pin Weight–
refers to the amount of the weight that a trailer
pushes down on a trailer hitch.
Examples:For a 2268 kg (5000 lbs.) conventional
trailer, multiply 5000 by 0.10 and 0.15 to obtain a
proper tongue load range of 227 to 340 kg (500 to
750 lbs.). For an 5216 kg (11,500 lbs.) fifth wheel
trailer, multiply by 0.15 and 0.25 to obtain a proper
king pin load range of 782 to 1304 kg (1,725 to
2,875 lbs.)
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the certification label.
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Do not use replacement tires with lower
load carrying capacities than the originals
because they may lower the vehicle’s GVWR and
GAWR limitations. Replacement tires with a higher
limit than the originals do not increase the GVWR
and GAWR limitations.
Exceeding any vehicle weight rating
limitation could result in serious damage to
the vehicle and/or personal injury.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is not equipped to tow. No towing
packages are available through Ford or
Lincoln/Mercury dealers.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (ALL WHEELS ON
THE GROUND)
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain
combination to tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground (such as behind a recreational
vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your
transmission is not damaged due to insufficient
lubrication.
All Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) vehicles:
This applies to all cars and 4x2 trucks/sport utilities
with rear wheel drive capability.
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral)
•Maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph)
•Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles)
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of
56 km/h (35 mph) must be exceeded, you must
disconnect the driveshaft. Ford recommends the
driveshaft be removed/installed only by a qualified
technician. See your local dealer for driveshaft
removal/installation.
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