2004 FORD RANGER brakes

Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. Your vehicle is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS); apply the brake steadily. Do not “pump ”the brakes. Refer
to the Brakes section of this chapter for additional information on the
operation of the anti-lock brake system.
Never drive with chains on the front tires of 4WD vehicles without also
putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and
swing around during braking.
Tires, Replacement Requirements
Do not use a size and type of tire and wheel other than that
originally provided by Ford Motor Company because it can affect
the safety and performance of your vehicle, which could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, and/or serious
personal injury or death.
Make sure all tires and wheels on the vehicle are of the same size, type,
tread design and load-carrying capacity. If you have questions regarding
tire replacement, see an authorized Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer.
If you nevertheless decide to equip your 4WD for off-road use with tires
larger than what Ford Motor Company recommends, you should not use
these tires for highway driving.
If you use any tire/wheel combination not recommended by Ford Motor
Company, it may adversely affect vehicle handling and could cause
steering, suspension, axle or transfer case failure as well as the increased
risk of loss of vehicle control.
Do not use “aftermarket lift kits ”or other suspension modifications,
whether or not they are used with larger tires and wheels.
These “aftermarket lift kits ”could adversely affect the vehicle ’s handling
characteristics, which could lead to loss of vehicle control or rollover and
serious injury.
Tires can be damaged during off-road use. For your safety, tires that are
damaged should not be used for highway driving because they are more
likely to blow out or fail.
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Driving
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DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially if the depth is not known. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of
the wheel rims (for cars). Traction or brake capability may be limited
and your vehicle may stall. Water may also enter your engine’s air intake
and severely damage your engine.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your vehicle
slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal. Wet brakes do
not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes. Driving through deep
water where the transmission vent tube or transfer case vent
tube (4x4 vehicles only) are submerged may allow water into the
transmission or transfer case and cause internal
transmission/transfer case damage.
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.
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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.
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.
2004 Ranger (ran)
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Driving
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Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully after any towing operation.
4x2 w/manual transmission
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR - kg (lbs.) Maximum
trailer weight - kg (lbs.) Maximum
frontal area of trailer - m
2(ft2)
Regular Cab w/6 ’box
2.3L All 2177 (4800) 717 (1580) Equal to frontal areaof vehicle
3.0L All 2722 (6000) 1207 (2660) 4.64 (50)
3.0L Edge All 2722 (6000) 1143 (2520) 4.64 (50) Regular Cab w/7’box
2.3L All 2177 (4800) 689 (1520) Equal to frontal areaof vehicle
3.0L All 2722 (6000) 1170 (2580) 4.64 (50) SuperCab
2.3L All 2177 (4800) 644 (1420) Equal to frontal areaof vehicle
3.0L All 2722 (6000) 1125 (2480) 4.64 (50)
3.0L Edge All 2722 (6000) 1061 (2400) 4.64 (50) 4.0L All 3175 (7000) 1542 (3400) 4.64 (50)
4.0L Edge All 3175 (7000) 1506 (3320) 4.64 (50)
For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 300 meters (1000 ft.)
elevation.
For definition of terms used in this table see Vehicle Loadingearlier in
this chapter.
To determine maximum trailer weight designed for your particular vehicle,
see Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow earlier in this
chapter.
Maximum trailer weight is shown. The combined weight of the completed
towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and the loaded
trailer must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
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Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your dealer or a reliable trailer
dealer if you require assistance.
Hitches
For towing trailers up to 907 kg (2,000 lb), use a weight carrying hitch
and ball which uniformly distributes the trailer tongue loads through the
underbody structure. Use a frame-mounted weight distributing hitch for
trailers over 907 kg (2,000 lb).
Do not install a single or multi-clamp type bumper hitch, or a hitch
which attaches to the axle. Underbody mounted hitches are acceptable if
they are installed properly. Follow the towing instructions of a reputable
rental agency.
Whenever a trailer hitch and hardware are removed, make sure all
mounting holes in the underbody are properly sealed to prevent noxious
gases or water from entering.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer ’s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer ’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
Do not connect a trailer ’s hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle ’s brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
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126

Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use
only MERCONAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. If your vehicle is equipped with a 3.0L V6 engine, check the fluid
level on the dipstick. It should be within the FULL HOT range. Do not
add fluid if the level is within this range.
5. If your vehicle is equipped with a 4.0L SOHC V6 or 2.3L I4
engine, check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is within this range.
6. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the FULL HOT range. Be sure to put the
dipstick back in the reservoir.
BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels below the “MAX ”line
that do not trigger the brake system
warning lamp are within the normal
operating range, there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are outside of the normal operating range,
the performance of your brake system could be compromised, seek
service from your dealer immediately.
CLUTCH FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
Check the fluid level. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the
service interval schedules.
During normal operation, the fluid level in the clutch reservoir should
remain constant. If the fluid level drops, refill the fluid level to the step
in the reservoir.
Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid designed to meet Ford specification
ESA-M6C25 –A. Refer to Lubricant Specifications in this chapter.
MAX
2004 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
206

A
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................74and child safety seats ..............76
description ................................74
disposal ......................................79
driver air bag ............................77
indicator light ...........................78
operation ...................................77
passenger air bag .....................77
passenger deactivation
switch ........................................79
Air cleaner filter .......210 –211, 224
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................188
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................101
Audio system
(see Radio) ..........16, 18, 21, 25, 28
Automatic transmission ............103 driving an automatic
overdrive .................................104
fluid, refill capacities ..............225
fluid, specification ..................231
Auxiliary power point .................46
Axle lubricant specifications ..228, 231
refill capacities ........................225
traction lok ..............................102
B
Battery .......................................185 acid, treating emergencies .....185
jumping a disabled battery ....151
maintenance-free ....................185
replacement, specifications ...224
servicing ..................................185 Bed extender ..............................51
BeltMinder ...................................69
Brakes ........................................100
anti-lock ...................................101
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................101
fluid, checking and adding ....206
fluid, refill capacities ..............225
fluid, specifications .........228, 231
lubricant specifications ..228, 231
parking ....................................101
shift interlock ..........................103
Bulbs ............................................40
C
Calculating load ........................121
Capacities for refilling fluids ....225
Cargo area shade ........................51
Cargo net .....................................51
Cell phone use ............................50
Certification Label ....................233
Changing a tire .........................144
Child safety restraints ................84 child safety belts ......................84
Child safety seats ........................87 attaching with tether straps ....91
in front seat ..............................88
in rear seat ................................88
Cleaning your vehicle engine compartment ..............168
instrument panel ....................171
interior .....................................171
plastic parts ............................170
safety belts ..............................171
washing ....................................167
waxing .....................................167
wheels ......................................168
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Index
Index
239

J
Jack ............................................144positioning .......................144, 147
storage .............................144 –146
Jump-starting your vehicle ......151
K
Keys positions of the ignition ...........96
L
Lamps bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................40
courtesy .....................................39
daytime running light ...............36
fog lamps ...................................36
headlamps .................................36
headlamps, flash to pass ..........37
instrument panel, dimming .....37
interior lamps .....................39 –40
replacing bulbs ...................40 –44
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................39
Lights, warning and indicator ....10 anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........101
Load limits .................................118
Loading instructions .................121
Lubricant specifications ...228, 231
Lumbar support, seats ...............61
M
Manual transmission .................106 fluid capacities ........................225
lubricant specifications ..........231
reverse .....................................108 Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) .......47
Motorcraft parts ................199, 224
O
Octane rating ............................197
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................180
P
Parking brake ............................101
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....224
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................138
Power door locks ........................53
Power mirrors .............................47
Power point .................................46
Power steering ..........................102 fluid, checking and adding ....205
fluid, refill capacity ................225
fluid, specifications .........228, 231
Power Windows ...........................47
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................103
R
Radio ....................16, 18, 21, 25, 28 CD-MP3 .....................................31
Relays ........................................134
Remote entry system .................54 illuminated entry ......................56
locking/unlocking doors .....53 –54
Roadside assistance ..................132
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............73
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Index
242