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•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.
• Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
• 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.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
• Use only the specified fuel listed.
• Avoid running out of fuel.
• Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
• Have the items listed in your scheduled maintenance guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the scheduled maintenance
guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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8.U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN): This begins with the
letters “DOT ”and indicates that the tire meets all federal standards. The
next two numbers or letters are the plant code where it was
manufactured, the next two are the tire size code and the last four
numbers represent the week and year the tire was built. For example,
the numbers 317 mean the 31st week of 1997. After 2000 the numbers
go to four digits. For example, 2501 means the 25th week of 2001. The
numbers in between are marketing codes used at the manufacturer ’s
discretion. This information is used to contact customers if a tire defect
requires a recall.
9. M+S or M/S: Mud and Snow. or
AT: All Terrain. or
AS: All Season.
10. Tire Ply Composition and Material Used: Indicates the number of
plies or the number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire tread and
sidewall. Tire manufacturers also must indicate the ply materials in the
tire and the sidewall, which include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
11. Maximum Load: Indicates the maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire. Refer to the tire label or the
safety certification label, located on the B-Pillar or the driver ’s door, for
the correct tire pressure for your vehicle
12. Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
• Treadwear: The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1
1⁄2) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
• Traction: The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. The grades represent the tire ’s ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
• Temperature: The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C,
representing the tire ’s resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
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USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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5. Repeat this procedure for each tire, including the spare.
Note:Some spare tires require higher inflation pressure than the other
tires.
6. Visually inspect the tires to make sure there are no nails or other
objects embedded that could poke a hole in the tire and cause an air
leak.
7. Check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts, bulges or
other irregularities.
Tire and wheel alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or damage to your tires. If your vehicle
seems to pull to one side, vibrate or shake when you ’re driving, the
wheels may be out of alignment. Have a qualified technician at a
reputable repair facility check the wheel alignment periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and rapid
treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by a qualified technician
at a reputable repair facility. Front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles, and
those with independent front suspension require alignment of all four
wheels.
The tires should also be balanced periodically. An unbalanced tire and
wheel assembly may result in irregular tire wear.
Tire rotation
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in the
Service Maintenance Guide that comes with your vehicle) will help your
tires wear more evenly providing better tire performance and longer tire
life. Unless otherwise specified, rotate the tires approximately every
8,000 km (5,000 miles).
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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•Front Wheel Drive (FWD)
vehicles (front tires at top of
diagram)
• Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)
vehicles/Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
vehicles (front tires at top of
diagram)
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USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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specifications ..................228, 231
Exhaust fumes ..........................100
F
Fail safe cooling ........................193
Fluid capacities .........................225
Foglamps .....................................36
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......109 driving off road .......................110
electronic shift ................109 –110
indicator light .........................109
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................103
Fuel ............................................194 calculating fuel economy .......199
cap ...........................................196
capacity ...................................225
choosing the right fuel ...........197
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................202
detergent in fuel .....................198
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................194, 196, 199
filter, specifications ........199, 224
fuel pump shut-off switch .....133
improving fuel economy ........199
octane rating ...................197, 231
quality ......................................198
running out of fuel .................198
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................194
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......133
Fuses ..................................134 –135
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............196 Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................199
Gauges .........................................14
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)
calculating ...............................121
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) calculating ...............................121
H
Hazard flashers .........................133
Headlamps ...................................36 aiming ........................................37
bulb specifications ....................40
daytime running lights .............36
flash to pass ..............................37
high beam .................................37
replacing bulbs .........................41
turning on and off ....................36
Heating heating and air conditioning
system .................................33 –34
Hood ..........................................175
I
Ignition .................................96, 231
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .......................87
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................204
Instrument panel cleaning ...................................171
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................37
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Index
241