Warning messages that have been reset are divided into three categories:
•They will reappear on the display every minute from the reset.
•They will reappear on the display ten minutes from the reset.
•They will not reappear until an ignition OFF-ON cycle has been
completed.
This acts as a reminder that these warning conditions still exist within
the vehicle.
Warning display Status
Temporary AWD lock (vehicles
equipped with AdvanceTrac
only)Displays for 4 seconds
AWD lock OFF AWD auto ON
(vehicles equipped with
AdvanceTraconly)
Check engine temperature Warning returns after 10 minutes
Transmission overheated
Check transmission
Low fuel level
Check fuel cap
Check charging system
Low brake fluid level
Low oil pressure
Warning-tire very low (if
equipped)
ETC-engine failsafe mode
AWD disabled lock (vehicles
equipped with AdvanceTrac
only)
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70
Warning display Status
Check tire pressure (if
equipped)Warning returns after the ignition key
is turned from OFF to ON.
Tire pressure monitor fault (if
equipped)
Tire pressure sensor fault (if
equipped)
Check AdvanceTrac(if
equipped)
Check AWD (vehicles equipped
with AdvanceTraconly)
AWD Disabled (vehicles
equipped with AdvanceTrac
only)
Low washer fluid level
Door ajar
Change oil soon
Oil change required
TEMPORARY AWD LOCK (vehicles equipped with AdvanceTrac
only).Displayed when the AWD system automatically locks to prevent
damage from overheating.
AWD LOCK OFF and AWD AUTO ON (vehicles equipped with
AdvanceTraconly).Displayed when the AWD system is completely
cooled down from being overheated.
CHECK ENGINE TEMPERATURE.Displayed when the engine
coolant is overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn
off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. Refer
toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and specificationschapter. If
the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer as
soon as possible.
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED.Indicates the transmission is
overheating. This warning may appear when towing heavy loads or when
driving in a low gear at a high speed for an extended period of time.
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and let it
cool. Refer toTransmission fluidin theMaintenance and
specificationschapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your dealer for transmission service as soon as possible.
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CHECK TRANSMISSION.Indicates the transmission is not operating
properly. If this warning stays on, contact your dealer as soon as
possible.
AWD DISABLED LOCK (vehicles equipped with AdvanceTrac
only).Displayed when the AWD system begins to overheat placing itself
in the autolock mode. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your dealer as soon as safely possible.
LOW FUEL LEVEL.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
CHECK FUEL CAP.Displayed when the fuel filler cap is not properly
installed. Check the fuel filler cap for proper installation. Refer toFuel
filler capin theMaintenance and specificationschapter.
ETC-ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE.Displayed when the engine has
defaulted to a “limp-home” operation. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on when the
engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical system checked
as soon as possible.
LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and
the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toChecking
and adding brake fluidin theMaintenance and specifications
chapter.
LOW OIL PRESSURE.Displayed when the engine oil level is low. If
this warning message is displayed, check the level of the engine oil.
Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and specificationschapter for
information about adding engine oil.
WARNING-TIRE VERY LOW (if equipped).Displayed when one or
more tires have very low pressure. When this warning message is
displayed, a warning chime will sound reminding you to stop the vehicle
as soon as safely possible and check your tires for proper pressure, leaks
and damage. Refer toServicing your tiresin theMaintenance and
specificationschapter.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE (if equipped).Displayed when any of the
tire pressures are low. Refer toChecking the tire pressurein the
Maintenance and specificationschapter.
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72
Once through 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.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills. A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
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157
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
•do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
•do not allow waves to break higher than 6 inches (15 cm) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter vehicle components:
•causing internal damage to the components.
•affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
Replace the rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
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.
Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) 4x2 vehicles:
This applies to all 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.
Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft can cause
transmission fluid loss, damage to the driveshaft and internal
transmission components.
AWD vehicles:
Vehicles equipped with AWD cannot be towed with any wheels on the
ground as vehicle damage may occur.
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TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
The automatic transmission does not have a transmission fluid dipstick.
Refer to yourScheduled Maintenance Guidefor scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, (i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly) or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Transmission fluid should be checked and, if required, fluid
should be added by a qualified technician.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
CHECKING AND ADDING TRANSFER CASE FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
1. Clean the filler plug.
2. Remove the filler plug and
inspect the fluid level.
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Maintenance and Specifications
245
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Engine coolant
3Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)4.0L SOHC V6
enginewithout
auxiliary climate
control15.4L
(16.3 quarts)
4.0L SOHC V6
enginewith
auxiliary climate
control17.2L
(18.2 quarts)
4.6L V8 engine
without
auxiliary climate
control17.6L
(18.6 quarts)
4.6L V8 engine
withauxiliary
climate control19.0L
(20.1 quarts)
Front axle
lubricantMotorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle Lubricant4x4/AWD
vehicles1.3L
(1.4 quarts)
Rear axle
lubricantMotorcraft SAE
75W-90 Fuel
Efficient High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantConventional
Axle1.7L (3.5 pints)
Limited Slip
Axle
41.5L (3.25 pints)
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll vehicles 4.0L
(4.2 quarts)
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. MERCONand
MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT mix MERCONand
MERCONV. Refer to yourScheduled Maintenace Guideto determine
the correct service interval.
2Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary
based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount
of transmission fluid and fluid level should be checked by a qualified
technician.
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A
Accessory delay ..........................49
AdvanceTrac ..............................141
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................................115, 120
and child safety seats ............117
description ......................115, 120
disposal ....................................123
driver air bag ..................117, 121
indicator light .................119, 122
operation .........................117, 121
passenger air bag ...........117, 121
Air cleaner filter .......................262
Air conditioning ..........................28
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................151
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze (see
Engine coolant) ........................226
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................139
Audio system (see Radio) ...18, 21
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................147
fluid, adding ............................245
fluid, checking ........................245
fluid, refill capacities ..............263
fluid, specification ..................267
Auxiliary power point .................48
Axle
lubricant specifications ..265, 267
refill capacities ........................263
B
Battery .......................................224acid, treating emergencies .....224
jumping a disabled battery ....195
maintenance-free ....................224
replacement, specifications ...262
servicing ..................................224
BeltMinder .................................111
Brakes ........................................139
anti-lock ...................................139
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............139
fluid, checking and adding ....244
fluid, refill capacities ..............263
fluid, specifications .........265, 267
lubricant specifications ..265, 267
parking ....................................140
shift interlock ..........................145
C
Calculating load ........................166
Capacities for refilling fluids ....263
Cargo cover ...........................76–77
Cell phone use ............................45
Certification Label ....................269
Changing a tire .........................186
Child safety restraints ..............123
child safety belts ....................123
Child safety seats ......................126
attaching with tether straps ..130
in front seat ............................127
in rear seat ..............................127
Cigar lighter
Power Point ..............................48
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............210
instrument panel ....................212
interior .....................................213
interior trim ............................213
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Index
Index
274