
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 when you’re driving, the wheels may be out of
alignment. Have a qualified technician at a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury
dealer 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 Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer. Front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles,
and those with an independent rear 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
Scheduled Maintenance Guidethat 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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•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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Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating the tires.
Note:If your tires show uneven wear ask a qualified technician at a
Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealership to check for and correct any wheel
misalignment, tire imbalance or mechanical problem involved before tire
rotation.
Note:Your vehicle may be equipped with a dissimilar spare tire/wheel. A
dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that is
different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels. If
you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel it is intended for temporary use
only and should not be used in a tire rotation.
Note:After having your tires rotated, inflation pressure must be checked
and adjusted to the vehicle requirements.
Tire wear
Measure and inspect the tire tread on all your tires periodically.
Advanced and unusual tire wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip
the road in adverse (wet, snowy, etc.) conditions. Visually check your
tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually
smooth areas. Also check for signs of tire damage.
When the tread is worn down to 4
mm (1/16th of an inch), tires must
be replaced to prevent your vehicle
from skidding and hydroplaning.
Built-in treadwear indicators, or
“wear bars”, which look like narrow
strips of smooth rubber across the
tread will appear on the tire when
the tread is worn down to 4mm (1/16th of an inch). When you see these
“wear bars”, the tire is worn out and should be replaced.
Inspect your tires frequently for any of the following conditions and
replace them if one or more of the following conditions exist:
•Fabric showing through the tire rubber
•Bulges in the tread or sidewalls
•Cracks or cuts on the sidewalls
•Cracks in the tread groove
•Impact damage resulting from use
•Separation in the tread
•Separation in the sidewall
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•Severe abrasion on the sidewall
If your vehicle has a leak in the exhaust system, a road tire or the spare
tire may be exposed to hot exhaust temperatures requiring the tire to be
replaced.
Tire Replacement Requirements
Your vehicle is equipped with tires designed to provide safe ride and
handling capability.
Only use replacement tires and wheels that are the same size
and type (such as P-metric versus LT-metric or all-season versus
all-terrain) as those originally provided by Ford. Use of any tire or
wheel not recommended by Ford can affect the safety and
performance of your vehicle, which could result in an increased risk of
loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
Additionally the use of non-recommended tires and wheels could cause
steering, suspension, axle or transfer case/power transfer unit failure. If
you have questions regarding tire replacement, see an authorized Ford
or Lincoln/Mercury dealer.
Make sure all tires and wheels on the vehicle are of the same size, type,
tread design, brand, load-carrying capacity and speed rating 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, personal
injury and death.
You should replace the spare tire when you replace the other road tires
due to the aging of the spare tire.
Safety practices
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
•Observe posted speed limits
•Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
•Avoid potholes and objects on the road
•Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking
If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,do notrapidly spin the
tires; spinning the tires can tear the tire and cause an explosion. A tire
can explode in as little as three to five seconds.
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Tire explosions can cause death, personal injury or property
damage. Do not allow anyone to stand near, directly ahead or
behind the spinning tire.
Never spin the tires in excess of the 55 km/h (35 mph) point
indicated on the speedometer.
Highway hazards
No matter how carefully you drive there’s always the possibility that you
may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tire for damage. If the tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and replace it with your spare tire and wheel. If
you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest repair
facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
USING SNOW TIRES AND TRACTION DEVICES
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, using snow tires or traction
devices may be necessary.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and traction devices:
•SAE class“S”cable should be used only on front axle for P235/70R16
tires. With P225/75R15 and P215/70R16 tires, SAE class“S”cables can
be used on both the front and rear wheels.
•Install cables or chains securely, verifying that the cables or chains do
not touch any wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables or chains rub or bang against
the vehicle, stop and retighten them. If this does not work, remove the
cables or chains to prevent vehicle damage.
•Avoid overloading your vehicle.
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with specified synthetic lubricant anytime the unit is submerged in
water. Never engage the 4X4 feature while on dry pavement.
44X4 vehicles exposed for prolonged periods to temperatures less than
–40°C (-40°F) should change out the rear axle fluid to Motorcraft SAE
75W-140 Synthetic Rear Axle Lubricant, Ford part number
XY-75W140–QL meeting Ford specification WSL-M2C192–A.
ENGINE DATA
Engine 2.3L I4 engine 3.0L DOHC V6
Duratec engine
Cubic inches 140 183
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-3-4-2 1-4-2-5-3-6
Ignition system Coil on plug Coil on plug
Compression ratio 9.7:1 10.0:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Dimensions 4 Door mm (in.)
(1) Vehicle height/ Maximum
height*1770 (69.7)/1778 (70.0)*
(2) Front track / rear 1557 (61.3)/1548 (60.9)
(3) Overall width (body) 1780 (70.1)
(4) Wheelbase 2620 (103.1)
(5) Overall length 4442 (174.9)
* Denotes a 4x4 vehicle with optional 16”tires
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Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................175
Power Point
Cigar lighter ..............................52
Power steering ..........................136
fluid, checking and adding ....234
fluid, refill capacity ................254
fluid, specifications .........257, 259
Power Windows ...........................53
Preparing to drive
your vehicle ...............................137
R
Radio ................................16, 19, 23
Rear window defroster ...............35
Relays ........................................170
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ................42, 84
locking/unlocking doors ...........77
Reverse sensing system ...........154
Roadside assistance ..................168
Roof rack .....................................68
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........109
Safety belts (see
Safety restraints) ..........96, 99–103
Safety Canopy ...........................116
Safety defects, reporting ..........202
Safety restraints ............96, 99–103
belt minder .............................105
extension assembly ................104
for adults .........................100–102
for children .............................119Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................97
safety belt maintenance .........109
warning light and chime ........104
Safety seats for children ..........122
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............96
Seats ............................................89
child safety seats ....................122
heated ........................................91
Servicing your vehicle ..............209
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................16
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ..........25, 29
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................21
Snowplowing .................................7
Spark plugs, specifications ......253,
259
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................257, 259
Speed control ..............................55
Starting your vehicle .......130–131,
133
jump starting ..........................186
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................50
T
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .................33
Tilt steering wheel ......................50
Tires ...........................177, 239–241
alignment ................................248
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care ..........................................246
changing ..................177, 179, 186
checking the pressure ............246
label .........................................246
replacing ..................................251
rotating ....................................248
safety practices .......................251
sidewall information ...............242
snow tires and chains ............252
spare tire .................................178
terminology .............................241
tire grades ...............................240
treadwear ........................240, 250
Towing .......................................162
recreational towing .................167
trailer towing ..........................162
wrecker ....................................192
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................237
manual operation ....................142
Transmission
automatic operation ...............137
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....137
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................235
fluid, refill capacities ..............254
lubricant specifications ..257, 259
Turn signal ..................................41V
Vehicle dimensions ...................259
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................262
Vehicle loading ..........................156
Ventilating your vehicle ...........134
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................213
Water, Driving through .............156
Windows
power .........................................53
rear wiper/washer .....................49
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....213
liftgate reservoir .....................213
operation ...................................48
replacing wiper blades .............49
Wrecker towing .........................192
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USA English(fus)
Index
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