
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style—good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
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A
Accessory delay ..........................66
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................................117
and child safety seats ............119
description ..............................117
disposal ....................................121
driver air bag ..........................119
indicator light .........................121
operation .................................119
passenger air bag ...................119
Air cleaner filter ...............253–255
Air conditioning ..........................45
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................233
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................172–173
Audio system (see Radio) ...17, 21
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................177, 179
fluid, adding ............................250
fluid, checking ........................250
fluid, refill capacities ..............256
fluid, specification ..................262
Auxiliary power point .................64
Axle
lubricant specifications ..259, 262
refill capacities ........................256
traction lok ..............................175
B
Battery .......................................231
acid, treating emergencies .....231
jumping a disabled battery ....204
maintenance-free ....................231
replacement, specifications ...255servicing ..................................231
BeltMinder .................................112
Brakes ........................................172
anti-lock ...........................172–173
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................172
fluid, checking and adding ....250
fluid, refill capacities ..............256
fluid, specifications .........259, 262
lubricant specifications ..259, 262
parking ....................................173
shift interlock ..........................176
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................54
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....256
Cargo net .....................................82
Cell phone use ............................81
Certification Label ....................263
Changing a tire .........................140
Child safety restraints ..............122
child safety belts ....................122
Child safety seats ......................124
attaching with tether straps ..128
in front seat ............................126
in rear seat ..............................126
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............220
instrument panel ....................222
interior .....................................222
interior trim ............................222
plastic parts ............................221
safety belts ..............................222
washing ....................................219
waxing .....................................219
wheels ......................................220
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wiper blades ............................221
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......45, 47
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................23
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................19
Compass, electronic ....................75
calibration .................................76
set zone adjustment .................76
Console ........................................81
overhead ..............................62–63
Controls
power seat .................................99
steering column ........................73
Coolant
checking and adding ..............233
refill capacities ................237, 256
specifications ..................259, 262
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................70
Customer Assistance ................196
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................223
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................216
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................217
Getting roadside assistance ...196
Getting the service you
need .........................................210
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................217
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................212
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................215D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................50
Dipstick
automatic transmission fluid .250
engine oil .................................228
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........259
Driving under special
conditions ..................182, 189, 192
sand .........................................191
snow and ice ...........................193
through water .................191, 195
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................204
Emergency Flashers .................197
Emission control system ..........247
Engine ........................................262
cleaning ...................................220
coolant .....................................233
diesel ...........................................6
fail-safe coolant ......................237
idle speed control ...................231
lubrication
specifications ..................259, 262
refill capacities ........................256
service points ..........................226
starting after a collision .........197
Engine block heater .................171
Engine oil ..................................228
checking and adding ..............228
dipstick ....................................228
filter, specifications ........230, 255
recommendations ...................230
refill capacities ........................256
specifications ..................259, 262
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Exhaust fumes ..........................171
F
Fail safe cooling ........................237
Fluid capacities .........................256
Foglamps .....................................50
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......184
description ..............................185
driving off road .......................187
electronic shift ................184–185
indicator light .........................185
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................175
Fuel ............................................239
calculating fuel economy .......243
cap ...........................................241
capacity ...................................256
choosing the right fuel ...........241
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................246
detergent in fuel .....................243
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................239, 241, 243
filter, specifications ........243, 255
fuel pump shut-off switch .....197
improving fuel economy ........243
octane rating ...................242, 262
quality ......................................242
running out of fuel .................243
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................239
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......197
Fuses ..................................198–199
G
Garage door opener ....................63Garage Door Opener
(see Homelink wireless control
system) ........................................77
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............241
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................243
Gauges .........................................13
transmission fluid
temperature gauge ...................17
H
Hazard flashers .........................197
Head restraints .........................101
Headlamps ...................................49
aiming ........................................51
autolamp system .......................49
bulb specifications ....................54
daytime running lights .............50
flash to pass ..............................51
high beam .................................50
replacing bulbs ...................55–56
turning on and off ....................49
Heating
heater only system ...................47
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................42–43, 45
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................77
Hood ..........................................226
I
Ignition ...............................168, 262
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................124
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................248
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