•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.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•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.
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
238
wheels ......................................211
wiper blades ............................212
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......27, 29
Clock ............................................45
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................21
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................61
Console ........................................70
overhead ....................................45
Controls
power seat .................................90
steering column ........................53
Coolant
checking and adding ..............225
refill capacities ................230, 246
specifications ..................248, 250
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................50
Cupholder(s) ...............................94
Customer Assistance ................185
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................214
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................207
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................208
Getting roadside assistance ...185
Getting the service you
need .........................................201
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................208
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................203
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................206D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................34
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..................................242–243
engine oil .................................219
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........248
Driving under special
conditions ..........................179, 182
sand .........................................181
snow and ice ...........................183
through water .................181, 184
E
Electronic message center .........59
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................194
Emission control system ..........239
Engine ........................................250
cleaning ...................................211
coolant .....................................225
idle speed control ...................223
lubrication
specifications ..................248, 250
refill capacities ........................246
service points ..........................218
starting after a collision .........186
Engine block heater .................168
Engine oil ..................................219
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................219
checking and adding ..............219
dipstick ....................................219
filter, specifications ........222, 245
recommendations ...................222
refill capacities ........................246
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
257
