WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member of a roadside assistance program, your
roadside assistance service provider.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed by wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
If your vehicle is to be towed from the rear using wheel lift, the front
wheels must be placed on a dolly to prevent damage to the transaxle.
If your vehicle must be towed with the drive wheels on the ground:
•Place the transaxle in N (Neutral).
•Do not exceed the distance of 50 miles (80 km).
•Do not exceed the speed of 35 mph (56 km/h).
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company produces a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
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unsatisfactory, Ford of Canada participates in an impartial third party
mediation/arbitration program administered by the Canadian Motor
Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP).
The CAMVAP program is a straight-forward and relatively speedy
alternative to resolve a disagreement when all other efforts to produce a
settlement have failed. This procedure is without cost to you and is
designed to eliminate the need for lengthy and expensive legal
proceedings.
In the CAMVAP program, impartial third-party arbitrators conduct
hearings at mutually convenient times and places in an informal
environment. These impartial arbitrators review the positions of the
parties, make decisions and, when appropriate, render awards to resolve
disputes. CAMVAP decisions are fast, fair, and final; the arbitrator’s
award is binding both to you and Ford of Canada.
CAMVAP services are available in all territories and provinces. For more
information, without charge or obligation, call your CAMVAP Provincial
Administrator directly at 1-800-207-0685.
FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. It provides
the following:
•Benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items).
•Protection against covered repair costs after your Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty expires.
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln
Mercury and Ford of Canada dealer. There are several plans available in
various time, distance and deductible combinations which can be tailored
to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also offers reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental coverage.
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,000 participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the
time of purchasing your vehicle, you may still be eligible. Since this
information is subject to change, please ask your dealer for complete
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WASHING THE EXTERIOR
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral
Ph shampoo, such as Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3–A), which is available
from your dealer.
•Never use strong household detergents or soap, such as dish washing
or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted
surfaces.
•Never wash a vehicle that is“hot to the touch”or during exposure to
strong, direct sunlight.
•Always use a clean sponge or car wash mitt with plenty of water for
best results.
•Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel in order to
eliminate water spotting.
•It is especially important to wash the vehicle regularly during the
winter months, as dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and cause
damage to the vehicle.
•Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bird droppings
and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle’s
paintwork and trim over time.
•Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a
car wash.
•Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted
surface; if these substances come in contact with your vehicle,
wash off as soon as possible.
WAXING
Applying a polymer paint sealant to your vehicle every six months will
assist in reducing minor scratches and paint damage.
•Wash the vehicle first.
•Do not use waxes that contain abrasives.
•Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with any non-body
(low-gloss black) colored trim, such as grained door handles, roof
racks, bumpers, side moldings, mirror housings or the windshield cowl
area. The paint sealant will“gray”or stain the parts over time.
•Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with the sliding door
electrical contact switches. Paint sealant or other contaminants could
interfere with the proper operation of the power locks or power
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Cleaning
Cleaning
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•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
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.
•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 MPG (L/100 km)
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.
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complete listing of the accessories that are available for your vehicle,
please contact your dealer or visit our online store at:
www.fordaccessoriesstore.com.
Exterior style
Bug shields
Deflectors
Front end covers
Headlamps, fog lights and Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs)
Splash guards
Interior style
Electrochromatic compass/temperature interior mirrors
Floor mats
Lifestyle
Bike racks
Cargo organization and management
Rear seat entertainment systems - DVD
Towing mirrors
Trailer hitches, wiring harnesses and accessories
Peace of mind
First aid and safety kits
Full vehicle covers
Locking gas cap
Remote start
Vehicle security systems
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
•When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
Compliance Certification label). Consult your dealer for specific weight
information.
•
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
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Accessories
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Remote entry system .................99illuminated entry ......47, 102 –103
locking/unlocking doors .....95, 99
Reverse sensing system ...........228
Roadside assistance ..................231
Roof rack .....................................93
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........148
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................135, 138 –142
Safety Canopy ...........................158
Safety defects, reporting ..........256
Safety restraints ........135, 138 –142
belt minder .............................144
extension assembly ................148
for adults .........................139 –141
for children .............................162
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................136
safety belt maintenance .........148
warning light and chime 143 –144
Safety seats for children ..........165
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............135
Seats ..........................................112 child safety seats ....................165
front seats ...............112, 114 –115
memory seat ...................105, 115
second row seats ............118, 121
third row seats ...............121, 128, 132–133
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................109
Servicing your vehicle ..............263
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...182, 184 Spark plugs,
specifications .....................293, 297
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................295, 297
Speed control ..............................71
Starting your vehicle ........217
–219
jump starting ..........................241
Steering wheel controls ......................................74
tilting .........................................57
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................57
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) Maintenance and
Specifications ..........................202
Tire warning ..............................206
Tires ...........................176 –177, 206
alignment ................................199
care ..........................................197
changing ..................182, 184, 187
checking the pressure ............179
inspecting and inflating .........178
label .........................................197
replacing ..................................180
rotating ....................................199
safety practices .......................198
sidewall information ...............192
snow tires and chains ............208
spare tire .................................183
terminology .............................177
tire grades ...............................177
treadwear ........................176, 197
Towing .......................................213 recreational towing .................216
trailer towing ..........................213
wrecker ....................................247
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Transaxleautomatic operation ...............225
fluid, refill capacities ..............294
lubricant specifications ..........297
Transmission brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....225
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................286
lubricant specifications ..........295
Turn signal ..................................49
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................297
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................299
Vehicle loading ..........................208
Ventilating your vehicle ...........220 W
Warning lights (see Lights)
.......10
Washer fluid ..............................266
Water, Driving through .............230
Windows power .........................................68
rear wiper/washer .....................56
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................56
checking and adding fluid .....266
liftgate reservoir .....................266
replacing wiper blades .............57
Wrecker towing .........................247
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Index
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