Page 160 of 256

Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can’t turn and if
they aren’t turning, you won’tbe
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle. Rapid pumping of the brake pedal will help you slow the vehicle
and still maintain steering control.
Your vehicle is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS), apply the brakes steadily. Do not“pump”the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. Your vehicle is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS); apply the brake steadily. Do not“pump”the brakes. Refer
to theBrakessection of this chapter for additional information on the
operation of the anti-lock brake system.
Never drive with chains on the front tires of 4WD vehicles without also
putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and
swing around during braking.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Ranger(ran), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driving
160
Page 222 of 256

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.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Ranger(ran), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
222
Page 236 of 256

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Fuel tank N/A Regular cab
(Short wheel
base)64.4L (17
gallons)
Regular cab
(Long wheel
base)76.8L (20.3
gallons)
SuperCab 73.8L (19.5
gallons)
Transfer case
FluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT F4x4 Vehicles 1.2L (1.25
quarts)
Front axle
lubricantMotorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle Lubricant4x4 Vehicles 1.7L (3.6 pints)
Rear axle
lubricant
5, 6Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle LubricantAll (except FX4
Level II)2.4-2.5L (5.0-5.3
pints)
Rear axle
lubricant (FX4
Level II only)
6
Motorcraft SAE
75W-140
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantFX4 Level II
only2.5-2.6L
(5.25-5.5 pints)
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 2.6L (2.75
quarts)
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. MERCONand MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONand MERCONV. Refer to theScheduled Maintenance
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
REVIEW COPY
2005 Ranger(ran), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
236
Page 240 of 256

1Add 118 ml (4 oz.) of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent
meeting Ford specification EST-M2C118–A for complete refill of
Traction-Lok axles.
2Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. MERCONand MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONand MERCONV. Refer to yourScheduled Maintenance
Guideto determine the correct service interval.
ENGINE DATA
Engine 2.3L I4 engine 3.0L V6 engine 4.0L V6 engine
Cubic inches 138 182 245
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-3-4-2 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-4-2-5-3-6
Ignition system EDIS EDIS EDIS
Spark plug gap0.049–0.053 inch
(1.25–1.35 mm)0.042–0.046 inch
(1.07–1.17 mm)0.052–0.056 inch
(1.32–1.42 mm)
Compression
ratio9.7:19.7:1 9.7:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle
dimensionsRegular Cab
Short Wheel Base
(SWB) - inches
(mm)Regular Cab
Long Wheel
Base (LWB)) -
inches (mm)SuperCab)
- inches
(mm)
(1) Overall
length188.5 (4788) 200.4 (5092) 202.6 (5147)
(2) Overall
width69.4 (1762) 69.4 (1762) 70.3 (1785)
(3) Overall
height–4x2/4x465.0 (1652) /
68.5 (1740)66.0 (1677) /
68.4 (1737)66.0 (1676) /
68.7 (1746)
(4) Wheelbase 111.4 (2831) 117.4 (2983) 125.7 (3192)
(5) Track -
Front58.5 (1486) 58.5 (1486) 58.5 (1486)
(5) Track - Rear 57.3 (1455) 57.3 (1455) 57.3 (1455)
REVIEW COPY
2005 Ranger(ran), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
240