
If the “Check Fuel Cap” indicator comes on and stays on after you start
the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly installed. Turn off the
engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap properly and reinstall it.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford or Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible
personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based additives. Studies indicate that
these additives can cause your vehicle’s emission control system to
deteriorate more rapidly. In Canada, premium grade fuel generally
contains more metallic additives than regular fuel. We recommend using
regular grade fuel. In Canada, many fuels contain metallic additives, but
fuels free of such additives may be available; check with your local fuel
dealer.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
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•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.
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Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II). This OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle. When theCheck
engine/Service engine soonlight illuminates, the OBD-II system has
detected a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause yourCheck
engine/Service engine soonlight to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened. SeeFuel filler
capin this chapter.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the fuel cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
present, theCheck engine/Service engine soonlight should turn off. (A
driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theCheck engine/Service engine soonlight remains on, have your
vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
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Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If yourCheck engine/Service engine
soonlight is on, refer to the description in theWarning lights and
chimessection of theInstrument Clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with theCheck engine/Service engine soonlight on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a “not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval
schedules.If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCON
AT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
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2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 50°F (10°C).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 150°F-170°F (66°C-77°C) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 20 miles (30
km) of driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 50°F (10°C). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (150°F-170°F
[66°C-77°C]).
D
O
N
’T
A
D
D
D
O
N
’T
A
D
D
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Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number is
attached to a metal tag and is
located on the driver side
instrument panel. (Please note that
in the graphic XXXX is
representative of your vehicle
identification number.)
1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake type and gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR)
3. Vehicle line, series, body type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
Engine number
The engine number (the last eight numbers of the vehicle identification
number) is stamped on the engine block, transmission, frame and
transfer case (if equipped).
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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A
Accessory delay ........................130
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................182–183, 190
and child safety seats ............185
description ......................183, 190
disposal ....................................193
driver air bag ..................185, 191
indicator light .................190, 192
operation .........................185, 191
passenger air bag ...........185, 191
side air bag ..............................190
Air cleaner filter ...............310–311
Air suspension ...........................243
description ..............................243
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................291
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................239
Anti-theft system ......................160
Audio system (see Radio) .........30
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................245
fluid, adding ............................308
fluid, checking ........................308
fluid, refill capacities ..............312
fluid, specification ..................316
Auxiliary power point ...............128
Axle
lubricant specifications ..314, 316
refill capacities ........................312
traction lok ..............................247
B
Battery .......................................289
acid, treating emergencies .....289jumping a disabled battery ....260
maintenance-free ....................289
replacement, specifications ...311
servicing ..................................289
BeltMinder .................................177
Brakes ........................................238
anti-lock ...................................239
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................239
fluid, checking and adding ....308
fluid, refill capacities ..............312
fluid, specifications .........314, 316
lubricant specifications ..314, 316
shift interlock ..........................243
Bulbs ..........................................109
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....312
CD changer .................................36
CD-single premium .....................30
Cell phone use ..........................137
Certification Label ....................318
Changing a tire .........................209
Child safety restraints ..............193
child safety belts ....................193
Child safety seats ......................196
attaching with tether straps ..200
in front seat ............................197
in rear seat ..............................197
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............277
instrument panel ....................279
interior .....................................279
plastic parts ............................278
washing ....................................276
waxing .....................................276
wheels ......................................277
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wiper blades ............................278
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ..........101
Clock ..........................................128
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment ...............118
Console
overhead ..................................117
rear ..................................136, 144
Controls
power seat ...............................163
steering column ......................135
Coolant
checking and adding ..............291
refill capacities ................295, 312
specifications ..................314, 316
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ..................132
Customer Assistance ................251
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................280
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................273
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................274
Getting roadside assistance ...251
Getting the service you
need .........................................267
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................274
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................269
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................272
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ..............................106Defrost
rear window ............................104
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................308
engine oil .................................285
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........314
Driving under special
conditions ..................................247
through water .........................250
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................260
Emergency Flashers .................252
Emission control system ..........305
Engine ........................................316
cleaning ...................................277
coolant .....................................291
fail-safe coolant ......................296
idle speed control ...................289
lubrication
specifications ..................314, 316
refill capacities ........................312
service points ..........................284
starting after a collision .........252
Engine block heater .................238
Engine oil ..................................285
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................285
checking and adding ..............285
dipstick ....................................285
filter, specifications ........288, 311
recommendations ...................288
refill capacities ........................312
specifications ..................314, 316
Exhaust fumes ..........................238
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