When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the
end walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps,
resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery.
Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite
corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Release the parking brake. With your foot on the brake pedal and with
the A/C on, put the vehicle in D (Drive) and allow the engine to idle for
at least one minute.
7. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 km) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and radio settings must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
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Maintenance and Specifications
221
BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the “MIN” and
“MAX” lines are within the normal
operating range; there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating
range the performance of your
brake system could be
compromised; seek service from
your dealer immediately.
TRANSAXLE FLUID
Checking 6–speed automatic transmission fluid at operating
temperature (158°F-176°F [70°C-80°C])
Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationfor scheduled
intervals for fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does not consume
fluid. However, the fluid level should be checked if the transaxle is not
working properly, i.e., if the transaxle slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 20 miles [30 km]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic
during hot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before
checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
2005 Montego(mgo)
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Maintenance and Specifications
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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 read
within the hot range on the dipstick
if at normal operating temperature
(158°F-176°F [70°C-80°C]).
Checking 6–speed automatic transmission fluid at cool
temperature (32°F-81°F
[17°C-27°C])
If a fluid check is necessary at a low
fluid temperature (32°F-81°F
[17°C-27°C]), perform the check
using the cold range on the dipstick. However, the fluid must be
re-checked at the proper fluid temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level does not show at all on the
dipstick.
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transaxle failure. An
overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or
possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition.
2005 Montego(mgo)
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Maintenance and Specifications
240
A
Accessory delay ..........................46
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........107, 114, 116
and child safety seats ............109
description ..............107, 114, 116
disposal ....................................119
driver air bag ..........109, 115, 117
indicator light .................114, 119
operation .................109, 115, 117
passenger air bag ...109, 115, 117
side air bag ..............................114
Air cleaner filter .......................241
Air conditioning ....................26, 28
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................175
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................222
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................166
Anti-theft system ........................84
arming the system ....................85
disarming a triggered
system .......................................86
Audio system
(see Radio) ............................16, 19
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................239
fluid, checking ........................239
fluid, refill capacities ..............242
fluid, specification ..................247
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................170, 172
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........245
B
Battery .......................................220acid, treating emergencies .....220
jumping a disabled battery ....191
maintenance-free ....................220
replacement, specifications ...241
servicing ..................................220
BeltMinder .................................102
Brakes ........................................166
anti-lock ...................................166
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............166
fluid, checking and adding ....239
fluid, refill capacities ..............242
fluid, specifications .........245, 247
lubricant specifications ..245, 247
parking ....................................167
shift interlock ..........................169
Bulbs ............................................36
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....242
Cargo net .....................................69
Cassette tape player ...................16
Cell phone use ............................68
Certification Label ....................248
Changing a tire .........................135
Child safety restraints ..............120
child safety belts ....................120
Child safety seats ......................122
attaching with tether straps ..126
in front seat ............................124
in rear seat ..............................124
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............208
instrument panel ....................210
interior .....................................210
interior trim ............................210
plastic parts ............................209
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USA_English(fus)
Index
253
K
Keyless entry system .................78
autolock .....................................80
Keys
positions of the ignition .........162
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................32
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................36
daytime running light ...............33
fog lamps ...................................33
headlamps .................................32
headlamps, flash to pass ..........34
instrument panel, dimming .....34
interior lamps ...........................36
replacing bulbs ...................36–40
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................36
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........166
Load limits .................................152
Locks
autolock .....................................80
childproof ..................................71
doors ..........................................70
Lubricant specifications ...245, 247
Lug nuts ....................................142
Lumbar support, seats ...............88
M
Message center ...........................57
english/metric button ...............61
system check button ................62
warning messages .....................62
Mirrors ...................................43, 47automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................47
fold away ...................................47
side view mirrors (power) .......47
Moon roof ....................................52
Motorcraft parts ................232, 241
O
Octane rating ............................231
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................216
P
Parking brake ............................167
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....241
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................95
Power adjustable foot pedals .....48
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................187
Power door locks ........................70
Power mirrors .............................47
Power point .................................44
Power steering ..........................168
fluid, checking and adding ....238
fluid, refill capacity ................242
fluid, specifications .........245, 247
Power Windows ...........................44
R
Radio ......................................16, 19
Relays ........................................184
Remote entry system .................73
illuminated entry ................77–78
opening the trunk .....................74
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Index
256