
SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
²Use thescheduled maintenance informationto track routine
service.
²Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications.
²Your authorized dealer can provide parts and service.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
²Do not work on a hot engine.
²Make sure that nothing gets caught in moving parts.
²Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
²Keep all open flames and other lit material away from the battery and
all fuel related parts.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels.
Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Block the wheels.
Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do
not remove it while the engine is running.
Maintenance and Specifications
276

CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the
vehicle. Turn the blade at an angle
from the wiper arm. Push the lock
pin manually to release the blade
and pull the wiper blade down
toward the windshield to remove it
from the arm.
2. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into place
until a click is heard.
Replace wiper blades at least once
per year for optimum performance.
Poor wiper quality can be improved
by cleaning the wiper blades and
the windshield, refer toWindows
and wiper bladesin theCleaningchapter.
To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
Maintenance and Specifications
281

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 lever 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. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
²The vehicle may need to be driven to relearn the idle and fuel trim
strategy.
²If 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.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the
transmission must relearn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation to its
optimum shift feel.
Maintenance and Specifications
287

A
Accessory delay ..........................58
AdvanceTrac ..............................212
Air cleaner filter ...............306±307
Air conditioning ..........................37
Airbag supplemental
restraint system ........141, 150, 152
and child safety seats ............143
description ..............141, 150, 152
disposal ....................................155
driver airbag ............143, 151, 153
indicator light .................150, 155
operation .................143, 151, 153
passenger airbag .....143, 151, 153
side airbag ...............................150
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................288
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................210
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................21, 25, 29
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................218, 221
fluid, adding ............................305
fluid, checking ........................305
fluid, refill capacities ..............308
fluid, specification ..................313
Auxiliary power point .................55
Axle
lubricant specifications ..310, 313
refill capacities ........................308
B
Battery .......................................286acid, treating emergencies .....286
jumping a disabled battery ....256
maintenance-free ....................286
replacement, specifications ...307
servicing ..................................286
BeltMinder .................................136
Brakes ........................................210
anti-lock ...................................210
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................210
fluid, checking and adding ....305
fluid, refill capacities ..............308
fluid, specifications .........310, 313
lubricant specifications ..310, 313
parking ....................................211
shift interlock ..........................217
C
Calculating load ........................199
Capacities for refilling fluids ....308
Cargo cover ...........................94±95
Cassette tape player .............21, 25
Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................246
Child safety restraints ..............156
child safety belts ....................156
Child safety seats ......................160
attaching with tether straps ..164
in front seat ............................161
in rear seat ..............................161
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............270
instrument panel ....................272
interior .....................................273
interior trim ............................273
plastic parts ............................272
washing ....................................269
waxing .....................................269
Index
320

Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................304
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................272
cluster ........................................12
J
Jack ....................................246, 250
positioning .......................246, 252
storage .....................246, 249±250
Jump-starting your vehicle ......256
K
Keyless entry system ...............106
autolock ...........................108±109
Keys
positions of the ignition .........207
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ............46±47
daytime running light ...............43
fog lamps ...................................42
interior lamps ...........................46
Liftgate ................................96, 102
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........210
Load limits .................................192
Loading instructions .................199
Locks
autolock ...........................108±109
childproof ................................100
doors ..........................................98
Lubricant specifications ...310, 313
Lug nuts ....................................255Luggage rack ...............................97
Lumbar support, seats .....116, 119
M
Message center ...............69, 80±81
english/metric button .........73, 85
system check button ..........72, 84
warning messages ...............77, 91
Mirrors .........................................53
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................58
fold away ...................................59
heated ........................................59
side view mirrors (power) .......58
Moon roof ....................................64
Motorcraft parts ........274, 294, 307
N
Navigation system .......................34
O
Octane rating ............................298
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................281
P
Parking brake ............................211
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....307
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................127
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................59
Power adjustable foot pedals .....59
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................243
Power door locks ........................98
Index
323