
NOTICE TO UTILITY VEHICLE AND TRUCK OWNERS
Utility vehicles and trucks handle
differently than passenger cars in
the various driving conditions that
are encountered on streets,
highways and off-road. Utility
vehicles and trucks are not designed
for cornering at speeds as high as
passenger cars any more than
low-slung sports cars are designed
to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions.
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles. To reduce the risk of serious injury or
death from a rollover or other crash you must:
²Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers;
²Drive at safe speeds for the conditions;
²Keep tires properly inflated;
²Never overload or improperly load your vehicle; and
²Make sure every passenger is properly restrained.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a seat belt. All occupants must
wear safety belts and children/infants must use appropriate restraints
to minimize the risk of injury or ejection.
Study yourOwner's Guideand any supplements for specific information
about equipment features, instructions for safe driving and additional
precautions to reduce the risk of an accident or serious injury.
VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS
4WD and AWD Systems (if equipped)
A vehicle equipped with AWD or 4WD (when selected) has the ability to
use all four wheels to power itself. This increases traction which may
enable you to safely drive over terrain and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
170

STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. OFF/LOCK, shuts off the engine
and all accessories/locks the steering
wheel, gearshift lever and allows key
removal.
2. ACC, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running. This position also unlocks
the steering wheel.
3. ON, all electrical circuits
operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key position when driving.
4. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Important safety precautions
When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked.
If the vehicle is operated in a heavy snow storm or blowing snow
conditions, the engine air induction may become partially clogged with
snow and/or ice. If this occurs the engine may experience a significant
reduction in power output. At the earliest opportunity, clear all snow
and/or ice away for the air induction inlet.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts. For more
information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and Safety Restraintschapter.
Driving
207

²Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check
for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
authorized dealer.
²Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power steering
pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your authorized dealer.
²Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX mark on
the reservoir, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort. If the
steering wanders or pulls, check for:
²an improperly inflated tire
²uneven tire wear
²loose or worn suspension components
²loose or worn steering components
²improper steering alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
PREPARING TO DRIVE
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a safety belt.
Your vehicle has larger tires and increased ground clearance, giving the
vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger car.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
Driving
216

Do not connect the end of the second cable to the negative (-)
terminal of the battery to be jumped. A spark may cause an
explosion of the gases that surround the battery.
5. Ensure that the cables are clear of fan blades, belts, moving parts of
both engines, or any fuel delivery system parts.
Jump starting
1. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and run the engine at
moderately increased speed.
2. Start the engine of the disabled vehicle.
3. Once the disabled vehicle has been started, run both engines for an
additional three minutes before disconnecting the jumper cables.
Removing the jumper cables
Remove the jumper cables in the reverse order that they were
connected.
1. Remove the jumper cable from thegroundmetal surface.
2. Remove the jumper cable on the negative (-) connection of the
booster vehicle's battery.
+–+–
Roadside Emergencies
259

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 with a wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
If the vehicle's battery is discharged, refer toAutomatic transmission
operationin theDrivingchapter for directions on how to move the
gearshift lever out of the P (Park) position, for proper towing.
On 4x2 vehicles, it is acceptable to tow the vehicle with the front wheels
on the ground (without dollies) and the rear wheels off the ground.
On 4x4/AWD vehicles, it is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a
wheel lift and dollies or flatbed equipment with all the wheels off the ground.
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.
Roadside Emergencies
261

Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning
the steering wheel or instrument panel to avoid contamination of
the airbag system.
²Be certain to wash or wipe your hands clean if you have been in
contact with certain products such as insect repellent and suntan
lotion in order to avoid possible damage to the interior painted
surfaces.
INTERIOR TRIM
²Clean the interior trim areas with a damp cloth, then with a clean, dry
cloth.
²Do not use household or glass cleaners as these may damage the
finish.
INTERIOR
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats, safety belts and seats equipped with side
airbags:
²Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
²Remove light stains and soil with Motorcraft Professional Strength
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner (ZC-54).
²If grease or tar is present on the material, spot-clean the area first
with Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover (ZC-14).
²If a ring forms on the fabric after spot cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately (but do not oversaturate) or the ring will set.
²Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of
the seat materials.
Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the vehicle's
safety belts, as these actions may weaken the belt webbing.
Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning
the seat-mounted side airbag (if equipped). Such products could
contaminate the side airbag system and affect performance of the side
airbag in a collision.
Cleaning
273

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

Power mirrors .............................58
Power point .................................55
Power steering ..........................215
fluid, checking and adding ....304
fluid, refill capacity ................308
fluid, specifications .........310, 313
Power Windows ...........................57
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................216
R
Radio ................................21, 25, 29
Rear window defroster ...............41
Relays ........................................238
Remote entry system ...............101
illuminated entry ....................105
opening the trunk ...................102
Reverse sensing system ...........224
Roadside assistance ..................235
Roof rack .....................................97
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........140
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) ............126,
129±134
Safety Canopy ...........150, 152±153
Safety defects, reporting ..........268
Safety restraints ........126, 129±134
belt minder .............................136
extension assembly ................135
for adults .........................130±133
for children .....................155±156
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................127safety belt maintenance .........140
warning light and chime ........136
Safety seats for children ..........160
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................315
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............126
Seats ..........................................114
child safety seats ....................160
front seats ...............................115
heated ......................................119
memory seat ...................102, 118
Setting the clock
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................29
Snowplowing .................................8
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................307, 313
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............8
utility-type vehicles ....................8
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................310, 313
Speed control ..............................60
Starting your vehicle ........207, 209
jump starting ..........................256
Steering wheel
controls ......................................62
tilting .........................................53
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................53
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Driving .....................................230
Roadside Emergencies ...........246
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....186
Warning Displays ..........18, 77, 91
Index
324