2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED air condition

Guarding against exhaust fumes
Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped for a long period of
time, open the windows at least one inch (2.5 cm) or adjust the heating
or air conditioning to bring in fresh air.
USING THE ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (IF EQUIPPED)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant which aids in starting
and heater/defroster performance. Use of an engine block heater is
strongly recommended if you live in a region where temperatures reach
-10°F (-23°C) or below. For best results, plug the heater in at least three
hours before starting the vehicle. The heater can be plugged in the night
before starting the vehicle.
To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not use your heater
with ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater)
adapters.
BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out
and should be inspected by an authorized dealer. If the vehicle has
continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected by an authorized dealer.
Refer toBrake system warning
lightin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
P!
BRAKE
2006 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
175

In some states (in the U.S.) you must directly notify Ford in writing
before pursuing remedies under your state’s warranty laws. Ford is also
allowed a final repair attempt in some states.
In the United States, a warranty dispute must be submitted to the BBB
AUTO LINE before taking action under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty
Act, or to the extent allowed by state law, before pursuing replacement
or repurchase remedies provided by certain state laws. This dispute
handling procedure is not required prior to enforcing state created rights
or other rights which are independent of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty
Act or state replacement or repurchase laws.
IN CALIFORNIA (U.S. ONLY)
California Civil Code Section 1793.2(d) requires that, if a manufacturer
or its representative is unable to repair a motor vehicle to conform to the
vehicle’s applicable express warranty after a reasonable number of
attempts, the manufacturer shall be required to either replace the
vehicle with one substantially identical or repurchase the vehicle and
reimburse the buyer in an amount equal to the actual price paid or
payable by the consumer (less a reasonable allowance for consumer
use). The consumer has the right to choose whether to receive a refund
or replacement vehicle.
California Civil Code Section 1793.22(b) presumes that the manufacturer
has had a reasonable number of attempts to conform the vehicle to its
applicable express warranties if, within the first 18 months of ownership
of a new vehicle or the first 18,000 miles (29,000 km), whichever occurs
first:
1. Two or more repair attempts are made on the same non-conformity
likely to cause death or serious bodily injury OR
2. Four or more repair attempts are made on the same nonconformity (a
defect or condition that substantially impairs the use, value or safety of
the vehicle) OR
3. The vehicle is out of service for repair of nonconformities for a total of
more than 30 calendar days (not necessarily all at one time)
In the case of 1 or 2 above, the consumer must also notify the
manufacturer of the need for the repair of the nonconformity at the
following address:
Ford Motor Company
16800 Executive Plaza Drive
Mail Drop 3NE-B
Dearborn, MI 48126
2006 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Customer Assistance
218

Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
“Regular” unleaded gasoline with
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend the use of
gasolines labeled as “Regular” that
are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your authorized dealer to
prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems, try a different brand of unleaded gasoline. “Premium”
unleaded gasoline is not recommended for vehicles designed to use
“Regular” unleaded gasoline because it may cause these problems to
become more pronounced. If the problems persist, see your authorized
dealer.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system.
Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your
fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
Many of the world’s automakers approved the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated “cleaner-burning” gasolines to
improve air quality.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
effect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition from off to on several times after
refueling, to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
2006 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
249

•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.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
2006 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
252

If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by an authorized
dealer.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.0L DOHC V6 Duratec engine
Engine air filter element FA-1771
Fuel filter FG-986
Battery BXT-36R
Oil filter FL-820-S
PCV valve
1
Spark plugs2
1
The PCV valve is a critical emission component. It is one of the items
listed in thescheduled maintenance informationand is essential to
the life and performance of your vehicle and to its emissions system.
For PCV valve replacement, see your authorized dealer. Refer to
scheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate intervals for
changing the PCV valve.
Replace the PCV valve with one that meets Ford material and
design specifications for your vehicle, such as a Motorcraft or
equivalent replacement part. The customer warranty may be void
for any damage to the emissions system if such a PCV valve is not
used.
2For spark plug replacement, see your authorized dealer. Refer to
scheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate intervals for
changing the spark plugs.
Replace the spark plugs with ones that meet Ford material and
design specifications for your vehicle, such as Motorcraft or
equivalent replacement parts. The customer warranty may be
void for any damage to the engine if such spark plugs are not
used.
2006 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
259

A
Accessory delay ..........................63
Air cleaner filter .......................259
Air conditioning ....................42, 44
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................123, 132, 134
and child safety seats ............125
description ..............123, 132, 134
disposal ....................................137
driver airbag ............125, 133, 135
indicator light .................131, 137
operation .................125, 133, 135
passenger airbag .....125, 133, 135
side airbag ...............................132
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................185
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................239
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................176
Anti-theft system ..................96, 99
arming the system ....................99
disarming a triggered
system .....................................100
triggering .................................100
Audio system (see Radio) ...17, 20
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ....................256–257
fluid, checking ................256–257
fluid, refill capacities ..............260
fluid, specification ..................264
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................181–182
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........262
B
Battery .......................................237acid, treating emergencies .....237
jumping a disabled battery ....208
maintenance-free ....................237
replacement, specifications ...259
servicing ..................................237
BeltMinder
...............................117
Brakes ........................................175
anti-lock ...................................176
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................176
fluid, checking and adding ....256
fluid, refill capacities ..............260
fluid, specifications .........262, 264
lubricant specifications ..262, 264
parking ....................................177
shift interlock ..........................179
Bulbs ............................................52
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....260
Cargo net .....................................83
Cassette tape player ...................17
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................201
Child safety restraints ..............138
child safety belts ....................138
Child safety seats ......................141
attaching with tether straps ..145
in front seat ............................142
in rear seat ..............................142
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............225
instrument panel ....................226
interior .....................................227
interior trim ............................227
plastic parts ............................225
washing ....................................223
waxing .....................................224
2006 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
271

wheels ......................................224
wiper blades ............................226
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......42, 44
Clock ............................................60
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................21
AM/FM/CD
.................................17
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment
.................76
Console
........................................60
overhead
..............................59–60
Controls
power seat
...............................104
steering column
........................68
Coolant
checking and adding
..............239
refill capacities
................244, 260
specifications
..................262, 264
Cruise control
(see Speed control)
....................65
Cupholder(s)
.............................108
Customer Assistance
................192
Ford Extended Service
Plan
..........................................220
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada
.....................221
Getting roadside assistance
...192
Getting the service you
need
.........................................216
Ordering additional owner’s
literature
.................................222
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program
...................................220D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................50
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..................................256–257
engine oil .................................234
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........262
Driving under special
conditions ..........................186, 189
sand .........................................188
snow and ice ...........................190
through water .................188, 191
E
Electronic message center .........74
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................208
Emission control system ..........253
Engine ........................................264
cleaning ...................................225
coolant .....................................239
idle speed control ...................237
lubrication specifications ......262,
264
refill capacities ........................260
service points ..........................232
starting after a collision .........194
Engine block heater .................175
Engine oil ..................................234
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................234
checking and adding ..............234
dipstick ....................................234
filter, specifications ........236, 259
recommendations ...................236
refill capacities ........................260
2006 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
272

specifications ..................262, 264
Exhaust fumes ..........................175
F
Fluid capacities .........................260
Foglamps .....................................49
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................185
Fuel ............................................245
calculating fuel
economy ............................75, 250
cap ...........................................247
capacity ...................................260
choosing the right fuel ...........248
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................253
detergent in fuel .....................249
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................245, 247, 250
filter, specifications ........245, 259
fuel pump shut-off switch .....194
improving fuel economy ........250
octane rating ...................249, 264
quality ......................................249
running out of fuel .................249
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................245
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......194
Fuses ..........................................195
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............247
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................250
Gauges .........................................14
H
Hazard flashers .........................194Head restraints .................101, 107
Headlamps ...................................48
aiming ........................................50
autolamp system .......................48
bulb specifications ....................53
daytime running lights .............50
flash to pass ..............................49
high beam .................................49
replacing bulbs ...................53–54
turning on and off ....................48
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................40, 42, 44
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................70
Hood ..........................................231
I
Ignition ...............................172, 264
Illuminated visor mirror .............59
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................141
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................255
Instrument panel ........................60
cleaning ...................................226
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................50
J
Jack ............................................201
positioning ...............................201
storage .....................................201
Jump-starting your vehicle ......208
K
Keyless entry system .................93
2006 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
273