
•Place seat back in upright position.
•Put the safety belt in the automatic locking mode. Refer toAutomatic
locking mode.
•LATCH lower anchors are recommended for use by children up to 48
lb (22 kg) in a child restraint. Top tether anchors can be used for
children up to 60 lb (27 kg) in a child restraint, and to provide upper
torso restraint for children up to 80 lb (36 kg) using an upper torso
harness and a belt-positioning booster.
Ford Motor Company recommends the use of a child safety seat having a
top tether strap. Install the child safety seat in a seating position with
LATCH and tether anchors. For more information on top tether straps
and anchors, refer toAttaching safety seats with tether strapsin this
chapter. For more information of LATCH anchors refer toAttaching
safety seats with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children)
attachmentsin this chapter.
Carefully follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions included
with the safety seat you put in your vehicle. If you do not install
and use the safety seat properly, the child may be injured in a sudden
stop or collision.
Rear-facing child seats or infant carriers should never be placed
in front of an active passenger airbag.
Installing child safety seats with combination lap and shoulder
belts
Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child seat.NEVERplace a
rear-facing child seat in front of an active airbag. If you must use
a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move the seat all the way
back.
Children 12 and under should be properly restrained in the rear
seat whenever possible.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
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8. Allow the safety belt to retract to
remove any slack in the belt.
9. Before placing the child in the
seat, forcibly move the seat forward
and back to make sure the seat is
securely held in place. To check
this, grab the seat at the belt path
and attempt to move it side to side
and forward. There should be no
more than one inch of movement for
proper installation.
10. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is
in the automatic locking mode (you should not be able to pull more belt
out). If the retractor is not locked, unbuckle the belt and repeat Steps 2
through 9.
Check to make sure the child seat is properly secured before each use.
Attaching child safety seats with tether straps
Most new forward-facing child safety seats include a tether strap which
goes over the back of the seat and hooks to an anchoring point. Tether
straps are available as an accessory for many older safety seats. Contact
the manufacturer of your child seat for information about ordering a
tether strap.
The rear seats of your vehicle are equipped with built-in tether strap
anchors located behind the seats as described below.
The tether anchors in your vehicle are located under a cover marked
with the tether anchor symbol (shown with title).
The tether strap anchors in your
vehicle are in the following positions
(shown from top view):
Attach the tether strap only to the appropriate tether anchor as
shown. The tether strap may not work properly if attached
somewhere other than the correct tether anchor.
1. Position the child safety seat on the seat cushion.
2006 Five Hundred(500)
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Seating and Safety Restraints
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Attaching safety seats with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children) attachments for child seat anchors
Some child safety seats have two rigid or webbing mounted attachments
that connect to two anchors at certain seating positions in your vehicle.
This type of child seat eliminates the need to use safety belts to attach
the child seat. For forward-facing child seats, the tether strap must also
be attached to the proper tether anchor. SeeAttaching safety seats with
tether strapsin this chapter.
Your vehicle has LATCH anchors for child seat installation at the seating
positions marked with the child seat symbol.
All the LATCH lower anchors are
equally spaced, so that a single
LATCH child seat can be installed at
any rear seating position.If two
child safety seats are installed
using the LATCH lower anchors,
they must be placed in the
outboard seating positions only.
If three child safety seats are installed, use the LATCH lower
anchors for the center child safety seat; however, you must use
child safety seats with lap/shoulder belts and tether anchors for
the outboard child seats.
Never attach two LATCH child safety seats to the same anchor.
In a crash, one anchor may not be strong enough to hold two
child safety seat attachments and may break, causing serious injury or
death.
The lower anchors for child seat
installation are located at the rear
section of the rear seat between the
cushion and seat back. The LATCH
anchors are below the locator
symbols on the seat back.
2006 Five Hundred(500)
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Seating and Safety Restraints
147

Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning
the steering wheel or instrument panel to avoid contamination of
the airbag system.
•Be 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
•Clean the interior trim areas with a damp cloth, then with a clean, dry
cloth; you may also use Motorcraft Dash & Vinyl Cleaner (ZC-38-A).
•Do 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:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Remove light stains and soil with Motorcraft Professional Strength
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner (ZC-54).
•If grease or tar is present on the material, spot-clean the area first
with Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover (ZC-14).
•If a ring forms on the fabric after spot cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately (but do not oversaturate) or the ring will set.
•Do 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.
2006 Five Hundred(500)
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Cleaning
227

LEATHER SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
Your leather seating surfaces have a clear, protective coating over the
leather.
•To clean, use a soft cloth with Motorcraft Deluxe Leather and Vinyl
Cleaner (ZC-11–A). Dry the area with a soft cloth.
•To help maintain its resiliency and color, use the Motorcraft Deluxe
Leather Care Kit (ZC-11–D), available from your authorized dealer.
•Do not use household cleaning products, alcohol solutions, solvents or
cleaners intended for rubber, vinyl and plastics, or oil/petroleum-based
leather conditioners. These products may cause premature wearing of
the clear, protective coating.
Note:In some instances, color or dye transfer can occur when wet
clothing comes in contact with leather upholstery. If this occurs, the
leather should be cleaned immediately to avoid permanent staining.
UNDERBODY
Flush the complete underside of your vehicle frequently. Keep body and
door drain holes free from packed dirt.
FORD AND LINCOLN MERCURY CAR CARE PRODUCTS
Your Ford or Lincoln Mercury authorized dealer has many quality
products available to clean your vehicle and protect its finishes. These
quality products have been specifically engineered to fulfill your
automotive needs; they are custom designed to complement the style
and appearance of your vehicle. Each product is made from high quality
materials that meet or exceed rigid specifications. For best results, use
the following products or products of equivalent quality:
Motorcraft Bug and Tar Remover (ZC-42)
Motorcraft Car Care Kit (ZC-26)
Motorcraft Car Wash (Canada only) (CXC-21)
Motorcraft Custom Bright Metal Cleaner (ZC-15)
Motorcraft Custom Clear Coat Polish (ZC–8–A)
Motorcraft Custom Vinyl Protectant (U.S. only) (ZC-40-A)
Motorcraft Dash and Vinyl Cleaner (ZC-38–A)
Motorcraft Deluxe Leather and Vinyl Cleaner (U.S. only) (ZC-11–A)
Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3–A)
Motorcraft Dusting Cloth (ZC-24)
2006 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Cleaning
228

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
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Index
271

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
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Index
273

autolock .....................................94
keypad .......................................93
locking and unlocking doors ....94
programming entry code .........93
Keys .............................................97
positions of the ignition .........172
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................48
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................53
daytime running light ...............50
fog lamps ...................................49
headlamps .................................48
headlamps, flash to pass ..........49
instrument panel, dimming .....50
interior lamps ...........................52
replacing bulbs .............53–54, 57
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................52
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........176
Load limits .................................163
Locks
autolock .....................................94
childproof ..................................85
doors ..........................................84
Lubricant specifications ...262, 264
Lug nuts ....................................208
Lumbar support, seats .............102
M
Message center ...........................74
english/metric button ...............79
system check button ................79
warning messages .....................80
Mirrors .........................................64automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................64
fold away ...................................64
heated ........................................65
side view mirrors (power) .......64
Moon roof ....................................69
Motorcraft parts ........228, 245, 259
N
Navigation system .......................25
O
Octane rating ............................249
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................234
P
Parking brake ............................177
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....259
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................110
Power adjustable foot pedals .....65
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................198
Power door locks ........................84
Power mirrors .............................64
Power point .................................61
Power steering ..........................178
fluid, checking and adding ....255
fluid, refill capacity ................260
fluid, specifications .........262, 264
Power Windows ...........................61
R
Radio ......................................17, 20
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Index
274