2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED tow

•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 your transaxle does not engage normally, do not attempt to
drive. The vehicle should be towed to your authorized dealer for
evaluation.
Checking 6–speed automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
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.
Checking automatic transmission fluid at operating temperature
(158°F-176°F [70°C-80°C])
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.
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]).
2006 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
257

Relays ........................................195
Remote entry system .................87
illuminated entry ................91–92
locking/unlocking doors .....87–88
opening the trunk .....................88
panic alarm ...............................88
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................90
replacing the batteries .............89
Reverse sensing system ...........183
Roadside assistance ..................192
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........122
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................109, 112–116
Safety Canopy ...........................134
Safety defects, reporting ..........222
Safety restraints ........109, 112–116
BeltMinder
............................117
extension assembly ................122
for adults .........................113–115
for children .....................137–138
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................110
safety belt maintenance .........122
warning light and chime ........116
Safety seats for children ..........141
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................266
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............109
Seats ..........................................101
child safety seats ....................141
front seats ...............101, 103, 106
heated ........................................44
memory seat .....................88, 106SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................96
Servicing your vehicle ..............230
Setting the clock
AM/FM single CD .....................17
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................21
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........204
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................259, 264
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................262, 264
Speed control ..............................65
Starting your vehicle ........172–174
jump starting ..........................208
Steering wheel
controls ......................................68
tilting .........................................59
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................59
Tires ...........................149–150, 201
alignment ................................156
care ..........................................153
changing ..........................201, 204
checking the pressure ............153
inflating ...................................151
label .........................................162
replacing ..................................155
rotating ....................................156
safety practices .......................155
sidewall information ...............158
snow tires and chains ............163
spare tire .................................202
terminology .............................150
tire grades ...............................150
treadwear ........................149, 154
Towing .......................................169
2006 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
275

recreational towing .................171
trailer towing ..........................169
wrecker ....................................214
Traction control ........................178
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .....................256–257
fluid, refill capacities ..............260
lubricant specifications ..........264
Transmission .............................179
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....179
lubricant specifications ..........262
Trunk ...........................................85
remote release ....................83, 88
Turn signal ..................................52
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................264Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................266
Vehicle loading ..........................163
Ventilating your vehicle ...........175
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................233
Water, Driving through .............191
Windows
power .........................................61
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....233
operation ...................................58
replacing wiper blades ...........233
Wrecker towing .........................214
2006 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
276