Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and rapid
treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by a qualified technician
at a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer. Front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles
and those with an independent rear suspension (if equipped) may
require alignment of all four wheels.
The tires should also be balanced periodically. An unbalanced tire and
wheel assembly may result in irregular tire wear.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle is equipped with unique larger tires on the rear
wheels, you can only rotate tires side to side. You must not rotate tire in
a crisscross pattern or front to rear. If you notice that the tires wear
unevenly, have them checked.
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in the
Scheduled Maintenancechapter) will help your tires wear more evenly,
providing better tire performance and longer tire life. Unless otherwise
specified, rotate the tires approximately every 5,000 miles (8,000 km).
• Tire rotation
Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating the tires.
Note: If your tires show uneven wear ask a qualified technician at a
Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealership to check for and correct any wheel
misalignment, tire imbalance or mechanical problem involved before tire
rotation.
Note: After having your tires rotated, inflation pressure must be checked
and adjusted to the vehicle requirements.
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
88
STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
• Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir). Refer to Checking and
adding power steering power fluid in theMaintenance and
Specifications chapter for information on checking and filling the
power steering fluid 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:
• an improperly inflated tire
• uneven tire wear
• loose or worn suspension components
• loose or worn steering components
• improper steering alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
LIMITED-SLIP AXLE
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
limited slip axle functions like a standard rear axle.
Extended use of other than the manufacturer’s specified size tires on a
limited slip rear axle could result in a permanent reduction in
effectiveness. This loss of effectiveness does not affect normal driving
and should not be noticeable to the driver.
PREPARING TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle has special design features, such as a decreased ground
clearance; care should be taken when driving your vehicle near curbs,
speed bumps and parking lot bump-stops.
Use extra caution while becoming familiar with your vehicle. Know the
capabilities and limitations of both you as a driver and your vehicle.
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Driving
101
GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor
Company offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This
program is separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service
is available:
•24–hours, seven days a week
• for the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period of three years or 36,000
miles (60,000 km), whichever occurs first on Ford and Mercury
vehicles, and four years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km) on Lincoln
vehicles.
Roadside assistance will cover:
• a flat tire change with a good spare (except Ford GT which has a tire
inflation kit)
• battery jump start
• lock-out assistance (key replacement cost is the customer’s
responsibility)
• fuel delivery (2.0 gallons [7.5L], maximum two occurrences within 12
month period)
• towing of your disabled vehicle to the nearest Ford Motor Company
dealership, or your selling dealer if within 35 miles (56.3 km) of the
nearest Ford Motor Company dealership (one tow per disablement).
Even non-warranty related tows, like accidents, are covered (some
exclusions apply, such as impound towing or repossession).
Canadian customers refer to your Owner Information Guide for
information on:
• coverage period
• exact fuel amounts
• towing of your disabled vehicle
• emergency travel expense reimbursement
• travel planning benefits
USING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Complete the roadside assistance identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In the United States, this card is found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment. In Canada, the card is
found in the Owner Information Guide in the glove compartment.
U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicle customers who require roadside assistance,
call 1–800–241–3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1–800–521–4140.
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Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Emergencies
105
5. Transport the vehicle with the parking brake OFF and the
transmission in NEUTRAL.
6. Secure the vehicle with wheel basket tie-downs to the flatbed deck.
Note:Inspect tie-downs periodically for tightness. Never fasten J-hooks
to any suspension wheel or driveline component because J-hooks will
damage these components.
Note: If you have this vehicle transported by either air, water, or rail,
follow the wheel tie-down procedure starting with Step 5.
TOW HOOK
Your vehicle is equipped with a tow
hook located in the tire inflation kit
in the luggage compartment.
The tow hook should be threaded
into the hole provided in the front
grill area as shown. Note: This is a
left-handed thread.
2006 GT (gto)
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USA_English (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
122
REMOVING THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT LINER
Some components are located under the luggage compartment liner.
Follow these steps to remove and install the liner.
1. Open the front compartment.
2. Unlock all four retainers by turning each one a quarter turn in either
direction. Leave retainers attached to tray. The tire inflation kit can be
left in place or removed during tray removal.
3. Remove the tray by lifting it up from the middle. It may be necessary
to tilt up to remove.
To reinstall the tray, reverse the previous steps. Ensure that all four
retainers are locked by rotating them one quarter turn.
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Maintenance and Specifications
143
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
• Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
• Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
• Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
• Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
• Slow down gradually.
• Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
• Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
• Using the air conditioner or defroster 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 to Lubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
• Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in the scheduled maintenance guide chapter.
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Maintenance and Specifications
162
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................25
Tires .......................................66–67alignment ..................................87
care ............................................84
checking the pressure ..............69
inspecting and inflating ...........68
label ...........................................84
replacing ....................................71
rotating ......................................88
sidewall information .................80
snow tires and chains ..............89
terminology ...............................67
tire grades .................................67
treadwear ............................66, 84
Towing ...................................89, 94 recreational towing ...................94
trailer towing ......................89, 94
Transmission lubricant specifications ..........170
manual operation ....................102
Trunk remote release ..........................31 Turn signal ..................................22
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................171
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................174
Vehicle loading ............................89
Ventilating your vehicle .............98
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................147
Water, Driving through .............103
Windows
power .........................................26
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers checking and adding fluid .....147
operation ...................................24
replacing wiper blades .............24
2006 GT (gto)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus)
Index
196