
If you operate your vehicle in temperatures below 40° F (4.5°C),
use washer fluid with antifreeze protection. Failure to use
washer fluid with antifreeze protection in cold weather could result in
impaired windshield vision and increase the risk of injury or accident.
Note:Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling system
components.
CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the
vehicle. Turn the blade at an angle
from the wiper arm. Push the lock
pin manually to release the blade
and pull the wiper blade down
toward the windshield to remove it
from the arm.
2. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into place
until a click is heard.
Replace wiper blades at least once per year for optimum performance.
Poor wiper quality can be improved by cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield, refer toWindows and wiper bladesin theCleaning
chapter.
To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park) (automatic transmission) or 1 (First) (manual transmission).
2006 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Maintenance and Specifications
205

When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the
end walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps,
resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery.
Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite
corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift lever in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start
the engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven to relearn the idle and fuel trim
strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the
transmission must relearn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation to its
optimum shift feel.
2006 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Maintenance and Specifications
212

•Transmission does not consume fluid.
•Check fluid when transmission is not operating properly or if you see
a leak.
•Fluid level must be checked at normal operating temperature, 20 miles
(30 km) of driving.
To check and add fluid:
1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) to reach normal operating
temperatures.
2. If driven in hot weather, city traffic, pulling a trailer, allow
transmission to cool for 30 minutes before checking.
3. Engage parking brake, start engine.
4. Put your foot on the brake pedal and move the gearshift lever slowly
through all of the gear ranges.
5. Shift to P (Park) and leave the engine running.
6. Remove the dipstick, wipe clean with a dry lint free rag.
7. Install and fully seat the dipstick into the filler tube.
8. Remove the dipstick and inspect
the fluid level. Level should be in
the cross-hatched area.
9. If necessary, add fluid in 1/2 pint (250ml) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct at normal operating temperatures. Refer to
theLubricant specificationssection in this chapter for the correct fluid
type. The use of any other non-approved fluid may cause internal
transmission damage.
10. Fluid can be checked at ambient
temperatures between 50–95°F
(10–30°C). DO NOT ADD fluid until
the transmission is at normal
operating temperatures or the transmission will be overfilled.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at or below the bottom of
the dipstick.
2006 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
232

ItemFord part
name or
equivalentFord part
numberFord
specification
Transmission
/steering/parking
brake linkages
and pivots,
brake and
clutch pedal
shaft, clutch
pilot bearing
and. input shaft
spline (manual
transmission)Motorcraft
Premium
Long-Life
GreaseXG-1-C or XG-1-K ESA-M1C75-B
Power steering
fluid, transfer
case fluid (4X4)
and
transmission
fluid (manual)Motorcraft
MERCONAT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Automatic
transmission
(5R44E and
5R55E)Motorcraft
MERCONV
AT F
2
XT-5-QM MERCONV
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateZC-32–A WSB-M8B16–A2
1Add 4 oz. (118 ml) of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent
meeting Ford specification EST-M2C118–A for complete refill of
Traction-Lok axles.
2Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. MERCONand MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONand MERCONV. Refer to yourscheduled maintenance
informationto determine the correct service interval.
2006 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
242

A
Air cleaner filter ...............235–236
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................78
and child safety seats ..............80
description ................................78
disposal ......................................83
driver airbag ..............................81
indicator light ...........................82
operation ...................................81
passenger airbag .......................81
passenger deactivation
switch ........................................83
Ambulance packages ....................9
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................213
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................139
Audio system
(see Radio) ..........18, 20, 23, 27, 30
Automatic transmission ............142
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................143
fluid, refill capacities ..............237
fluid, specification ..................243
Auxiliary power point .................50
Axle
lubricant specifications ..240, 243
refill capacities ........................237
traction lok ..............................141
B
Battery .......................................211
acid, treating emergencies .....211
jumping a disabled battery ....178
maintenance-free ....................211
replacement, specifications ...236
servicing ..................................211Bed extender ..............................55
BeltMinder ...................................73
Brakes ........................................139
anti-lock ...................................139
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................139
fluid, checking and adding ....231
fluid, refill capacities ..............237
fluid, specifications .........240, 243
lubricant specifications ..240, 243
parking ....................................140
shift interlock ..........................142
Bulbs ............................................43
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....237
Cargo area shade ........................55
Cargo net .....................................55
Cell phone use ..............................9
Changing a tire .........................170
Child safety restraints ................88
child safety belts ......................88
Child safety seats ........................92
attaching with tether straps ....96
in front seat ..............................93
in rear seat ................................93
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............193
instrument panel ....................196
interior .....................................196
plastic parts ............................195
safety belts ..............................196
washing ....................................192
waxing .....................................192
wheels ......................................193
wiper blades ............................195
2006 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
251

instrument panel, dimming .....40
interior lamps .....................43–44
replacing bulbs ...................43–44
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................42
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........139
Load limits .................................117
Loading instructions .................124
Lubricant specifications ...240, 243
Lug nuts ....................................178
Lumbar support, seats .........65–66
M
Manual transmission .................145
fluid capacities ........................237
lubricant specifications ..........243
reverse .....................................146
Mirrors .........................................52
fold away ...................................52
side view mirrors (power) .......52
Motorcraft parts ........197, 218, 236
O
Octane rating ............................223
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................205
P
Parking brake ............................140
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....236
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................164
Power door locks ........................57
Power mirrors .............................52Power point .................................50
Power steering ..........................140
fluid, checking and adding ....229
fluid, refill capacity ................237
fluid, specifications .........240, 243
Power Windows ...........................51
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................141
R
Radio ....................18, 20, 23, 27, 30
CD-MP3 .....................................31
Relays ........................................160
Remote entry system .................58
illuminated entry ......................60
locking/unlocking doors .....57–58
Roadside assistance ..................157
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............77
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .........67–71
Safety defects, reporting ..........191
Safety restraints ....................67–71
belt minder ...............................73
extension assembly ..................72
for adults .............................68–70
for children ...............................88
lap belt ......................................70
safety belt maintenance ...........77
warning light and chime ..........73
Safety seats for children ............92
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................245
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............67
2006 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
254