WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulb works. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, have the
respective system inspected immediately.
Service engine soon:TheService
engine soonindicator light
illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the ON position to check
the bulb. Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Check fuel cap:Illuminates when
the fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with
this light on may cause the Service
engine soon warning light to come
on. Refer toFuel filler capin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter.
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Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between ON and START,
or by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the ON
position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, seek service immediately from your dealership. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the brake
system should be inspected immediately by your servicing dealership.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer immediately.
Anti-lock brake system (if
equipped):If the ABS light stays
illuminated or continues to flash, a
malfunction has been detected, have
the system serviced immediately.
Normal braking is still functional unless the brake warning light also is
illuminated.
Air bag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately. A chime will also sound when a malfunction in the
supplemental restraint system has been detected.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A chime will also
sound to remind you to fasten your
safety belt.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
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Engine oil pressure:Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range, refer toEngine oilin
theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Traction Controlactive (if
equipped):Flashes when the
Traction Controlis active. If the
light remains on a malfunction has
been detected; have the system
serviced immediately, refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
Speed control:Illuminates when
the speed control is activated. Turns
off when the speed control system
is deactivated.
SecurilockAnti-theft system:
Flashes when the Securilock
Passive Anti-theft System has been
activated. Refer toSecurilockPassive Anti-theft Systemin theLocks
and Securitychapter.
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators stay on or flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams:Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACCESSORY position and the driver’s door
is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
CRUISE
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Tachometer:Indicates the engine
speed in revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer
pointer continuously at the top of
the scale may damage the engine.
Fuel gauge:Indicates
approximately how much fuel is left
in the fuel tank (when the ignition
is in the ON position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion or on a grade.
The FUEL icon and arrow indicates
which side of the vehicle the fuel
filler door is located.
Refer toFilling the tankin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information.
Odometer:Registers the total miles
(kilometers) of the vehicle. Note:
When the odometer shows over
10,000 miles the tenths drop off the
display.
Refer toMessage Centerin the
Drivers Controlschapter on how to switch the display from Metric to
English.
Trip odometer:Registers the miles
(kilometers) of individual journeys.
Press and release the message
center INFO button until “TRIP”
appears in the display (this
represents the trip mode). Press
and hold the RESET button for three seconds to reset.
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•To reduce humidity build up inside the vehicle,do notdrive with the
airflow selector in the OFF position, or with
(recirculated air)
engaged without A/C engaged as well.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•For maximum cooling in the AUTO mode, press AUTO and set to
desired temperature; do not press A/C or
(recirculated air). In
the manual override mode, press
,and A/C, then set the
temperature to 60°F (16°C) and the fan to the highest setting.
•To improve the A/C cool down of the vehicle cabin, drive with the
windows slightly open for the first 2–3 minutes after starting the
vehicle or until the vehicle has “aired out.”
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows.
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
The rear defroster control is located
on the instrument panel.
Press the rear defroster control to
clear the rear window of thin ice
and fog.
•A small LED will illuminate when
the rear defroster is activated.
The ignition must be in the ON position to operate the rear window
defroster.
R
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The defroster turns off automatically after 10 minutes or when the
ignition is turned to the OFF position. To manually turn off the defroster
before 10 minutes have passed, push the control again.
Do not use razor blades or other sharp objects to clean the inside
of the rear window or to remove decals from the inside of the
rear window. This may cause damage to the heated grid lines and
will not be covered by your warranty.
Activating the rear window defroster will also activate the heated mirrors
(if equipped). For more information refer toHeated outside mirrorsin
theDriver Controlschapter.
CABIN AIR FILTER
Your vehicle is equipped with a cabin air filter. The particulate air
filtration system is designed to reduce the concentration of airborne
particles such as dust, spores and pollen in the air being supplied to the
interior of the vehicle. The particulate filtration system gives the
following benefits to customers:
•Improves the customer’s driving comfort by reducing particle
concentration.
•Improves the interior compartment cleanliness.
•Protects the climate control components from particle deposits.
The filter is located just in front of the windshield under the cowl grille
on the passenger side of the vehicle.
For more information, or to replace the filter, see your authorized Ford
dealer.
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HEADLAMP CONTROL
Turns the lamps off.
Turns on the parking lamps,
instrument panel lamps, license
plate lamps and tail lamps.
Turns the headlamps on.
Autolamp control (if equipped)
The autolamp system provides light
sensitive automatic on-off control of
the exterior lights normally
controlled by the headlamp control.
The autolamp system also keeps the
lights on for a fixed period of time
after the ignition switch is turned to
OFF.
•To turn autolamps on, rotate the control counterclockwise to
.
•To turn autolamps off, rotate the control clockwise to
.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output.
To activate:
•the ignition must be in the ON position,
•the headlamp control is in the OFF or parking lamp position and
•the parking brake must be disengaged.
Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) system
does not activate the tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
A
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One touch down
Allows the driver’s window to open
fully without holding the control
down. Press completely down on
AUTO and release quickly. Press
again to stop.
Window lock
The window lock feature allows only
the driver to operate the power
windows.
To lock out all the window controls
except for the driver’s press the left
side of the control. Press the right
side to restore the window controls.
Accessory delay
With accessory delay, the window switches may be used for up to ten
minutes after the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position or until
the driver’s door is opened.
MIRRORS
AUTOMATIC DIMMING INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with
an inside rear view mirror with an
auto-dimming function. The
electronic day/night mirror will
change from the normal (high
reflective) state to the non-glare
(darkened) state when bright lights (glare) reach the mirror. When the
mirror detects bright light from behind the vehicle, it will automatically
adjust (darken) to minimize glare.
The mirror will automatically return to the normal state whenever the
vehicle is placed in R (Reverse) to ensure a bright clear view when
backing up.
Do not block the sensor on the backside of the inside rear view mirror
since this may impair proper mirror performance.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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