
SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
•We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine compartment for easy
location.
•We providescheduled maintenance informationwhich makes
tracking routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your dealership can provide
the necessary parts and service. Check yourWarranty Guide/Owner
Information Guideto find out which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
•Do not work on a hot engine.
•Make sure that nothing gets caught in moving parts.
•Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
•Keep all open flames and other burning (cigarettes) material away
from the battery and all fuel related parts.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels.
Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Block the wheels.
Note:Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do not
remove it while the engine is running.
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
204

If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled
after the battery has been cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to
the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals, remove the cables
from the terminals and clean with a wire brush. You can neutralize the
acid with a solution of baking soda and water.
Batteries normally produce explosive gases which can cause
personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery. When working near the battery,
always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide proper
ventilation.
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 in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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•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.
•To maximize the fuel economy, drive with the tonneau cover installed
(if equipped).
•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.
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
225

A
Accessory delay ..........................42
Air cleaner filter ...............233–234
Air conditioning ..........................21
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ....................................97–98
and child safety seats ............100
description ................................98
disposal ....................................102
driver airbag ......................98, 100
indicator light .........................101
operation ...........................98, 100
passenger airbag ...............98, 100
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................212
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................155
Audio system (see Radio) .........16
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................159
fluid, adding ............................229
fluid, checking ........................229
fluid, refill capacities ..............235
fluid, specification ..................239
Axle
lubricant specifications ..237, 239
refill capacities ........................235
traction lok ..............................157
B
Battery .......................................210
acid, treating emergencies .....210
jumping a disabled battery ....183
maintenance-free ....................210
replacement, specifications ...234servicing ..................................210
Bed extender ..............................61
Brakes ........................................155
anti-lock ...................................155
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................155
fluid, checking and adding ....229
fluid, refill capacities ..............235
fluid, specifications .........237, 239
lubricant specifications ..237, 239
parking ....................................156
shift interlock ..........................157
Bulbs ............................................29
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....235
Cell phone use ..............................7
Certification Label ....................241
Child safety restraints ..............105
child safety belts ....................105
Child safety seats ......................108
attaching with tether straps ..112
in front seat ............................109
in rear seat ..............................109
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............200
instrument panel ....................201
interior .....................................202
interior trim ............................201
plastic parts ............................200
safety belts ..............................202
washing ....................................198
waxing .....................................198
wheels ......................................199
wiper blades ............................201
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............21
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
246

J
Jack
storage .....................................126
Jump-starting your vehicle ......183
K
Keyless entry system .................73
autolock .....................................71
programming entry code .........73
Keys .............................................76
positions of the ignition .........151
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................24
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................29
daytime running light ...............25
fog lamps ...................................24
headlamps .................................24
headlamps, flash to pass ..........25
instrument panel, dimming .....26
interior lamps .....................27–28
replacing bulbs ...................29–33
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................27
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........155
Load limits .................................139
Loading instructions .................146
Locks
autolock .....................................71
childproof ..................................64
doors ..........................................63
Lubricant specifications ...237, 239
Lug nuts ....................................130Lumbar support, seats ...............79
M
Message center ...........................52
english/metric button ...............56
system check button ................56
warning messages .....................58
Mirrors .........................................35
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................42
heated ........................................43
programmable memory ......67, 80
side view mirrors (power) .......42
signal .........................................43
Moon roof ....................................47
Motorcraft parts ................222, 234
O
Octane rating ............................221
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................207
P
Parking brake ............................156
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....234
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................84
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................177
Power door locks ........................63
Power mirrors .............................42
Power point .................................38
Power steering ..........................156
fluid, checking and adding ....228
fluid, refill capacity ................235
fluid, specifications .........237, 239
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
249

spare tire .................................125
terminology .............................120
tire grades ...............................120
treadwear ........................119, 135
Towing .......................................146
recreational towing .................150
trailer towing ..........................146
Traction-lok rear axle ...............157
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................232
Transmission .............................157
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....157
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................229
fluid, refill capacities ..............235
lubricant specifications ..237, 239
Turn signal ..................................27
V
Vehicle dimensions ...........240–241Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN)
..........................................242
Vehicle loading
..........................139
Ventilating your vehicle
...........154
W
Warning lights (see Lights)
.......10
Washer fluid
..............................207
Water, Driving through
.............172
Windows
power
.........................................40
power down back window
.......41
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................34
checking and adding fluid
.....207
replacing wiper blades
.............34
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
251