
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are safe
if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and Federal regulations.
Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
Note:Trailer brakes are required for trailers over 2,000 lbs. (907 kg).
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. See your
dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.
Using a step bumper (if equipped)
The rear bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and only requires a
ball with a one inch (25.4 mm) shank diameter. The bumper has a 5,000
lb. (2,270 kg) trailer weight and 500 lb. (227 kg) tongue weight capacity.
If it is necessary to relocate the trailer hitch ball position, a
frame-mounted trailer hitch must be installed.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
148

STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. OFF/LOCK, locks the steering
wheel, automatic transmission
gearshift lever and allows key
removal.
Note:The ignition key cannot be
removed from the ignition unless
the gearshift lever is securely
latched in P (Park).
2. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not running.
3. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
4. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This
system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this chapter.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
151

4. Make sure the parking brake is
set.
5. Turn the key to 3 (ON) without
turning the key to 4 (START).
Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or illuminate briefly. If a
light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.
•If the driver’s safety belt is fastened, the
light may not illuminate.
BRAKE
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
153

Keep the RSS sensors (located on the rear bumper/fascia) free
from snow, ice and large accumulations of dirt (do not clean the
sensors with sharp objects). If the sensors are covered, it will
affect the accuracy of the RSS.
If your vehicle sustains damage to the rear bumper/fascia, leaving
it misaligned or bent, the sensing zone may be altered causing
inaccurate measurement of obstacles or false alarms.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
For important information regarding safe operation of this type
of vehicle, seePreparing to drive your vehiclein this chapter.
Four–wheel drive (4WD) supplies power to all four wheels. 4WD should
not be operated on dry pavement; driveline damage may occur.
If equipped with the Electronic Shift 4WD System, and 4WD Low
is selected while the vehicle is moving, the 4WD system will not
engage. This is normal and should be no reason for concern.Refer
toShifting to/from 4WD Lowfor proper operation.
System indicator lights
•4X4 HI- Momentarily illuminates
when the engine is started.
Illuminates when 4H is selected.
•4X4 LOW– Momentarily
illuminates when the engine is
started. Illuminates when 4L is
selected.
4x4 HI
4x4
LOW
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
164

Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If yourService engine soonlight is on,
refer to the description in theWarning lights and chimessection of the
Instrument Clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
theService engine soonlight on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a “not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval
schedules.If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCON
AT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
228

Exhaust fumes ..........................154
F
Fail safe coolant ........................217
Fluid capacities .........................235
Foglamps .....................................24
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......164
driving off road .......................166
electronic shift ........................165
indicator light .........................164
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................157
Fuel ............................................218
calculating fuel
economy ............................55, 223
cap ...........................................220
capacity ...................................235
choosing the right fuel ...........221
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................226
detergent in fuel .....................222
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................218, 220, 223
filter, specifications ........222, 234
fuel pump shut-off switch .....175
improving fuel economy ........223
octane rating ...........221, 239–240
quality ......................................222
running out of fuel .................222
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................218
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......175
Fuses ..................................176–177
G
Garage Door Opener
(see Homelink wireless control
system) ........................................48Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............220
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................223
Gauges .........................................13
H
Hazard flashers .........................175
Head restraints .....................78, 81
Headlamps ...................................24
aiming ........................................26
autolamp system .......................24
bulb specifications ....................29
daytime running lights .............25
flash to pass ..............................25
high beam .................................25
replacing bulbs .........................30
turning on and off ....................24
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................21
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................48
Hood ..........................................205
I
Ignition .......................151, 239–240
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................108
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................228
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................201
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................26
2006 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
248

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