• 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 to Lubricant specifications in
this chapter.
• Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in scheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
• Heavily loading a vehicle 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.
• 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.
• Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
• Close windows for high speed driving.
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EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
authorized dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle.
The EPA window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy
comparisons with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of MPG (L/100 km)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
• Use only the specified fuel listed.
• Avoid running out of fuel.
• Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
• Have the items listed in scheduled maintenance information
performed according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in scheduled maintenance
information are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle
and to its emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
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.
Illumination of the indicator, charging system warning light or the
temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or loss of
engine power could indicate that the emission control system is not
working properly.
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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 the
indicator is on, refer to the
description in the Warning lights and chimes section of the
Instrument Cluster chapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the
indicator 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
Refer to the scheduled maintenance information 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.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.
2006 Zephyr (378)
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USA (fus)Maintenance and Specifications
236
A
Accessory delay ..........................52
Air cleaner filter ...............239–240
Air conditioning ....................22, 24
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................116, 125, 128
and child safety seats ............118
description ..............116, 125, 128
disposal ....................................131
driver airbag ............118, 126, 129
indicator light .........125, 127, 130
operation .................118, 126, 129
passenger airbag .....118, 126, 129
side airbag ...............................125
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................220
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................168–169
Anti-theft system ..................89, 93
arming the system ....................93
disarming a triggered system ..94
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................237
fluid, checking ........................237
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................173
fluid, refill capacities ..............241
fluid, specification ..................244
Axle
lubricant specifications ..242, 244
B
Battery .......................................218
acid, treating emergencies .....218
jumping a disabled battery ....190
maintenance-free ....................218 replacement, specifications ...240
servicing ..................................218
BeltMinder ...............................111
Brakes ........................................168
anti-lock ...........................168–169
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................168
fluid, checking and adding ....237
fluid, refill capacities ..............241
fluid, specifications .........242, 244
lubricant specifications ..242, 244
parking ....................................169
shift interlock ..........................171
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................34
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....241
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................184
Child safety restraints ..............132
child safety belts ....................132
Child safety seats ......................135
attaching with tether straps ..139
in front seat ............................136
in rear seat ..............................136
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............205
instrument panel ....................207
interior .....................................207
interior trim ............................207
plastic parts ............................206
washing ....................................203
waxing .....................................204
wheels ......................................204
wiper blades ............................206
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......22, 24
2006 Zephyr (378)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus) Index
251
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................234
detergent in fuel .....................230
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................226, 228, 231
filter, specifications ........226, 240
fuel pump shut-off switch .....177
improving fuel economy ........231
octane rating ...................230, 244
quality ......................................230
running out of fuel .................230
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................226
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......177
Fuses ..................................177–178
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............228
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................231
Gauges .........................................13
H
Hazard flashers .........................176
Head restraints ...........................95
Headlamps ...................................29
aiming ........................................32
autolamp system .......................29
bulb specifications ....................34
daytime running lights .............30
flash to pass ..............................31
high beam .................................31
replacing bulbs .........................35
turning on and off ....................29
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................22, 24 Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................59
Hood ..........................................211
I
Ignition ...............................164, 244
Illuminated visor mirror .............47
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................135
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................236
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................207
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and interior ...31
J
Jack ............................................184
positioning ...............................184
storage .....................................184
Jump-starting your vehicle ......190
K
Keyless entry system .................84
autolock .....................................86
keypad .......................................84
locking and unlocking doors ....86
programming entry code .........84
Keys .......................................72, 91
positions of the ignition .........164
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................29
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................34
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USA (fus) Index
253
daytime running light ...............30
fog lamps ...................................30
headlamps .................................29
headlamps, flash to pass ..........31
instrument panel, dimming .....31
interior lamps ...........................33
replacing bulbs .........................35
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................33
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........168
Load limits .................................157
Locks
autolock .....................................86
childproof ..................................76
doors ..........................................74
Lubricant specifications ...242, 244
Lug nuts ....................................189
Lumbar support, seats ...............98
M
Message center ...........................63
english/metric button ...............68
system check button ................67
warning messages .....................68
Mirrors .........................................52
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................52
heated ........................................53
programmable memory ............80
side view mirrors (power) .......52
Moon roof ..............................57, 79
Motorcraft parts ........208, 226, 240
N
Navigation system .......................21
O
Octane rating ............................230 Oil (see Engine oil) ..................214
P
Parking brake ............................169
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....240
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................104
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................181
Power door locks ........................74
Power mirrors .............................52
Power point .................................49
Power steering ..........................171
fluid, checking and adding ....236
fluid, refill capacity ................241
fluid, specifications .........242, 244
Power Windows ...........................50
R
Relays ........................................177
Remote entry system ...........77, 79
illuminated entry ................82–83
locking/unlocking doors ...........79
opening the trunk .....................80
panic alarm ...............................80
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................82
replacing the batteries .............81
Roadside assistance ..................175
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........115
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................102, 106–110
Safety Canopy ...........................125
2006 Zephyr (378)
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USA (fus)Index
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Safety defects, reporting ..........202
Safety restraints ........102, 106–110
BeltMinder ............................111
extension assembly ................115
for adults .........................107–109
for children .....................131–132
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................104
safety belt maintenance .........115
warning light and chime ........110
Safety seats for children ..........135
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................246
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............102
Seats ............................................95
child safety seats ....................135
climate control ..........................99
front seats .................................95
heated ........................................22
memory seat .......................80, 98
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................89
Servicing your vehicle ..............210
Side air curtain .........................128
Spark plugs, specifications ......240,
244
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................242, 244
Speed control ..............................53
Starting your vehicle ........164–166
jump starting ..........................190
Steering
speed sensitive .......................171
Steering wheel
controls ......................................56
tilting .........................................47 T
Tilt steering wheel ......................47
Tires ...........................143–144, 184
alignment ................................150
care ..........................................147
changing ..........................184, 186
checking the pressure ............147
inflating ...................................145
label .........................................156
replacing ..................................149
rotating ....................................151
safety practices .......................149
sidewall information ...............152
snow tires and chains ............157
spare tire .................................184
terminology .............................144
tire grades ...............................144
treadwear ........................143, 148
Towing .......................................162
recreational towing .................162
trailer towing ..........................162
wrecker ....................................195
Traction control ........................170
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................237
Transmission .............................171
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....171
fluid, refill capacities ..............241
lubricant specifications ..242, 244
Trunk ...........................................76
remote release ....................71, 80
Turn signal ..................................33
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................244
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................247
2006 Zephyr (378)
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USA (fus) Index
255
Vehicle loading ..........................157
Ventilating your vehicle ...........167
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................213
Water, Driving through .............174 Windows
......................................79
power
.........................................50
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................46
checking and adding fluid
.....213
replacing wiper blades
...........213
Wrecker towing
.........................195
2006 Zephyr (378)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)Index
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