PLASTIC (NON-PAINTED) EXTERIOR PARTS
Use only approved products to clean plastic parts. These products are
available from your authorized dealer.
• For routine cleaning, use Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3–A).
• If tar or grease spots are present, use Motorcraft Bug and Tar
Remover (ZC-42).
• For plastic headlamp lenses, use Motorcraft Ultra Clear Spray Glass
Cleaner (ZC-23).
WINDOWS AND WIPER BLADES
The windshield, rear and side windows and the wiper blades should be
cleaned regularly. If the wipers do not wipe properly, substances on the
vehicle’s glass or the wiper blades may be the cause. These may include
hot wax treatments used by commercial car washes, water repellant
coatings, tree sap, or other organic contamination; these contaminants
may cause squeaking or chatter noise from the blades, and streaking and
smearing of the windshield. To clean these items, follow these tips:
• The windshield, rear windows and side windows may be cleaned with
a non-abrasive cleaner such as Motorcraft Ultra-Clear Spray Glass
Cleaner (ZC-23), available from your authorized dealer.
• The wiper blades can be cleaned with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or
Motorcraft Premium Windshield Washer Concentrate (ZC-32–A),
available from your authorized dealer. This washer fluid contains
special solution in addition to alcohol which helps to remove the hot
wax deposited on the wiper blade and windshield from automated car
wash facilities. Be sure to replace wiper blades when they appear
worn or do not function properly.
• Do not use abrasives, as they may cause scratches.
• Do not use fuel, kerosene, or paint thinner to clean any parts.
If you cannot remove those streaks after cleaning with the glass cleaner
or if the wipers chatter and move in a jerky motion, clean the outer
surface of the windshield and the wiper blades using a sponge or soft
cloth with a neutral detergent or mild-abrasive cleaning solution. After
cleaning, rinse the windshield and wiper blades with clean water. The
windshield is clean if beads do not form when you rinse the windshield
with water.
Do not use sharp objects, such as a razor blade, to clean the
inside of the rear window or to remove decals, as it may cause
damage to the rear window defroster’s heated grid lines.
2006 Zephyr (378)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)Cleaning
206
Poor wiper quality can be improved by cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield, refer to Windows and wiper blades in the Cleaning
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 to the scheduled maintenance information for 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).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
2006 Zephyr (378)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)Maintenance and Specifications
214
• 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.
2006 Zephyr (378)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus) Maintenance and Specifications
233
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.
2006 Zephyr (378)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)Maintenance and Specifications
234
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)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)Index
254
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
256