2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR run flat

not of the type sufficient to cause activation. Side airbags are designed
to inflate in side-impact collisions, not roll-over, rear-impact, frontal or
near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient lateral
deceleration.
Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not
touch them after inflation.
If the side airbag has
deployed, the airbag will
not function again. The side
airbag system (including the
seat) must be inspected and
serviced by an authorized
dealer. If the airbag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area will
increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to the Airbag readiness
section in the Instrument cluster chapter. Routine maintenance of the
airbag is not required.
Any difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the
following:
• The readiness light (same light as used for front airbag system) will
either flash or stay lit.
• The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned to the RUN position.
• A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at an authorized dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not
function properly in the event of a collision.
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• Avoid potholes and objects on the road
• Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking
If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc., do not rapidly
spin the tires; spinning the tires can tear the tire and cause an
explosion. A tire can explode in as little as three to five seconds.
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Highway hazards
No matter how carefully you drive there’s always the possibility that you
may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tires for damage. If a tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and replace it with your spare tire and wheel. If
you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest repair
facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
Tire and wheel alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or cause damage to your tires. If your
vehicle seems to pull to one side when you’re driving, the wheels may be
out of alignment. Have an authorized dealer check the wheel alignment
periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and rapid
treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by an authorized dealer.
Front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles and those with an independent rear
suspension (if equipped) may require alignment of all four wheels.
The tires should also be balanced periodically. An unbalanced tire and
wheel assembly may result in irregular tire wear.
2006 Zephyr (378)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)Tires, Wheels and Loading
150

STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
• Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
• Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
• Some noise is normal during operation. If excessive, check for low
power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
authorized dealer.
• Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power steering
pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your authorized dealer.
• Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX mark on
the reservoir, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
• an improperly inflated tire
• uneven tire wear
• loose or worn suspension components
• loose or worn steering components
• improper steering alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
Speed sensitive steering
The steering in your vehicle is speed sensitive. At high speeds, steering
assist will decrease to improve steering feel. At lower speeds,
maneuverability will be increased.
If the amount of effort required to steer your vehicle changes while
driving at a constant vehicle speed, have the power steering system
checked by your authorized dealer.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the RUN position unless brake pedal is depressed.
2006 Zephyr (378)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus) Driving
171

Removing the spare tire and jack
1. Remove the carpeted load floor
panel located in the rear of the
vehicle and remove the lug wrench
and long bolt from the tool bag.
2. Remove the bolt securing the
spare tire using the lug wrench,
then lift and remove the spare tire
from the trunk.
3. Remove the jack retention bolt by
turning it counterclockwise and
remove the jack from the vehicle.
Tire change procedure
Note: Passengers should not remain in the vehicle when the vehicle is
being jacked.
1. Block both the front and rear of
the wheel diagonally opposite the
flat tire. For example, if the left
front tire is flat, block the right rear
wheel.
2006 Zephyr (378)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus) Roadside Emergencies
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7. Remove the jack and fully tighten
the lug nuts in the order shown.
Refer to Wheel lug nut torque
specifications later in this chapter
for the proper lug nut torque
specification.
8. Unblock the wheels.
Stowing the wheel and jack
1. Fully collapse the jack and place it back in the storage area in the
trunk.
2. Replace the jack retention bolt to secure the jack.
3. Place the tire in the storage bid in the trunk.
4. Replace the cover plate and bolt.
• When storing a flat road tire, flip the cover plate over and use the long
bolt.
• When storing the temporary spare tire, replace the cover plate and
use the short bolt.
5. Secure the bolt using the lug wrench.
6. Insert the lug wrench and bolt in the tool bag and place over the jack.
7. Replace the carpeted load floor panel.
WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque at 500 miles (800 km)
after any wheel disturbance (tire rotation, changing a flat tire, wheel
removal, etc.).
Bolt size Wheel lug nut torque*
lb. ft. N • m
M12 x 1.5 100 135
* Torque specifications are for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and
rust. Use only Ford recommended replacement fasteners. 1
43
25
2006 Zephyr (378)
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USA (fus) Roadside Emergencies
189

• 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

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)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus) Index
255