•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling (2.3L I4 engine only)
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The
indicator light will
illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset
over-temperature condition, the engine will automatically switch to
alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled cylinder acts as an air
pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
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driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
present, the
indicator should turn off—A driving cycle consists of a
cold engine startup followed by mixed city/highway driving. No additional
vehicle service is required.
If the
indicator remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the first
available opportunity.
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 theWarning lights and chimessection of the
Instrument Clusterchapter. 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
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer toscheduled maintenance
for the service interval schedules.If
adding fluid is necessary, use
only MERCONAT 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).
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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.
BRAKE/CLUTCH (IF EQUIPPED) FLUID
Brake and clutch systems are supplied from the same reservoir.
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the “MIN” and
“MAX” lines are within the normal
operating range, there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating
range, the performance of your
brake/clutch (if equipped) system
could be compromised, seek service
from an authorized dealer immediately.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your scheduled maintenance section for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transaxle is not working
properly, i.e., if the transaxle slips or shifts slowly or if you notice some
sign of fluid leakage.
MAXMIN
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REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Classification Application Capacity
Brake fluidHigh
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAllFill to line on
reservoir
Engine oil
(including filter
change)SAE 5W-202.3L I4 engine4.5 quarts
(4.25L)
3.0L V6 engine 6.0 quarts (5.7L)
Fuel tank N/A All16.5 gallons
(62.5L)
Power steering
fluidMERCONAllFill to line on
reservoir
Transmission
fluid
1
API service
GL-4, SAE
75W-90Manual
transaxle
(2WD)2.4 quarts
(2.3L)2
Manual
transaxle
(4WD)2.5 quarts
(2.4L)
2
MERCONAT F2.3L / 3.0L
engine with
Automatic
transaxle and
oil cooler10.2 quarts
(9.6L)3
Transfer CaseAPI service
GL-5, SAE
75W-140
Synthetic
Lubricant4WD
(Automatic)
12 ounces
(0.35L)
API service
GL-5, SAE
80W-904WD (Manual)
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doors ..........................................58
Lug nuts ....................................203
Luggage rack ...............................57
Lumbar support, seats ...............72
M
Manual transaxle .......................172
fluid, checking and adding ....267
reverse .....................................174
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................269
Mirrors ...................................47, 50
fold away ...................................50
heated ........................................51
side view mirrors (power) .......50
Moon roof ....................................54
Motorcraft parts ........................253
O
Octane rating ............................257
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................241
Overdrive ...................................169
Overheating ...............................203
P
Parking .......................................175
Parking brake ............................165
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................81
Passive anti-theft system
(PATS) .........................................65
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................188
Power door locks ........................58Power mirrors .............................50
Power point .................................48
Power Seats .................................72
Power steering ..........................166
fluid, checking and adding ....263
fluid, refill capacity ................269
Power Windows ...........................49
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................167
R
Rear window defroster ...............33
Relays ........................................185
Remote entry system .................60
illuminated entry ................64–65
locking/unlocking doors .....61–62
panic alarm ...............................62
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................63
replacing the batteries .............62
Roof rack .....................................57
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............89
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ........................79, 83–87
Safety Canopy ...........................105
Safety restraints ..............79, 83–87
belt minder ...............................90
extension assembly ..................89
for adults .............................84–86
for children .............................111
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................81
safety belt maintenance ...........89
warning light and chime ..........90
Safety seats for children ..........115
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Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................273
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................79
Seats ............................................70
child safety seats ....................115
heated ........................................74
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................65
Servicing your vehicle ..............235
Setting the clock
AM/FM single CD .....................21
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................26
Side-curtain airbags system
(if equipped) .....................107–108
Snowplowing .................................7
Spark plugs, specifications .......271
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
Speed control ..............................51
Starting your vehicle ........159–161
jump starting ..........................204
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................46
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................46
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....140
Warning Displays ......................19
Tires ...................................125–126
alignment ................................133
care ..........................................130
changing ..................................193
checking the pressure ............130inflating ...................................127
label .........................................139
replacing ..................................131
rotating ....................................133
safety practices .......................132
sidewall information ...............135
snow tires and chains ............145
spare tire .................................191
terminology .............................127
tire grades ...............................126
treadwear ........................126, 130
Towing .......................................153
recreational towing .................158
trailer towing ..........................153
wrecker ....................................210
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................267
manual operation ....................172
Transmission
automatic operation ...............168
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....168
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................264
fluid, refill capacities ..............269
Turn signal ..................................37
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................271
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................274
Vehicle loading ..........................146
Ventilating your vehicle ...........162
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......14
Washer fluid ..............................240
Water, Driving through .............183
2006 Tribute(j14)
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Index
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