
Understanding the gearshift positions of the 4–speed automatic
transaxle
P (Park)
This position locks the transaxle and prevents the front wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
•Start the engine
•Depress the brake pedal
•Move the gearshift lever into the desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
•Come to a complete stop
•Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in P (Park)
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R (Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.
D (Drive) with Overdrive
The normal driving position for the best fuel economy. The transaxle
operates in gears one through four.
3 (Third)
•This position allows for all forward gears except overdrive.
•Provides more engine braking than D (Overdrive).
•Use when driving conditions cause excessive shifting from D
(Overdrive) to other gears. Examples: city traffic, hilly terrain, heavy
loads, trailer towing and when engine braking is required.
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ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Getting roadside assistance
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor
Company offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This
program is separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service
is available:
•24–hours, seven days a week
•for the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period of three years or
36,000 miles (60,000 km), whichever occurs first on Ford and Mercury
vehicles, and four years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km) on Lincoln
vehicles.
Roadside assistance will cover:
•a flat tire change with a good spare (except Ford GT which has a tire
inflation kit)
•battery jump start
•lock-out assistance (key replacement cost is the customer’s
responsibility)
•fuel delivery – Independent Service Contractors, if not prohibited by
state, local or municipal law shall deliver up to 2.0 gallons (7.5L) of
gasoline or 5 gallons (18.9L) of diesel fuel to a disabled vehicle. Fuel
delivery service is limited to two no-charge occurrences within a
12-month period.
•winch out – available within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of a paved or
county maintained road, no recoveries.
•towing – Ford/Mercury/Lincoln eligible vehicle towed to an authorized
dealer within 35 miles (56.3 km) of the disablement location or to the
nearest authorized dealer. If a member requests to be towed to an
authorized dealer more than 35 miles (56.3 km) from the disablement
location, the member shall be responsible for any mileage costs in
excess of 35 miles (56.3 km).
Trailers shall be covered up to $100 if the disabled eligible vehicle
requires service at the nearest authorized dealer. If the trailer is disabled,
but the towing vehicle is operational, the trailer does not qualify for any
roadside services.
Canadian customers refer to your Owner Information Guide for
information on:
•coverage period
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•exact fuel amounts
•towing of your disabled vehicle
•emergency travel expense reimbursement
•travel planning benefits
Using roadside assistance
Complete the roadside assistance identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In the United States, this card is found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment. In Canada, the card is
found in theOwner Information Guidein the glove compartment.
U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicle customers who require roadside assistance,
call 1–800–241–3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1–800–521–4140.
Canadian customers who require roadside assistance, call
1–800–665–2006.
If you need to arrange roadside assistance for yourself, Ford Motor
Company will reimburse a reasonable amount. To obtain reimbursement
information, U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicles customers call
1–800–241–3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1–800–521–4140.
Canadian customers who need to obtain reimbursement information, call
1–800–665–2006.
Roadside coverage beyond basic warranty
In the United States, you may purchase additional roadside assistance
coverage beyond this period through the Ford Auto Club by contacting
your authorized dealer.
Similarly in Canada, for uninterrupted Roadside Assistance coverage, you
may purchase extended coverage prior to your Basic Warranty’s Roadside
Assistance expiring. For more information and enrollment, contact
1–877–294–2582 or visit our website at www.ford.ca.
HAZARD FLASHER CONTROL
The hazard flasher is located on the
instrument panel by the radio. The
hazard flashers will operate when
the ignition is in any position or if
the key is not in the ignition.
Push in the flasher control and all
front and rear direction signals will
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•Use commercial car washing equipment
•Try to repair the dissimilar spare tire
Use of one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above at any one wheel
location can lead to impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
For vehicles equipped with 4WD, it is not recommended that the vehicle
be operated in 4WD modes with a temporary emergency spare tire. If
4WD operation is necessary, do not operate above speeds of 10 mph
(16 km/h) or for distances above 50 miles (80 km).
3.Full-size dissimilar spare without label on wheel
When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel,do not:
•Exceed 70 mph (113 km/h)
•Use more than one dissimilar spare tire/wheel at a time
•Use commercial car washing equipment
•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire/wheel
The usage of a full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel can lead to
impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
•All-Wheel driving capability (if applicable)
•Load leveling adjustment (if applicable)
When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel additional
caution should be given to:
•Towing a trailer
•Driving vehicles equipped with a camper body
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Removing the spare tire
1.Wagon only:Open liftgate and
lift flap in the carpeting on the rear
tub cargo floor to expose the hex
nut. Insert the lug nut wrench on
the hex nut in cargo floor.
Cargo van only:Lift flap in mat to
expose hex nut. Insert extension
tool through access hole and engage
hex nut. Place lug wrench onto end
nut of extension tool.
2. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise until cable is slack
and tire can be slid rearward.
3. Remove the primary retainer from
the center of the tire.
Note:Do not stow the full size tire or any flat tire under the vehicle.
Stowing the primary tether
Note:Ifno tireis to be stowed
under the vehicle, raise the primary
tether by turning the wrench
clockwise until the hex nut ratchets.
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11. Remove the jack and fully
tighten the lug nuts in the order
shown. Refer toWheel lug nut
torque specificationslater in this
chapter for the proper lug nut
torque specification.
12. Installing the optional wheel
cover or center ornament:
•If equipped with a bolted-on
wheel cover, install the wheel
cover and tighten the five plastic nuts until they click (do not use
power tools on these nuts).
•If equipped with the center ornament, install the center ornament by
snapping it back into place.
13. Put flat tire, jack and lug wrench away in the proper stowage
locations.
Stowing the flat and full-size tire
Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.
Do not install the flat tire or any full size tire underneath the
vehicle.
Remove tether kit from the jack storage area.
Wagon only:
1. Place tire upright inside the vehicle near the rear of the vehicle with
the valve stem facing the front of the vehicle.
2. Pass the cable retainer through the center of the wheel.
3. Raise the tire and secure both ends of the cable with the wing nut
provided in the tether cable kit, by installing it on the luggage back panel
and turning the wing screw clockwise. You will hear an audible click
when the tire is properly secured.
4. Check that the flat tire is properly secured.
Cargo van only:
1. Remove the perforated section of the vinyl mat in the center floor
area in order to install the wing screw.
2. Using the tether cable kit located with the jack, pass the cable retainer
through center of the wheel.
1
4 3
2 5
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3. Lay the tire flat and secure the cable with wing screw by installing it
on the wing screw retainer in the floor and turning the wing screw
clockwise. You will hear an audible click when the tire is properly
secured.
4. Check that the flat tire is properly secured.
Stowing the spare tire
1. Lay the spare, inflated tire on the ground with the valve stem facing
down.
2. Insert the primary wheel retainer through the center of the wheel.
3. Use the winch mechanism to pull, and raise the tire under the vehicle.
4.Wagon only:Raise the tire by turning the lug nut wrench clockwise
until the hex nut ratchets.
Cargo van only:Raise the tire by turning the jack extension tool
clockwise with the lug nut wrench until the hex nut ratchets.
The effort to turn the jack handle increases significantly and the spare
tire carrier ratchets or slips when the tire is raised to the maximum
tightness. Tighten to the best of your ability, to the point where the
ratchet/slip occurs, if possible. The spare tire carrier will not allow you to
overtighten. If the spare tire carrier ratchets or slips with little effort,
take the vehicle to your authorized dealer for assistance at your earliest
convenience.
5. Check that the tire lies flat against the frame and is properly
tightened. Try to push or pull, then turn the tire to be sure it will not
move. Loosen and retighten, if necessary. Failure to properly stow the
spare tire may result in failure of the winch cable and loss of the tire.
NOTE:Visually check to make sure the wheel plate is resting flat against
the tire.
6. Repeat this tightness check procedure when servicing the spare tire
pressure (every six months, perScheduled Maintenance Guide),or at
any time that the spare tire is disturbed through service of other
components.
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WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member of a roadside assistance program, your
roadside assistance service provider.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed by wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
If your vehicle is to be towed from the rear using wheel lift, the front
wheels must be placed on a dolly to prevent damage to the transaxle.
If your vehicle must be towed with the drive wheels on the ground:
•Place the transaxle in N (Neutral).
•Do not exceed the distance of 50 miles (80 km).
•Do not exceed the speed of 35 mph (56 km/h).
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
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