
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. See your
authorized dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions and
equipment for hooking up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•It is recommended to select the L (Low) gear position when additional
engine braking is needed. In situations such as prolonged downhill
driving on steep grades (i.e., driving in mountainous areas), additional
engine braking is needed to reduce the load on the vehicle’s regular
brake system to prevent them from overheating.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to yourscheduled maintenance
informationfor more information.
Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift into the “L” gear
position. Do not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat
and become less effective.
•
The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight.
•After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park).
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
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STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. LOCK, locks the automatic
transaxle gearshift lever and allows
key removal. This position also shuts
the engine and all electrical
accessories off without locking the
steering wheel. To lock the steering
wheel, remove the key then turn the
steering wheel.
2. ACC, allows the electrical accessories such as the radio to operate
while the engine is not running. This position also unlocks the steering
wheel.
3. RUN, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
4. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Starting your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This
system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this chapter.
To avoid potential transmission damage at extremely cold temperatures
(below -20°F [-30°C]), it is recommended that the vehicle be warmed up
to normal operating temperature before driving at highway speeds above
50 mph (80 km/h). Normal operating temperature is normally reached
after 10 minutes of moderate driving or idling.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
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•Make sure the gearshift lever is in
P (Park).
3. Turn the key to 3 (RUN) without
turning the key to 4 (START).
Some warning lights will briefly illuminate. SeeWarning lights and
chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter for more information
regarding the warning lights.
Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 3 (RUN) without
turning the key to 4 (START).
2. Turn the key to 4 (START), then
release the key as soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
Note:If the engine does not start within five seconds on the first try,
turn the key to LOCK, wait 10 seconds and try again. If the engine still
fails to start, press the accelerator to the floor and try again; this will
allow the engine to crank with the fuel shut off in case the engine is
flooded with fuel.
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If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition from OFF to ON several times after
refueling to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine. On restarting, cranking time will take a few seconds longer
than normal.
•Normally, adding one gallon of fuel is enough to restart the engine. If
the vehicle is out of fuel and on a steep grade, more than one gallon
may be required.
•The
indicator may come on. For more information on the “check
engine” or the “service engine soon” indicator, refer toWarning lights
and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1,000 miles (1,600
km) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 2,000 miles-3,000 miles (3,000 km–5,000 km).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theMaintenance
product specifications and capacitiessection of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
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These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the fuel cap. After three
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
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the service
interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use only MERCONAT F.
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Foglamps .....................................59
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................206
Fuel ............................................269
calculating fuel
economy ............................86, 274
cap ...........................................271
capacity ...................................283
choosing the right fuel ...........272
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................277
detergent in fuel .....................273
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................269, 271, 274
filter, specifications ........269, 281
fuel pump shut-off switch .....215
improving fuel economy ........274
octane rating ...................273, 285
quality ......................................273
running out of fuel .................273
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................269
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......215
Fuses ..........................................216
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............271
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................274
Gauges .........................................14
H
Hazard flashers .........................215
Head restraints .........113, 118–119
Headlamps ...................................58
aiming ........................................60
autolamp system .......................58
bulb specifications ....................63daytime running lights .............60
flash to pass ..............................59
high beam .................................59
replacing bulbs .........................63
turning on and off ....................58
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...............46, 48, 50, 52, 54
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................81
Hood ..........................................253
I
Ignition ...............................194, 285
Illuminated visor mirror .............69
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................158
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................279
Instrument panel ........................69
cleaning ...................................248
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................60
J
Jack ............................................223
positioning ...............................223
storage .....................................223
Jump-starting your vehicle ......230
K
Keyless entry system ...............106
autolock .....................................97
keypad .....................................106
locking and unlocking doors ..107
programming entry code .......106
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Keys ...........................................109
positions of the ignition .........194
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................58
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................63
daytime running light ...............60
fog lamps ...................................59
headlamps .................................58
headlamps, flash to pass ..........59
instrument panel, dimming .....60
interior lamps .....................62–63
replacing bulbs ...................63, 66
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................62
Liftgate ........................................94
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........198
Load limits .................................184
Locks
autolock .....................................97
childproof ................................100
doors ..........................................97
Lubricant specifications ...........283
Lug nuts ....................................230
Luggage rack ...............................95
Lumbar support, seats .............115
M
Message center ...........................85
english/metric button ...............90
system check button ................90
warning messages .....................91
Mirrors .........................................74automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................74
fold away ...................................75
heated ........................................75
side view mirrors (power) .......74
Moon roof ....................................80
Motorcraft parts ........250, 269, 281
N
Navigation system .......................30
O
Octane rating ............................273
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................256
P
Parking brake ............................198
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....281
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................128
Power adjustable foot pedals .....75
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................219
Power door locks ........................97
Power mirrors .............................74
Power point .................................71
Power steering ..........................200
fluid, checking and adding ....279
fluid, refill capacity ................283
fluid, specifications .................283
Power Windows ...........................72
R
Radio ......................................16, 21
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tire grades ...............................170
treadwear ........................169, 174
Towing .......................................190
recreational towing .................193
trailer towing ..........................190
wrecker ....................................235
Traction control ........................199
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................281
fluid, refill capacities ..............283
lubricant specifications ..........283
Transmission .............................201
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....201
Turn signal ..................................62
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................286Vehicle loading ..........................184
Ventilating your vehicle ...........197
W
Warning lights (see Lights)
.......10
Washer fluid
..............................255
Water, Driving through
.............212
Windows
power
.........................................72
rear wiper/washer
.....................68
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid
.....255
operation
...................................67
replacing wiper blades
...........256
Wrecker towing
.........................235
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