
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED fuel or UNLEADED fuel blended with a maximum
of 10% ethanol. Your vehicle was not designed to run on E85 fuels that
are blended with a maximum of 85% ethanol. The use of leaded fuel is
prohibited by law and could damage your vehicle. Do not use fuel
containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based additives. Studies indicate that
these additives can cause your vehicle’s emission control system to
deteriorate more rapidly.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
“Regular” unleaded gasoline with
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend the use of
gasolines labeled as “Regular” that
are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your authorized dealer to
prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems, try a different brand of unleaded gasoline. “Premium”
unleaded gasoline is not recommended for vehicles designed to use
“Regular” unleaded gasoline because it may cause these problems to
become more pronounced. If the problems persist, see your authorized
dealer.
Do not add aftermarket fuel additive products to your fuel tank. It
should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. These products have not been approved for your engine and
could cause damage to the fuel system. Repairs to correct the effects of
using an aftermarket product in your fuel may not be covered by your
warranty.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
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Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•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 the top gears 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 toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
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Note:Only one ATF fluid specification has been tested and approved for
use with the automatic 6-speed: Premium Automatic Transmission fluid.
Mercon fluids cannot be used with the automatic 6-speed without
damage or voiding warranty.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transaxle component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 1/2 pint (250 mL) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
If an overfill occurs, excess fluid should be removed by an authorized
dealer.
An overfill condition of transmission fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transaxle components.
AIR FILTER
Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for changing the air filter element.
When changing the air filter element, use only the Motorcraft air filter
element listed. Refer toMotorcraft part numbersin this chapter.
To reduce the risk of vehicle damage and/or personal burn
injuries do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed
and do not remove it while the engine is running.
Changing the air filter element
1. Release the clamps that secure
the air filter housing cover.
2. Carefully separate the two halves
of the air filter housing.
3. Remove the air filter element
from the air filter housing.
4. Wipe the air filter housing and
cover clean to remove any dirt or
debris and to ensure good sealing.
5. Install a new air filter element. Be
careful not to crimp the filter element edges between the air filter
housing and cover. This could cause filter damage and allow unfiltered
air to enter the engine if not properly seated.
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A
Accessory delay ..........................56
Air cleaner filter ...............251–252
Air conditioning ....................29, 31
Airbag supplemental
restraint system ........121, 130, 133
and child safety seats ............123
description ..............121, 130, 133
disposal ....................................136
driver airbag ............123, 131, 134
indicator light .........129, 132, 135
operation .................123, 131, 134
passenger airbag .....123, 131, 134
side airbag ...............................130
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................181
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................232
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................174
Anti-theft system ..................94, 97
arming the system ....................97
disarming a triggered
system .......................................98
Audio system (see Radio) .........16
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................179
fluid, adding ............................249
fluid, checking ........................249
fluid, refill capacities ..............253
fluid, specification ..................253
Auxiliary Input Jack ...................22
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........253
B
Battery .......................................230acid, treating emergencies .....230
jumping a disabled battery ....202
maintenance-free ....................230
replacement, specifications ...252
servicing ..................................230
BeltMinder...............................116
Brakes ........................................173
anti-lock ...................................174
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................174
fluid, checking and adding ....249
fluid, refill capacities ..............253
fluid, specifications .................253
lubricant specifications ..........253
parking ....................................175
shift interlock ..........................177
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................41
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....253
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................195
Child safety restraints ..............136
child safety belts ....................136
Child safety seats ......................140
attaching with tether
straps .......................................144
in front seat ............................141
in rear seat ..............................141
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............217
instrument panel ....................218
interior .....................................219
interior trim ............................219
plastic parts ............................217
washing ....................................215
waxing .....................................216
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wheels ......................................216
wiper blades ............................218
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......29, 31
Clock ............................................54
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................70
Console
overhead ....................................53
Controls
power seat ...............................101
steering column ........................61
Coolant
checking and adding ..............232
refill capacities ................236, 253
specifications ..........................253
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................58
Cupholder(s) .............................107
Customer Assistance ................187
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................212
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............213
Getting roadside assistance ...187
Getting the service you
need .........................................208
Ordering additional
owner’s literature ...................213
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............211
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................37
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................249
engine oil .................................226Driving under special
conditions ..................180, 182, 184
sand .........................................183
snow and ice ...........................185
through water .................183, 186
E
Electronic message center .........68
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................202
Emission control system ..........245
Engine ........................................256
cleaning ...................................217
coolant .....................................232
fail-safe cooling .......................236
idle speed control ...................230
lubrication specifications .......253
refill capacities ........................253
service points ..........................224
starting after a collision .........189
Engine block heater .................173
Engine oil ..................................226
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................226
checking and adding ..............226
dipstick ....................................226
filter, specifications ........229, 252
recommendations ...................229
refill capacities ........................253
specifications ..........................253
Exhaust fumes ..........................173
F
Fail safe cooling ........................236
Fluid capacities .........................253
Foglamps .....................................37
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Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................181
Fuel ............................................238
calculating fuel
economy ............................69, 242
cap ...........................................240
capacity ...................................253
choosing the right fuel ...........241
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................245
detergent in fuel .....................242
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................238, 240, 242
filter, specifications ........237, 252
fuel pump shut-off switch .....189
improving fuel economy ........242
octane rating ...................241, 256
quality ......................................241
running out of fuel .................242
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................238
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......189
Fuses ..........................................190
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............240
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................242
Gauges .........................................14
H
Hazard flashers .........................189
Head restraints .........................100
Headlamps ...................................36
aiming ........................................39
autolamp system .......................36
bulb specifications ....................41
daytime running lights .............37flash to pass ..............................38
high beam .................................38
replacing bulbs .........................42
turning on and off ....................36
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................29, 31
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................64
Hood ..........................................223
I
Ignition ...............................170, 256
Illuminated visor mirror .............52
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................140
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................247
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................218
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................38
J
Jack ............................................195
positioning ...............................195
storage .....................................195
Jump-starting your vehicle ......202
K
Keyless entry system .................92
autolock .....................................80
keypad .......................................92
locking and unlocking doors ....93
programming entry code .........92
Keys .......................................77, 95
positions of the ignition .........170
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