WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause extensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulbs work. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, refer to the
respective system warning light for additional information.
Check engine:TheCheck Engine
indicator light illuminates when the
ignition is first turned to the ON
position to check the bulb and to
indicate whether the vehicle is ready for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
testing. Normally, theCheck Enginelight will stay on until the engine is
cranked, then turn itself off if no malfunctions are present. However, if
after 15 seconds theCheck Enginelight blinks eight times, it means
that the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. See theReadiness for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testingin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the On Board
Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer toOn
board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Instrument Cluster
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Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Check fuel cap:Illuminates when
the fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with
this light on may cause the Check
engine warning light to come on,
refer toFuel filler capin the
Maintenance and Specificationchapter.
Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between ON and START,
or by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the ON
position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, seek service immediately from your authorized dealer. Illumination
after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level or a
brake system malfunction and the brake system should be inspected
immediately by your authorized dealer.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your authorized dealer. Driving extended distances with
the parking brake engaged can cause brake failure and the risk of
personal injury.
Anti-lock brake system:If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately by your
authorized dealer. Normal braking is still functional unless the brake
warning light also is illuminated.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
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Refer toBrake system warning
lightin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Your vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). This
system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops by
keeping the brakes from locking. The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lockup during brake application and compensates for this
tendency. Noise from the ABS pump motor and brake pedal pulsation
may be observed during ABS braking; any pulsation or mechanical noise
you may feel or hear is normal. In addition, the ABS performs a
self-check after you start the engine and begin to drive away. A brief
mechanical noise may be heard during this test. This is normal.
ABS warning lamp
The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.
Even when the ABS is disabled and
the ABS light is on, normal braking
is still effective. (If your BRAKE
warning lamp illuminates with the
parking brake released, have your
brake system serviced immediately.)
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal; do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain
full steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces.
However, the ABS does not decrease stopping distance and does not
decrease the time necessary to apply the brakes.P!
BRAKE
ABS
P!
BRAKE
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Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of a Traction Control
event is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded
their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you
experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
The Traction Controlswitch is
located on the instrument panel.
The Traction Controlsystem will
automatically turn on every time the
ignition is turned off and on. The
Traction Controlsystem should
normally be left on.
If you should become stuck in snow
or ice or on a very slippery road
surface, try switching the Traction
Controlsystem off by pressing the
switch on the instrument panel. Switching the Traction Controlsystem
off may allow excess wheel spin to “dig” the vehicle out and enable a
successful “rocking” maneuver. When the Traction Controlsystem is
off, an indicator light will illuminate and will remain on until the system
is turned back on or the ignition is turned off and on.
If a system fault is detected, the traction control active light will
illuminate, the Traction Controlbutton will not turn the system on or
off and your vehicle should be serviced by an authorized dealer.
STEERING
To help 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.
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When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars) or the bottom of the hubs
(for trucks) (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the ignition system gets
wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the engine or transmission is submerged in water, their fluids should
be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the engine or
transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant and
PTU (Power Transfer Unit) lubricant should be checked and changed if
necessary.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills.A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
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Many of the world’s automakers approved the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated “cleaner-burning” gasolines to
improve air quality, per the recommendations in theChoosing the Right
Fuelsection.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
effect on powertrain components.
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.
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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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L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................36
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................41
daytime running light ...............37
fog lamps ...................................37
headlamps .................................36
headlamps, flash to pass ..........38
instrument panel, dimming .....38
interior lamps ...........................40
replacing bulbs .........................42
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................40
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........174
Load limits .................................163
Locks
autolock .....................................80
childproof ..................................84
doors ..........................................79
Lubricant specifications ...........253
Lug nuts ....................................201
Lumbar support, seats .............103
M
Message center ...........................68
english/metric button ...............73
system check button ................72
warning messages .....................73
Mirrors .........................................57
automatic dimming
rearview mirror .........................57
heated ........................................58
programmable memory ............88
side view mirrors (power) .......57
Moon roof ..............................62, 87Motorcraft parts ........220, 237, 252
N
Navigation system .......................28
O
Octane rating ............................241
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................226
P
Parking brake ............................175
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....252
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................108
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................192
Power door locks ........................79
Power mirrors .............................57
Power point .................................54
Power steering ..................176–177
fluid, checking and adding ....248
fluid, refill capacity ................253
fluid, specifications .................253
Power Windows ...........................55
Power windows
opening using remote entry
system .......................................87
R
Radio ............................................16
Relays ........................................190
Remote entry system ...........86–87
illuminated entry ................90–91
locking/unlocking doors ...........87
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Index
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