Preparing your vehicle
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the
automatic transmission must relearn its shift strategy. As a result, the
transmission may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is
considered normal and will not affect function or durability of the
transmission. Over time, the adaptive learning process will fully update
transmission operation.
1.Use only a 12–volt supply to start your vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehiclesdo nottouch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other moving
parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion before
you attach the battery cables. Ensure that vent caps are tight and level.
5. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect from any electrical
surges. Turn all other accessories off.
Connecting the jumper cables
1. Connect the positive (+) jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal of
the discharged battery.
Note:In the illustrations,lightning boltsare used to designate the
assisting (boosting) battery.
+–+–
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SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle, we providescheduled maintenance
informationwhich makes tracking routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your authorized dealer can
provide the necessary parts and service. Check yourWarranty
Guide/Customer Information Guideto find out which parts and
services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
•Do not work on a hot engine.
•Make sure that nothing gets caught in moving parts.
•Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
•Keep all open flames and other burning (cigarettes) material away
from the battery and all fuel related parts.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
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Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Block the wheels.
WARNING: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.
OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located under the
bottom left corner of the instrument
panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and push the auxiliary latch, located in
the center top of the grill, to the left to release the hood.
3. Lift the hood and secure it with the prop rod.
HOOD
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CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the
vehicle. Turn the blade at an angle
from the wiper arm. Push the lock
pin manually to release the blade
and pull the wiper blade down
toward the windshield to remove it
from the arm.
2. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into place
until a click is heard.
Replace wiper blades at least once per year for optimum performance.
Poor wiper quality can be improved by cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield, refer toWindows and wiper bladesin theCleaning
chapter.
To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
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Battery relearn
Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. Flexible fuel vehicles (FFV) must also relearn the ethanol
content of the fuel for optimum driveability and performance. To begin
this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Release the parking brake. With your foot on the brake pedal and with
the A/C on, put the vehicle in D (Drive) and allow the engine to idle for
at least one minute.
7. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 km) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy along with the ethanol content
for flexible fuel vehicles.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle quality
of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle trim is
eventually relearned.
•For flexible fuel vehicles, if you are operating on E85, you may
experience poor starts or an inability to start the engine and
driveability problems until the fuel trim and ethanol content have been
relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and radio settings must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
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DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND SLIP YOKE
Your vehicle may be equipped with universal joints that require
lubrication. Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor
maintenance intervals. If the original universal joints are replaced with
universal joints equipped with grease fittings, lubrication will also be
necessary.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationfor scheduled
intervals for fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not
consume fluid. However, the fluid level should be checked if the
transmission is not working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or
shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 20 miles [30 km]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about
30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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A
Accessory delay ..........................53
AdvanceTrac ..............................170
Air cleaner filter ...............268–270
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................87
and child safety seats ..............89
description ................................87
disposal ......................................91
driver airbag ..............................89
indicator light ...........................91
operation ...................................89
passenger airbag .......................89
passenger deactivation
switch ........................................92
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................243
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................167–168
Anti-theft system ........................66
arming the system ....................67
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................20, 22, 26
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................178, 180, 183
fluid, adding ............................264
fluid, checking ........................264
fluid, refill capacities ..............271
fluid, specification ..................271
Auxiliary power point .................51
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........271
refill capacities ........................271
traction lok ..............................174
B
Battery .......................................240acid, treating emergencies .....240
battery saver .............................35
jumping a disabled battery ....210
maintenance-free ....................240
replacement, specifications ...270
servicing ..................................240
Belt-Minder...............................82
Booster seats ...............................98
Brakes ........................................167
anti-lock ...........................167–168
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................168
fluid, checking and adding ....263
fluid, refill capacities ..............271
fluid, specifications .................271
lubricant specifications ..........271
parking ....................................168
shift interlock ..........................176
Bulbs ............................................41
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....271
Cell phone use ..............................9
Changing a tire .........................200
Child safety restraints ................98
child safety belts ......................98
Child safety seats ......................101
in front seat ............................102
in rear seat ..............................102
tether anchorage hardware ...105
Child safety seats - booster
seats .............................................98
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............228
exterior ....................................231
instrument panel ....................230
interior .....................................230
plastic parts ............................229
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Index
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L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................41
daytime running light ...............36
headlamps .................................35
headlamps, flash to pass ..........36
instrument panel, dimming .....37
interior lamps ...........................40
replacing bulbs .........................42
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........168
Load limits .................................145
Loading instructions .................151
Locks ............................................58
autolock .....................................58
doors ..........................................58
Lubricant specifications ...........271
Lug nuts ....................................209
Lumbar support, seats ...............71
M
Mirrors .........................................53
fold away ...................................54
side view mirrors (power) .......53
Motorcraft parts ........232, 249, 270
O
Octane rating ............................254
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................237
P
Parking brake ............................168
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....270Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................196
Power door locks ........................58
Power mirrors .............................53
Power point .................................51
Power steering ..........................173
fluid, checking and adding ....262
fluid, refill capacity ................271
fluid, specifications .................271
Power Windows ...........................52
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................174
R
Radio ................................20, 22, 26
Relays ................................192, 199
Remote entry system .................62
illuminated entry ......................66
locking/unlocking doors ..........58,
63–64
panic alarm ...............................64
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................65
replacing the batteries .............64
Reverse sensing system ...........185
Roadside assistance ..................189
Roll stability control .................170
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............86
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..............................77–81
Safety defects, reporting ..224–225
Safety restraints ....................77–81
Belt-Minder.............................82
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Index
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