Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will roll over as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or pickup box
cover).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-road usage.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is
not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
2008 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
169
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
29 20A Cigar lighter, Diagnostic connector
(OBD II)
30 5A Power mirrors
31 20A Front park lamps, Rear park
lamps, License plate lamps,
Dimmer switch, Trailer tow park
lamps
32 5A Brake switch (logic), Brake-shift
interlock
33 5A Instrument cluster battery feed
(B+)
34 20A Power point
35 15A Power locks
Power distribution box
The power distribution box is
located in the engine compartment.
The power distribution box contains
high-current fuses that protect your
vehicle’s main electrical systems
from overloads.
Always disconnect the battery before servicing high current
fuses.
2008 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
177
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
43 20A* A/C relay coil, IAC, MAFS, HEGO,
CMS, VMV solenoid, EGR
solenoid, Heated PCV
44 15A* Ignition coil, Capacitor
45A — Not used
45B — Not used
46A — A/C clutch solenoid
46B — Not used
47 — PCM relay
48A — Fuel pump relay, Fuel injectors
relay
48B — Fog lamp relay
51 — Not used
52 — Not used
53 — Not used
54 — Not used
55 — Blower relay
56 — Starter relay
* Mini Fuses ** Maxi Fuses
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving:
•do not brake heavily.
•gradually decrease the vehicle’s speed.
•hold the steering wheel firmly.
•slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Note:The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) indicator light will
illuminate when the spare is in use. To restore the full functionality of
the monitoring system, all road wheels equipped with tire pressure
monitoring sensors must be mounted on the vehicle.
Have a flat serviced by an authorized dealer in order to prevent damage
to the TPMS sensor, refer toChanging tires with TPMSin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter. Replace the spare tire with a road tire as
soon as possible.
2008 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
183
Stopping and securing the vehicle
1. Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and place gearshift
lever in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or 1 (First) (manual
transmission).
2. Set the parking brake and turn
engine OFF.
Location of the spare tire and tools
Note:The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) indicator light will
illuminate when the spare is in use. To restore the full functionality of
the TPMS system, all road wheels equipped with the tire pressure
monitoring sensors must be mounted on the vehicle.
Have a flat tire serviced by an authorized dealer in order to prevent
damage to the TPMS sensor, refer toTire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. Replace the spare
tire with a road tire as soon as possible.
The spare tire and tools for your vehicle are stowed in the following
locations:
2008 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
186
•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.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
2008 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
242
A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................152
Air cleaner filter ...............251, 253
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................86
and child safety seats ..............88
description ................................86
disposal ......................................90
driver airbag ........................86, 89
indicator light ...........................90
operation .............................86, 89
passenger airbag .................86, 89
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................229
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................152
Anti-theft system ........................65
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................19, 21, 27
Automatic transmission ............155
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................157
fluid, refill capacities ..............254
fluid, specification ..................254
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....33
Auxiliary power point .................54
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........254
refill capacities ........................254
traction lok ..............................155
B
Battery .......................................227
acid, treating emergencies .....227
jumping a disabled battery ....192maintenance-free ....................227
replacement, specifications ...253
servicing ..................................227
Belt-Minder...............................82
Booster seats ...............................94
Brakes ........................................151
anti-lock ...................................152
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................153
fluid, checking and adding ....248
fluid, refill capacities ..............254
fluid, specifications .................254
lubricant specifications ..........254
parking ....................................153
shift interlock ..........................155
Bulbs ............................................47
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....254
Cargo cage ...................................59
Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................183
Child safety restraints ................94
child safety belts ......................94
Child safety seats ........................98
attaching with tether straps ..101
in front seat ..............................99
in rear seat ................................99
Child safety seats - booster
seats .............................................94
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............209
instrument panel ....................211
interior .....................................212
plastic parts ............................210
safety belts ..............................212
washing ....................................207
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
265
headlamps, flash to pass ..........44
instrument panel, dimming .....44
interior lamps .....................47–48
replacing bulbs .........................49
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................47
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........153
Load limits .................................127
Loading instructions .................133
Locks
doors ..........................................61
Lubricant specifications ...........254
Lug nuts ....................................192
Lumbar support, seats ...............70
M
Manual transmission .................159
fluid capacities ........................254
lubricant specifications ..........254
reverse .....................................160
Mirrors .........................................56
fold away ...................................57
side view mirrors
(power) ...............................56–57
Motorcraft parts ........213, 234, 253
O
Octane rating ............................239
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................221
P
Parking brake ............................153
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....253Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................73
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................177
Power door locks ........................61
Power mirrors .......................56–57
Power point .................................54
Power steering ..........................154
fluid, checking and adding ....246
fluid, refill capacity ................254
fluid, specifications .................254
Power Windows ...........................55
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................155
R
Radio ................................19, 21, 27
Relays ........................................173
Remote entry system ...........61–62
illuminated entry ......................65
locking/unlocking doors ...........62
panic alarm ...............................62
replacing the batteries .............63
Roadside assistance ..................170
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............80
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) ...71, 75–79
Safety defects, reporting ..205–206
Safety restraints ..............71, 75–79
Belt-Minder.............................82
extension assembly ..................80
for adults .............................76–78
for children .........................93–94
lap belt ......................................76
2008 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
268
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................73
safety belt maintenance ...........80
warning light and chime ..........81
Safety seats for children ............98
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................261
Satellite Radio Information ........36
Seats ............................................68
child safety seats ......................98
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................65
Servicing your vehicle ..............215
Setting the clock
AM/FM stereo ...........................20
AM/FM stereo CD .....................22
Premium AM/FM stereo
CD6/MP3 ...................................28
Snowplowing .................................8
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................253, 259
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............8
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................254
Speed control ..............................57
Starting your
vehicle ........................146–147, 149
jump starting ..........................192
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................54
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................54Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Roadside Emergencies ...........183
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....122
Tires ...........................107–109, 183
alignment ................................116
care ..........................................112
changing ..........................183, 189
checking the pressure ............112
inflating ...................................110
label .........................................121
replacing ..................................113
rotating
....................................116
safety practices
.......................115
sidewall information
...............117
snow tires and chains
............126
spare tire
.................................184
terminology
.............................109
tire grades
...............................108
treadwear
........................108, 112
Towing
.......................................133
recreational towing
.................144
trailer towing
..........................133
wrecker
....................................198
Traction-lok rear axle
...............155
Transfer case
fluid checking
.........................251
Transmission
automatic operation
...............155
brake-shift interlock (BSI)
....155
fluid, checking and adding
(manual)
.................................250
fluid, refill capacities
..............254
lubricant specifications
..........254
manual operation
....................159
Turn signal
..................................47
2008 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
269