2008 FORD RANGER brakes

Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can’t turn and if
they aren’t turning, you won’t be
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle. Rapid pumping of the brake pedal will help you slow the vehicle
and still maintain steering control.
Your vehicle is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS), apply the brakes steadily. Do not “pump” the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. Your vehicle is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS); apply the brake steadily. Do not “pump” the brakes. Refer
to theBrakessection of this chapter for additional information on the
operation of the anti-lock brake system.
Never drive with chains on the front tires of 4WD vehicles without also
putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and
swing around during braking.
2008 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
168

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

BRAKE FLUID
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the “MIN” and
“MAX” lines are within the normal
operating range; there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating
range the performance of the
system could be compromised; seek
service from your authorized dealer
immediately.
CLUTCH FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
Check the fluid level. Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor
the service interval schedules.
During normal operation, the fluid level in the clutch reservoir should
remain constant. If the fluid level drops, refill the fluid level to the step
in the reservoir.
Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid designed to meet Ford specifications. Refer
toMaintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
Carefully read cautionary information on product label. For
MEDICAL EMERGENCY INFORMATION contact a physician or
Poison Control Center immediately; on Ford-Motorcraft products call:
1-800-959-3673 (FORD). Failure to follow these instructions may result
in personal injury.
1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt and water
from entering the reservoir.
2. Remove cap and rubber
diaphragm from reservoir.
3. Add fluid until the level reaches
the step in the reservoir.
4. Reinstall rubber diaphragm and
cap onto reservoir.
2008 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
248

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
2008 Ranger(ran)
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