2008 FORD RANGER check transmission fluid

Normal characteristics
On some 4WD models, the initial shift from two-wheel drive to 4x4 while
the vehicle is moving can cause some momentary clunk and ratcheting
sounds.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Note:The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) indicator light may
illuminate depending on how much air is released from your tires and/or
how long you drive the vehicle under these conditions
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(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 4WD 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 transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
2008 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
166

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 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
•Automatic transmission/transaxle:
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels.
•Manual transmission/transaxle:
1. Set the parking brake, depress the clutch and place the gearshift in 1
(First).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels.
Working with the engine on
•Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Block the wheels.
•Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake, depress the clutch and place the gearshift in N
(Neutral).
2008 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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If you operate your vehicle in temperatures below 40° F (4.5°C),
use washer fluid with antifreeze protection. Failure to use
washer fluid with antifreeze protection in cold weather could result in
impaired windshield vision and increase the risk of injury or accident.
Note:Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling system
components.
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 toscheduled 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) (automatic transmission) or 1 (First) (manual transmission).
2008 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
221

TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
•Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor scheduled check
and change intervals.
•Transmission does not consume fluid.
•Check fluid when transmission is not operating properly or if you see
a leak.
•Fluid level must be checked at normal operating temperature, 20 miles
(30 km) of driving.
To check and add fluid:
1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) to reach normal operating
temperatures.
2. If driven in hot weather, city traffic, pulling a trailer, allow
transmission to cool for 30 minutes before checking.
3. Engage parking brake, start engine.
4. Put your foot on the brake pedal and move the gearshift lever slowly
through all of the gear ranges.
5. Shift to P (Park) and leave the engine running.
6. Remove the dipstick, wipe clean with a dry lint free rag.
7. Install and fully seat the dipstick into the filler tube.
8. Remove the dipstick and inspect
the fluid level. Level should be in
the cross-hatched area.
9. If necessary, add fluid in 1/2 pint (250ml) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct at normal operating temperatures. Refer to
theMaintenance product specifications and capacitiessection in this
chapter for the correct fluid type. The use of any other non-approved
fluid may cause internal transmission damage.
10. Fluid can be checked at ambient
temperatures between 50–95°F
(10–30°C). DO NOT ADD fluid until
the transmission is at normal
operating temperatures or the transmission will be overfilled.
2008 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
249

Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at or below the bottom of
the dipstick.
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may cause overheating, shift and/or
engagement concerns and internal
transmission damage. If an overfill
condition occurs, excess fluid should
be removed by an authorized dealer.
Checking and adding manual transmission fluid (if equipped)
1. Clean the filler plug.
2. Remove the filler plug and
inspect the fluid level.
3. Fluid level should be at the
bottom of the opening.
4. Add enough fluid through the
filler opening so that the fluid level
is at the bottom of the opening.
5. Install and tighten the fill plug
securely.
2008 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
250

MAINTENANCE PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS AND CAPACITIES
Item CapacityFord part name or
equivalentFord part number /
Ford specification
Brake fluid and (clutch
fluid–if equipped)Between
MIN/MAX on
brake fluid
reservoir and to
the line or step on
clutch fluid
reservoirMotorcraft High
Performance DOT 3
Motor Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1-C /
WSS-M6C62-A
Door weather strips — Silicone Spray LubricantXL-6 /
ESR-M13P4-A
Hinges, door checks,
latches, striker plates,
fuel filler door hinge
and seat tracks— Multi-Purpose GreaseXG-4 or XL-5 /
ESB-M1C93-B
Transmission /
steering/parking brake
linkages and pivots,
brake and clutch pedal
shaft, clutch pilot
bearing and input shaft
spline (manual
transmission)—Motorcraft Premium
Long-Life GreaseXG-1-C or XG-1-K /
ESA-M1C75-B
2008 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
254

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