
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.
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. In emergency stopping situations, 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
(ABS).
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 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
235

Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer fluid
container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
•Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant or equivalent
meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1.Refer to
Maintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
Note:Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets or an
equivalent product meeting Ford specification WSS-M99B37-B6, may
darken the color of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from
yellow to golden tan.
•Do not add/mix an orange-colored, extended life coolant such
as Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant, meeting Ford
specification WSS-M97B44-D, or DEX-COOLbrand with the
factory-filled coolant.Mixing Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine
Coolant or any orange-colored extended life product such as
DEX-COOLbrand with your factory filled coolant can result in
degraded corrosion protection.
•A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the “FULL COLD” level. For all other vehicles which have a
coolant degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to
remove the coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with
an overflow system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
2008 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
289

To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
Add the proper mixture of coolant and water to the cooling system by
following these steps:
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture, to
within the “COLD FILL RANGE” or the “FULL COLD” level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration (refer
toChecking engine coolant). If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to –34°F/–36°C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per
month, have your authorized dealer check the engine cooling system.
Your cooling system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low
level of coolant can result in engine overheating and possible engine
damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
2008 Mark LT(mlt)
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Maintenance and Specifications
290

7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 50°F (10°C).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating temperature
150°F-170°F (66°C-77°C) on a level surface. The normal operating
temperature can be reached after approximately 20 miles (30 km) of
driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 50°F (10°C). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (150°F-170°F
[66°C-77°C]).
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at ambient temperature
(50°F-95°F [10°C-35°C]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transmission failure.
An overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or
possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick. Refer toMaintenance
product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
2008 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
306

instrument panel ....................275
interior .....................................276
plastic parts ............................273
safety belts ..............................276
washing ....................................271
waxing .....................................272
wheels ......................................272
wiper blades ............................274
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............68
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................25
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment ...............103
Console ........................................83
overhead ....................................84
Controls
power seat ...............................136
steering column ........................96
Coolant
checking and adding ..............287
refill capacities ................291, 311
specifications ..........................311
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................93
Customer Assistance ................237
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................267
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................268
Getting roadside assistance ...237
Getting the service you
need .........................................263
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................269
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................267D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................73
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................305
engine oil .................................282
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................308
Driving under special
conditions ..................223, 231, 234
sand .........................................233
snow and ice ...........................235
through water .................233, 236
DVD system .................................38
E
Electronic message center .......102
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................255
Emergency Flashers .................239
Emission control system ..........301
Engine ................................314–315
cleaning ...................................273
coolant .....................................287
fail-safe cooling .......................292
idle speed control ...................285
lubrication specifications .......311
refill capacities ........................311
service points ..................280–281
starting after a collision .........239
Engine block heater .................213
Engine oil ..................................282
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................282
checking and adding ..............282
dipstick ....................................282
2008 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
321

filter, specifications ........284, 310
recommendations ...................284
refill capacities ........................311
specifications ..........................311
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................213
F
Fail safe cooling ........................292
Family entertainment system ....38
Floor mats .................................110
Fluid capacities .........................311
Foglamps .....................................72
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......228
driving off road .......................230
electronic shift ........................229
indicator light .........................228
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................218
Fuel ............................................293
calculating fuel
economy ..........................104, 298
cap ...........................................295
capacity ...................................311
choosing the right fuel ...........296
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................301
detergent in fuel .....................297
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................293, 295, 298
filter, specifications ........293, 310
fuel pump shut-off switch .....239
improving fuel economy ........298
octane rating ...........297, 314–315
quality ......................................297
running out of fuel .................297
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................293
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......239Fuses ..................................240–241
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............295
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................298
Gauges .........................................16
H
Hazard flashers .........................239
Head restraints .................134, 138
Headlamps ...................................72
aiming ........................................74
autolamp system .......................72
bulb specifications ....................77
daytime running lights .............73
flash to pass ..............................73
high beam .................................73
replacing bulbs .........................78
turning on and off ....................72
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................68
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................98
Hood ..........................................279
How to get going ........................19
I
Ignition .......................210, 314–315
Illuminated visor mirror .............83
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................167
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................303
2008 Mark LT(mlt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
322