
WASHING THE EXTERIOR
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral
pH shampoo, such as Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3-A), which is available
from your authorized dealer.
•Never use strong household detergents or soap, such as dish washing
or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted
surfaces.
•Using high pressure water or wand-type car washes may cause
damage to tape stripes if the nozzle is positioned closer than 12 inches
(30 cm) from the stripe.
•Never wash a vehicle that is “hot to the touch” or during exposure to
strong, direct sunlight.
•Always use a clean sponge or car wash mitt with plenty of water for
best results.
•Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel in order to
eliminate water spotting.
•It is especially important to wash the vehicle regularly during the
winter months, as dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and cause
damage to the vehicle.
•Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bird droppings
and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle’s
paintwork and trim over time. Use Bug and Tar Remover (ZC-42)
which is available from your authorized dealer.
•Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a
car wash.
•Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted
surface; if these substances come in contact with your vehicle,
wash off as soon as possible.
Exterior chrome
•Wash the vehicle first, using cool or lukewarm water and a neutral pH
shampoo, such as Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3-A).
•Use Custom Bright Metal Cleaner (ZC-15), available from your
authorized dealer. Apply the product as you would a wax to clean
bumpers and other chrome parts; allow the cleaner to dry for a few
minutes, then wipe off the haze with a clean, dry rag.
•Never use abrasive materials such as steel wool or plastic pads
as they can scratch the chrome surface.
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Cleaning
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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 theCleaningchapter.
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 5 to 10 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 transmissions) or 1 (First) (manual transmissions).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level dipstick.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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•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.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA fuel economy estimates
Every new vehicle should have a window sticker containing EPA fuel
economy estimates. Contact your authorized dealer if the window sticker
is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA fuel economy estimates
should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons with other
vehicles. Your fuel economy may vary depending upon the method of
operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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Remote entry system .................87
illuminated entry ......................90
locking/unlocking doors .....87–88
opening the trunk .....................88
panic alarm ...............................88
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................89
replacing the batteries .............89
Roadside assistance ..................195
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................103, 107–111
Safety Canopy ...........................126
Safety defects, reporting ..........235
Safety restraints ........103, 107–112
Belt-Minder...........................113
extension assembly ................112
for adults .........................108–111
for children .............................129
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................105
warning light and
chime ...............................112–113
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................138
Safety seats for children ..........134
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................283
Satellite Radio Information ........40
Seats ............................................97
child safety seats ....................134
front seats .................................98
heated ......................................101
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................92
Servicing your vehicle ..............244Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................25
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................31
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................278, 282
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................279
Speed control ..............................66
Starting your
vehicle ........................178–179, 181
jump starting ..........................220
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................60
T
Temporary mobility kit .............210
Tilt steering wheel ......................60
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....163
Tires ...................................148–149
alignment ................................156
care ..........................................152
changing ..................................207
checking the pressure ............152
inflating ...................................150
label .........................................162
replacing ..................................154
rotating ....................................156
safety practices .......................155
sidewall information ...............157
snow tires and chains ............168
spare tire .................................205
Temporary mobility kit ..........210
terminology .............................149
tire grades ...............................149
treadwear ........................148, 153
Towing .......................................174
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Index
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recreational towing .................177
trailer towing ..........................174
wrecker ....................................226
Traction control ........................185
Traction-lok rear axle ...............187
Transmission
automatic operation
...............188
brake-shift interlock (BSI)
....188
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic)
.............................274
fluid, checking and adding
(manual)
.................................275
fluid, refill capacities
..............279
lubricant specifications
..........279
manual operation
....................192
Trunk
...........................................85
remote release
..........................88
Turn signal
..................................51V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................283
Vehicle loading ..........................169
Ventilating your vehicle ...........182
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................248
Water, Driving through .............194
Windows
power .........................................62
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....248
operation ...................................59
replacing wiper blades ...........249
Wrecker towing .........................226
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Owners Guide
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Index
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