
If starting a vehicle with a manual
transmission:
1. Make sure the parking brake is
set.
2. Push the clutch pedal to the floor.
3. Turn the key to 4 (on) without
turning the key to 5 (start).
If there is difficulty in turning the key, firmly rotate the steering wheel
left and right until the key turns freely. This condition may occur when:
•front wheels are turned
•front wheel is against the curb
•steering wheel is turned when getting in or out of the vehicle
Some warning lights will briefly illuminate. SeeWarning lights and
chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter for more information
regarding the warning lights.
Starting the engine
Note:Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key as soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking could damage the starter.
1
2
34
5
2009 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
156

If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:For important information regarding safe operation
of this type of vehicle, seePreparing to drive your vehiclein
this chapter.
Four–wheel drive (4WD) supplies power to all four wheels. 4WD should
not be operated on dry pavement; driveline damage may occur.
If equipped with the Electronic Shift 4WD System, and 4WD Low
is selected while the vehicle is moving above 3 mph (5 km/h), the
4WD system will not engage. This is normal and should be no
reason for concern.Refer toShifting to/from 4WD Lowfor proper
operation.
4WD system indicator lights
•4x4- Momentarily illuminates
when the vehicle is started.
Illuminates when 4H (4WD High)
is engaged.
•4x4 LOW– Momentarily
illuminates when the vehicle is
started. Illuminates when 4L
(4WD Low) is engaged.
4x4
4x4
LOW
2009 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
170

•Normally, adding 1 gallon (3.8L) of fuel is enough to restart the
engine. If the vehicle is out of fuel and on a steep grade, more than
1 gallon (3.8L) may be required.
•TheService engine soon
indicator may come on. For more
information on theService engine soon
indicator, refer to
Warning lights and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more
accurate measurement after 2,000 miles–3,000 miles (3,000 km–5,000
km).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theMaintenance
product specifications and capacitiessection of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low — medium — high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than two automatic click-offs when filling.
2009 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
247

preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................162
Fuel ............................................242
calculating fuel economy .......247
cap ...........................................244
capacity ...................................260
choosing the right fuel ...........245
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................250
detergent in fuel .....................245
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................242, 244, 247
filter, specifications ........241, 259
fuel pump shut-off switch .....181
improving fuel economy ........247
octane rating ...................246, 264
quality ......................................246
running out of fuel .................246
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................242
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......181
Fuses ..................................181–182
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............244
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................247
Gauges .........................................16
H
Hazard flashers .........................180
Head restraints ...........................70
Headlamps ...................................44
aiming ........................................46
bulb specifications ....................49
daytime running lights .............45
flash to pass ..............................45
high beam .................................44replacing bulbs .........................50
turning on and off ....................44
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................41–42
Hood ..........................................225
I
Ignition ...............................154, 264
Infant seats (see Safety
seats) .........................................102
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................252
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................220
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................45
J
Jack ............................................191
positioning .......................191, 196
storage .....................191, 194–195
Jump-starting your vehicle ......200
K
Keys .......................................63, 68
positions of the ignition .........154
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................49
daytime running light ...............45
fog lamps ...................................44
headlamps .................................44
2009 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
271

headlamps, flash to pass ..........45
instrument panel, dimming .....45
interior lamps .....................48–49
replacing bulbs .........................50
LATCH anchors .........................106
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........160
Limited-slip axle .......................162
Load limits .................................137
Loading instructions .................143
Locks
doors ..........................................63
Lubricant specifications ...........260
Lug nuts ....................................199
Lumbar support, seats .........72–73
M
Manual transmission .................167
fluid capacities ........................260
lubricant specifications ..........260
reverse .....................................168
Mirrors .........................................57
fold away ...................................58
side view mirrors
(power) ...............................57–58
Motorcraft parts ........222, 241, 259
O
Octane rating ............................246
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................229
P
Parking brake ............................161
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....259Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................75
Power distribution box (see
Fuses) ........................................185
Power door locks ........................63
Power mirrors .......................57–58
Power point .................................55
Power steering ..........................162
fluid, checking and adding ....253
fluid, refill capacity ................260
fluid, specifications .................260
Power Windows ...........................56
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................162
R
Radio ................................19, 21, 26
Recommendations for
attaching safety restraints for
children ......................................100
Relays ........................................181
Remote entry system .................63
illuminated entry ......................66
locking/unlocking doors ...........64
panic alarm ...............................64
replacing the batteries .............65
Roadside assistance ..................179
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........114
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ............ 74, 77–78, 80–82
Safety defects, reporting ..214–215
Safety restraints .. 74, 77–78, 80–82
Belt-Minder.............................84
2009 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
272

V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................265
Vehicle loading ..........................137
camper bodies ........................153
Ventilating your vehicle ...........157
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12Washer fluid ..............................228
Water, Driving through .............178
Windows
power
.........................................56
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................54
checking and adding fluid
.....228
replacing wiper blades
...........229
Wrecker towing
.........................206
2009 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
274