
If the booster seat slides on the vehicle seat, placing a rubberized mesh
sold as shelf or carpet liner under the booster seat may improve this
condition. Do not introduce any item thicker than this under the booster
seat. Check with the booster seat manufacturer’s instructions.
The importance of shoulder belts
Using a booster without a shoulder belt increases the risk of a child’s
head hitting a hard surface in a collision. For this reason, you should
never use a booster seat with a lap belt only. It is generally best to use a
booster seat with lap/shoulder belts in the back seat.
Move a child to a different seating location if the shoulder belt does not
stay positioned on the shoulder during use.
Follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer of the booster seat.
WARNING:Never place, or allow a child to place, the shoulder
belt under a child’s arm or behind the back because it reduces
the protection for the upper part of the body and may increase the risk
of injury or death in a collision.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
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Child restraint and safety belt maintenance
WARNING:Failure to inspect and if necessary replace the
safety belt assembly under the above conditions could result in
severe personal injuries in the event of a collision.
Inspect the vehicle safety belts and child safety seat systems periodically
to make sure they work properly and are not damaged. Inspect the
vehicle and child seat safety belts to make sure there are no nicks, tears
or cuts. Replace if necessary. All vehicle safety belt assemblies, including
retractors, buckles, front safety belt buckle assemblies, buckle support
assemblies (slide bar-if equipped), shoulder belt height adjusters (if
equipped), shoulder belt guide on seatback (if equipped), child safety
seat LATCH (if equipped) and tether anchors, and attaching hardware,
should be inspected after a collision. Refer to the child restraint
manufacturer’s instructions for additional inspection and maintenance
information specific to the child restraint. Ford Motor Company
recommends that all safety belt assemblies in use in vehicles involved in
a collision be replaced. However, if the collision was minor and an
authorized dealer finds that the belts do not show damage and continue
to operate properly, they do not need to be replaced. Safety belt
assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and
replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted.
WARNING:Failure to inspect and if necessary replace the
safety belt assembly or child restraint system under the above
conditions could result in severe personal injuries in the event of a
collision.
Refer toInteriorin theCleaningchapter.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
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NOTICE TO UTILITY VEHICLE AND TRUCK OWNERS
Utility vehicles and trucks handle
differently than passenger cars in
the various driving conditions that
are encountered on streets,
highways and off-road. Utility
vehicles and trucks are not designed
for cornering at speeds as high as
passenger cars any more than
low-slung sports cars are designed
to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions.
WARNING:Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles. To reduce the risk of serious
injury or death from a rollover or other crash you must:
•Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers;
•Drive at safe speeds for the conditions;
•Keep tires properly inflated;
•Never overload or improperly load your vehicle; and
•Make sure every passenger is properly restrained.
WARNING:In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
All occupants must wear seat belts and children/infants must use
appropriate restraints to minimize the risk of injury or ejection.
Study yourOwner’s Guideand any supplements for specific information
about equipment features, instructions for safe driving and additional
precautions to reduce the risk of an accident or serious injury.
VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS
4WD and AWD Systems (if equipped)
A vehicle equipped with AWD or 4WD (when selected) has the ability to
use all four wheels to power itself. This increases traction which may
enable you to safely drive over terrain and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
115

A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................159
Air cleaner filter ...............258–259
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................89
and child safety seats ..............91
description ................................89
disposal ......................................94
driver airbag ........................89, 92
indicator light ...........................93
operation .............................89, 92
passenger airbag .................89, 92
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................236
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................159–160
Anti-theft system ........................67
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................19, 21, 26
Automatic transmission ............163
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................165
fluid, refill capacities ..............260
fluid, specification ..................260
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....32
Auxiliary power point .................55
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........260
refill capacities ........................260
B
Battery .......................................234
acid, treating emergencies .....234
jumping a disabled battery ....200
maintenance-free ....................234replacement, specifications ...259
servicing ..................................234
Belt-Minder...............................84
Booster seats .............................110
Brakes ........................................159
anti-lock ...........................159–160
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................160
fluid, checking and adding ....254
fluid, refill capacities ..............260
fluid, specifications .................260
lubricant specifications ..........260
parking ....................................161
shift interlock ..........................163
Bulbs ............................................48
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....260
Cargo cage ...................................61
Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................191
Child safety seats ......................102
attaching with tether straps ..107
in front seat ............................103
in rear seat ......................103, 106
LATCH .....................................106
recommendations ...................100
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................110
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............218
instrument panel ....................220
interior .....................................221
plastic parts ............................219
safety belts ..............................221
washing ....................................216
waxing .....................................217
wheels ......................................217
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Index
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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
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extension assembly ..................83
for adults .......................78, 80–81
for children ...............................97
lap belt ......................................79
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................75
safety belt maintenance .........114
warning light and chime ....83–84
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................106
Safety seats for children ..........102
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................265
Satellite Radio Information ........37
Seats ............................................70
child safety seats ....................102
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................67
Servicing your vehicle ..............224
Setting the clock
AM/FM stereo ...........................20
AM/FM stereo CD .....................21
Premium AM/FM stereo
CD6/MP3 ...................................27
Snowplowing .................................8
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................259, 264
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............8
utility-type vehicles ....................8
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................260
Speed control ..............................58
Starting your vehicle ........154–156
jump starting ..........................200
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................55T
Tilt steering wheel ......................55
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Roadside Emergencies ...........191
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....132
Tires ...........................117–119, 191
alignment ................................126
care ..........................................122
changing ..........................191, 196
checking the pressure ............122
inflating ...................................120
label .........................................131
replacing ..................................123
rotating ....................................126
safety practices .......................125
sidewall information ...............127
snow tires and chains ............137
spare tire .................................192
terminology .............................119
tire grades ...............................118
treadwear ........................118, 122
Towing .......................................143
recreational towing .................152
trailer towing ..........................143
wrecker ....................................206
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................257
Transmission
automatic operation ...............163
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....163
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................256
fluid, refill capacities ..............260
lubricant specifications ..........260
manual operation ....................167
Turn signal ..................................48
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Index
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