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.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”
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Driving
175
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
Guide/Customer Information 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:
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:
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.
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WARNING:If you operate your vehicle in temperatures below
40°F (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
tab 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 15 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).
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1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt and water
from entering the reservoir.
2. Remove cap and rubber
diaphragm from reservoir.
3. Add fluid until the level reaches
the step in the reservoir.
4. Reinstall rubber diaphragm and
cap onto reservoir.
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
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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.
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.
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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 or
WSS-M6C65–A1
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—Motorcraft Premium
Long-Life GreaseXG-1-C or XG-1-K /
ESA-M1C75-B
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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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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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Index
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