CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
1. Pull the wiper blade and arm
away from the glass. Turn the blade
at a right angle to the arm.
2. Squeeze the locking tabs to
release the blade from the arm and
pull the blade away from the arm to
remove it.
3. Attach the new blade to the arm and snap it into place.
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 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 a few 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).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
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Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Release the parking brake. With your foot on the brake pedal and with
the A/C on, put the vehicle in D (Drive) and allow the engine to idle for
at least one minute.
7. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 km) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and radio settings must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
L
E
A
D
RETURN
RECYCLE
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TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationfor scheduled
intervals for fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not
consume fluid. However, the fluid level should be checked if the
transmission is not working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or
shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 20 miles [30 km]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic
during hot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before
checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated areas for normal operating temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is in the add range or does not
show at all on the dipstick.
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A
Accessory delay ..........................99
AdvanceTrac ..............................236
Air cleaner filter ...............322–323
Air conditioning ....................76, 78
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................167, 176, 178
and child safety seats ............169
description ..............167, 176, 178
disposal ....................................182
driver airbag ............169, 177, 179
indicator light .................175, 181
operation .................169, 177, 179
passenger airbag .....169, 177, 179
side airbag ...............................176
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................247
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................302
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................234
Anti-theft system ..............139, 143
arming the system ..................143
disarming a triggered
system .....................................144
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................18, 22, 29
Automatic transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............324
fluid, specification ..................324
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................242
fluid, adding ............................320
fluid, checking ........................320
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....37
B
Battery .......................................299acid, treating emergencies .....299
jumping a disabled battery ....270
maintenance-free ....................299
replacement, specifications ...323
servicing ..................................299
Belt-Minder.............................162
Booster seats .............................195
Brakes ........................................234
anti-lock ...................................234
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................235
fluid, checking and adding ....319
fluid, refill capacities ..............324
fluid, specifications .................324
lubricant specifications ..........324
parking ....................................235
shift interlock ..........................241
Bulbs ............................................87
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....324
Cargo cover ...............................121
Cargo net ...................................122
Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................262
Child safety seats ......................186
attaching with tether straps ..192
in front seat ............................187
in rear seat ..............................187
LATCH .....................................190
recommendations ...................184
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................195
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............287
instrument panel ....................289
interior .....................................289
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storage .....................................262
Jump-starting your vehicle ......270
K
Keyless entry system ...............138
autolock ...................................125
keypad .....................................138
locking and unlocking doors ..139
programming entry code .......138
Keys ...................................123, 141
positions of the ignition .........229
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................82
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................87
daytime running light ...............84
fog lamps ...................................83
headlamps .................................82
headlamps, flash to pass ..........84
instrument panel, dimming .....84
interior lamps .....................86, 88
replacing bulbs .............88–89, 92
LATCH anchors .........................190
Liftgate ......................................133
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........235
Load limits .................................220
Locks
autolock ...................................125
childproof ................................129
doors ........................................125
Lubricant specifications ...........324
Lug nuts ....................................269
Lumbar support, seats .............146
M
Message center .........................111english/metric button .............117
system check button ..............116
warning messages ...................118
Mirrors .................................99–100
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................99
fold away .................................101
heated ......................................101
programmable memory ..........133
side view mirrors (power) .....100
Moon roof ..................................107
Motorcraft parts ........291, 307, 323
N
Navigation system .......................73
O
Octane rating ............................311
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................296
Overdrive ...................................242
P
Parking brake ............................235
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....323
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................155
Power adjustable foot pedals ...101
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................259
Power door locks ......................125
Power mirrors ...........................100
Power point .................................96
Power steering ..........................240
fluid, checking and adding ....319
fluid, refill capacity ................324
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Index
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