Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
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a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause theService engine
soon
indicator to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel—the engine may misfire or run poorly.
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel—the engine may misfire or run
poorly.
3. The fuel fill inlet may not have been properly closed. SeeEasy Fuel™
“no cap” fuel systemin this chapter.
4. Driving through deep water—the electrical system may be wet.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel, properly closing the fuel fill inlet or letting the
electrical system dry out. After three driving cycles without these or any
other temporary malfunctions present, theService engine soon
indicator should stay off the next time the engine is started. A driving
cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed city/highway
driving. No additional vehicle service is required.
If theService engine soon
indicator remains on, have your vehicle
serviced at the first available opportunity. Although some malfunctions
detected by the OBD-II may not have symptoms that are apparent,
continued driving with theService engine soon
indicator on can
result in increased emissions, lower fuel economy, reduced engine and
transmission smoothness, and lead to more costly repairs.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
Some state/provincial and local governments may have
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection could prevent
you from getting a vehicle registration. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M
test if theService engine soon
indicator is on or not working
properly (bulb is burned out), or if the OBD-II system has determined
that some of the emission control systems have not been properly
checked. In this case, the vehicle is considered not ready for I/M testing.
If theService engine soon
indicator is on or the bulb does not
work, the vehicle may need to be serviced. Refer to the On board
diagnostics (OBD-II) description in this chapter.
If the vehicle’s engine or transmission has just been serviced, or the
battery has recently run down or been replaced, the OBD-II system may
indicate that the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. To determine if the
vehicle is ready for I/M testing, turn the ignition key to the on position
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for 15 seconds without cranking the engine. If theService engine
soon
indicator blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not
ready for I/M testing; if theService engine soon
indicator stays on
solid, it means that the vehicle is ready for I/M testing.
The OBD-II system is designed to check the emission control system
during normal driving. A complete check may take several days. If the
vehicle is not ready for I/M testing, the following driving cycle consisting
of mixed city and highway driving may be performed:
15 minutes of steady driving on an expressway/highway followed by
20 minutes of stop-and-go driving with at least four 30-second idle
periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete. If
the vehicle is still not ready for I/M testing, the above driving cycle will
have to be repeated.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the service
interval schedules.
1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area
between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir. Refer toMaintenance
product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter for the proper
fluid type.
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BRAKE FLUID
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the “MIN” and
“MAX” lines are within the normal
operating range; there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating
range the performance of the
system could be compromised; seek
service from your authorized dealer
immediately.
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.
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Items CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number /
Ford Specification
Engine coolant11.1 quarts
(10.5L)Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant with
bittering agent
(yellow-colored)
4
VC-7-B /
WSS-M97B51-A1
Power steering fluidBetween MAX
and MIN on
reservoirMotorcraft
MERCONVATFXT-5-QM /
MERCONV
Windshield washer fluidTop- off fluid
as neededMotorcraft Premium
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateZC-32-A /
WSB-M8B16-A2
Fuel tank20.0 gallons
(75.7L) FWD
——
19.0 gallons
(71.9L)
(AWD)
1Approximate dry fill capacity. Actual amount may vary during fluid changes.2Automatic transmissions that require MERCONV should only use MERCONV fluid. Refer to
scheduled maintenance informationto determine the correct service interval. Use of any fluid
other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.3Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the
requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C930-A and the API Certification mark.4Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.5See your authorized dealer for fluid level checking or filling.
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The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains the following
information:
1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake system / Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) / Restraint
System
3. Vehicle line, series, body type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
TRANSMISSION CODE DESIGNATIONS
You can find a transmission code on
the Safety Compliance Certification
Label. The following table tells you
which transmission each code
represents.
Description Code
6F 6–Speed Automatic Transmission J
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A
Accessory delay ..........................58
Adaptive Cruise Control .............63
AdvanceTrac ..............................218
Air cleaner filter ...............309–310
Air conditioning ....................32, 35
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................144–145, 153, 155
and child safety seats ............146
description ..............145, 153, 155
disposal ....................................159
driver airbag ............147, 154, 157
indicator light .................153, 159
operation .................147, 154, 157
passenger airbag .....147, 154, 157
side airbag ...............................153
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................232
AM/FM .........................................16
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................288
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................215–216
Anti-theft system ..............113, 117
arming the system ..................117
disarming a triggered
system .....................................118
triggering .................................119
Audio system (see Radio) .........16
Automatic transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............311
fluid, specification ..................311
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................223
fluid, adding ............................307
fluid, checking ........................307Selectshift (SST) ....................226
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....23
B
Battery .......................................286
acid, treating emergencies .....286
jumping a disabled battery ....256
maintenance-free ....................286
replacement, specifications ...310
servicing ..................................286
Belt-Minder.............................140
Booster seats .............................172
Brakes ........................................215
anti-lock ...........................215–216
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................216
fluid, checking and adding ....307
fluid, refill capacities ..............311
fluid, specifications .................311
lubricant specifications ..........311
parking ....................................217
shift interlock ..........................222
Bulbs ............................................48
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....311
Cargo cover .................................58
Cargo net .....................................90
CD ................................................16
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................248
Child safety seats ......................164
attaching with tether straps ..170
in front seat ............................165
in rear seat ..............................165
LATCH .....................................168
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recommendations ...................162
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................172
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............274
instrument panel ....................275
interior .....................................276
plastic parts ............................274
washing ....................................272
waxing .....................................273
wheels ......................................273
wiper blades ............................275
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......32, 35
Clock ............................................16
Clock adjust
AM/FM/CD/MP3 ........................16
Console
overhead ....................................54
Controls
power seat ...............................123
steering column ........................72
Coolant
checking and adding ..............288
refill capacities ................292, 311
specifications ..........................311
Cooled Seats ..............................125
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................60
Cupholder(s) .............................129
Customer Assistance ................239
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................268
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............269
Getting roadside assistance ...239
Getting the service you
need .........................................264Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................269
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................267
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................45
Defrost
rear window ..............................32
rear window and rearview
mirrors .......................................35
windshield ...........................32, 35
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................307
engine oil .................................283
Doors
central unlocking ......................96
Driving under special
conditions ..........................233, 236
sand .........................................234
snow and ice ...........................237
through water .................235, 238
E
Electronic message center .........78
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................256
running out of fuel .........256, 298
Emission control system ..........303
Engine ........................................313
cleaning ...................................274
coolant .....................................288
fail-safe cooling .......................293
idle speed control ...................286
lubrication specifications .......311
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