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
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Block the wheels.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of vehicle damage and/or
personal burn injuries, do not start your engine with the air
cleaner removed and do not remove it while the engine is running.
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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
pin manually 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 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.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level dipstick.
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WARNING:Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries
contain sulfuric acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing.
Shield your eyes when working near the battery to protect against
possible splashing of acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or
eyes, flush immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and
get prompt medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician
immediately.
WARNING:Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.Wash hands after handling.
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.
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TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking 6–speed 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.
Checking automatic transmission fluid at normal operating
temperature (140°F-158°F [60°C-70°C])
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]) until the engine coolant gauge
indicates normal operating temperature. 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 the coolant gauge indicates
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 (approximately
10–15 seconds in each position).
4. Move the gearshift lever to 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 read
within the hot range on the dipstick
if at normal operating temperature
(140°F-158°F [60°C-70°C]).
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A
Accessory delay ..........................58
AdvanceTrac ..............................192
Air cleaner filter ...............278–279
Air conditioning ....................31, 33
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................126, 135, 138
and child safety seats ............128
description ..............126, 135, 138
disposal ....................................141
driver airbag ............128, 136, 139
indicator light .........134, 137, 140
operation .................128, 136, 139
passenger airbag .....128, 136, 139
side airbag ...............................135
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................203
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................258
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................190–191
Anti-theft system ................96, 100
arming the system ..................100
disarming a triggered
system .....................................101
Audio system (see Radio) .........16
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................199
fluid, adding ............................276
fluid, checking ........................276
fluid, refill capacities ..............280
fluid, specification ..................280
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....23
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........280
B
Battery .......................................256acid, treating emergencies .....256
jumping a disabled battery ....225
maintenance-free ....................256
replacement, specifications ...279
servicing ..................................256
Belt-Minder.............................121
Booster seats .............................154
Brakes ........................................190
anti-lock ...........................190–191
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................191
fluid, checking and adding ....275
fluid, refill capacities ..............280
fluid, specifications .................280
lubricant specifications ..........280
parking ....................................191
shift interlock ..........................198
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................42
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....280
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................218
Child safety seats ......................145
attaching with tether straps ..151
in front seat ............................146
in rear seat ..............................146
LATCH .....................................149
recommendations ...................143
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................154
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............243
instrument panel ....................245
interior .....................................245
plastic parts ............................244
washing ....................................241
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Keys .......................................80, 98
positions of the ignition .........185
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................37
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................42
daytime running light ...............38
fog lamps ...................................38
headlamps .................................37
headlamps, flash to pass ..........39
instrument panel, dimming .....39
interior lamps ...........................41
replacing bulbs .........................44
LATCH anchors .........................149
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........191
Load limits .................................178
Locks
autolock .....................................83
childproof ..................................86
doors ..........................................82
Lubricant specifications ...........280
Lug nuts ....................................224
Lumbar support, seats .............107
M
Message center .....................70–71
english/metric button ...............76
system check button ................75
warning messages .....................77
Mirrors ...................................58–59
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................58
heated ........................................60
programmable memory ............91
side view mirrors (power) .......59Moon roof ..............................65, 90
Motorcraft parts ........247, 263, 279
N
Navigation system .......................30
O
Octane rating ............................267
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................252
P
Parking brake ............................191
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....279
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................113
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................215
Power door locks ........................82
Power mirrors .............................59
Power point .................................55
Power steering ..........................197
fluid, checking and adding ....275
fluid, refill capacity ................280
fluid, specifications .................280
Power Windows ...........................56
Power windows
opening using remote entry
system .......................................90
R
Radio ............................................16
Recommendations for
attaching safety restraints for
children ......................................143
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Index
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