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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.”
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills. A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill,
start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a
higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to
turn around because you might roll
over. It is better to back down to a
safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
Driving
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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 Guideto
find out which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraftparts 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 material (such as cigarettes)
away from the battery and all fuel related parts.
Working with the engine off
1. For vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, set the parking
brake and shift to P (Park). For vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission, set the parking brake, press and hold the clutch pedal,
place the gearshift in 1 (First), and release the clutch pedal.
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels.
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IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
2.3L I4 engine
1. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2. Engine coolant reservoir
3. Engine oil dipstick
4. Transmission fluid dipstick (automatic transmission)
5. Engine oil filler cap
6. Brake fluid reservoir
7. Power distribution box
8. Clutch fluid reservoir (manual transmission)
9. Battery
10. Power steering fluid reservoir
11. Air filter assembly
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4.0L V6 engine
1. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2. Transmission fluid dipstick (automatic transmission)
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Engine oil dipstick
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Power distribution box
7. Clutch fluid reservoir (manual transmission)
8. Battery
9. Power steering fluid reservoir
10. Air filter assembly
11. Engine coolant reservoir
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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 (250 ml) increments through the
filler tube until the level is correct at normal operating temperatures.
Refer to theMaintenance product specifications and capacities
section 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.
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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
reservoirMotorcraftHigh
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 Grease
(Lithium grease)XG-4 or XL-5 or
equivalent /
ESB-M1C93-B
Transmission /
steering/parking brake
linkages and pivots,
brake and clutch pedal
shaft—MotorcraftPremium
Long-Life GreaseXG-1-C or XG-1-K /
ESA-M1C75-B
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Item CapacityFord Part Name or
EquivalentFord Part Number /
Ford Specification
Automatic transmission
fluid (4X2 vehicles with
2.3L engine)9.9 quarts
(9.4L)
3
Motorcraft
MERCONVATF
4
XT-5-QM /
MERCONV Automatic transmission
fluid (4X2 vehicles with
4.0L engine)10.0 quarts
(9.5L)
3
Automatic transmission
fluid (4X4 vehicles with
4.0L engine)10.3 quarts
(9.8L)
3
Manual transmission
fluid (5-speed)2.8 quarts
(2.65L)
5
Transfer case fluid
(4X4)1.25 quarts
(1.2L)MotorcraftTransfer
Case FluidXL–12 /
—
Power steering fluidFill between
MIN/MAX line on
reservoirMotorcraft
MERCONVATFXT-5-QM /
MERCONV
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