Booster seats position a child so that vehicle lap/shoulder safety belts fit
better. They lift the child up so that the lap belt rests low across the hips
and the knees bend comfortably at the edge of the cushion, while
minimizing slouching. Booster seats may also make the shoulder belt fit
better and more comfortably. Try to keep the belt near the middle of the
shoulder and across the center of the chest. Moving the child closer (a
few centimeters or inches) to the center of the vehicle, but remaining in
the same seating position, may help provide a good shoulder belt fit.
When children should use booster seats
Children need to use booster seats from the time they outgrow the
toddler seat until they are big enough for the vehicle seat and
lap/shoulder belt to fit properly. Generally this is when they reach a
height of at least 4 feet 9 inches (1.45 meters) tall (around age eight to
age twelve and between 40 lb (18 kg) and 80 lb (36 kg) or upward to
100 lb (45 kg) if recommended by your child restraint manufacturer).
Many state and provincial laws require that children use approved
booster seats until they reach age eight, a height of 4 feet 9 inches
(1.45 meters) tall, or 80 lb (36 kg).
Booster seats should be used until you can answer YES to ALL of these
questions when seated without a booster seat:
•Can the child sit all the way back
against the vehicle seat back with
knees bent comfortably at the
edge of the seat cushion?
•Can the child sit without
slouching?
•Does the lap belt rest low across the hips?
•Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest?
•Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
Seating and Safety Restraints
134
2012 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
ProCarManuals.com
Types of booster seats
There are generally two types of belt-positioning booster seats: backless
and high back. Always use booster seats in conjunction with the vehicle
lap/shoulder belt.
•Backless booster seats
If your backless booster seat has a
removable shield, remove the
shield. If a vehicle seating position
has a low seat back or no head
restraint, a backless booster seat
may place your child’s head (as
measured at the tops of the ears)
above the top of the seat. In this
case, move the backless booster
to another seating position with a
higher seat back or head restraint and lap/shoulder belts, or consider
using a high back booster seat.
•High back booster seats
If, with a backless booster seat,
you cannot find a seating position
that adequately supports your
child’s head, a high back booster
seat would be a better choice.
Seating and Safety Restraints
135
2012 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
ProCarManuals.com
Children and booster seats vary in size and shape. Choose a booster that
keeps the lap belt low and snug across the hips, never up across the
stomach, and lets you adjust the shoulder belt to cross the chest and
rest snugly near the center of the shoulder. The drawings below compare
the ideal fit (center) to a shoulder belt uncomfortably close to the neck
and a shoulder belt that could slip off the shoulder. The drawings below
also show how the lap belt should be low and snug across the child’s
hips.
If the booster seat slides on the vehicle seat, placing a rubberized mesh
sold as shelf or carpet liner under the booster seat may improve this
condition. Do not introduce any item thicker than this under the booster
seat. Check with the booster seat manufacturer’s instructions.
The importance of shoulder belts
Using a booster without a shoulder belt increases the risk of a child’s
head hitting a hard surface in a collision. For this reason, you should
never use a booster seat with a lap belt only. It is generally best to use a
booster seat with lap/shoulder belts in the back seat.
Move a child to a different seating location if the shoulder belt does not
stay positioned on the shoulder during use.
Seating and Safety Restraints
136
2012 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
ProCarManuals.com
WARNING:Vehicle modifications involving braking system,
aftermarket roof racks, suspension, steering system, tire
construction and/or wheel/tire size may change the handling
characteristics of the vehicle and may adversely affect the performance
of the AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem. In addition, installing any
stereo loudspeakers may interfere with and adversely affect the
AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem. Install any aftermarket stereo
loudspeaker as far as possible from the front center console, the
tunnel, and the front seats in order to minimize the risk of interfering
with the AdvanceTracwith RSCsensors. Reducing the effectiveness
of the AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem could lead to an increased risk
of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
WARNING:Remember that even advanced technology cannot
defy the laws of physics. It’s always possible to lose control of a
vehicle due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions. Aggressive
driving on any road condition can cause you to lose control of your
vehicle increasing the risk of personal injury or property damage.
Activation of the AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem is an indication that
at least some of the tires have exceeded their ability to grip the road;
this could reduce the operator’s ability to control the vehicle,
potentially resulting in a loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death. If your AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem
activates, SLOW DOWN.
WARNING:If a failure has been detected within the
AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem, the stability control light and
TCS OFF light will illuminate steadily. Verify that the AdvanceTrac
with RSCsystem is not manually disabled. Press the TCS OFF button
located on the center of the instrument panel. If the stability control
light still illuminates steadily, have the system serviced by an
authorized dealer immediately. Operating your vehicle with
AdvanceTracwith RSCdisabled could lead to an increased risk of
loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
The AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem automatically enables each time
the engine is started. All features of the AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem
(TCS, ESC, and RSC) are active and monitor the vehicle from start-up.
However, the system will only intervene if the driving situation requires
it.
Driving
193
2012 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
ProCarManuals.com
•Do not use household or glass cleaners as these may damage the
finish of the instrument panel, interior trim and cluster lens.
•Do not allow air fresheners and hand sanitizers to spill on interior
surfaces. If a spill occurs,wipe off immediately.Damage may not be
covered by your warranty.
WARNING:Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents
when cleaning the steering wheel or instrument panel to avoid
contamination of the airbag system.
If a staining liquid like coffee/juice has been spilled on the instrument
panel or on interior trim surfaces, clean as follows:
1. Wipe up spilled liquid using a clean, white, cotton cloth.
2. Wipe the surface with a damp, clean, white cotton cloth. For more
thorough cleaning, use a mild soap and water solution. If the spot cannot
be completely cleaned by this method, the area may be cleaned using a
commercially available cleaning product designed for automotive
interiors.
3. If necessary, apply more soap and water solution or cleaning product
to a clean, white, cotton cloth and press the cloth onto the soiled
area–allow this to set at room temperature for 30 minutes.
4. Remove the soaked cloth, and if it is not soiled badly, use this cloth to
clean the area by using a rubbing motion for 60 seconds.
5. Following this, wipe area dry with a clean, white, cotton cloth.
INTERIOR
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats and safety belts:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Remove light stains and soil with MotorcraftProfessional Strength
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner (ZC-54).
•If grease or tar is present on the material, spot-clean the area first
with MotorcraftSpot and Stain Remover (ZC-14). In Canada, use
MotorcraftMulti-Purpose Cleaner (CXC-101).
•If a ring forms on the fabric after spot cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately (but do not oversaturate) or the ring will set.
•Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of
the seat materials.
Cleaning
254
2012 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
ProCarManuals.com
WARNING:Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the
vehicle’s seatbelts, as these actions may weaken the belt
webbing.
LEATHER SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Clean spills and stains as quickly as possible.
•For routine cleaning, wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth. For
more thorough cleaning, wipe the surface with a mild soap and water
solution. In Canada, use MotorcraftVinyl Cleaner (CXC-93). Dry the
area with a soft cloth.
•If the leather cannot be completely cleaned using a mild soap and
water solution, the leather may be cleaned using a commercially
available leather cleaning product designed for automotive interiors.
•To check for compatibility, first test any cleaner or stain remover on
an inconspicuous part of the leather.
•Do not use household cleaning products, alcohol solutions, solvents or
cleaners intended for rubber, vinyl and plastics, or oil/petroleum-based
leather conditioners. These products may cause premature wearing or
damage to the leather.
UNDERBODY
Flush the complete underside of your vehicle frequently. Keep body and
door drain holes free from packed dirt.
Cleaning
255
2012 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
ProCarManuals.com
A
Accessory delay ..........................67
AdvanceTrac ..............................192
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................................106
and child safety seats ............108
description ..............................106
disposal ....................................110
driver airbag ............................108
indicator light .........................110
operation .................................108
passenger airbag .....................108
passenger deactivation
switch ......................................111
Air cleaner filter .......291–292, 295
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................266
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................190
Anti-theft system ........................85
arming the system ....................86
Audio system (see Radio) ...29, 31
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................202, 204
fluid, adding ............................286
fluid, checking ........................286
fluid, refill capacities ..............296
fluid, specification ..................296
Auxiliary Input Jack ...................38
Auxiliary power point .................65
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........296
refill capacities ........................296
traction lok ..............................198
B
Battery .......................................263acid, treating emergencies .....263
jumping a disabled battery ....235
maintenance-free ....................263
replacement, specifications ...295
servicing ..................................263
Belt-Minder.............................102
Blind spot mirror ......................212
Booster seats .............................134
Brakes ........................................189
anti-lock ...................................190
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................190
fluid, checking and adding ....285
fluid, refill capacities ..............296
fluid, specifications .................296
lubricant specifications ..........296
parking ....................................191
shift interlock ..........................200
trailer .......................................178
Bulbs ............................................57
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....296
Cell phone use ............................10
Changing a tire .........................225
Child safety seats ......................120
in front seat ............................121
in rear seat ..............................121
LATCH .....................................124
recommendations ...................118
tether anchorage hardware ...131
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................134
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............252
exterior ....................................255
instrument panel ....................253
interior .....................................254
Index
330
2012 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
ProCarManuals.com
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....273
Floor mats .............................73, 75
Fluid capacities .........................296
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................198
Fuel ............................................273
calculating fuel
economy ............................23, 279
cap ...........................................276
capacity ...................................296
choosing the right fuel ...........277
detergent in fuel .....................277
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................273, 276, 279
filter, specifications ........272, 295
fuel pump shut-off switch .....216
improving fuel economy ........279
octane rating ...................277, 300
quality ......................................278
running out of fuel .................278
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................273
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .................................273, 277
Fuses ..................................217–218
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............276
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................279
Gauges .........................................19
H
Hazard flashers .........................215
Headlamps ...................................51
aiming ........................................54bulb specifications ....................57
daytime running lights .............52
flash to pass ..............................51
high beam .................................51
replacing bulbs .........................59
turning on and off ....................51
Head restraints ...........................89
Heating
heater only system .............48, 50
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................49
Hood ..........................................258
I
Ignition ...............................184, 300
Illuminated visor mirror .............65
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................120
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................284
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................253
cluster ........................................14
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................52
J
Jack ............................................225
positioning ...............................225
storage .....................................225
Jump-starting your vehicle ......235
K
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................75
Index
332
2012 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
ProCarManuals.com