Customer Assistance 348
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 355
Reporting safety defects (Canada only) 355
Cleaning 356
Maintenance and Specifications 364
Engine compartment 366
Engine oil 370
Battery 373
Engine coolant 376
Fuel information 383
Air filter(s) 398
Part numbers 401
Maintenance product specifications and capacities 402
Engine data 405
Accessories 408
Ford Extended Service Plan 410
Scheduled Maintenance 414
Normal scheduled maintenance and log 420
Index 433
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Copyright © 2011 Ford Motor Company
Table of Contents
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Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Service Engine SoonEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check Fuel CapLow Tire Pressure
Warning
Introduction
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Charging system (RTT):
Illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly. If it stays on
while the engine is running, there
may be a malfunction with the charging system. Contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible. This indicates a problem with the electrical
system or a related component.
Engine oil pressure (RTT):
Illuminates when the oil pressure
falls below the normal range, refer
toEngine oilin theMaintenance
and Specificationschapter.
AdvanceTrac:Displays when the
AdvanceTrac/Traction control is
active. If the light remains on, have
the system serviced immediately,
refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
AdvanceTracoff light:
Illuminates when
AdvanceTrac/Traction control has
been disabled by the driver. Refer to
theDrivingchapter for more
information.
Low tire pressure warning:
Illuminates when your tire pressure
is low. If the light remains on at
start up or while driving, the tire
pressure should be checked. Refer
toInflating your tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. When
the ignition is first turned to on, the light will illuminate for 3 seconds to
ensure that it is working. If the light does not turn on or begins to flash,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. For more information
on this system, refer toTire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)in
theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Low fuel (RTT):Illuminates when
the fuel level in the fuel tank is at
or near empty. Refer toFuel gauge
in this chapter.
OFF
Instrument Cluster
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4WD Messages Action / Description
4WD OFFDisplayed when the AWD system has been
automatically disabled to protect itself. This is
caused by operating the vehicle with the
compact spare tire installed or if the system is
overheating. The AWD system will resume
normal function and clear this message after
driving a short distance with the road tire
re-installed or after the system is allowed to
cool.
CHECK 4WDDisplayed in conjunction with the Throttle
Control/Transmission/AWD
light when
the AWD system is not operating properly. If
the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Battery and
Charging System
MessagesAction / Description
CHECK CHARGING
SYSTEMDisplayed when the charging system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues
to come on, contact your authorized dealer as
soon as possible.
TURN POWER OFF
TO SAVE BATTERYDisplayed when the battery management
system determines that:
•the battery is at a low state of charge or,
•the ignition has been in accessory position
or on position with the engine off for
approximately 45 minutes.
Turn the ignition off as soon as possible to
protect the battery. This message will clear
once the vehicle has been started and the
battery state of charge has recovered. Turning
off unnecessary electrical loads will allow
faster battery state-of-charge recovery.
Instrument Cluster
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Battery and
Charging System
MessagesAction / Description
TRANSPORT MODE
CONTACT DEALERContact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
FACTORY MODE
CONTACT DEALERContact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
LOW BATTERY
FEATURES
TEMPORARILY
TURNED OFFDisplayed when the battery management
system detects an extended low-voltage
condition. Various vehicle features will be
disabled to help preserve the battery. Turn off
as many of the electrical loads as soon as
possible to improve system voltage. If the
system voltage has recovered, the disabled
features will operate again as normal.
BLISMessages Action / Description
BLIND SPOT NOT
AVAILABLE
SENSOR BLOCKEDDisplayed when the blind spot information
system/cross traffic alert system sensors are
blocked. SeeBlind Spot Information System
(BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alertin the
Drivingchapter.
BLIND SPOT
SYSTEM FAULTDisplayed when a fault with the blind spot
information system has occurred. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CROSS TRAFFIC
NOT AVAILABLE
SENSOR BLOCKEDDisplayed when the blind spot information
system/cross traffic alert system sensors are
blocked. SeeBlind Spot Information System
(BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alertin the
Drivingchapter.
CROSS TRAFFIC
SYSTEM FAULTDisplayed when a fault with the cross traffic
alert system has occurred. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Instrument Cluster
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MYFORD™ SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle
control, accident and injury. Ford strongly recommends that
drivers use extreme caution when using any device or feature that may
take their focus off the road. Your primary responsibility is the safe
operation of the vehicle. We recommend against the use of any
handheld device while driving, encourage the use of voice-operated
systems when possible and that you become aware of applicable state
and local laws that may affect use of electronic devices while driving.
Battery management:With the engine off, the audio system may turn
off due to low battery conditions or an elapsed time (typically
45 minutes). The display will temporarily show SYS OFF TO SAVE BATT
and the audio system will be turned off. The audio system will return to
normal operation once the vehicle has been started or with the engine
off when the battery has recovered to an acceptable condition.
Vol (Power/Volume):Press to turn the system on/off and turn to
increase/decrease the volume levels.
Maneuvering the screens:When using your system, information will
appear in the display screen. You can make selections and maneuver the
screens a few different ways:
1. Use the soft keys beneath the screen to select the function directly
above them.
Entertainment Systems
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Flash-to-pass
Pull toward you slightly to activate
and release to deactivate.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
To activate DRL:
•the ignition must be in the on position and
•the headlamp control is in the
orposition
•the transmission is not in P (Park).
WARNING:Always remember to turn on your headlamps at
dusk or during inclement weather. The Daytime Running Light
(DRL) System does not activate your tail lamps and generally may not
provide adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate
your headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel and all applicable
lit components in the vehicle during
headlamp and parking lamp
operation.
•Tapthetoporbottomofthe
control to brighten/dim all interior
lit components incrementally, or
•Press and hold the top or bottom
of the control until the desired lighting level is reached.
Note:In the message center, a message will pop up that will show
incrementally where the dimmer is in relation to the dimming steps.
These steps will also vary for daytime and night time dimming.
Note:If the battery is disconnected, discharged, or a new battery is
installed, the dimmer control requires re-calibration. Press the dimmer
control from the full dim position to the full on position to reset. This
will ensure that your displays are visible under all lighting conditions.
Lights
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Third row cargo lamp
The dome lamp lights when:
•any door is opened.
•the instrument panel dimmer
button is pressed until the
courtesy lamp comes on.
•
any of the remote entry controls
are pressed and the ignition is off.
The courtesy lamp can also be
turned on and off manually by
pressing the control switch.
Battery saver
The battery saver will shut off the exterior lamps and interior lamps,
except the hazard warning lamps if activated, 10 minutes after the
ignition control has been turned off. The system will not turn off the
parking lamps if they are on.
BULB REPLACEMENT
Lamp assembly condensation
Exterior lamps are vented to accommodate normal changes in pressure.
Condensation can be a natural by-product of this design. When moist air
enters the lamp assembly through the vents, there is a possibility that
condensation can occur when the temperature is cold. When normal
condensation occurs, a thin film of mist can form on the interior of the
lens. The thin mist eventually clears and exits through the vents during
normal operation. Clearing time may take as long as 48 hours under dry
weather conditions.
Examples of acceptable condensation are:
•Presence of thin mist (no streaks, drip marks or droplets)
•Fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens
Examples of unacceptable moisture (usually caused by a lamp water
leak) are:
•Water puddle inside the lamp
•Large water droplets, drip marks or streaks present on the interior of
the lens
Take your vehicle to a dealer for service if any of the above conditions of
unacceptable moisture are present.
Lights
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