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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.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle may reduce fuel economy at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example; bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
WARNING:Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and
potentially lethal fumes into the passenger compartment. If you
smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer inspect your
vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell exhaust fumes.
Maintenance and Specifications
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Battery
•Check and recharge as necessary. Keep connections clean.
•If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days without recharging the
battery, it may be advisable to disconnect the battery cables to ensure
battery charge is maintained for quick starting.
Note:If battery cables are disconnected, it will be necessary to reset
memory features.
Brakes
•Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully released.
Tires
•Maintain recommended air pressure.
Miscellaneous
•Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and pins under vehicle are
covered with grease to prevent rust.
•Move vehicles at least 25 feet (8 m) every 15 days to lubricate
working parts and prevent corrosion.
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.7L V6 engine
Air filter element FA-1884
Battery BXT-65-650
Oil filter FL-500-S
Spark plugs SP-520
1
Cabin air filter FP65
Windshield wiper bladeWW-2601-PF (driver side)
WW-2001-PF (passenger side)
WW-1401-PF (rear)
1Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for changing the spark plugs.
Note:Replace the spark plugs with ones that meet Ford material and
design specifications for your vehicle, such as Motorcraftor equivalent
replacement parts. The customer warranty may be void for any damage
to the engine if such spark plugs are not used.
Maintenance and Specifications
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Any adverse condition should be brought to the attention of your dealer
or qualified service technician as soon as possible for the proper service
advice. The owner maintenance service checks are generally not covered
by warranties so you may be charged for labor, parts or fluids used.
Engine oil/coolant change intervals
Engine oilAs indicated by the message center: do not
exceed one year or 10,000 miles (16,000 km)
Engine coolant,
initial change6 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
(whichever comes first)
Engine coolant, after
initial changeEvery 3 years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km)
Check every month
Engine oil level
Function of all interior and exterior lights
Tires for wear and proper pressure, including spare
Windshield washer fluid level
Check every six months
Battery connections; clean if necessary
Body and door drain holes for obstructions; clean if necessary
Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength
Door weatherstrips for wear; lubricate if necessary
Hinges/latches/outside locks for proper operation; lubricate if necessary
Parking brake for proper operation
Safety belts and seat latches for wear and function
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag, safety belt) for operation
Washer spray/wiper operation; clean or replace blades as necessary
Scheduled Maintenance
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Multi-point inspection
In order to keep your vehicle running right, it is important to have the
systems on your vehicle checked regularly. This can help identify
potential issues and prevent major problems. Ford Motor Company
recommends the following multi-point inspection be performed at every
scheduled maintenance interval to help ensure your vehicle keeps
running great.
Multi-point inspection – Recommended each visit
Accessory drive belt(s) Half-shaft dust boots (if equipped)
Battery performance Horn operation
Clutch operation (if equipped) Radiator, cooler, heater and A/C hoses
Engine air filter Suspension component for leaks or
damage
Exhaust system Steering and linkage
Exterior lamps and hazard
warning system operationTires for wear and proper pressure,
including spare
Fluid levels*; fill if necessary Windshield for cracks, chips or pits
For oil and fluid leaks Washer spray and wiper operation
*Brake, coolant recovery reservoir, manual and automatic transmission
(with an underhood dipstick), power steering (if equipped) and
window washer
Be sure to ask your dealership service advisor or technician about the
multi-point vehicle inspection. It’s a comprehensive way to perform a
thorough inspection of your vehicle. It’s your checklist that gives you
immediate feedback on the overall condition of your vehicle. You’ll know
what’s been checked, what’s okay, as well as those things that may
require future or immediate attention. The multi-point vehicle inspection
is one more way to keep your vehicle running great!
Scheduled Maintenance
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easy access/easyout
feature .....................................126
front seats ...............................123
heated ......................................130
memory seat ...................106, 125
Second-row power fold seat ....127
SecuriCode keyless entry
system ........................................112
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................114
Servicing your vehicle ..............293
SOS Post Crash Alert ...............160
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........268
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................326, 330
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................327
Speed control ..............................68
Starting your vehicle ........211–212
jump starting ..........................272
push button start system .......213
Steering wheel
controls ......................................78
tilting .........................................60
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................60
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....195
Tires ...........................180–182, 265
alignment ................................189
care ..........................................185
changing ..........................265, 268
checking the pressure ............185inflating ...................................183
label .........................................194
replacing ..................................187
rotating ....................................189
safety practices .......................188
sidewall information ...............190
snow tires and chains ............199
spare tire .........................266, 268
terminology .............................182
tire grades ...............................181
treadwear ........................181, 185
Towing .......................................206
recreational towing .................209
trailer towing ..........................206
wrecker ....................................276
Transmission .............................227
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....226
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................321
fluid, refill capacities ..............327
lubricant specifications ..........327
Turn signal ..................................50
U
Universal garage door opener ....81
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................331
Vehicle loading ..........................199
Ventilating your vehicle ...........215
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................296
Water, Driving through .............253
Index
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