Maintenance 201
General information...................................201
Opening and closing the hood............................202
Under hood overview..................................203
Engine oil dipstick....................................204
Engine oil check......................................204
Engine coolant check..................................205
Automatic transmission fluid check........................210
Brake fluid check.....................................217
Power steering fluid check..............................217
Fuel filter...........................................217
Washer fluid check....................................218
Changing the vehicle battery.............................218
Checking the wiper blades..............................221
Changing the wiper blades..............................221
Air filter(s).........................................221
Adjusting the headlamps................................223
Changing a bulb......................................226
Removing a headlamp..................................226
Vehicle Care 233
Cleaning products.....................................233
Cleaning the exterior..................................233
Waxing.............................................235
Repairing minor paint damage............................235
Cleaning the engine...................................235
Cleaning the windows and wiper blades.....................236
Cleaning the interior...................................236
Cleaning the instrument panel and instrument cluster lens.......237
Cleaning leather seats..................................238
Cleaning the alloy wheels...............................238
Vehiclestorage.......................................239
Table of Contents5
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Brake System
MessagesAction / Description
BRAKE FLUID
LEVEL LOWIndicates the brake fluid level is low and the
brake system should be inspected immediately.
Refer toBrake fluidin theMaintenance
chapter.
CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEMDisplayed when the brake system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues
to come on, contact your authorized dealer as
soon as possible.
PARK BRAKE
ENGAGEDDisplayed when the parking brake is set and
the vehicle is in motion.
Fuel Messages Action / Description
XXX MILES TO E
FUEL LEVEL LOWDisplayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
Maintenance
MessagesAction / Description
ENGINE OIL
CHANGE SOONDisplayed when the engine oil life remaining is
between 5% and 0%.
OIL CHANGE
REQUIREDDisplayed when the oil life left reaches 0%.
OIL LIFE OK displays after you have changed
the oil.
Park Aid Messages Action / Description
CHECK REAR PARK
AIDDisplayed when the transmission is in R
(Reverse) and the park aid is disabled.
Tire Messages Action / Description
LOW TIRE
PRESSUREDisplays when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure.
TIRE PRESSURE
MONITOR FAULTDisplays when the tire pressure monitoring
system is malfunctioning. If the warning stays
on or continues to come on, contact your
authorized dealer.
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There are also some things you may not want to do because they may
reduce your fuel economy:
•Sudden or hard accelerations.
•Rev the engine before turning it off.
•Idle for periods longer than one minute.
•Warm up your vehicle on cold mornings.
•Use the air conditioner or front defroster.
•Use the speed control in hilly terrain.
•Rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
•Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a trailer.
•Carry unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for
every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Add particular accessories to your vehicle (e.g.; bug deflectors,
rollbars or light bars, running boards, ski racks).
•Drive with the wheels out of alignment.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Note:Driving through deep water may allow water into the transmission
and engine causing internal damage. Have the fluid checked and, if water
is found, replace the fluid.
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of
the hubs (for trucks) or the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
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TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECK
Checking Automatic Transmission Fluid (If Equipped)
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.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 20 miles [30 kilometers]). 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 kilometers) or until it reaches normal
operating temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the engine running, parking brake engaged and your foot on the
brake pedal, move the gearshift lever through all of the gear ranges.
Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag.
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 be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
210Maintenance
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Correct Fluid Level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 150°F-170°F (66°C-77°C) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 20 miles
(30 km) of driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is above
50°F (10°C). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill condition
could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating temperature.
The transmission fluid should be in this range if at normal operating
temperature (150°F-170°F [66°C-77°C]).
212Maintenance
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Automatic Transmission Fluid Filter
The TorqShiftautomatic
transmission is equipped with a
serviceable transmission fluid filter
located inside the transmission
bottom pan.
Refer to yourScheduled
Maintenance Informationfor
service intervals for automatic
transmission fluid and transmission
filter.
For transmission filter maintenance,
see your authorized dealer.
DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND SLIP YOKE
Your vehicle may be equipped with universal joints that require
lubrication. Refer to theScheduled Maintenance Informationfor
maintenance intervals. If the original universal joints are replaced with
universal joints equipped with grease fittings, lubrication will also be
necessary.
BRAKE FLUID CHECK
Fluid levels between the MIN and MAX lines are within the normal
operating range; there is no need to add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating range, the performance of the system
could be compromised; seek service from your authorized dealer
immediately.
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3Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary based on cooler size, if equipped
with an in-tank cooler, if equipped with an oil to air cooler and if equipped with a remote filter assembly. The
amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the indication on the dipstick’s normal operating
range.4Automatic transmissions that require MERCONLV should only use MERCONLV fluid. Refer toscheduled
maintenance informationto determine the correct service interval. Use of any fluid other than the
recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.5Dana limited-slip axle (M60) requires 6 oz. (177 ml) of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent meeting
Ford specification EST-M2C118-A.6If your vehicle’s rear axle is filled with a synthetic rear axle lubricant it is considered lubricated for life.
These lubricants do not need to be checked or changed unless a leak is suspected, service is required or the
axle assembly has been submerged in water. The axle lubricant should be changed any time the rear axle has
been submerged in water.7Fill Dana rear axles to 1/4 inch to 9/16 inch (6 mm to 14 mm) below bottom of fill hole.8Optional fuel tank 55.0 gallons (208.0L).
284Capacities and Specifications
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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 make sure your vehicle keeps
running great.
Multi-point inspection
Accessory drive belt(s) Horn operation
Battery performance 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, automatic transmission, power
steering and window washer
Be sure to ask your dealership service advisor or technician about the
multi-point vehicle inspection. It is a comprehensive way to perform a
thorough inspection of your vehicle. It is your checklist that gives you
immediate feedback on the overall condition of your vehicle. You will
know what has been checked, what is 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 Maintenance297
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