•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 pounds [180 kilograms] 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
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of
the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.
Note:Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause internal
transmission damage.
Note:Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal. Wet
brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
146Driving Hints
2013 Transit Connect(tst)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, November 2012
USA(fus)
Fuel system
•Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel until the first automatic shutoff
of the fuel pump nozzle.
Note:During extended periods of vehicle storage (30 days or more),
fuel may deteriorate due to oxidation. Add a quality gas stabilizer
product to the vehicle fuel system whenever actual or expected storage
periods exceed 30 days. Follow the instructions on the additive label.
The vehicle should then be operated at idle speed to circulate the
additive throughout the fuel system.
Cooling system
•Protect against freezing temperatures.
•When removing vehicle from storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm there are no cooling system leaks, and fluid is at the
recommended level.
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 meters) every 15 days to lubricate
working parts and prevent corrosion.
208Vehicle Care
2013 Transit Connect(tst)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, November 2012
USA(fus)
A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................125
Accessing call history/phone
book during active call .............278
Accessing your media menu
features ......................................293
Accessing your phone menu
features ......................................280
Active call menu options .........278
Advanced menu options ...287, 300
Advanced menu options
(prompts, languages, defaults,
master reset, installing
applications) ..............................287
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................46
and child safety seats ..............47
description ................................46
disposal ......................................54
driver airbag ..............................46
passenger airbag .......................46
side airbag ...........................46, 51
Air cleaner filter ...............188, 246
Air conditioning ..........................94
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................94
Air filter .....................................188
Ambulance packages ..................14
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................177
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................125
Anti-theft system ........................62
arming the system ....................62
Audio system
Single CD ............................88–89Audio system (see Radio) ...88–89
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................181
fluid, checking ........................181
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
fluid, specification ..................244
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................121
fluid, adding ............................181
fluid, checking ........................181
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
fluid, specification ..................244
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....91
Auxiliary powerpoint ................106
B
Battery .......................................185
acid, treating emergencies .....185
how to service ........................185
jumping a disabled battery ....151
maintenance-free ....................185
replacement, specifications ...246
servicing ..................................185
Booster seats ...............................21
Brakelamp
bulb replacement ....................195
Brakes ........................................125
anti-lock ...................................125
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................125
brake warning light ................125
fluid, checking and adding ....184
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
fluid, specifications .................244
lubricant specifications ..........244
parking ....................................126
shift interlock ..........................123
Bulbs ..........................191, 198, 200
Index315
2013 Transit Connect(tst)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, November 2012
USA(fus)
