We recommend regular unleaded gasolinewith a pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.Some stations offer fuels posted as regularwith an octane rating below 87, particularlyin high altitude areas. We do notrecommend fuels with an octane ratingbelow 87.
Do not be concerned if your enginesometimes knocks lightly. However, if itknocks heavily under most drivingconditions while you are using fuel with therecommended octane rating, see yourauthorized dealer to prevent any enginedamage.
RUNNING OUT OF FUEL
Avoid running out of fuel because thissituation may have an adverse effect onpowertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition fromoff to on several times after refuelingto allow the fuel system to pump thefuel from the tank to the engine. Onrestarting, cranking time will take a fewseconds longer than normal. Withkeyless ignition, just start the engine.Crank time will be longer than usual.
•Normally, adding 1 gallon (3.8 liters) offuel is enough to restart the engine. Ifthe vehicle is out of fuel and on a steepgrade, more than 1 gallon (3.8 liters)may be required.
•The service engine soon indicator maycome on. For more information on theservice engine soon indicator, SeeWarning Lamps and Indicators(page 77).
Refilling With a Portable FuelContainer
WARNINGS
The fuel system may be underpressure. If the fuel filler cap isventing vapor or if you hear a hissingsound, wait until it stops before completelyremoving the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuelmay spray out and cause personal injury.
Do not try to pry open or push openthe fuel system with foreign objects.This could damage the fuel systemand its seal and cause personal injury toyou or others.
Use the following directions when fillingfrom a portable fuel container:
1.Remove the fuel cap from the fuel fillerpipe by rotating it counter clockwise.
2. Slowly insert the portable fuelcontainer into the fuel filler opening.
3. Fill the vehicle with fuel from theportable fuel container.
4. 4. When done, remove the portablefuel container nozzle and reinstall fuelcap. Insert fuel cap into fuel filleropening and turn clockwise until a clickis heard.
REFUELING
WARNINGS
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuelfire can cause severe injuries.
Read and follow all the instructionson the pump island.
Turn off your engine when you arerefueling.
Do not smoke if you are near fuel orrefueling your vehicle.
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WARNINGS
Keep sparks, flames and smokingmaterials away from fuel.
Stay outside your vehicle and do notleave the fuel pump unattendedwhen refueling your vehicle. This isagainst the law in some places.
Keep children away from the fuelpump; never let children pump fuel.
Do not use personal electronicdevices while refueling.
Use the following guidelines to avoidelectrostatic charge build-up when fillingan ungrounded fuel container:
•Place approved fuel container on theground.
•Do not fill a fuel container while it is inthe vehicle (including the cargo area).
•Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contactwith the fuel container while filling.
•Do not use a device that would holdthe fuel pump handle in the fill position.
Fuel Filler Cap
WARNINGS
The fuel system may be underpressure. If you hear a hissing soundnear the fuel filler door, do not refueluntil the sound stops. Otherwise, fuel mayspray out, which could cause seriouspersonal injury.
If you do not use the proper fuel fillercap, excessive pressure or vacuumin the fuel tank may damage the fuelsystem or cause the fuel cap to disengagein a collision, which may result in possiblepersonal injury.
Note:If you must replace the fuel filler cap,replace it with a fuel filler cap that isdesigned for your vehicle. The customerwarranty may be void for any damage to thefuel tank or fuel system if the correctgenuine Ford, Motorcraft® or other certifiedfuel filler cap is not used.
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexeddesign with a 1/4th turn on and off feature.When fueling your vehicle:
1. Put the vehicle in P (Park).
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Carefully turn the filler capcounterclockwise until it spins off.
4. Pull to remove the cap from the fuelfiller pipe.
5.To install the cap, align the tabs on thecap with the notches on the filler pipe.
6. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/4 of aturn clockwise until it clicks at leastonce.
If the Check Fuel Cap light or a Check FuelCap message appears in the instrumentcluster and stays on after you start theengine, the fuel filler cap may not beproperly installed.
If the fuel cap light remains on, at the nextopportunity, safely pull off of the road,remove the fuel filler cap, align the capproperly and reinstall it. The check fuel caplight or Check fuel cap message may notreset immediately; it may take severaldriving cycles for the indicators to turn off.A driving cycle consists of an enginestart-up (after four or more hours with theengine off) followed by normal city andhighway driving.
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FUEL CONSUMPTION
Empty reserve is the amount of fuelremaining in the tank after the fuel gaugeindicates empty. The amount of usablefuel in the empty reserve varies and shouldnot be relied upon to increase driving range.
•The usable capacity of the fuel tank isthe amount of fuel that can be addedinto the tank after the gauge indicatesempty
•The advertised capacity is the total fueltank size. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 292). It is thecombined usable capacity plus theempty reserve.
•Due to the empty reserve, you may notbe able to refuel the full amount of theadvertised capacity of the fuel tankeven when the fuel gauge reads empty.
Filling the Tank
For consistent results when filling the fueltank:
•Turn the ignition off before fueling; aninaccurate reading results if the engineis left running.
•Use the same fill rate(low-medium-high) each time the tankis filled.
•Allow no more than two automaticclick-offs when filling.
Results are most accurate when the fillingmethod is consistent.
Calculating Fuel Economy
Do not measure fuel economy during thefirst 1000 miles (1600 kilometers) ofdriving (this is your engine’s break-inperiod); a more accurate measurement isobtained after 2000 miles - 3000 miles(3200 kilometers - 4800 kilometers). Also,fuel expense, frequency of fill ups or fuelgauge readings are not accurate ways tomeasure fuel economy.
1.Fill the fuel tank completely and recordthe initial odometer reading.
2. Each time you fill the tank, record theamount of fuel added.
3.After at least 3 to 5 tank fill ups, fill thefuel tank and record the currentodometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer readingfrom the current odometer reading.
5. Calculate fuel economy by dividingmiles traveled by gallons used (ForMetric: Multiply liters used by 100, thendivide by kilometers traveled).
Keep a record for at least 1 month andrecord the type of driving (city or highway).This provides an accurate estimate of thevehicle’s fuel economy under currentdriving conditions. Additionally, keepingrecords during summer and winter showhow temperature impacts fuel economy.In general, lower temperatures mean lowerfuel economy.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing atrailer may reduce fuel economy at anyspeed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight mayreduce fuel economy (approximately1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400pounds [180 kilograms] of weightcarried).
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LOAD LIMIT
Vehicle Loading - with andwithout a Trailer
This section will guide you in theproper loading of your vehicle,trailer or both, to keep your loadedvehicle weight within its designrating capability, with or withouta trailer. Properly loading yourvehicle will provide maximumreturn of vehicle designperformance. Before loading yourvehicle, familiarize yourself with
the following terms fordetermining your vehicle’s weightratings, with or without a trailer,from the vehicle’s Tire Label orSafety Compliance CertificationLabel:
Base Curb Weight - is the weightof the vehicle including a full tankof fuel and all standardequipment. It does not includepassengers, cargo, or optionalequipment.
Vehicle Curb Weight - is theweight of your new vehicle whenyou picked it up from yourauthorized dealer plus anyaftermarket equipment.
Payload - is the combined weightof cargo and passengers that thevehicle is carrying. The maximumpayload for your vehicle can befound on the Tire Label on theB-Pillar or the edge of the driverdoor (vehicles exported outsidethe US and Canada may not havea Tire Label). Look for “THECOMBINED WEIGHT OFOCCUPANTS AND CARGOSHOULD NEVER EXCEED XXXkg OR XXX lb.” for maximum
payload. The payload listed on theTire Label is the maximumpayload for the vehicle as built bythe assembly plant. If you installany aftermarket orauthorized-dealer installedequipment on the vehicle, youmust subtract the weight of theequipment from the payload listedon the Tire Label in order todetermine the new payload.
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Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp wiringto the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; thismay damage the electrical systemresulting in fire. Contact your authorizeddealer as soon as possible for assistancein proper trailer tow wiring installation.Additional electrical equipment may berequired.
Trailer lamps are required on most towedvehicles. Make sure all running lights, brakelights, turn signals and hazard lights areworking.
Using a Step Bumper (If Equipped)
The rear bumper is equipped with anintegral hitch and only requires a ball witha one-inch (25.4 millimeter) shankdiameter. The bumper has a 5000-pound(2268 kilogram) trailer weight and a500-pound (227 kilogram) tongue weightcapacity
If it is necessary to relocate the hitch ballposition, you must install a frame-mountedtrailer hitch.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing upto get the feel of your vehicle-trailercombination before starting on a trip.When turning, make wider turns so thetrailer wheels clear curbs and otherobstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113km/h) during the first 500 miles (800kilometers).
•Do not make full-throttle starts.
•Check your hitch, electrical connectionsand trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughlyafter you have traveled 50 miles (80kilometers).
•When stopped in congested or heavytraffic during hot weather, place thegearshift in position P to aid engine andtransmission cooling and to help A/Cperformance.
•Turn off the speed control with heavyloads or in hilly terrain. The speedcontrol may turn off automaticallywhen you are towing on long, steepgrades.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving downa long or steep hill. Do not apply thebrakes continuously, as they mayoverheat and become less effective.
•If your transmission is equipped with aGrade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, usethis feature when towing. This providesengine braking and helps eliminateexcessive transmission shifting foroptimum fuel economy andtransmission cooling.
•If your vehicle is equipped withAdvanceTrac with RSC, this systemmay turn on during typical corneringmaneuvers with a heavily loaded trailer.This is normal. Turning the corner at aslower speed while towing may reducethis tendency.
•If you are towing a trailer frequently inhot weather, hilly conditions, at thegross combined weight rating (or anycombination of these factors), considerrefilling your rear axle with syntheticgear lubricant (if the axle is not alreadyfilled with it). See Capacities andSpecifications (page 292).
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Towing
•Transmissions give their best fueleconomy when operated in the topcruise gear and with steady pressureon the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (ifequipped) is less fuel efficient thantwo-wheel-drive operation.
•Close the windows for high-speeddriving.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Note:Driving through deep water abovethe recommended levels can cause vehicledamage.
If driving through deep or standing wateris unavoidable, proceed very slowly. Neverdrive through water that is higher than thebottom of the wheel rims (for cars) or thebottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction orbrake capability may be limited. Also,water may enter your engine’s air intakeand severely damage your engine or yourvehicle may stall.
Once through the water, always dry thebrakes by moving your vehicle slowly whileapplying light pressure on the brake pedal.Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle asquickly as dry brakes.
FLOOR MATS
WARNINGS
Always use floor mats that aredesigned to fit the foot well of yourvehicle, leaving the pedal areaunobstructed, and which can be firmlysecured to retention posts so that theycannot slip out of position and interferewith the pedals or impair safe operation ofyour vehicle in other ways.
Incorrectly fitted floor mats cancause the accelerator pedal tobecome stuck in the open position.This can cause loss of vehicle control.
Always correctly install the floormats to the retention posts so thatthey cannot slip out of position orobstruct pedal operation.
Do not place unsecured floor matsor any other covering in the foot well.
Do not place additional floor matsor any other covering on top of theoriginal floor mats. This will reducethe pedal clearance and interfere with thepedal operation.
Do not allow objects to fall orbecome trapped under the pedals ofyour vehicle. This can cause loss ofvehicle control.
Carry out regular inspections to makesure the floor mats are secure.
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HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
Note:The hazard warning flashers willoperate when the ignition is in any positionor if the key is not in the ignition. If usedwhen the engine is not running, the batterywill lose charge. As a result, there may beinsufficient power to restart your engine.
In some models, the hazardflasher control is located on theinstrument panel.
In other models, this feature is located onthe steering column, just behind thesteering wheel.
Use your hazard warning flashers whenyour vehicle is creating a safety hazard forother motorists.
•Press the flasher control and all frontand rear direction indicators flash.
•Press the flasher control again to turnthem off.
FUEL SHUTOFF
WARNING
Failure to inspect and, if necessary,repair fuel leaks after a collision mayincrease the risk of fire and seriousinjury. Ford Motor Company recommendsthat the fuel system be inspected by anauthorized dealer after any collision.
In the event of a moderate to severecollision, this vehicle is equipped with afuel pump shut-off feature that stops theflow of fuel to the engine. Not every impactwill cause a shut-off.
Should your vehicle shut off after acollision, you may restart your vehicle bydoing the following:
1. Turn the ignition off.
2. Turn the ignition to crank.
3. Turn the ignition off.
4.Turn the ignition on again to re-enablethe fuel pump.
JUMP-STARTING THE VEHICLE
WARNINGS
The gases around the battery canexplode if exposed to flames, sparks,or lit cigarettes. An explosion couldresult in injury or vehicle damage.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid whichcan burn skin, eyes and clothing, ifcontacted.
Use only an adequate-sized cablewith insulated clamps.
Preparing Your Vehicle
Note:Do not attempt to push-start yourautomatic transmission vehicle. Automatictransmissions do not have push-startcapability. Attempting to push-start avehicle with an automatic transmission maycause transmission damage.
Note:Use only a 12-volt supply to start yourvehicle.
Note:Do not disconnect the battery of thedisabled vehicle as this could damage thevehicle's electrical system.
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Only use oils certified for gasoline enginesby the American Petroleum Institute (API).An oil with this trademark symbolconforms to the current engine andemission system protection standards andfuel economy requirements of theInternational Lubricants SpecificationAdvisory Council (ILSAC), comprised ofU.S. and Japanese automobilemanufacturers.
1. Check the engine oil level.
2. If the engine oil level is not within thenormal range, add engine oil thatmeets Ford specifications. SeeCapacities and Specifications for moreinformation.
3. Remove the engine oil filler cap anduse a funnel to pour the engine oil intothe opening.
4.Recheck the engine oil level. Make surethe oil level is not above the normaloperating range on the engine oil leveldipstick.
5. Install the engine oil level dipstick andensure it is fully seated.
6. Fully install the engine oil filler cap byturning the filler cap clockwise untilthree clicks are heard or until the capis fully seated.
ENGINE COOLANT CHECK
Checking the Engine Coolant
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with adiesel engine, refer to the DieselSupplement.
When the engine is cold, check theconcentration and level of the enginecoolant at the intervals listed in thescheduled maintenance information. SeeScheduled Maintenance (page 430).
Note:Make sure that the level is betweenthe MIN and MAX marks on the coolantreservoir.
Note:Coolant expands when it is hot. Thelevel may extend beyond the MAX mark
Note:If the level is at the MIN mark, belowthe MIN mark, or empty, add coolantimmediately. See Adding Engine Coolantin this chapter.
The coolant concentration should bemaintained within 48% to 50%, whichequates to a freeze point between -29°F(-34°C) and -35°F (-37°C).
Note:For best results, coolantconcentration should be tested with arefractometer such as Rotunda tool300-ROB75240 available from yourauthorized dealer. Ford does notrecommend the use of hydrometers orcoolant test strips for measuring coolantconcentrations.
Note:Automotive fluids are notinterchangeable. Do not use engine coolantor antifreeze or windshield washer fluidoutside of its specified function and vehiclelocation.
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