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Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use
prediluted engine coolant for optimum cooling system and engine
protection.
What You Should Know About Fail-Safe Cooling
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The fail-safe distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load and
terrain.
How Fail-Safe Cooling Works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The service engine soon indicator will illuminate.
•The coolant temperature warning light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
246Maintenance
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•Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a thick coat of auto wax
to prevent discoloration. Re-wax as necessary when the vehicle is
washed.
•Lubricate hood latch, all door latches and trunk lid hinges with a light
grade oil.
•Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
•Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.
Engine
•The engine oil and filter should be changed prior to storage, as used
engine oil contains contaminates that may cause engine damage.
•Start the engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle until it reaches normal
operating temperature.
•With your foot on the brake, shift through all the gears while the
engine is running.
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.
Vehicle Care267
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Additives and Chemicals
Ford Motor Company recommended additives and chemicals are listed in
the owner manual and in the Ford Workshop Manual. Additional
chemicals or additives not approved by Ford are not recommended as
part of normal maintenance. Please consult your warranty information.
Oils, fluids and flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a normal operating characteristic
and, by itself, does not necessarily indicate a concern or that the fluid
needs to be changed. However, discolored fluids that also show signs of
overheating and foreign material contamination should be inspected
immediately by a qualified expert, such as the factory-trained technicians
at your dealership. Your vehicle’s oils and fluids should be changed at the
specified intervals or in conjunction with a repair. Flushing is a viable
way to change fluid for many vehicle sub-systems during scheduled
maintenance. It is critical that systems are flushed only with new fluid
that is the same as that required to fill and operate the system, or using
a Ford-approved flushing chemical.
Owner Checks and Services
Certain basic maintenance checks and inspections should be performed
every month or at six month intervals.
Check every month
Engine oil level.
Function of all interior and exterior lights.
Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure.
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 and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if
necessary.
Parking brake for proper operation.
320Scheduled Maintenance
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Normal Scheduled Maintenance*
At every oil change
interval as indicated by
the information displayChange engine oil and filter.**
Rotate tires, inspect tire wear and measure
tread depth.
Perform multi-point inspection
(recommended).
Inspect automatic transmission fluid level.
Consult dealer for requirements.
Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums,
brake linings, hoses and parking brake.
Inspect engine cooling system strength and
hoses.
Inspect exhaust system and heat shields.
Inspect half-shaft boots.
Inspect rear axle and U-joints. Lubricate if
equipped with grease fittings.
Inspect steering linkage, ball joints,
suspension, tie-rod ends, driveshaft and
U-joints. Lubricate if equipped with grease
fittings.
Inspect wheels and related components for
abnormal noise, wear, looseness or drag.
*Do not exceed one year or 10000 miles (16000 kilometers) between
service intervals.
**Reset your Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor after each engine oil and filter
change. See theInstrument Clusterchapter.
324Scheduled Maintenance
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D
Defrost ...............................131, 133
rear window ............................136
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................248
engine oil .................................242
Driving under special
conditions ..................................172
through water .........................213
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) .........................133
E
Electronic message center .........99
Electronic stability control ......183
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................218
running out of fuel .................161
Emission control system ..........166
End user license agreement ....440
Engine ........................................305
cleaning ...................................262
coolant .....................................243
fail-safe cooling .......................246
idle speed control ...................250
lubrication specifications .......306
refill capacities ........................306
service points ..................240–241
Engine block heater .................157
Engine oil
checking and adding ..............242
dipstick ....................................242
filter, specifications ................310
refill capacities ........................306
specifications ..........................306Event data recording ..................12
Exhaust fumes ..........................157
F
Fail safe cooling ........................246
Fleet MyKey programming ........58
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....159
Floor mats .................................214
Fluid capacities .........................306
Fuel
calculating fuel economy .......100
cap ...........................................163
capacity ...................................306
choosing the right fuel ...........160
filler funnel .............................161
filling your vehicle with fuel ..163
filter, specifications ........249, 310
fuel pump shut-off ..................218
octane rating ...................161, 305
quality ......................................160
running out of fuel .................161
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................159
Fuel and distance computer ....110
outside temperature
indicator ..................................110
to empty indicator ..................110
trip distance ............................110
trip/reset button .....................110
Fuel - flex fuel
vehicle (FFV) ............................159
Fuses ..................................230–231
G
Garage door opener ..................147
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............163
Gauges ...........................92–93, 111
Index455
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USA(fus)