
GENERAL INFORMATION
Have your vehicle serviced regularly
to help maintain its roadworthiness
and resale value. There is a large
network of Ford authorized dealers
that are there to help you with their
professional servicing expertise. We
believe that their specially trained
technicians are best qualified to
service your vehicle properly and
expertly. They are supported by a wide
range of highly specialized tools
developed specifically for servicing
your vehicle.
To help you service your vehicle, we
provide scheduled maintenance
information which makes tracking
routine service easy. See Scheduled
Maintenance (page 436).
If your vehicle requires professional
service, your authorized dealer can
provide the necessary parts and
service. Check your warranty
information to find out which parts
and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels,
lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications.
Motorcraft® parts are designed and
built to provide the best performance
in your vehicle.
Precautions
• Do not work on a hot engine.
• Make sure that nothing gets caught in moving parts. • Do not work on a vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you
have enough ventilation.
• Keep all open flames and other burning material (such as
cigarettes) away from the battery
and all fuel related parts.
Working with the Engine Off
1. Set the parking brake and shift toP (Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key (if equipped).
3. Block the wheels.
Working with the Engine On
WARNING
To reduce the risk of vehicle
damage and/or personal burn
injuries, do not start your engine with
the air cleaner removed and do not
remove it while the engine is running.
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Block the wheels
267
Maintenance

Only use oils certified for gasoline
engines by the American Petroleum
Institute (API). An oil with this
trademark symbol conforms to the
current engine and emission system
protection standards and fuel
economy requirements of the
International Lubricants Specification
Advisory Council (ILSAC), comprised
of U.S. and Japanese automobile
manufacturers.
1. Remove the filler cap.
2. Add engine oil that meets the Fordspecifications. See Capacities
and Specifications (page 329).
3. Replace the filler cap. Turn it until you feel a strong resistance.
OIL CHANGE INDICATOR
RESET
To reset the oil monitoring system
after an oil change, See General
Information (page 101).
ENGINE COOLANT CHECK
Checking the Engine Coolant
When the engine is cold, check the
concentration and level of the engine
coolant at the intervals listed in the
scheduled maintenance information.
See Scheduled Maintenance (page
436).
Note: Make sure that the level is
between the MIN and MAX marks on
the coolant reservoir. Note:
Coolant expands when it is hot.
The level may extend beyond the MAX
mark
Note: If the level is at the MIN mark,
below the MIN mark, or empty, add
coolant immediately. See Adding
Engine Coolant in this chapter.
The coolant concentration should be
maintained within 48% to 50%,
which equates to a freeze point
between -30°F degrees (-34ºC) and
-34ºF (-37ºC).
Note: For best results, coolant
concentration should be tested with a
refractometer such as Rotunda tool
300-ROB75240 available from your
authorized dealer. Ford does not
recommend the use of hydrometers or
coolant test strips for measuring
coolant concentrations.
Note: Automotive fluids are not
interchangeable. Do not use engine
coolant or antifreeze or windshield
washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
Adding Engine Coolant
WARNINGS
Do not add engine coolant when
the engine is hot. Steam and
scalding liquids released from a hot
cooling system can burn you badly.
Also, you can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
272
Maintenance

WARNINGS
Do not put engine coolant in the
windshield washer fluid
container. If sprayed on the
windshield, engine coolant could
make it difficult to see through the
windshield.
To reduce the risk of personal
injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant
pressure relief cap. The cooling
system is under pressure; steam and
hot liquid can come out forcefully
when the cap is loosened slightly.
Do not add coolant further than
the MAX mark.
Note: Do not use stop leak pellets,
cooling system sealants, or additives
as they can cause damage to the
engine cooling or heating systems. This
damage would not be covered under
your vehicle’s warranty.
Note: During normal vehicle operation,
the engine coolant may change color
from orange to pink or light red. As long
as the engine coolant is clear and
uncontaminated, this color change
does not indicate the engine coolant
has degraded nor does it require the
engine coolant to be drained, the
system to be flushed, or the engine
coolant to be replaced.
• Do not mix different colors or types of coolant in your vehicle. Make
sure the correct coolant is used.
Mixing of engine coolants may
harm your engine’s cooling system.
The use of an improper coolant may harm engine and cooling
system components and may void
the warranty. Use prediluted
engine coolant meeting the Ford
specification. See Scheduled
Maintenance (page 436).
• In case of emergency, a large amount of water without engine
coolant may be added in order to
reach a vehicle service location. In
this instance, the cooling system
must be drained, chemically
cleaned with Motorcraft®
Premium Cooling System Flush,
and refilled with engine coolant as
soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can
cause engine damage from
corrosion, overheating or freezing.
• Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants mixed
with alcohol or methanol
antifreeze (coolant). Alcohol and
other liquids can cause engine
damage from overheating or
freezing.
• Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant. These can
be harmful and compromise the
corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressure
will escape as you unscrew the cap.
Add prediluted engine coolant
meeting the Ford specification. See
Scheduled Maintenance (page 436).
273
Maintenance

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 bedisabled.
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.
When Fail-Safe Mode Is Activated
WARNINGS
Fail-safe mode is for use during
emergencies only. Operate the
vehicle in fail-safe mode only as long
as necessary to bring the vehicle to
rest in a safe location and seek
immediate repairs. When in fail-safe
mode, the vehicle will have limited
power, will not be able to maintain
high-speed operation, and may
completely shut down without
warning, potentially losing engine
power, power steering assist, and
power brake assist, which may
increase the possibility of a crash
resulting in serious injury.
WARNINGS
Never remove the coolant
reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
You have limited engine power when
in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will
not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run
rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down
automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to an authorized dealer.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
5. Re-start the engine and take your vehicle to an authorized dealer.
Note: Driving the vehicle without
repairing the engine problem increases
the chance of engine damage. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer as
soon as possible.
275
Maintenance

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION FLUID
CHECK
6F35/HF35 transmission (If
Equipped)
Note: Transmission fluid should be
checked by an authorized dealer. If
required, fluid should be added by an
authorized dealer.
The automatic transmission does not
have a transmission fluid dipstick.
Refer to your scheduled maintenance
information for 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, (For example: if the
transmission slips or shifts slowly) or
if you notice some sign of fluid
leakage. See Scheduled
Maintenance (page 436).
Do not use supplemental transmission
fluid additives, treatments or cleaning
agents. The use of these materials
may affect transmission operation
and result in damage to internal
transmission components.
6F50/6F55 Transmission (If
Equipped)
WARNINGS
The dipstick cap and surrounding
components may be hot; gloves
are recommended.
WARNINGS
Use gloves when moving the air
filter assembly. Components will
be hot.
Note: Automatic transmission fluid
expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle
until it is warmed up (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
until normal operating temperatures
are reached to allow the fluid to cool
before checking. Depending on vehicle
use, cooling times could take up to 30
minutes or longer.
Refer to your scheduled maintenance
information for 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. For example, if the
transmission slips or shifts slowly or
if you notice some sign of fluid
leakage.
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.
276
Maintenance

3. With the parking brake engagedand your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the
gear ranges. Allow a minimum of
10 seconds for each gear to
engage.
4. Put the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
Note: You will need to move the air
filter assembly to access the
transmission dipstick.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag.
If necessary, refer to Under hood
overview in this chapter for the
location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube by
turning it to the locked position.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be
in the designated areas for normal
operating temperature.
Moving the Air Filter Assembly
(Accessing the Dipstick)
WARNING
Do not run engine with the air
filter disconnected.
E158839
A
BCD
1. Shut the engine off.
2. Clean the area around the clamp that connects the air filter
assembly to the rubber hose (A).
E158840
3. Remove the bolt cover (ifequipped).
277
Maintenance

7. Install the bolt cover (if equipped).
8. Reinstall the harness retaining clip into the front of the air filter
assembly.
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.
POWER STEERING FLUID
CHECK
Your vehicle is equipped with an
electric power steering (EPS) system.
There is no fluid reservoir to check or
fill.
FUEL FILTER
Your vehicle is equipped with a
lifetime fuel filter that is integrated
with the fuel tank. Regular
maintenance or replacement is not
needed.
WASHER FLUID CHECK
WARNING
If you operate your vehicle in
temperatures below 40°F (5°C),
use washer fluid with antifreeze
protection. Failure to use washer fluid
with antifreeze protection in cold
weather could result in impaired
windshield vision and increase the risk
of injury or accident.
Note: The front and rear washer
systems are supplied from the same
reservoir.
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the level
is low. Only use a washer fluid that
meets Ford specifications. See
Capacities and Specifications
(page 329).
State or local regulations on volatile
organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common
windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing
non-methanol antifreeze agents
should be used only if they provide
cold weather protection without
damaging the vehicle’s paint finish,
wiper blades or washer system.
280
Maintenance

CHANGING THE 12V
BATTERY
WARNINGS
Batteries normally produce
explosive gases which can cause
personal injury. Therefore, do not
allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery.
When working near the battery,
always shield your face and protect
your eyes. Always provide proper
ventilation.
When lifting a plastic-cased
battery, excessive pressure on
the end walls could cause acid to flow
through the vent caps, resulting in
personal injury and damage to the
vehicle or battery. Lift the battery with
a battery carrier or with your hands on
opposite corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of
children. Batteries contain
sulfuric acid. Avoid contact with skin,
eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to
protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact
with skin or eyes, flush immediately
with water for a minimum of 15
minutes and get prompt medical
attention. If acid is swallowed, call a
physician immediately.
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Motorcraft® maintenance-free
battery which normally does not
require additional water during its life
of service. Note:
If your battery has a
cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled
after the battery has been cleaned or
replaced.
Note: See an authorized dealer for low
voltage battery access, testing, or
replacement.
When a low voltage battery
replacement is necessary, see an
authorized dealer to replace the low
voltage battery with a Ford
recommended replacement low
voltage battery that matches the
electrical requirements of the vehicle
To ensure proper operation of the
battery management system (BMS),
do not allow a technician to connect
any electrical device ground
connection directly to the low voltage
battery negative post. A connection
at the low voltage battery negative
post can cause inaccurate
measurements of the battery
condition and potential incorrect
system operation.
Note: If a person adds electrical or
electronic accessories or components
to the vehicle, the accessories or
components may adversely affect the
low voltage battery performance and
durability and may also affect the
performance of other electrical
systems in the vehicle.
For longer, trouble-free operation,
keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery
cables are always tightly fastened to
the battery terminals.
281
Maintenance