
Ford Motor Company produces a
towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck
operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing
procedures for your vehicle.
It is acceptable to have your
front-wheel drive vehicle towed from
the front if using proper wheel lift
equipment to raise the front wheels
off the ground. When towing in this
manner, the rear wheels can remain
on the ground.
Front-wheel drive vehicles must have
the front wheels placed on a tow dolly
when towing your vehicle from the
rear using wheel lift equipment. This
prevents damage to the transmission.
Towing an all-wheel drive vehicle
requires that all wheels be off the
ground, such as using a wheel lift and
dollies or flatbed equipment. This
prevents damage to the transmission,
all-wheel drive system and vehicle.TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
You can flat-tow (all wheels on the
ground, regardless of the
powertrain/transmission
configuration) your disabled vehicle
(without access to wheel dollies,
car-hauling trailer, or flatbed transport
vehicle) under the following
conditions:
• Your vehicle is facing forward soyou tow it in a forward direction.
• You place the transmission in position N. If you cannot place the
transmission in position N, you
may need to override it. See
Transmission (page 167).
• Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
• Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 kilometers).
Recreational Towing
Note: Put your climate control system
in recirculated air mode to prevent
exhaust fumes from entering the
vehicle. See Climate Control (page
128).
Follow these guidelines if you have a
need for recreational (RV) towing. An
example of recreational towing would
be towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome. These guidelines are to
make sure you do not damage the
transmission during towing.
237
Towing

BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires for
approximately 300 miles (480
kilometers). During this time, your
vehicle may exhibit some unusual
driving characteristics.
Avoid driving too fast during the first
1000 miles (1600 kilometers). Vary
your speed frequently and change up
through the gears early. Do not labor
the engine.
Do not tow during the first 1000 miles
(1600 kilometers).
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Fuel economy is affected by several
things such as how you drive, the
conditions you drive under and how
you maintain your vehicle.
There are some things to keep in mind
that may improve your fuel economy:
• Accelerate and slow down in asmooth, moderate fashion.
• Drive at steady speeds.
• Anticipate stops; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
• Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
• When running errands, go tothe furthest destination first
and then work your way back
home.
• Close the windows for high-speed driving. • Drive at reasonable speeds.
(Traveling at 65 mph/105 kph uses
about 15% less fuel than traveling
at 75 mph/121 kph).
• Keep the tires properly inflated and use only the recommended size.
• Use the recommended engine oil.
• Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance.
There are also some things you may
want to avoid doing because they
reduce your fuel economy:
• Avoid sudden or hard accelerations.
• Avoid revving the engine before turning off the car.
• Avoid long idle periods.
• Do not warm up your vehicle on cold mornings.
• Reduce the use of air conditioning and heat.
• Avoid using speed control in hilly terrain.
• Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
• Avoid carrying unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4
kilometers/liter] is lost for every
400 lbs [180 kilograms] of weight
carried).
• Avoid adding particular accessories to your vehicle (e.g.
bug deflectors, rollbars/light bars,
running boards, ski racks).
• Avoid driving with the wheels out of alignment.
240
Driving Hints

2. Four or more repair attempts aremade on the same nonconformity
(a defect or condition that
substantially impairs the use, value
or safety of the vehicle) OR
3. The vehicle is out of service for repair of nonconformities for a
total of more than 30 calendar
days (not necessarily all at one
time).
In the case of 1 or 2 above, the
consumer must also notify the
manufacturer of the need for the
repair of the nonconformity at the
following address:
Ford Motor Company
16800 Executive Plaza Drive
Mail Drop 3NE-B
Dearborn, MI 48126
You are required to submit your
warranty dispute to BBB AUTO LINE
before asserting in court any rights or
remedies conferred by California Civil
Code Section 1793.22(b). You are also
required to use BBB AUTO LINE before
exercising rights or seeking remedies
created by the Federal
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 15
U.S.C. sec. 2301 et seq. If you choose
to seek redress by pursuing rights and
remedies not created by California
Civil Code Section 1793.22(b) or the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, resort
to BBB AUTO LINE is not required by
those statutes.THE BETTER BUSINESS
BUREAU (BBB) AUTO LINE
PROGRAM (U.S. ONLY)
Your satisfaction is important to Ford
Motor Company and to your dealer. If
a warranty concern has not been
resolved using the three-step
procedure outlined earlier in this
chapter in the Getting the Services you
need section, you may be eligible to
participate in the BBB AUTO LINE
program.
The BBB AUTO LINE program consists
of two parts – mediation and
arbitration. During mediation, a
representative of the BBB will contact
both you and Ford Motor Company to
explore options for settlement of the
claim. If an agreement is not reached
during mediation or you do not want
to participate in mediation, and if your
claim is eligible, you may participate
in the arbitration process. An
arbitration hearing will be scheduled
so that you can present your case in
an informal setting before an impartial
person. The arbitrator will consider
the testimony provided and make a
decision after the hearing.
Disputes submitted to the BBB AUTO
LINE program are usually decided
within forty days after you file your
claim with the BBB. You are not bound
by the decision, and may reject the
decision and proceed to court where
all findings of the BBB Auto Line
dispute, and decision, are admissible
250
Customer Assistance

Protected components
Fuse amp rating
Fuse or relay
number
Run/start electronic power assist
steering
10A119
Run/start lighting
10A
120
Run/start transmission control,
Transmission oil pump start/stop
15A
121
Air conditioner clutch solenoid
10A
122
Run/start: Blind spot information
system, Rear view camera, Adaptive
cruise control, Heads-up display,
Shifter
15A
123
Not used
-
24
Run/start anti-lock brake system
10A
225
Run/start powertrain control module
10A
226
Not used
-
27
Not used
-
28
Not used
-
29
Not used
-
30
Not used
-
31
Electronic fan #1 relay
-
32
Air conditioner clutch relay
-
33
Not used
-
34
Not used
-
35
Not used
-
36
Not used
-
37
Electronic fan #2 relay
-
38
258
Fuses

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

4. Remove two bolts that attach theair filter assembly to the front of
the vehicle (B).
5. Loosen the clamp holding the air filter assembly to the rubber hose
(A).
6. Remove the harness retaining clip by pulling up (C). Do not
disconnect the sensor (D).
7. Without disconnecting the sensor (D), pull the air filter assembly up
to disconnect the air filter
assembly from the seated
grommets located underneath the
air filter assembly.
E158841
8. Rotate the air filter assembly 90degrees counterclockwise and
reinstall into the rubber hose.
9. Tighten the clamp (A).
10. The transmission fluid level indicator can now be accessed. Checking the fluid level
Low fluid level
E158842
If the fluid level is below the MIN range
of the dipstick, add fluid to reach the
hash mark level.
Note:
If the fluid level is below the MIN
level, do not drive the vehicle. An
underfill condition may cause shift or
engagement concerns or possible
damage.
Correct fluid level
E158843
The transmission fluid should be
checked at normal operating
temperature 180°F-200°F
(82°C-93°C) on a level surface. The
normal operating temperature can be
reached after approximately 20 miles
(30 kilometers) of driving.
The transmission fluid level should be
targeted within the cross-hatch area
if at normal operating temperature
180°F-200°F (82°C-93°C).
278
Maintenance

High fluid level
E158844
If the fluid level is above the MAX
range of the dipstick, remove fluid to
reach the hashmark level.
Note:Fluid level above the MAX level
may cause shift or engagement
concerns or possible damage. High
fluid levels can be caused by an
overheating condition. 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. Depending on vehicle use,
cooling times could take up to 30
minutes or longer.
Adjusting Automatic Transmission
Fluid Levels
E158845
E158846
Before adding any fluid, make sure the
correct type is used. The type of fluid
used is normally indicated on the
dipstick and also in the Technical
Specifications section in this chapter.
Note: An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause shift or
engagement concerns or possible
damage.
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. Reinstall
the air filter assembly. After the fluid
level has been checked and adjusted
as necessary, do the following:
1. Shut the engine off.
2. Loosen the clamp holding the air filter assembly to the rubber hose.
3. Rotate the air filter assembly 90 degrees clockwise without
disconnecting the sensor.
4. Seat the air filter assembly back into the grommets by pushing
down on the air filter assembly.
5. Tighten the clamp.
6. Install and tighten two bolts that attach air filter assembly to the
front of the vehicle.
279
Maintenance

E150095
5. Locate the vertical adjuster oneach headlamp. Using a Phillips
#2 screwdriver, turn the adjuster
either clockwise or
counterclockwise in order to adjust
the vertical aim of the headlamp.
The horizontal edge of the brighter
light should touch the horizontal
reference line.
6. Close the hood and turn off the lamps.
Horizontal Aim Adjustment
Horizontal aim is not required for this
vehicle and is not adjustable.
CHANGING A BULB
Lamp Assembly Condensation
Exterior lamps are vented to
accommodate normal changes in
pressure. Condensation can be a
natural by-product of this design.
When moist air enters the lamp
assembly through the vents, there is
a possibility that condensation can
occur when the temperature is cold.
When normal condensation occurs, a thin film of mist can form on the
interior of the lens. The thin mist
eventually clears and exits through
the vents during normal operation.
Clearing time may take as long as 48
hours under dry weather conditions.
Examples of acceptable condensation
are:
• Presence of thin mist (no streaks,
drip marks or droplets).
• Fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens.
Examples of unacceptable moisture
(usually caused by a lamp water leak)
are:
• Water puddle inside the lamp.
• Large water droplets, drip marks or streaks present on the interior
of the lens.
Take your vehicle to a dealer for
service if any of the above conditions
of unacceptable moisture are present.
Replacing Bulbs
For replacing bulbs, see your
authorized dealer.
286
Maintenance