
Whenever coolant has been added,
the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next
few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough prediluted
engine coolant to bring the coolant
level to the proper level.
Recycled Engine Coolant
Ford Motor Company does not
recommend the use of recycled
engine coolant since a Ford-approved
recycling process is not yet available.
Used engine coolant should be
disposed of in an appropriate manner.
Follow your community’s regulations
and standards for recycling and
disposing of automotive fluids.
Severe Climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates:
• It may be necessary to have a Fordauthorized dealer increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.
• A coolant concentration of 60% will provide improved freeze point
protection. Engine coolant
concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection
characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine
damage. If you drive in extremely hot climates:
• It may be necessary to have a Ford
authorized dealer decrease the
coolant concentration to 40%.
• A coolant concentration of 40% will provide improved overheat
protection. Engine coolant
concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion/freeze
protection characteristics of the
engine coolant and may cause
engine damage.
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 and:
A high engine temperature
message will appear in the
information display.
The service engine soon
indicator will illuminate.
274
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

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

Changing Tires With a Tire
Pressure Monitoring System
E142549
Note:Each road tire is equipped with
a tire pressure sensor located inside the
wheel and tire assembly cavity. The
pressure sensor is attached to the valve
stem. The pressure sensor is covered
by the tire and is not visible unless the
tire is removed. Take care when
changing the tire to avoid damaging
the sensor
You should always have your tires
serviced by an authorized dealer.
Check the tire pressure periodically
(at least monthly) using an accurate
tire gauge. See Inflating Your Tires in
this chapter.
Understanding Your Tire
Pressure Monitoring System
The tire pressure monitoring system
measures pressure in your four road
tires and sends the tire pressure
readings to your vehicle. The low tire
pressure warning light will turn on if
the tire pressure is significantly low. Once the light is illuminated, your tires
are under-inflated and need to be
inflated to the manufacturer’s
recommended tire pressure. Even if
the light turns on and a short time
later turns off, your tire pressure still
needs to be checked.
When Your Temporary Spare Tire
is Installed
When one of your road tires needs to
be replaced with the temporary spare,
the system will continue to identify an
issue to remind you that the damaged
road wheel and tire assembly needs
to be repaired and put back on your
vehicle.
To restore the full function of the tire
pressure monitoring system, have the
damaged road wheel and tire
assembly repaired and remounted on
your vehicle.
When You Believe Your System is
Not Operating Properly
The main function of the tire pressure
monitoring system is to warn you
when your tires need air. It can also
warn you in the event the system is no
longer capable of functioning as
intended. See the following chart for
information concerning your tire
pressure monitoring system:
305
Wheels and Tires

Information About Uniform
Tire Quality Grading
E142542
Tire Quality Grades apply to new
pneumatic passenger car tires.
The Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For
example: Treadwear 200
Traction AA Temperature A.
These Tire Quality Grades are
determined by standards that the
United States Department of
Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new
pneumatic passenger car tires.
They do not apply to deep tread,
winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use
spare tires, light truck or LT type
tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or
limited production tires as defined
in Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 575.104 (c)(2). U.S. Department of
Transportation Tire quality
grades:
The U.S. Department of
Transportation requires Ford
Motor Company to give you the
following information about tire
grades exactly as the government
has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150
would wear 1 ½ times as well on
the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service
practices, and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
WARNING
The traction grade assigned
to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning or peak traction
characteristics.
308
Wheels and Tires

A.P: Indicates a tire, designated
by the Tire and Rim Association,
that may be used for service on
cars, sport utility vehicles,
minivans and light trucks. Note: If
your tire size does not begin with
a letter this may mean it is
designated by either the European
Tire and Rim Technical
Organization or the Japan Tire
Manufacturing Association.
B. 215: Indicates the nominal
width of the tire in millimeters
from sidewall edge to sidewall
edge. In general, the larger the
number, the wider the tire.
C. 65: Indicates the aspect ratio
which gives the tire's ratio of
height to width.
D. R: Indicates a radial type tire.
E. 15: Indicates the wheel or rim
diameter in inches. If you change
your wheel size, you will have to
purchase new tires to match the
new wheel diameter.
F. 95: Indicates the tire's load
index. It is an index that relates to
how much weight a tire can carry.
You may find this information in
your owner’s manual. If not,
contact a local tire dealer.
Note: You may not find this
information on all tires because it
is not required by federal law. G.
H: Indicates the tire's speed
rating. The speed rating denotes
the speed at which a tire is
designed to be driven for extended
periods of time under a standard
condition of load and inflation
pressure. The tires on your vehicle
may operate at different
conditions for load and inflation
pressure. These speed ratings may
need to be adjusted for the
difference in conditions. The
ratings range from 81 mph (130
km/h) to 186 mph (299 km/h).
These ratings are listed in the
following chart.
Note: You may not find this
information on all tires because it
is not required by federal law.
mph ( km/h)
Letter
rating
81 mph (130 km/h)
M
87 mph (140 km/h)
N
99 mph (159 km/h)
Q
106 mph (171 km/h)
R
112 mph (180 km/h)
S
118 mph (190 km/h)
T
124 mph (200 km/h)
U
130 mph (210 km/h)
H
149 mph (240 km/h)
V
311
Wheels and Tires

LT type tires have some additional
information beyond those of P
type tires; these differences are
described below.
A.LT : Indicates a tire, designated
by the Tire and Rim Association,
that is intended for service on light
trucks.
B. Load Range and Load
Inflation Limits: Indicates the
tire's load-carrying capabilities
and its inflation limits.
C. Maximum Load Dual lb (kg)
at psi (kPa) cold: Indicates the
maximum load and tire pressure
when the tire is used as a dual;
defined as four tires on the rear
axle (a total of six or more tires on
the vehicle).
D. Maximum Load Single lb
(kg) at psi (kPa) cold: Indicates
the maximum load and tire
pressure when the tire is used as
a single; defined as two tires
(total) on the rear axle.
Information on T Type Tires
T145/80D16 is an example of a
tire size.
Note: The temporary tire size for
your vehicle may be different from
this example. Tire Quality Grades
do not apply to this type of tire.
A
BCDE
E142545
T type tires have some additional
information beyond those of P
type tires; these differences are
described below:
A. T: Indicates a type of tire,
designated by the Tire and Rim
Association, that is intended for
temporary service on cars, sport
utility vehicles, minivans and light
trucks.
B. 145: Indicates the nominal
width of the tire in millimeters
from sidewall edge to sidewall
edge. In general, the larger the
number, the wider the tire.
314
Wheels and Tires