A/C: Press the button to turn on or turn off the air conditioning system.
To improve air conditioning when starting your vehicle, drive with the
windows slightly open for two to three minutes. Use A/C with
recirculated air to improve cooling performance and efficiency.
F
MAX A/C: Press the button to switch on. Recirculated air flows through
the instrument panel air vents, air conditioning automatically adjusts
to the highest speed and the temperature dial returns to the full cool
position. This re-cooling of the interior is more economical and efficient.
G
AUTO: Press the button to switch on. Recirculated air flows through
the instrument panel air vents, air conditioning automatically adjusts
to the highest speed and the temperature dial returns to the full cool
position. This re-cooling of the interior is more economical and efficient.
H
Heated rear window: Turns the heated rear window on and off. See
Heated Windows and Mirrors (page 130).
I
Defrost: Distributes air through the windshield defroster vents and
de-mister vents. You can also use this setting to defog and clear the
windshield of a thin covering of ice.
J
HINTS ON CONTROLLING
THE INTERIOR CLIMATE
General Hints
Note:
Prolonged use of recirculated
air may cause the windows to fog up.
Note: You may feel a small amount of
air from the footwell air vents
regardless of the air distribution setting.
Note: To reduce humidity build-up
inside your vehicle, do not drive with
the system switched off or with
recirculated air always switched on.
Note: Do not place objects under the
front seats as this may interfere with
the airflow to the rear seats. Note:
Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
Automatic Climate Control
Note: Do not adjust the settings when
your vehicle interior is extremely hot or
cold. The system automatically adjusts
to the previously stored settings. For
the system to function efficiently, the
instrument panel and side air vents
should be fully open.
Note: At low ambient temperatures
with AUTO selected, the system directs
air toward the windshield and side
windows for as long as the engine
remains cold.
Note: When you switch the system off,
outside air cannot enter your vehicle.
129
Climate Control
Note:When the system is in AUTO
mode, and the interior and exterior
temperatures are high, the system
automatically selects recirculated air
to maximize cooling of the interior.
When the system reaches the selected
air temperature, it automatically
switches to outside air.
Note: When you select windshield
defrosting and defogging, the
instrument panel and footwell level
functions automatically switch off and
air conditioning switches on. Outside
air flows into your vehicle.
Heating the Interior Quickly
1. Press the AUTO button.
2. Adjust the temperature control to the desired setting.
Recommended Settings for
Heating
1. Press the AUTO button.
2. Adjust the temperature control toa comfortable setting.
Cooling the Interior Quickly
1. Press the MAX A/C button.
2. Adjust the temperature control tothe desired setting.
Recommended Settings for
Cooling
1. Press the AUTO button.
2. Adjust the temperature to acomfortable setting.
Side Window Defogging in Cold
Weather
1. Press the defrost button.
2. Adjust the temperature control tothe desired setting.
HEATED WINDOWS AND
MIRRORS
Heated Rear Window
Note: You must switch the ignition on
to use this feature.
Press the button to clear the rear
window of thin ice and fog. Press the
button again within 10 minutes to
switch it off. It switches off
automatically after 10 minutes, or
when you switch the ignition off.
Do not use razor blades or other
sharp objects to clean the inside
of the rear window or to remove
decals from the inside of the rear
window. This may cause damage
to the heated grid lines, which your
warranty does not cover.
Heated Exterior Mirror
Note: Do not remove ice from the
mirrors with a scraper or attempt to
readjust the mirror glass if it has frozen
in place. These actions could cause
damage to the glass and mirrors.
Note: Do not clean the housing or
glass of any mirror with harsh
abrasives, fuel or other
petroleum-based cleaning products.
130
Climate Control
Press the ventilated seat symbol to
cycle through the various cooling
settings and off. Cooler settings are
indicated by more indicator lights.
If the engine falls below 350 RPM
while the ventilated seats are on, the
feature will turn itself off and you will
need to reactivate it.
Heated and ventilated seat air
filter replacement (if
equipped)
Your vehicle is equipped with lifetime
air filters that are integrated with the
seats. Regular maintenance or
replacement is not needed.
REAR SEAT ARMREST
E144635
Fold the armrest down to use the
armrest and cupholder. To open the
storage lid, pull up on the latch
located between the cupholders.
Armrest pass-through
Note:Do not exceed 80 pounds (36
kilograms) of weight on the
pass-through door.
E152622
Release the latch, then pull down on
the door located in the back of the
armrest. You can store cargo of a
longer length such as skis or lumber.
142
Seats
Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp
wiring to the vehicle's tail lamp
wiring; this may damage the electrical
system resulting in fire. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible
for assistance in proper trailer tow
wiring installation. Additional
electrical equipment may be required.
Trailer lamps are required on most
towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and
hazard lights are working.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing
up to get the feel of your
vehicle-trailer combination before
starting on a trip. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels clear
curbs and other obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
• Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500
miles (800 kilometers).
• Do not make full-throttle starts.
• Check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug
nuts thoroughly after you have
traveled 50 miles (80 kilometers).
• When stopped in congested or heavy traffic during hot weather,
place the gearshift in position P to
aid engine and transmission
cooling and to help A/C
performance. • Turn off the speed control with
heavy loads or in hilly terrain. The
speed control may turn off
automatically when you are towing
on long, steep grades.
• Shift to a lower gear when driving down a long or steep hill. Do not
apply the brakes continuously, as
they may overheat and become
less effective.
• If your transmission is equipped with a Grade Assist or Tow/Haul
feature, use this feature when
towing. This provides engine
braking and helps eliminate
excessive transmission shifting for
optimum fuel economy and
transmission cooling.
• Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached. Anticipate
stops and brake gradually.
• Avoid parking on a grade. However, if you must park on a grade:
• Turn the steering wheel to pointyour vehicle tires away from
traffic flow.
• Set your vehicle parking brake.
• Place the automatic transmission in position P.
• Place wheel chocks in front and back of the trailer wheels.
(Chocks not included with
vehicle.)
Launching or Retrieving a Boat
or Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Note: Disconnect the wiring to the
trailer before backing the trailer into
the water.
235
Towing
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
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
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