Page 274 of 627

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 mi
(800 km).
• Do not make full-throttle starts.
• Check your hitch, electrical connections
and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly after
you have traveled 
50 mi (80 km).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
transmission in park (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:
1. Turn the steering wheel to point your vehicle tires away from traffic flow.
2. Set your vehicle parking brake.
3. Place the transmission in park (P). 4. Place wheel chocks in front and back of
the trailer wheels. Chocks are not
included with your vehicle.
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or
Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Note: Disconnect the wiring to the trailer
before
 backing the trailer into the water.
Note: Reconnect the wiring to the trailer
after
 removing the trailer from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat
launching or retrieval:
• Do not allow the static water level to rise
above the bottom edge of the rear
bumper.
• Do not allow waves to break higher than
6 in (15 cm)
 above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to
enter vehicle components:
• Causing internal damage to the
components.
• Affecting driveability, emissions, and
reliability.
271
Continental (CPL) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201807, Second-Printing Towing 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 313 of 627

GENERAL INFORMATION
Have your vehicle serviced regularly to help
maintain its roadworthiness and resale value.
There is a large network of 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.
If your vehicle requires professional service,
an 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 the transmission to park (P).
2. Switch off the engine.
3. Block the wheels.
Working with the Engine On WARNING: To reduce the risk of
vehicle damage and 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 the
transmission to park (P).
2. Block the wheels.
OPENING AND CLOSING THE
HOOD
Opening the Hood 1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood release
handle located under the left-hand side
of the instrument panel.
2. Slightly lift the hood.
3. Lift and release the hood latch.
310
Continental (CPL) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201807, Second-Printing MaintenanceE142457  
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 316 of 627
Engine coolant reservoir.  See Engine Coolant Check (page 318).
A.
Engine oil filler cap. 
 See Engine Oil Check (page 316).
B.
Engine oil dipstick. 
 See Engine Oil Dipstick (page 316).
C.
Brake fluid reservoir. 
 See Brake Fluid Check (page 323).
D.
Battery. 
 See Changing the 12V Battery (page 325).
E.
Engine compartment fuse box. 
 See Changing a Fuse (page 307).
F.
Air filter assembly. 
 See Changing the Engine Air Filter (page 330).
G.
Automatic transmission dipstick. 
 See Automatic Transmission Fluid Check (page 323).
H.
Washer fluid reservoir. 
 See Washer Fluid Check (page 324).
I.
313
Continental (CPL) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201807, Second-Printing Maintenance 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 317 of 627
UNDER HOOD OVERVIEW - 3.7L
Engine coolant reservoir.  See Engine Coolant Check (page 318).
A.
Engine oil filler cap. 
 See Engine Oil Check (page 316).
B.
Engine oil dipstick. 
 See Engine Oil Dipstick (page 316).
C.
314
Continental (CPL) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201807, Second-Printing MaintenanceABCD
GHI
EF
E173333  
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 318 of 627
Brake fluid reservoir.  See Brake Fluid Check (page 323).
D.
Battery. 
 See Changing the 12V Battery (page 325).
E.
Engine compartment fuse box. 
 See Fuses (page 292).
F.
Air filter assembly. 
 See Changing the Engine Air Filter (page 330).
G.
Automatic transmission dipstick. 
 See Automatic Transmission Fluid Check (page 323).
H.
Washer fluid reservoir. 
 See Washer Fluid Check (page 324).
I.
315
Continental (CPL) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201807, Second-Printing Maintenance 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 319 of 627

ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK - 2.7L/3.0L
Minimum.
A
Nominal.
B
Maximum.
C ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK - 3.7L MINA
MAXB
ENGINE OIL CHECK
To check the engine oil level consistently
and accurately, do the following:
1. Make sure the parking brake is on. Make
sure the transmission is in park (P) or
neutral (N). 2. Run the engine until it reaches normal
operating temperature.
3. Make sure that your vehicle is on level ground.
4. Switch the engine off and wait 15 minutes
for the oil to drain into the oil pan. 
Checking the engine oil level too soon
after you switch the engine off may result
in an inaccurate reading.
5. Open the hood.  See Opening and
Closing the Hood (page 310).
6. Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean, lint-free cloth.  
 See Under Hood
Overview (page 314).
7. Reinstall the dipstick and remove it again
to check the oil level. 
 See Engine Oil
Dipstick (page 316).
8. Make sure that the oil level is between the maximum and minimum marks. If the
oil level is at the minimum mark, add oil
immediately. 
 See Capacities and
Specifications (page 382).
9. If the oil level is correct, replace the dipstick and make sure it is fully seated.
316
Continental (CPL) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201807, Second-Printing MaintenanceE250320 E146429  
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 320 of 627

Note:
Do not remove the dipstick when the
engine is running.
Note:  If the oil level is between the
maximum and minimum marks, the oil level
is acceptable.  Do not add oil.
Note: The oil consumption of new engines
reaches its normal level after approximately
3,000 mi (5,000 km).
Adding Engine Oil WARNING: 
Do not remove the filler
cap when the engine is running.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives
because they are unnecessary and could
lead to engine damage that may not be
covered by the vehicle Warranty. 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 Committee (ILSAC).
To top up the engine oil level do the
following:
1. Clean the area surrounding the engine
oil filler cap before you remove it.
2. Remove the engine oil filler cap.  
 See
Under Hood Overview (page 314).   Turn
it counterclockwise and remove it. 3. Add engine oil that meets our
specifications.  
 See Capacities and
Specifications (page 382).   You may have
to use a funnel to pour the engine oil into
the opening.
4. Recheck the oil level.
5. If the oil level is correct, replace the dipstick and make sure it is fully seated.
6. Replace the engine oil filler cap.  Turn it clockwise until you feel a strong
resistance.
Note:  Do not add oil further than the
maximum mark.  Oil levels above the
maximum mark may cause engine damage.
Note: Make sure you install the oil filler cap
correctly.
Note: Soak up any spillage with an
absorbent cloth immediately.
OIL CHANGE INDICATOR RESET
Use the information display controls on the
steering wheel to reset the oil change
indicator.
317
Continental (CPL) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201807, Second-Printing MaintenanceE142732  
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 321 of 627

From the main menu scroll to:
Action and description
Message
Press the right arrow button,
then from this menu scroll to
the following message.
Settings
Press the right arrow button,
then from this menu scroll to
the following message.
Vehicle
Press the right arrow button,
then from this menu scroll to
the following message.
Oil Life
Press and hold the OK button
until the instrument cluster
displays the following
message.
Hold OK to
Reset
Reset Successful
When the oil change indicator
resets the instrument cluster
displays 100%.
Remaining Life
{00}% Action and description
Message
If the instrument cluster
displays one of the following
messages, repeat the
process.
Not Reset
Reset Cancelled
ENGINE COOLANT CHECK WARNING: Do not remove the
coolant reservoir cap when the engine is
on or the cooling system is hot. Wait 10
minutes for the cooling system to cool
down. Cover the coolant reservoir cap with
a thick cloth to prevent the possibility of
scalding and slowly remove the cap.
Failure to follow this instruction could result
in personal injury. WARNING: 
Do not put coolant in the
windshield washer reservoir. If sprayed on
the windshield, coolant could make it
difficult to see through the windshield. WARNING: 
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 you loosen the
cap slightly. WARNING: 
Do not add coolant
further than the MAX mark.
When the engine is cold, check the
concentration and level of the coolant at the
intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance
information. 
 See Scheduled Maintenance
(page 528).
Note: Make sure that the coolant 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.
318
Continental (CPL) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201807, Second-Printing Maintenance