2023 FORD RANGER steering wheel

•Transmissions give their best fueleconomy when operated in the topcruise gear and with steady pressureon the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (ifequipped) is less fuel efficient thantwo-wheel-drive operation.
COLD WEATHER
PRECAUTIONS
The functional operation of somecomponents and systems can be affectedat temperatures below approximately-13°F (-25°C).
OFF-ROAD DRIVING
Before going off-roading, consult with yourlocal governmental agencies to determinedesignated off-road trails and recreationareas. Also, be sure to understand anyoff-road vehicle registration requirementsfor the area in which you plan on driving.
Before taking your vehicle off-roading, abasic vehicle inspection should be done tomake sure that the vehicle is in top workingcondition.
Basic Off-road Driving Techniques
•Grip the steering wheel with thumbson the outside of the rim. This reducesthe risk of injury due to abrupt steeringwheel motions that occur whennegotiating rough terrain. Do not gripthe steering wheel with thumbs insidethe rim.
•Look ahead on your route notingupcoming obstacles, surface textureor color changes or any other factorswhich may indicate a change inavailable traction, and adjust thevehicle speed and route accordingly.
•Always keep available groundclearance in mind and pick a route thatminimizes the risk of catching theunderside of the vehicle on an obstacle.
•When negotiating low speed obstacles,applying light brake pressure inconjunction with the throttle helpsprevent the vehicle from jerking andallows you to negotiate the obstaclein a more controlled manner. Using 4Lalso helps with this.
Crossing Obstacles
•Review the path ahead beforeattempting to cross any obstacle. It isbest if the obstacle is reviewed fromoutside the vehicle so that there is agood understanding of terrain conditionboth in front of and behind theobstacle.
•If a large obstacle such as a rockcannot be avoided, choose a path thatplaces the rock directly under the tirerather than the undercarriage of thevehicle. This helps prevent damage toyour vehicle.
Hill Climbing
WARNING: Extreme care shouldbe used when steering the vehicle inreverse down a slope so as not to causethe vehicle to swerve out of control.
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•Always attempt to climb a steep hillalong the fall line of the slope and notdiagonally.
•If the vehicle is unable to make it upthe hill, DO NOT attempt to turn backdown the slope. Place the vehicle inlow range and slowly back down inreverse.
•When descending a steep slope, selectlow gear and activate hill descentcontrol. Use the throttle and brakepedals to control your descent speedas described earlier in this section usinghill descent control. Hill descent controlis functional in reverse (R) and shouldbe used in this situation.
After Off-Road Driving
It is important to complete a full vehicleinspection after off-road driving. Someitems to check include:
•Check the wheels and undercarriagefor a buildup of mud or debris, whichcan cause vehicle vibration.
•Make sure that the grille and radiatorare clear of any obstructions that mayaffect cooling.
•Make sure that the brakes are in properworking order and free of any mud,stones and debris, which can becometrapped around the brake rotor,backing plate and caliper.
•Check that the air filter is clean and dry.
•Inspect for torn or punctured boots onball joints, half shafts, steering gears.
•Inspect exhaust system for damage orlooseness.
•Inspect undercarriage fasteners. If anyare loose or damaged, tighten orreplace and make sure that you use theproper torque specification.
•Inspect the wheels for dents, cracks,or other damage.
•Clear any debris from the exhaustcomponents. For example, grass or hay.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
WARNING: Do not drive throughflowing or deep water as you may losecontrol of your vehicle.
Note:Driving through standing water cancause vehicle damage.
Note:Engine damage can occur if waterenters the air filter.
Before driving through standing water,check the depth. Never drive through waterthat is higher than the bottom of the wheelhubs.
When driving through standing water, drivevery slowly and do not stop your vehicle.Your brake performance and traction maybe limited. After driving through water andas soon as it is safe to do so:
•Lightly press the brake pedal to dry thebrakes and to check that they work.
•Check that the horn works.
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•Check that the exterior lights work.
•Turn the steering wheel to check thatthe steering power assist works.
FLOOR MATS
WARNING: Use a floor matdesigned to fit the footwell of yourvehicle that does not obstruct the pedalarea. Failure to follow this instructioncould result in the loss of control of yourvehicle, personal injury or death.
WARNING: Pedals that cannotmove freely can cause loss of vehiclecontrol and increase the risk of seriouspersonal injury.
WARNING: Secure the floor matto both retention devices so that itcannot slip out of position and interferewith the pedals. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in the loss ofcontrol of your vehicle, personal injury ordeath.
WARNING: Do not place additionalfloor mats or any other covering on topof the original floor mats. This couldresult in the floor mat interfering with theoperation of the pedals. Failure to followthis instruction could result in the loss ofcontrol of your vehicle, personal injury ordeath.
WARNING: Always make sure thatobjects cannot fall into the driver footwell while your vehicle is moving. Objectsthat are loose can become trappedunder the pedals causing a loss ofvehicle control.
To install floor mats that have eyelets,position the floor mat eyelet over theretention post and press down to lock inposition. Repeat for all eyelets on the floormat.
To remove the floor mats, reverse theinstallation procedure.
Note:Regularly check the floor mats tomake sure they are secure.
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1.Remove the clips that secure the airfilter housing cover.
2.Carefully lift the air filter housing cover.
3.Remove the air filter element from theair filter housing.
4.Wipe any dirt or debris from the air filterhousing and cover to make sure no dirtgets in the engine and that you have agood seal.
5.Install a new air filter element. Becareful not to crimp the filter elementedges between the air filter housingand cover. This could cause filterdamage and allow unfiltered air toenter the engine if it is not properlyseated.
6.Install the air filter housing cover.
7.Engage the clips to secure the air filterhousing cover to the air filter housing.
OIL CHANGE INDICATOR
RESET
Use the information display controls onthe steering wheel to reset the oil changeindicator.
From the main menu scroll to:
Action and descriptionMessage
Press the right arrow button,then from this menu scrollto the following message.
Settings
Press the right arrow button,then from this menu scrollto the following message.
Vehicle
Press the right arrow button,then from this menu scrollto the following message.
Oil Life
Press and hold the OKbutton until the instrumentcluster displays thefollowing message.
Hold OK toReset
Reset Successful
When the oil change indic-ator resets the instrumentcluster displays 100%.
Remaining Life
{00}%
If the instrument clusterdisplays one of the followingmessages, repeat theprocess.
Not Reset
Reset Cancelled
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1.Park your vehicle on a level surface.
2.Look at the brake fluid reservoir to seewhere the brake fluid level is relativeto the MIN and the MAX marks on thereservoir.
Note:If the brake fluid level is between theMIN and the MAX marks on the reservoir, itis acceptable.
Note:If the brake fluid level is below theMIN mark or above the MAX mark, haveyour vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Note:To avoid fluid contamination, thereservoir cap must remain in place and fullytight, unless you are adding fluid.
Only use fluid that meets ourspecifications. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 325).
Brake Fluid Service Interval
Brake fluid absorbs water over time whichdegrades the effectiveness of the brakefluid. Change the brake fluid at thespecified intervals to prevent degradedbraking performance.
For detailed interval information, seeScheduled Maintenance in your Owner'sManual or your local maintenance guide.
POWER STEERING FLUID
CHECK
Your vehicle is equipped with an electricpower steering (EPS) system. There is nofluid reservoir to check or fill.
FUEL FILTER
Your vehicle is equipped with a lifetimefuel filter that is integrated with the fueltank. Regular maintenance or replacementis not needed.
CHARGING THE 12V BATTERY
Battery Management System (If
Equipped)
The battery management system monitorsbattery conditions and takes actions toextend battery life. If excessive batterydrain is detected, the system maytemporarily disable certain electricalfeatures to protect the battery. Thoseelectrical accessories affected include therear defrost, heated/cooled seats, climatecontrol fan, heated steering wheel, audioand navigation system. A message may beshown in the information displays to alertthe driver that battery protection actionsare active. These messages are only fornotification that an action is taking place,and not intended to indicate an electricalproblem or that the battery requiresreplacement.
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CLEANING THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL AND INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER LENS
WARNING: Do not use chemicalsolvents or strong detergents whencleaning the steering wheel orinstrument panel to avoid contaminationof the airbag system.
Note:Follow the same procedure ascleaning leather seats for cleaning leatherinstrument panels and leather interior trimsurfaces. See Cleaning Leather Seats(page 288).
Clean the instrument panel and clusterlens with a clean, damp and soft cloth,then use a clean, dry and soft cloth to drythese areas.
•Avoid cleaners or polishes that increasethe gloss of the upper portion of theinstrument panel. The dull finish in thisarea helps protect you fromundesirable windshield reflection.
•Do not use any household cleaningproducts or glass cleaners as thesemay damage the finish of theinstrument panel, interior trim andcluster lens.
•Wash or wipe your hands clean if youhave been in contact with certainproducts such as insect repellent andsuntan lotion to avoid possible damageto the interior painted surfaces.
•Do not allow air fresheners and handsanitizers to spill onto interior surfaces.If a spill occurs, wipe off immediately.Your warranty may not cover thesedamages.
If a staining liquid like coffee or juice hasbeen spilled on the instrument panel or oninterior trim surfaces:
1.Wipe up spilled liquid using a clean,soft cloth as quickly as possible.
2.Use Motorcraft Premium Leather andVinyl Cleaner or a commerciallyavailable leather cleaning product forautomotive interiors. Test any cleaneror stain remover on an inconspicuousarea.
3.Alternatively, wipe the surface with aclean, soft cloth and a mild soap andwater solution. Dry the area with aclean, soft cloth.
4.If necessary, apply more soap andwater solution or cleaning product toa clean, soft cloth and press it onto thesoiled area. Allow this to set at roomtemperature for 30 minutes.
5.Remove the soaked cloth, then with aclean, damp cloth, use a rubbingmotion for 60 seconds on the soiledarea.
6.Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.
CLEANING LEATHER SEATS
Note:Follow the same procedure ascleaning leather seats for cleaning leatherinstrument panels and leather interior trimsurfaces.
For routine cleaning, wipe the surface witha soft, damp cloth and a mild soap andwater solution. Dry the area with a clean,soft cloth.
For cleaning and removing stains such asdye transfer, use Motorcraft PremiumLeather and Vinyl Cleaner or acommercially available leather cleaningproduct for automotive interiors.
Note:Test any cleaner or stain remover onan inconspicuous area.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Notice to utility vehicle and truckowners
WARNING: Utility vehicles have asignificantly higher rollover rate thanother types of vehicles.
WARNING: Vehicles with a highercenter of gravity (utility and four-wheeldrive vehicles) handle differently thanvehicles with a lower center of gravity(passenger cars). Avoid sharp turns,excessive speed and abrupt steering inthese vehicles. Failure to drive cautiouslyincreases the risk of losing control of yourvehicle, vehicle rollover, personal injuryand death.
WARNING: In a rollover crash, anunbelted person is significantly morelikely to die than a person wearing aseatbelt.
WARNING: Do not becomeoverconfident in the ability of four-wheeldrive vehicles. Although a four-wheeldrive vehicle may accelerate better thana two-wheel drive vehicle in low tractionsituations, it won't stop any faster thantwo-wheel drive vehicles. Always driveat a safe speed.
Utility vehicles and trucks handledifferently than passenger cars in thevarious driving conditions that areencountered on streets, highways andoff-road. Utility vehicles and trucks are notdesigned for cornering at speeds as highas passenger cars any more than low-slungsports cars are designed to performsatisfactorily under off-road conditions.
Study your owner's manual and anysupplements for specific information aboutequipment features, instructions for safedriving and additional precautions toreduce the risk of an accident or seriousinjury.
Four-wheel drive system (If Equipped)
A vehicle equipped with four-wheel drive(when selected) has the ability to use allfour wheels to power itself. This increasestraction which could enable you to safelydrive over terrain and road conditions thata conventional two-wheel drive vehiclecannot.
On some four-wheel drive models, theinitial shift from two-wheel drive tofour-wheel drive while the vehicle ismoving can cause a momentary clunk andratcheting sound. These sounds are normalas the front drivetrain comes up to speedand are not cause for concern.
Note:In four-wheel drive vehicles, the sizeof the spare tire relative to the remainingtires can have an effect on the 4x4 system'sability to engage and disengage.
Operating 4WD Vehicles with aSpare tire or Mismatched Tires
On four-wheel drive vehicles, the size ofthe spare tire can affect the 4X4 system.If there is a significant difference betweenthe size of the spare tire and the remainingtires, the four-wheel drive functionality willbe limited.
When driving with the full-size dissimilarspare wheel and tire assembly, werecommend that you do not:
•Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) with 4WDmode turned on.
•Turn on a 4WD mode unless thevehicle is stationary.
•Use 4WD mode on dry pavement.
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When driving with the full-size dissimilarspare wheel and tire assembly, 4WDfunctionality could be limited, especiallywhen driving in a mechanically locked 4WDmode. You could experience the following:
•Additional noise from the transfer caseor other drive components.
•Difficulty shifting out of a mechanicallylocked 4WD mode.
Use of a dissimilar spare wheel and tireassembly could lead to impairment of thefollowing:
•Comfort and noise.
•Winter weather driving capability.
•Wet driving capability.
•Four-wheel drive capability.
How your vehicle differs fromother vehicles
Sport utility vehicles and trucks can differfrom some other vehicles in a fewnoticeable ways. Your vehicle could be:
•Higher - to allow higher load carryingcapacity and to allow it to travel overrough terrain without damagingunderbody components.
•Shorter - to give it the capability toapproach inclines and drive over thecrest of a hill without damagingunderbody components. All otherthings held equal, a shorter wheelbasecould make your vehicle quicker torespond to steering inputs than avehicle with a longer wheelbase.
•Narrower - to provide greatermaneuverability in tight spaces,particularly in off-road use.
As a result of the above dimensionaldifferences, Sport utility vehicles andtrucks often will have a higher center ofgravity and a greater difference in centerof gravity between the loaded andunloaded condition. These differences thatmake your vehicle so versatile also makeit handle differently than an ordinarypassenger car.
TIRE CARE
Information About UniformTire Quality Grading
Tire Quality Grades apply to newpneumatic passenger car tires.The Quality grades can be foundwhere applicable on the tiresidewall between tread shoulderand maximum section width. Forexample: Treadwear 200Traction AA Temperature A.
These Tire Quality Grades aredetermined by standards that theUnited States Department ofTransportation has set.
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