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❑
Drive slowly. If you can hear the chains rub
or bang against your vehicle, stop the vehicle
and tighten the chains. If you continue to
hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, remove the chains to prevent damage
to your vehicle.
❑
Avoid fully loading your vehicle if possible.
❑
Remove tire chains at the first opportunity
after using them on snow and ice. Do not use
the chains on dry roads.
❑
Make sure your suspension insulation and
bumpers are not missing or worn to avoid
damage to your vehicle.
Cleaning the Wheels
Wash the wheels with the same detergent you
use to wash your vehicle’s body. Do not use
acid-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, abrasives,
fuel, or strong detergents. These substances will
damage protective coatings. Use tar and road oil
remover to remove grease and tar.
NOTE:
Before going to a car wash, find out if
the brushes are abrasive.
Battery
Your vehicle may have a Motorcraft
maintenance-free battery. When the original
equipment battery is replaced under warranty, it
may be replaced by a Motorcraft
Low-Maintenance Battery.
The Low-Maintenance Battery has removable vent
caps for checking the electrolyte level and for
adding water, if necessary. The electrolyte level
should be checked at least every 24 months or
24,000 miles (40,000 km) in temperatures up to
90˚F (32˚C) and more often in temperatures above
90˚F (32˚C). Keep the electrolyte level in each cell
up to the level indicator. Do not overfill.
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If the level gets low, you can add tap water to
the battery, provided the water isn’t hard or
doesn’t have a high mineral or alkali content.
However, if possible you should refill the battery
with distilled water. If the battery needs water
quite often, have the charging system checked
for a possible malfunction.
Help Us Protect Our Environment
Ford Motor Company strongly recommends that
used lead-acid batteries be returned to an
authorized recycling facility for disposal.
Battery recycling symbol
R
WARNING
Batteries normally produce explosive gases
which can cause personal injury.
Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks or
lit tobacco to come near the battery. When
charging or working near a battery, always
cover your face and protect your eyes, and
also provide ventilation.
R
WARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns
skin, eyes, and clothing.
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If the acid touches someone’s skin, eyes, or
clothing, immediately flush the area with water
for at least 15 minutes. If someone swallows the
acid, have him or her drink lots of milk or water
first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or
vegetable oil. Call a doctor immediately.
R
WARNING
Applying too much pressure on the ends
when lifting a battery could cause acid to
spill. Lift the battery with a carrier or
with your hands on the opposite corners.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Under normal driving conditions automatic
transmission fluid should be changed every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 21,000 miles
(34,000 km) if under severe duty conditions.
However, if the transmission is not working
properly, for instance, the transmission may slip
or shift slowly, or you may notice some sign of
fluid leakage, the fluid level should be checked.
NOTE:
Except E4OD transmission, there is no
30,000 mile (48,000 km) sheduled
transmission fluid change requirement.
Transmission fluid, filter and seal assembly
should be changed every 21,000 miles
(34,000 km) only under any of the following
conditions.
❑
Extended periods of high speed driving
during hot weather at/or above +90˚F
(+30˚C).
❑
Towing a trailer for distances over 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) per trip.
❑
Accumulating 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or more
per month.
314
❑
Continuous operation and/or extensive idling
(a delivery service as an example).
❑
Operating in severe dust conditions.
NOTE:
Use of a transmission fluid other than
specified could result in transmission
malfunction and/or failure. Refer to
“Adding automatic transmission fluid”,
“Refill capacities” and “lubricant
specifications” for further information.
Checking the Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is preferable to check the transmission fluid
level at normal operating temperature
150˚F-170˚F (66˚C-77˚C), after approximately 20
miles (32 km) of driving. However, if necessary,
you can check the fluid level without having to
drive 20 miles (32 km) to obtain a normal
operating temperature if outside temperatures
are above 50˚F (10˚C).
NOTE:
If the vehicle has been operated for an
extended period at high speeds or in
city traffic during hot weather, or
pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to
allow the fluid to cool before checking.
With the vehicle on a level surface, start the
engine and move the transmission shift selector
through all of the gear ranges allowing sufficient
time for each position to engage. Securely latch
the transmission shift selector in the Park (P)
position, fully set the parking brake and leave
the engine running.
NOTE:
Vehicles equipped with the 4x4 option
must have the 4x4 shift selector in any
position other than neutral.
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