tow FORD EXCURSION 2003 1.G Service Manual

WASHING THE EXTERIOR
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral
Ph shampoo, such as Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3–A), which is available
from your dealer.
•Never use strong household detergents or soap, such as dish washing
or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted
surfaces.
•Never wash a vehicle that is “hot to the touch” or during exposure to
strong, direct sunlight.
•Always use a clean sponge or carwash mitt with plenty of water for
best results.
•Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel in order to
eliminate water spotting.
•It is especially important to wash the vehicle regularly during the
winter months, as dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and cause
damage to the vehicle.
•Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bird droppings
and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle’s
paintwork and trim over time.
•Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a
car wash.
•Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted
surface; if these substances come in contact with your vehicle,
wash off as soon as possible.
•If your vehicle is equipped with running boards, do not use
rubber, plastic and vinyl protectant products on the running
board surface, as the area may become slippery.
WAXING
Applying a polymer paint sealant to your vehicle every six months will
assist in reducing minor scratches and paint damage.
•Wash the vehicle first.
•Do not use waxes that contain abrasives.
•Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with any non-body
(low-gloss black) colored trim, such as grained door handles, roof
racks, bumpers, side moldings, mirror housings or the windshield cowl
area. The paint sealant will “gray” or stain the parts over time.
Cleaning
183

•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
Maintenance and Specifications
210

Rear door storage bins
Tire step
Travel equipment
Adjustable Towing Systems
Auto headlamp system with DRL (Daytime Running Lights)
Battery Warmer
Box Aluminum Rack cargo storage systems
Daytime running lights
Factory luggage rack adaptors
Fog lights
Framed luggage covers
Hard and soft sided roof box
Highway safety and first aid kit
Multi sport track rider cross bars
Multi sport track rider adaptors
Pet guard and pet guard divider
Quick step ball mount (trailer)
Spare tire soft storage cover
Seat back pack storage
Soft luggage cover
Trailgate tables
Towing mirrors
Trailer hitch mounted bike carrier
Trailer hitch bars and balls
Trailer hitch swivel
Tubular running bars
TV/video system
Protection and appearance equipment
Air bag anti-theft locks
Carpeted cargo mat
Cleaners, waxes, polishers (Motorcraft)
Accessories
232

Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................116
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................212
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................185
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................47
J
Jack ............................................161
positioning ...............................161
storage .....................................161
Jump-starting your vehicle ......166
K
Keyless entry system .................80
Keys
positions of the ignition .........124
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................45
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................49
cargo lamps ...............................47
daytime running light ...............46
fog lamps ...................................46
headlamps .................................45
headlamps, flash to pass ..........47
instrument panel, dimming .....47
interior lamps .....................48–50
replacing bulbs ....... 49–50, 52–53
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................47Liftgate ........................................72
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........128
speed control ............................64
Load limits .................................147
GAWR ......................................147
GVWR ......................................147
trailer towing ..........................147
Loading instructions .................148
Locks
childproof ..................................76
doors ..........................................75
Lubricant specifications ...225, 227
Lumbar support, seats .........88–89
M
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................222
lubricant specifications ..........227
Message center ...........................65
english/metric button ...............65
menu button .............................65
Mirrors ...................................55, 59
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................59
fold away ...................................61
heated ........................................60
side view mirrors (power) .......60
Motorcraft parts ................207, 222
O
Octane rating ............................206
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................192
P
Parking brake ............................129
Index
238

replacing ..................................220
rotating ....................................219
snow tires and chains ............221
tire grades ...............................219
treadwear ................................218
Towing .......................................149
recreational towing .................153
trailer towing ..........................149
wrecker ....................................172
Traction-lok rear axle ...............130
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................216
Transmission .............................131
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................214
fluid, refill capacities ..............222
lubricant
specifications ..................225, 227
Turn signal ..................................47
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................228Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................230
Vehicle loading ..........................147
Ventilating your vehicle ...........128
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid
..............................192
Water, Driving through
.............146
Windows
power
.........................................58
rear wiper/washer
.....................54
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................54
checking and adding fluid
.....192
liftgate reservoir
.....................192
replacing wiper blades
.............55
Wrecker towing
.........................172
Index
240