tow FORD EXCURSION 2004 1.G Owners Manual

Seating and Safety Restraints 117
Seating 117
Safety restraints 128
Air bags 140
Child restraints 144
Driving 152
Starting 152
Brakes 156
Transmission operation 160
Vehicle loading 177
Trailer towing 180
Recreational towing 184
Roadside Emergencies 185
Getting roadside assistance 185
Hazard flasher switch 186
Fuel pump shut-off switch 186
Fuses and relays 187
Changing tires 192
Jump starting 197
Wrecker towing 202
Customer Assistance 204
The dispute settlement board 206
Utilizing the mediation/arbitration 209
Getting assistance outside the U.S. and Canada 210
Ordering additional owner’s literature 211
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 212
Table of Contents
2

SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Warning symbols in this guide
How can you reduce the risk of personal injury and prevent possible
damage to others, your vehicle and its equipment? In this guide, answers
to such questions are contained in comments highlighted by the warning
triangle symbol. These comments should be read and observed.
Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular guidelines for breaking-in your vehicle. During
the first 1 600 km (1 000 miles) of driving, vary speeds frequently. This is
recommended to give the moving parts a chance to break in.
Introduction
5

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulb works.If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, have
the respective system inspected immediately.
Service engine soon
Illuminates briefly to ensure the
system is functional. If it comes on
after the engine is started, one of
the engine’s emission control
systems may be malfunctioning. The light may illuminate without a
driveability concern being noted. The vehicle will usually be drivable and
will not require towing.
Light turns on solid:
Temporary malfunctions may cause the light to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel.
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been properly installed and securely
tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank with
high quality fuel of the recommended octane and/or properly installing and
securely tightening the fuel cap. After three driving cycles without these or
any other temporary malfunctions present, the light should turn off. (A
driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If the light remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Instrument Cluster
10

Engine oil pressure gauge
Indicates engine oil pressure. At
normal operating temperature, the
needle will be in the normal range
(the area between the “L” and “H”);
if the needle goes below the normal
range, stop the vehicle as soon as
safely possible and switch off the
engine immediately. Check the oil
level. Add oil if needed (refer to
Engine oilin theMaintenance
and specificationschapter). If the
oil level is correct, have your vehicle
checked at your dealership or by a qualified technician.
Transmission fluid temperature gauge
If the gauge is in the:
White area(normal) - the
transmission fluid is within the
normal operating temperature
(between “H” and “C”).
Yellow area(warning) — the
transmission fluid is higher than
normal operating temperature. This
can be caused by special operation
conditions (i.e. towing or off road
use). Refer toSpecial Operating
Conditionsin the scheduled
maintenance guide for instructions.
Operating the transmission for
extended periods of time with the
gauge in the yellow area may cause
internal transmission damage.
Altering the severity of the driving conditions is recommended to lower
the transmission temperature into the normal range.
Instrument Cluster
16

CASSETTE AND CASSETTE PLAYER CARE
•Use only cassettes that are 90 minutes long or less.
•Do not expose tapes to direct sunlight, high humidity, extreme heat or
extreme cold. Allow tapes that may have been exposed to extreme
temperatures to reach a moderate temperature before playing.
•Tighten very loose tapes by inserting a finger or pencil into the hole
and turning the hub.
•Remove loose labels before inserting tapes.
•Do not leave tapes in the cassette player for a long time when not
being played.
RADIO FREQUENCY INFORMATION
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio
and Telecommunications Commission(CRTC) establish the frequencies AM
and FM stations may use for their broadcasts. Allowable frequencies are:
AM 530, 540–1600, 1610 kHz
FM 87.7, 87.9–107.7, 107.9 MHz
Not all frequencies are used in a given area.
RADIO RECEPTION FACTORS
Three factors can affect radio reception:
•Distance/strength.The further an FM signal travels, the weaker it is.
The listenable range of the average FM station is approximately 40 km
(24 miles). This range can be affected by “signal modulation.” Signal
modulation is a process radio stations use to increase their
strength/volume relative to other stations.
•Terrain.Hills, mountains and tall buildings between your vehicle’s
antenna and the radio station signal can cause FM reception problems.
Static can be caused on AM stations by power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms. Moving away from an interfering
structure (out of its “shadow”) returns your reception to normal.
•Station overload.Weak signals are sometimes captured by stronger
signals when you pass a broadcast tower. A stronger signal may
temporarily overtake a weaker signal and play while the weak station
frequency is displayed.
The audio system automatically switches to single channel reception if it
will improve the reception of a station normally received in stereo.
AUDIO SYSTEM WARRANTIES AND SERVICE
Refer to theWarranty Guidefor audio system warranty information.
If service is necessary, see your dealer or a qualified technician.
Entertainment Systems
56

•Under normal weather conditions, your vehicle’s climate control
system should be left in any position other than the MAX A/C or OFF
when the vehicle is parked. This allows the vehicle to “breathe”
through the outside air inlet duct.
•Under snowy or dirty weather conditions, your vehicle’s climate
control system should be left in the OFF position when the vehicle is
parked. This allows the climate control system to be free from
contamination of outside pollutants.
•If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during warm
weather conditions, the air conditioner will perform more efficiently in
cooling the vehicle if driven for two or three minutes with the
windows open. This will force most of the hot, stale air out of the
vehicle. Once the vehicle has been “aired out”, operate the climate
control system as desired.
•Do not put objects under the front seat which may interfere with the
airflow to the rear seats (if equipped).
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield and underneath the hood).
•Do not place objects over the defroster outlets. These objects can
block airflow and reduce visibility through your windshield. Avoid
placing small objects on top of the instrument panel. These objects
may fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow, in addition
to, damaging the climate control system.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather conditions:
1. Select the position that distributes air through the Panel and Floor.
2. Set the temperature control to full heat.
3. Set the fan speed to full fan.
4. Direct the outer panel vents towards the side windows.
5. To increase airflow to the outer panel vents, close the central panel
vents.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
Climate Controls
59

•To reduce humidity buildup inside the vehicle in warm weather
conditions, don’t drive with the climate control system in the OFF
position.
•Under normal weather conditions, your vehicle’s climate control
system should be left in any position other than OFF or
when
the vehicle is parked. This allows the vehicle to “breathe” through the
outside air inlet duct.
•Under snowy or dirty weather conditions, your vehicle’s climate
control system should be left in the OFF position when the vehicle is
parked. This allows the climate control system to be free from
contamination of outside pollutants.
•If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during warm
weather conditions, the air conditioner will perform more efficiently in
cooling the vehicle if driven for two or three minutes with the
windows open. This will force most of the hot, stale air out of the
vehicle. Once the vehicle has been “aired out”, operate the climate
control system as desired.
•Don’t put objects under the front seat that will interfere with the
airflow to the rear seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the area
(at the bottom of the windshield and underneath the hood).
•Do not place objects over the defroster outlets. These objects can
block airflow and reduce your ability to see through your windshield.
Avoid placing small objects on top of the instrument panel. These
objects may fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow, in
addition to damaging the climate control system.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather conditions:
1. Select
2. Set the temperature control to full heat
3. Select A/C
4. Set the fan speed to HI
5. Direct the outer panel vents towards to side windows
6. To increase airflow to the outer panel vents, close the central panel
vents.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel, as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
Climate Controls
67

Foglamp control (if equipped)
The headlamp control also operates
the foglamps. The foglamps can be
turned on only when the headlamp
controlisinthe
and
position and the high beams are not
turned on.
Pull headlamp control towards you
to turn foglamps on. The foglamp indicator light
will illuminate if the
ignition is in the RUN position.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output.
To activate:
•the ignition must be in the ON position and
•the headlamp control is in the OFF or Parking lamps position.
Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) system
does not activate with your tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
High beams
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
Flash to pass
Pull toward you slightly to activate
and release to deactivate.
A
Lights
72

Windshield wiper blades
Check the wiper blades for wear at least twice a year or when they seem
less effective. Substances such as tree sap and some hot wax treatments
used by commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper blades.
Checking the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean both the windshield and
wiper blades using undiluted windshield wiper solution or a mild
detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. To avoid damaging the
blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents.
Changing the wiper blades
To replace the wiper blades:
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the
windshield and lock into the service
position.
2. Turn the blade at an angle from
the wiper arm. Push the lock pin
manually to release the blade and
pull the wiper blade down toward
the windshield to remove it from the
arm.
3. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into place
until a click is heard.
Rear window wiper blade
Refer toWindshield wiper bladesin this section for more information
on rear wiper blades.
Driver Controls
81

TILT STEERING WHEEL
Pull the tilt steering control toward
you to move the steering wheel up
or down. Hold the control while
adjusting the wheel to the desired
position, then release the control to
lock the steering wheel in position.
Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving.
ILLUMINATED VISOR MIRROR
Lift the mirror cover to turn on the
visor mirror lamps.
OVERHEAD CONSOLE
The appearance of your vehicle’s overhead console will vary according to
your option package.
Driver Controls
82