wheel FORD RANGER 1998 2.G Owners Manual

Be sure to readDriving off roadin theDrivingchapter as well as the
ªFour Wheelingº supplement included with 4WD and utility type vehicles.
Using your vehicle as a snowplow
Do not use this vehicle for snowplowing.
Using your vehicle as an ambulance
Do not use this vehicle as an ambulance.
Your vehicle is not equipped with the Ford Ambulance Preparation
package.
Electric vehicles
For information on operating your Electric Vehicle, also refer to the
Electric Vehicle Owner's Guide Supplement.
Introduction
3

Check gage (if equipped)
Illuminates when the key is in the
ON position and the engine coolant
temperature is high, the engine oil
pressure is low or the fuel level is
near empty. Refer toEngine coolant temperature gauge, Engine oil
pressure gaugeorFuel gaugein this chapter for more information.
Four wheel drive low (if equipped)
Illuminates when four-wheel drive
low is engaged.
Four wheel drive high (if equipped)
Illuminates when four-wheel drive
high is engaged.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the ignition is in
the ON or START position and any
door is open.
Speed control (if equipped)
This light comes on when either the
SET/ACCEL or RESUME controls
are pressed. It turns off when the
speed control OFF control is
pressed, the brake is applied or the ignition is turned to the OFF
position.
CHECK
GAGE
4WD
LOW
4WD
HIGH
DOOR
AJAR
SPEED
CONT
Instrumentation
10

TILT STEERING (IF EQUIPPED)
Push the steering control away from
you to move the steering wheel up
or down. Tip the steering wheel to
the desired position, then pull the
control back into place to lock the
steering wheel in position.
Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving.
HAZARD FLASHER
For information on the hazard flasher control, refer toHazard lights
controlin theRoadside emergencieschapter.
WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER CONTROLS
Rotate the windshield wiper control
to the desired interval, low or high
speed position.
The bars of varying length are for
intermittent wipers. When in this
position rotate the control upward
for fast intervals and downward for
slow intervals.
Push the control on the end of the
stalk to activate washer. Push and
hold for a longer wash cycle.
Controls and features
29

BRAKES
Your brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to the ªService Guideº for scheduled
maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal and often does not indicate a
performance concern with the vehicle's brake system. In normal
operation, automotive brake systems may emit occasional or intermittent
squeal or groan noises when the brakes are applied. Such noises are
usually heard during the first few brake applications in the morning;
however, they may be heard at any time while braking and can be
aggravated by environmental conditions such as cold, heat, moisture,
road dust, salt or mud. If a ªmetal-to-metal,º ªcontinuous grindingº or
ªcontinuous squealº sound is present while braking, the brake linings
may be worn-out and should be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
Rear anti-lock brake system (RABS)
Rear Anti-lock Brake System (RABS) is standard equipment on this
vehicle. RABS is designed to help you maintain directional stability in
emergency stopping situations. With RABS, the rear brakes are kept from
locking during panic stops; however, the front wheels can lock because
they are not controlled by RABS. You should apply the brakes with
steadily increasing force, as if ªsqueezingº the brakes. If you feel the
front wheels begin to lock, momentarily release the pedal and repeat the
ªsqueezeº technique. Whenever the front wheels lock, the vehicle cannot
be steered.
A clicking noise and slight pedal pulsation during RABS braking events
indicates the RABS is functioning. Pedal pulsation coupled with clicking
noise while braking under panic conditions on loose gravel, wet or snowy
roads is normal and indicates proper functioning of the vehicle's RABS. If
the vehicle has continuous vibration or shudder while braking, felt mainly
in the steering wheel, the vehicle most likely needs service.
The RABS operates by detecting the onset of rear wheel lockup during
brake applications and compensating for this tendency.
Driving
64

RABS warning lamp
TheABSwarning lamp in the instrument cluster illuminates if a RABS
fault is detected. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
Normal braking is still effective
unless the BRAKE warning lamp is
also illuminated.
Using RABS
²In an emergency, applying full pressure may cause the front wheels to
lock.If the front brakes lock, the vehicle cannot be steered.Yo u
should apply the brakes with steadily increasing force, as if
ªsqueezingº the brakes. If you feel the front wheels begin to lock,
momentarily release the pedal and repeat the ªsqueezeº technique.
²We recommend that you familiarize yourself with how the RABS
performs. However, avoid unnecessary risks.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
On vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a noise
from the hydraulic pump motor and pulsation in the pedal may be
observed during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled with noise
while braking under panic conditions or on loose gravel, bumps, wet or
snowy roads is normal and indicates proper functioning of the vehicle's
anti-lock brake system. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or shudder
while braking, felt mainly in the steering wheel, the vehicle most likely
needs service.
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lock up during brake
applications and compensating for
this tendency. The wheels are
prevented from locking even when
the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts
the advantage of an ABS equipped
vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during
hard braking.
!
BRAKE
Driving
65

2. Engage the parking brake.
3. Shift into 1 (First).
4. Turn the ignition to Off.
Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it may move unexpectedly
and injure someone. Use 1 (First) gear and set the parking brake
fully.
Reverse
Ensure that the vehicle is at a complete stop before shifting into R
(Reverse). Failure to do so may damage the transmission.
Put the gearshift into N and wait at least several seconds before shifting
into R.
You can shift into R (Reverse) only by moving the gearshift from left of
3 (Third) and 4 (Fourth) gears before you shift into R (Reverse). This is
a special lockout feature that protects you from accidentally shifting into
R (Reverse) when you downshift from 5 (Overdrive).
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
When Four±wheel drive (4WD) is engaged, power is supplied to all four
wheels through a transfer case. 4WD power can be selected when
additional driving power is desired.
All utility-type vehicles and 4WD vehicles have special design and
equipment features to make them capable of performing in a wide
variety of off-road applications. Specific design characteristics give them
higher centers of gravity than ordinary passenger cars.
Driving
74

Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenotdesigned for
cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more than
low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers in these
vehicles.
4WD operation is not recommended on dry pavement. Doing so could
result in difficult disengagement of the transfer case, increased tire wear
and decreased fuel economy.
4WD system indicator lights
The 4WD system indicator lights illuminate only under the following
conditions. If these lights illuminate during normal driving, have your
vehicle serviced.
²4WD HIGH± illuminates when
the ignition is turned on or when
4H (4WD High) is selected.
²4WD LOW± illuminates when
the ignition is turned on and 4L
(4WD Low) is selected.
Using the electronic shift 4WD system (if equipped)
Positions of the electronic shift system
2WD (2WD High)± Power to rear axle only.
4X4 HIGH (4WD High)± Power delivered to front and rear axles for
increased traction.
4X4 LOW (4WD Low)± Power to front and rear axles at low speeds.
4WD
HIGH
4WD
LOW
Driving
75

Shifting from 2WD (2WD high) to 4X4 HIGH (4WD High)
Move the 4WD control to the 4X4
HIGH.
At temperatures below 0ÉC (32ÉF),
shifts from 2WD to 4X4 HIGH
should not be performed above
72 km/h (45 mph).
²Do not shift into 4X4 HIGH with
the rear wheels slipping.
Shifting from 4X4 HIGH (4WD high) to 2WD (2WD high)
Move the 4WD control to 2WD at
any forward speed. Youdo notneed
to put the gearshift in R (Reverse)
to disengage your front hubs.
Shifting between 4X4 HIGH (4WD high) and 4X4 LOW (4WD low)
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral) (automatic transmission) or depress
the clutch (manual transmission).
4. Move the 4WD control to the 4X4
HIGH or 4X4 LOW position.
4X4
HIGH
2WD4X4
LOW
4X4
HIGH
2WD4X4
LOW
2WD4X4
LOW4X4
HIGH
Driving
76

Driving off-road with 4WD
Your vehicle is specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and has operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. For more
information on driving off-road, read the ªFour Wheelingº supplement in
your owner's portfolio.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck, shift the transmission in a steady motion between
forward and reverse gears. Allow the transmission to engage, then press
lightly on the accelerator.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be damaged or the engine can
overheat.
Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Do not reduce the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Driving
77

If speed control cancels after climbing the hill, reset speed by pressing
and holding the SET ACCEL button to resume speeds over 50 km/h
(30 mph).
Automatic transmissions may shift frequently while driving up steep
grades. Eliminate frequent shifting by shifting out of
(Overdrive) into
D (Drive).
Driving on snow and ice
A 4WD vehicle has advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
When braking, apply the brakes as you normally would. In order to allow
the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to operate properly, keep steady
pressure on the brake pedal.
Allow more stopping distance and drive slower than usual. Consider
using one of the lower gears.
TRACTION-LOK AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
Traction-Lok axle functions like a standard rear axle.
Extended use of other than the manufacturer's specified size tires on a
Traction-Lok rear axle could result in a permanent reduction in
effectiveness. This loss of effectiveness does not affect normal driving
and should not be noticeable to the driver.
To avoid injury, never run the engine with one wheel off the
ground, such as when changing a tire.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
²Base Curb Weight: Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include passengers or
aftermarket equipment.
Driving
79