light FORD RANGER 1999 2.G Owner's Manual

Passenger air bag ON/OFF switch
An air bag ON/OFF switch
has been installed in this
vehicle. Before driving,always
look at the face of the switch to
be sure the switch is in the proper
position in accordance with these
instructions and warnings. Failure
to put the switch in a proper
position can increase the risk of
serious injury or death in a
collision.
Turning the passenger air bag off
1. Insert the ignition key, turn the
switch to OFF and remove the key.
2. When the ignition is turned to the
ON position the OFF light
illuminates briefly, momentarily
shuts off and then turns back on.
This indicates that the passenger air
bag is deactivated.
If the light fails to illuminate when the passenger air bag
ON/OFF switch is in the OFF position and the ignition switch is
in ON, have the passenger air bag switch serviced at your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately.
In order to avoid inadvertent deployment of the passenger air
bag, always remove the ignition key from the passenger air bag
ON/OFF switch.
ON
OFF
OFF
PASSENGER AIRBAG
ON
OFF
OFF
PASSENGER AIRBAG
Seating and safety restraints
86

Turning the passenger air bag back on
The passenger air bag remains OFF until you turn it back ON.
1. Insert the ignition key and turn
the switch to ON.
2. The OFF light will briefly
illuminate when the ignition is
turned to ON. This indicates that
the passenger air bag is operational.
If the light is illuminated when the passenger air bag ON/OFF
switch is in the ON position and the ignition switch is in ON,
have the passenger air bag ON/OFF switch serviced at your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately.
The passenger side air bag should always be ON (the air bag OFF light
shouldnotbe illuminated) unless the passenger is a person who meets
the requirements stated either in Category 1, 2 or 3 of the
NHTSA/Transport Canada deactivation criteria which follows.
The safety belts for the driver and right front passenger seating
positions have been specifically designed to function together
with the air bags in certain types of crashes. When you turn OFF your
air bag, you not only lose the protection of the air bag, you also may
reduce the effectiveness of your safety belt system, which was
designed to work with the air bag. If you are not a person who meets
the requirements stated in the NHTSA/Transport Canada deactivation
criteria turning OFF the air bag can increase the risk of serious injury
or death in a collision.
Always transport children who are 12 and younger in the rear
seat. Always use safety belts and child restraints properly. If a
child in a rear facing infant seat must be transported in front, the
passenger air bagmustbe turned OFF. This is because the back of the
infant seat is too close to the inflating air bag and the risk of a fatal
injury to the infant when the air bag inflates is substantial.
ON
OFF
OFF
PASSENGER AIRBAG
Seating and safety restraints
87

3. Turn the key to 4 (ON) without
turning the key to 5 (START).
Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is fastened, the
light will not illuminate.
1
2
34
5
ABS
CHECK
ENGINEFH
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!BRAKE
C
012345
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ABS
CHECK
ENGINE
FUEL
RESET
EFH
H
H
PRN D 2 1THEFT
SPEED
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HIGH
4WD
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DOOR
AJAR
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GAGE
!BRAKE
Starting
99

BRAKES
Your service 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.
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 in the steering wheel
while braking, the vehicle should be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
The RABS operates by detecting the onset of rear wheel lockup during
brake applications and compensating for this tendency.
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.
!
BRAKE
Driving
103

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
in the steering wheel while braking, the vehicle should be inspected by a
qualified service technician.
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lockup 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 with loss of front braking traction.
ABS warning lamp
The
ABSwarning lamp in the instrument cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on and the engine is off. If the light does not
illuminate momentarily at start up, remains on or continues to flash, the
ABS needs to be serviced.
Driving
104

With the ABS light on, the anti-lock
brake system is disabled and normal
braking is still effective unless the
brake warning light also remains
illuminated with parking brake
released. (If your brake warning lamp illuminates, have your vehicle
serviced immediately).
Using ABS
²In an emergency or when maximum efficiency from the ABS is
required, apply continuous full force on the brake. The ABS will be
activated immediately, thus allowing you to retain full steering control
of your vehicle and, providing there is sufficient space, will enable you
to avoid obstacles and bring the vehicle to a controlled stop.
²The Anti-Lock system does not decrease the time necessary to apply
the brakes or always reduce stopping distance. Always leave enough
room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to stop.
²We recommend that you familiarize yourself with this braking
technique. However, avoid taking any unnecessary risks.
Parking brake
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked. To set the
parking brake, press the parking
brake pedal down until the pedal
stops.
The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned ON) until the
parking brake is released.
!
BRAKE
!
BRAKE
Driving
105

TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift from being moved from P (Park) unless the brake pedal is
depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift out of P (Park) with the brake pedal
depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to LOCK, then remove the
key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF. Apply the brake pedal and shift to N
(Neutral).
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift, it is
possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle's brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be damaged or the engine may
overheat.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you leave
your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving
107

(Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through four.
(Overdrive) can be deactivated
by pressing the transmission control
switch on the end of the gearshift
lever.
The transmission control indicator
light (TCIL) will illuminate on the
instrument cluster.
Drive± Not shown on the display. Activate by pressing the transmission
control switch on the end of the gearshift lever with the gearshift in the
position. The O/D OFF indicator will illuminate on the instrument
cluster. Transmission operates in gears one through three.
(Drive)
provides more engine braking than
(Overdrive) and is useful when:
²driving with a heavy load
²towing a trailer up or down steep hills
²additional engine braking is desired. If towing a trailer, refer to
Driving while you towin theTrailer Towingchapter.
To return to
(Overdrive) mode, press the transmission control switch.
The O/D OFF indicator will no longer be illuminated.
Each time the vehicle is started, the transmission will automatically
return to normal overdrive mode.
Every time the vehicle is shut off and restarted, you must press the
transmission control switch to cancel overdrive operation if driving in
overdrive is not desired.
2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on
slippery roads or to provide
additional engine braking on
downgrades.
O/D
ON/OFF
O/ D
OFF
Driving
109

N (Neutral)
With the gearshift in N (Neutral),
the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal
down while in this gear.
(Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through five.
(Overdrive) can be deactivated
by pressing the transmission control
switch on the end of the gearshift
lever.
The transmission control indicator
light (TCIL) will illuminate on the
instrument cluster.
Drive± Not shown on the display. Activate by pressing the transmission
control switch on the end of the gearshift lever with the gearshift in the
position. The TCIL will illuminate on the instrument cluster.
Transmission operates in gears one through four.
(Drive) provides
more engine braking than
(Overdrive) and is useful whenever driving
conditions (i.e., city traffic, hilly terrain, etc.) cause the transmission to
excessively shift between
(Overdrive) and(Drive). Also deactivate
(Overdrive) when:
²driving with a heavy load
²towing a trailer up or down steep hills
²additional engine braking is desired. If towing a trailer, refer to
Driving while you towin theTrailer Towingchapter.
To return to
(Overdrive) mode, press the transmission control switch.
The TCIL will no longer be illuminated.
Each time the vehicle is started, the transmission will automatically
return to normal overdrive mode.
O/D
ON/OFF
O/ D
OFF
Driving
111

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.
If equipped with the Electronic Shift 4WD System, and the
instrument panel control is moved to 4WD Low while the vehicle
is moving, the system will not engage and no damage will occur to
the 4WD system.
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.
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 engaged.
²4WD LOW±illuminates when the
ignition is turned on or when 4L
(4WD Low) is engaged.
4WD
HIGH
4WD
LOW
Driving
115