battery FORD RANGER 2004 2.G Owner's Manual

If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can add plain tap water
to the battery, as long as you do not use hard water (water with a high
mineral or alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill the battery
cells with distilled water. If the battery needs water often, have the
charging system checked.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled
after the battery has been cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to
the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals, remove the cables
from the terminals and clean with a wire brush. You can neutralize the
acid with a solution of baking soda and water.
Batteries normally produce explosive gases which can cause
personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery. When working near the battery,
always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide proper
ventilation.
When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the
end walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps,
resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery.
Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite
corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds. Wash hands after handling.
2004 Ranger(ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
186

Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift lever in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start
the engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
• The vehicle may need to be driven to relearn the idle and fuel trim
strategy.
• If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the
transmission must relearn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation to its
optimum shift feel.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
• Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
187

ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance guide. The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled water,
which equates to a freeze point of -36°C (-34 °F). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014 –R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the “cold full ”of “cold fill range ”level in the
coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions
in the Adding Engine Coolant section.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly. A
50 –50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
• Freeze protection down to -36 °C (-34 °F).
• Boiling protection up to 129 °C (265 °F).
• Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
• Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
188

These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the fuel cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
present, theCheck Engine/Service Engine Soon 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 Check Engine/Service Engine Soon light remains on, have your
vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your “Check Engine/Service Engine
Soon ”light is on, refer to the description in the Warning lights and
chimes section of the Instrument cluster chapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the “Check Engine/Service Engine Soon ”light on.
If the vehicle ’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a “not ready for I/M test ”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
• First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
• Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
204

recommended that steel wheels are used of the same size and
specifications as those originally installed.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Do not use tire chains on aluminum wheels. Chains may chip the
wheels.
• Use only SAE Class S chains.
• Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
• Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
• If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
• Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
• The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and chains.
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 2.3L I4 engine 3.0L V6 engine 4.0L V6 engine
Air filter
element FA-1658 FA-1658 FA-1658
Fuel filter FG-1080 FG-1080 FG-1080
Battery BXT-59 BXT-59 BXT-59
Oil filter FL-400S FL-400S FL-820S
PCV valve EV-227 EV-130 EV-243
Spark plugs* AWSF-32FEM AWSF-32PP** AGSF-34FP
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
** If any spark plug needs to be removed for inspection, it must be
re-installed in the same cylinder. Cylinders No.1, 2 and 3 have a “PG ”
suffix. Cylinders No. 4, 5 and 6 have a “P ” suffix. If any spark plug needs
to be replaced, use only spark plugs with the service part number suffix
letters “PP ”as shown on the engine decal.
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
224

A
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................74and child safety seats ..............76
description ................................74
disposal ......................................79
driver air bag ............................77
indicator light ...........................78
operation ...................................77
passenger air bag .....................77
passenger deactivation
switch ........................................79
Air cleaner filter .......210 –211, 224
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................188
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................101
Audio system
(see Radio) ..........16, 18, 21, 25, 28
Automatic transmission ............103 driving an automatic
overdrive .................................104
fluid, refill capacities ..............225
fluid, specification ..................231
Auxiliary power point .................46
Axle lubricant specifications ..228, 231
refill capacities ........................225
traction lok ..............................102
B
Battery .......................................185 acid, treating emergencies .....185
jumping a disabled battery ....151
maintenance-free ....................185
replacement, specifications ...224
servicing ..................................185 Bed extender ..............................51
BeltMinder ...................................69
Brakes ........................................100
anti-lock ...................................101
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................101
fluid, checking and adding ....206
fluid, refill capacities ..............225
fluid, specifications .........228, 231
lubricant specifications ..228, 231
parking ....................................101
shift interlock ..........................103
Bulbs ............................................40
C
Calculating load ........................121
Capacities for refilling fluids ....225
Cargo area shade ........................51
Cargo net .....................................51
Cell phone use ............................50
Certification Label ....................233
Changing a tire .........................144
Child safety restraints ................84 child safety belts ......................84
Child safety seats ........................87 attaching with tether straps ....91
in front seat ..............................88
in rear seat ................................88
Cleaning your vehicle engine compartment ..............168
instrument panel ....................171
interior .....................................171
plastic parts ............................170
safety belts ..............................171
washing ....................................167
waxing .....................................167
wheels ......................................168
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Index
Index
239