tow Mercury Milan 2006 s Owner's Guide

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 authorized 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 car wash 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.
Exterior chrome
•Wash the vehicle first, using cool or lukewarm water and a neutral pH
shampoo, such as Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3–A).
•Use Custom Brite Metal Cleaner (ZC-15), available from your
authorized dealer. Apply the product as you would a wax to clean
bumpers and other chrome parts; allow the cleaner to dry for a few
minutes, then wipe off the haze with a clean, dry rag.
•Never use abrasive materials such as steel wool or plastic pads
as they can scratch the chrome surface.
WAXING
Applying Motorcraft Paint Sealant (ZC-45) to your vehicle every six
months will assist in reducing minor scratches and paint damage.
•Wash the vehicle first.
2006 Milan(mln)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Cleaning
198

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the
level is low. In very cold weather, do
not fill the reservoir completely.
Only use a washer fluid that meets
Ford specification WSB-M8B16-A2.
Do not use any special washer fluid
such as windshield water repellent
type fluid or bug wash. They may
cause squeaking, chatter noise,
streaking and smearing. Refer to the
Lubricant specificationssection in
this chapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging the
vehicle’s paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
If you operate your vehicle in temperatures below 40° F (4.5°C),
use washer fluid with antifreeze protection. Failure to use
washer fluid with antifreeze protection in cold weather could result in
impaired windshield vision and increase the risk of injury or accident.
Note:Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling system
components.
CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the
vehicle. 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.
2. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into place
until a click is heard.
Replace wiper blades at least once per year for optimum performance.
2006 Milan(mln)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
209

Poor wiper quality can be improved by cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield, refer toWindows and wiper bladesin theCleaning
chapter.
To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park) (automatic transmissions) or 1 (First) (manual transmissions).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
•2.3L I4 engine
2006 Milan(mln)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
210

Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems, try a different brand of unleaded gasoline. “Premium” unleaded
gasoline is not recommended for vehicles designed to use “Regular”
unleaded gasoline because it may cause these problems to become more
pronounced. If the problems persist, see your authorized dealer.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system.
Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your
fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
Many of the world’s automakers approved the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated “cleaner-burning” gasolines to
improve air quality.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
effect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition from off to on several times after
refueling, to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
•The
indicator may come on. For more information on the “check
engine” or the “service engine soon” indicator, refer toWarning lights
and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
2006 Milan(mln)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
227

panic alarm ...............................76
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................78
replacing the batteries .............77
Roadside assistance ..................170
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........102
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ......................94, 98–102
Safety defects, reporting ..........197
Safety restraints ............94, 98–102
BeltMinder
............................103
extension assembly ................102
for adults ...........................99–101
for children .....................123–124
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................96
safety belt maintenance .........102
warning light and chime ........103
Safety seats for children ..........127
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................246
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............94
Seats ............................................89
child safety seats ....................127
front seats ...........................89–90
heated ........................................30
memory seat .............................77
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................83
Servicing your vehicle ..............205
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................16
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................21Spark plugs, specifications ......240,
244–245
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................243–244
Speed control ..............................55
Starting your vehicle .......156–157,
159
jump starting ..........................185
Steering
speed sensitive .......................163
Steering wheel
controls ......................................58
tilting .........................................50
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................50
Tires ...........................135–136, 179
alignment ................................142
care ..........................................139
changing ..........................179, 181
checking the pressure ............139
inflating ...................................137
label .........................................148
replacing ..................................141
rotating ....................................142
safety practices .......................141
sidewall information ...............143
snow tires and chains ............148
spare tire .................................179
terminology .............................136
tire grades ...............................136
treadwear ........................135, 140
Towing .......................................154
recreational towing .................154
trailer towing ..........................154
wrecker ....................................190
Traction control ........................161
2006 Milan(mln)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
255

Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................234
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................238
Transmission .............................163
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....163
fluid, refill capacities ..............241
lubricant specifications ..243–244
manual operation ....................168
Trunk ...........................................73
remote release ....................68, 77
Turn signal ..................................38
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................245Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................247
Vehicle loading ..........................149
Ventilating your vehicle ...........159
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................209
Water, Driving through .............169
Windows
power .........................................53
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................49
checking and adding fluid .....209
replacing wiper blades ...........209
Wrecker towing .........................190
2006 Milan(mln)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
256