User manual FORD RANGER - 1996

Table of Contents Introductory Information Safety Restraints ................ 1 9 .................... Starting Your Ranger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Warning Lights and Gauges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Instrument Panel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Steering Column Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Electronic Sound Systems Driving Your Ranger ............... 127 155 219 241 247 251 257 337 349 372 ................. Roadside Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Customer Assistance ................. .............. Reporting Safety Defects Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Servicing Your Ranger Quick Index ................ ..................... Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Service Station Information .............. Introductory Information Ford's Commitment to You At Ford Motor Company, excellence is the continuous commitment to achieve the best result possible. It is dedication to learning what you want, determination to develop the right concept, and execution of that concept with care, precision, and attention to detail. In short, excellence means being the standard by which others are judged. Our Guiding Principles s Quality comes first. For your satisfaction, the quality of our products and services must be our number one priority. s You are the focus of everything we do. Our work must be done with you in mind, providing better products and services than our competition. s Continuous improvement is essential to our success. We must strive for excellence in everything we do: in our products -- in their safety and value -- and in our services, our human relations, our competitiveness, and our profitability. s Employee involvement is our way of life. We are a team. We must treat one another with trust and respect. s Dealers and suppliers are our partners. We must maintain mutually beneficial relationships with dealers, suppliers, and our other business associates. s Integrity is never compromised. Our conduct worldwide must be pursued in a manner that is socially responsible and commands respect for its integrity and for its positive contributions to society. 1 Things to Know About Using This Guide Congratulations on the purchase of your new vehicle. This guide has information about the equipment and the options for your new vehicle. You may not have bought all of the options available to you. If you do not know which information applies to your vehicle, talk to your dealer. This guide describes equipment and gives specifications for equipment that was in effect when this guide was approved for printing. Ford may discontinue models or change specifications or design without any notice and without incurring obligation. NOTES and WARNINGS NOTES give you additional information about the subject matter you are referencing. WARNINGS remind you to be especially careful in those areas where carelessness can cause damage to your vehicle or personal injury to yourself, your passengers or other people. Please read all WARNINGS carefully. RWARNING Finding Information in This Guide After you have read this guide once, you will probably return to it when you have a specific question or need additional information. To help you find specific information quickly, you can use the Quick Index, Table of Contents, or the Index. The Quick Index at the end of the book provides a page number following each item which indicates where detailed information can be found. 2 Introductory Information To use the Index, turn to the back of the book and search in the alphabetical listing for the word that best describes the information you need. If the word you chose is not listed, think of other related words and look them up. We have designed the Index so that you can find information under a technical term. Canadian Owners -- French Version French Owner Guides can be obtained from your dealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box 1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3. Your Maintenance Schedule and Record Booklet The Maintenance Schedule and Record booklet lists the services that are most important for keeping your vehicle in good condition. A record log is also provided to help you keep track of all services performed. About the Warranties Your vehicle is covered by three types of warranties: Basic Vehicle Warranty, Extended Warranties on certain parts, and Emissions Warranties. Read your Warranty Information Booklet carefully to find out about your vehicle's warranties and your basic rights and responsibilities. If you lose your Warranty Information Booklet, you can get a new one free of charge. Contact any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the addresses and phone numbers on the first page of this owner guide. 3 Buying a Ford Extended Service Plan If you bought your vehicle in the U.S., you can buy a Ford Extended Service Plan for your vehicle. This optional contract provides service protection for a longer period of time than the basic warranty that comes with your vehicle. You do not have to buy this option when you buy your vehicle. However, your option to purchase the Ford Extended Service Plan runs out after 18 months or 18,000 miles. See your dealer for more details about the Ford Extended Service Plan. If you purchased a Canadian vehicle and did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the time of purchase, you may still be eligible. See your dealer for the details. Special Notice NOTICE TO OWNERS OF FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an accident. Be sure to read the Additional Special Driving Instructions for Four-Wheel Drive Vehicle Operators, in this book and the special supplement included with four-wheel drive vehicles entitled 4-Wheeling with Ford. 4 Introductory Information Breaking Your Vehicle In Your new vehicle goes through an adjustment or break-in period during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) that you drive it. During the break-in period, you need to pay careful attention to how you drive your vehicle. s Avoid sudden stops. Because your vehicle has new brake linings, you should take these steps: -- Watch traffic carefully so that you can anticipate when to stop. -- Begin braking well in advance. -- Apply the brakes gradually. The break-in period for new brake linings lasts for 100 miles (160 km) of city driving or 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of highway driving. s Wheel lug nuts must be retightened to proper torque specifications at 500 miles/800 km of new vehicle operation. Proper torque specifications are provided in this guide. Also retighten to proper torque specification at 500 miles/800 km after any wheel change or any other time the wheel lug nuts have been loosened. s Use only the type of engine oil that Ford recommends. See Engine oil recommendations in the Index. Do not use special "break-in" oils. Some vehicles are equipped with a Powertrain Control Module that limits engine speeds with a cut-out mode to promote durability. 5 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle Pollen, bird droppings and tree sap can damage the paint, especially in hot weather. Wash your vehicle as often as necessary to keep it clean. Take similar precautions if your vehicle is exposed to chemical industrial fallout. Paint damage resulting from fallout is not related to a defect in paint materials or workmanship and therefore is not covered by warranty. Ford, however, believes that continual improvement in customer satisfaction is a high priority. For this reason, Ford has authorized its dealers to repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of new vehicles damaged by environmental fallout within 12 months or 12,000 miles (20,000 km) of purchase, whichever comes first. Customers may be required to bring their vehicle in for inspection by a Ford representative. Washing and Polishing Your Vehicle Wash the outside of your vehicle, including the underside, with a mild detergent. DO NOT: s Wash your vehicle with hot water s Wash your vehicle while it sits in direct sunlight s Wash your vehicle while the body is hot Polish your vehicle to remove harmful deposits and protect the finish. Cleaning Chrome and Aluminum Parts Wash chrome and aluminum parts with a mild detergent. Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, fuel or strong detergents. 6 Introductory Information Cleaning Plastic Parts Some of your vehicle's exterior trim parts are plastic. Clean with a tar and road oil remover if necessary. Use a vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning. Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or petroleum-based cleaners. If you have your vehicle rustproofed, remove oversprayed rustproofing with a tar and road oil remover. If rustproofing is not removed from plastic and rubber parts, it can cause deterioration. Because your vehicle's side mouldings are painted in lacquer, do not use thinners or solvents to clean them. 7 Safety Restraints Important Safety Belt Information The use of safety belts helps to restrain you and your passengers in case of a collision. In most states and in Canada the law requires their use. Safety belts provide best restraint when: s the seatback is upright s the occupant is sitting upright (not slouched) s the lap belt is snug and low on the hips s the shoulder belt is snug against the chest s the knees are straight forward To help you remember to fasten your safety belt, a warning light may come on and a chime may sound. See Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime in the Warning Lights and Gauges chapter. See the following sections in this chapter for directions on how to properly use these safety belts. Also see Safety Restraints for Children in this chapter for special instructions about using safety belts for children. RWARNING Make sure that you and your passengers wear safety belts. Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap belt snug and low across the hips. RWARNING Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from injury in a collision. 9 RWARNING Ford recommends that all safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware should be inspected by a qualified technician after any collision. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted. RWARNING To reduce the risk of serious injury in a collision, children should always ride with the seatback upright. RWARNING Never wear the shoulder belt under the arm. Never swing it around the neck over the inside shoulder. Never use a single belt for more than one person or across more than one seating position. Each seating position in your vehicle has a specific safety belt assembly which is made up of one buckle and one tongue that are designed to be used as a pair. Failure to follow these precautions could increase the risk and/or severity of injury in a collision. RWARNING Lock the doors of your vehicle before driving to lessen the risk of the door coming open in a collision. 10 Safety Restraints Combination Lap and Shoulder Belts While your vehicle is in motion, the combination lap and shoulder belt adjusts to your movement. However, if you brake hard, turn hard, or if your vehicle receives an impact of 5 mph (8 km/h) or more, the lap/shoulder belt locks and helps reduce your forward movement. After you get into your vehicle, close the door and lock it. Then adjust the seat to the position that suits you best. Pull the combination lap/shoulder belt from the retractor so that the shoulder portion of the belt crosses your shoulder and chest. Be sure the belt is not twisted. If it is, remove the twist. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle until you hear a snap and feel it latch. Make sure the tongue is securely fastened to the buckle by pulling on tongue. Unfastening the outboard lap/shoulder belts NOTE: Be sure to read and understand Important Safety Belt Information at the beginning of this chapter. 11 Unfastening the outboard lap/shoulder belts While the belt retracts, guide the tongue to its original position to prevent it from striking you or the vehicle. Safety Belts for Front Outboard Passenger and Rear Outboard Seating Positions Your vehicle is equipped with a dual locking mode retractor on the shoulder belt portion of the combination lap/shoulder safety belt for the front seat outboard passenger and rear outboard passengers. Dual locking mode retractors operate in two ways: Vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode In this operating mode, the shoulder belt retractor will allow the occupant freedom of movement, locking tight only on hard braking, hard cornering or impacts of approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) or more. The retractor can also be made to lock by pulling the belt out quickly. 12 Safety Restraints Automatic locking mode In this operating mode, the shoulder belt retractor will be automatically locked and will remain locked when the combination lap/shoulder safety belt is buckled, and does not allow the occupant freedom of movement. This mode provides the following: s A tight lap/shoulder belt on the occupant. s Child safety seat installation. This mode must be used when installing a child safety seat on the front passenger seat and rear outboard seats where dual locking retractors are provided. To switch the retractor from the emergency locking mode to the automatic locking mode, perform the following steps: 1. Buckle the lap/shoulder combination belt. 2. Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and pull downward until all of the belt is extracted and, when allowed to retract, a clicking sound is heard. At this time, the belt retractor is in the automatic locking mode (child restraint mode). 3. A clicking sound will continue to be heard as the belt is allowed to retract. This indicates that the retractor is in the automatic locking mode. NOTE: When the combination lap/shoulder belt is unbuckled and allowed to retract completely, the retractor will switch to the vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode. See the detailed instructions under Safety Seats for Children in this chapter. 13 Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment Driver and right front passenger The driver and right front passenger shoulder belt height is adjustable to one of four (4) positions (Regular cab model) or five (5) positions (Super cab model). To adjust the belt down, push the release button on the adjuster down and slide the adjuster down. Then release the button and make sure the adjuster is firmly in one of the positions. To adjust the belt up, slide the adjuster up. (You do not have to push the release button.) Slide it up or down until the belt rests across the middle of your shoulder. RWARNING Position the shoulder belt height adjuster so that the belt rests across the middle of your shoulder. Be sure the shoulder belt is properly positioned on your shoulder each time you use the belt. If the shoulder belt is off your shoulder, on your upper arm or neck, there is a greater risk of severe injury in a collision. NOTE: Be sure the belt is properly positioned on your shoulder each time you use the belt. 14 Safety Restraints Shoulder belt height adjuster -- full up position (regular cab models) 15 Adjusting shoulder belt height (regular cab models) 16 Safety Restraints Shoulder belt height adjuster -- full down position (regular cab models) 17 Shoulder belt height adjuster -- full up position (SuperCab models) 18 Safety Restraints Adjusting shoulder belt height (SuperCab models) 19 Shoulder belt height adjuster -- full down position (SuperCab models) RWARNING Use the shoulder belt on the outside shoulder only. Never wear the shoulder belt under the arm. Never swing it around the neck over the inside shoulder. Never use a single belt for more than one person. Failure to follow these precautions could increase the risk and/or severity of injury in a collision. To tighten the lap portion of the belt, pull up on the shoulder belt until it fits you snugly. The belt should rest as low on your hips as possible. 20 Safety Restraints Unfastening the outboard lap/shoulder belts Center Front Lap Belt (If equipped) The lap belt in the center of the front seat does not adjust automatically. You must adjust it to fit snugly around your hips. Do not wear it around your waist. To fasten the belt, pull the belt across your hips and insert the tongue into the correct buckle on your seat until you hear a snap and feel it lock. Make sure the buckle is securely fastened. If you need to lengthen the belt, unfasten it and tip the belt tongue at a right angle to the belt. Pull the belt tongue over your lap until it reaches the buckle. If you need to shorten the belt, pull on the loose end of the webbing until the belt fits snugly. To unfasten the belt, push the release button on the buckle. This allows the tongue to unlatch from the buckle. Because the center front lap belt does not have a retractor, it should be shortened and fastened when not in use. 21 Fastening and unfastening the front center safety belt RWARNING The lap belts should fit snugly and as low as possible around the hips, not around the waist. Rear Lap Belt with Retractor Pull the belt out of the retractor with a steady motion and insert the tongue into the proper buckle until you hear a snap and feel the latch engage. To Unfasten the Safety Belts with Retractors: 1. Push the release button on the buckle. This allows the tongue to unlatch from the buckle. 2. While the belt retracts, guide the tongue to its stowed position. If you do not guide the tongue, it may strike you or part of the vehicle. 22 Safety Restraints Safety Belt Extension Assembly For some people, the safety belt may be too short even when it is fully extended. You can add about eight inches (20 cm) to the belt length with a safety belt extension assembly (part number 611C22). Safety belt extensions are available at no cost from your dealer. Use only extensions manufactured by the same supplier as the safety belt. Manufacturer identification is located at the end of the webbing on the label. Also, use the safety belt extension only if the safety belt is too short for you when fully extended. Do not use extension to change the fit of the shoulder belt across the torso. RWARNING Failure to follow these instructions will affect the performance of the safety belts and increase the risk of personal injury. Safety Belt Maintenance Check the safety belt systems periodically to make sure that they work properly and are not damaged. The short plastic boot on the front safety belt at the outboard anchor location (Regular Cab, driver; SuperCab, driver and passenger) covers an energy absorbing sew pattern on the safety belt. In the event of an accident, the sew pattern may release, and the colored label (REPLACE BELT) may become visible. If this occurs, the safety belt must be replaced. 23 Energy absorbing sew pattern 24 Safety Restraints RWARNING FAILURE TO REPLACE THE SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY UNDER THE ABOVE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN SEVERE PERSONAL INJURIES IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. All safety belt assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar) (if equipped), child safety seat tether bracket assemblies (if equipped), and attaching hardware, should be inspected after any collision. Ford recommends that all safety belt assemblies used in vehicles involved in a collision be replaced. However, if the collision was minor and a qualified technician finds that the belts do not show damage and continue to operate properly, they do not need to be replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted. Cleaning the Safety Belts Clean the safety belts with any mild soap solution that is recommended for cleaning upholstery or carpets. Do not bleach or dye the belt webbing because this may weaken it. Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) The driver and right front passenger air bags are Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), provided at these seating positions in addition to the lap/shoulder belt, and are designed to supplement the protection provided to properly belted occupants in moderate to severe frontal collisions. The supplemental air bag system does not provide restraint to the lower body. 25 The Importance of Wearing Safety Belts RWARNING Safety belts must be worn by all vehicle occupants to be properly restrained and help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. RWARNING All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should always wear their safety belts, even when an air bag Supplemental Restraint System is provided. There are four very important reasons to use safety belts even with an air bag system. Use your safety belts to: s help keep you in the proper position (away from the air bag) when it inflates s reduce the risk of harm in rollover, side or rear impact collisions, because an air bag is not designed to inflate in such situations s reduce the risk of harm in frontal collisions that are not severe enough to activate the supplemental air bag s reduce the risk of being thrown from your vehicle RWARNING The right front passenger air bag is not designed to restrain occupants in the center front seating position. 26 Safety Restraints The Importance of Being Properly Seated In a collision, the air bag must inflate extremely fast to help provide additional protection for you. In order to do this, the air bag must inflate with considerable force. If you are not seated in a normal riding position with your back against the seatback, the air bag may not protect you properly and could possibly hurt you as it inflates. Important Information About the Right Front Passenger Air Bag (If equipped) It is important for the front seat passengers' safety that they remain properly seated whenever the vehicle is moving. This means that small children should be secured in appropriate child safety seats or infant seats, and all other occupants should sit upright, with their backs against the seatback, and restrained by lap and shoulder belts. No passenger should sit toward the front edge of the seat, or stand or lean near the air bag cover (which is near the glove box). RWARNING Rear-facing infant seats should not be placed in the front seat unless the passenger air bag deactivate switch is turned to OFF. In rear-facing infant seats, the infant's head is closer to the passenger air bag. The force of the rapidly inflating air bag could push the top of the rear-facing seat against the vehicle seatback. Turning the passenger air bag deactivate switch to OFF will prevent the passenger air bag from deploying, avoiding any interaction between the passenger air bag and the rear-facing infant seat. 27 Passenger Air Bag Deactivate Switch If your vehicle is equipped with the passenger air bag option, it also has a passenger air bag deactivate switch. The switch is located at the lower center of the instrument panel, next to the ashtray. The switch must be used to turn off the passenger air bag when a rear-facing infant seat is installed in the right front or center front passenger seat position. To turn the passenger air bag off: NOTE: If the yellow peel-off label is still on the switch, pull the tab to remove it, and discard it. 1. Insert the ignition key into the switch. 2. Rotate the ignition key clockwise until the key points to the word OFF printed on the instrument panel. 3. Remove the ignition key. RWARNING In order to avoid inadvertent deployment of the passenger air bag, always remove the ignition key from the passenger air bag deactivate switch. 4. Check that the amber OFF light illuminates when the ignition switch is placed in ON. RWARNING If the light fails to illuminate when the passenger air bag 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. The passenger air bag will remain off until it is turned on. When the infant seat is removed, turn the air bag on. To turn the passenger air bag on: 28 Safety Restraints 1. Insert the ignition key into the switch. 2. Rotate the ignition key counterclockwise until it points to the ON printed on the instrument panel. 3. Remove the ignition key from the switch. 4. Check that the amber OFF light is not illuminated when the ignition switch is placed in ON. RWARNING If the light is illuminated when the passenger air bag switch is in the ON position and the ignition switch is in ON, have the passenger air bag switch serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately. The amber OFF light warns the driver and any passengers that the passenger air bag is turned off. The passenger air bag should be turned off ONLY when the rear-facing infant seat is installed at the right front or center front seats. RWARNING Keep the passenger air bag turned on unless there is a rear-facing infant seat installed in the front seat. When the passenger air bag switch is turned off, the passenger air bag will not inflate in a collision. 29 How the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System Operates The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System consists of the driver air bag, passenger air bag (if equipped), impact sensors, a system diagnostic module, a readiness light and tone, and the electrical wiring which connects the components. The location of the air bags and warning labels 30 Safety Restraints The driver air bag is in the center of the steering wheel. The right front passenger seat air bag (if equipped) is in the upper right hand section of the instrument panel ledge above the glove compartment. If a collision occurs, the sensors sense the severity of the impact and activate the air bags if necessary. The air bag system is designed to deploy in frontal and front-angled collisions more severe than hitting a parked vehicle (of similar size and weight) head-on at about 28 mph (45 km/h). Because the system senses the crash severity rather than vehicle speed, some frontal collisions at speeds above 28 mph (45 km/h) will not inflate the air bag. When the sensors activate the system, the air bags inflate rapidly, filling with non-toxic nitrogen gas in a fraction of a second. Immediately after inflation, the air bags deflate by releasing the nitrogen gas through vent holes. The whole process takes place in a matter of seconds. RWARNING Air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not touch them after inflation. The air bag system uses a readiness light on the instrument cluster and a tone to indicate the condition of the system. When you turn the ignition key to the ON position, this light will illuminate for approximately six (6) seconds and then turn off. This indicates that the system is operating normally. NOTE: Maintenance of the air bag system is not required. 31 Inflated driver-side air bag 32 Safety Restraints Inflated passenger-side air bag RWARNING If the air bag is inflated, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT FUNCTION AGAIN AND MUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. If the air bag is not replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a collision. To ensure that the air bag system will operate as intended in a crash, the system is equipped with a diagnostic module, which controls a readiness lamp and a warning tone. The diagnostic module monitors its own circuits, the air bag electrical system, the air bag readiness light, the air bag power, and the air bag inflators. 33 A problem with the system is indicated by one or more of the following: s the readiness light will either flash or stay lit, s or it will not light immediately after ignition is turned on, s or a group of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat periodically until the problem and light are repaired. If any of these things happen, have the air bag system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the air bag supplemental restraint system may not function properly in the event of a collision. RWARNING Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System or its fuses. See your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. Disposal of supplemental air bag equipped vehicles For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles, see your local Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. Air bags MUST be disposed of by qualified personnel. Safety Restraints for Children In the U.S. and Canada, you are required by law to use safety restraints for children. If small children ride in your vehicle -- this generally includes children who are four years old or younger and who weigh 40 pounds (18 kg) or less -- you must put them in safety seats that are made specially for children. Safety belts alone do not provide maximum protection for these children. Check your local and state laws for specific requirements. 34 Safety Restraints RWARNING Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from injury in a collision. RWARNING To prevent the risk of injury, make sure children sit where they can be properly restrained. RWARNING It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. RWARNING Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and safety belts. RWARNING Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a safety belt properly. RWARNING Carefully follow all of the manufacturer's instructions included with the safety seat you put in your vehicle. If you do not install and use the safety seat properly, the child may be injured in a sudden stop or collision. 35 When possible, put children in the rear seat of your vehicle. Accident statistics suggest that children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating positions. RWARNING Do not install a child seat in a center facing jump seat. RWARNING Safety belts and seats can become hot in a vehicle that has been closed up in sunny weather; they could burn a small child. Check seat covers and buckles before you place a child anywhere near them. RWARNING Never leave a child unattended in your vehicle. Safety Seats for Children Use a safety seat that is recommended for the size and weight of the child. Always follow the safety seat manufacturer's instructions when installing and using the safety seat. Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat having a top tether strap. Install the child safety seat in a seating position which is capable of providing a tether anchorage. For more information on top tether straps see Attaching Safety Seats With Tether Straps in this chapter. When installing a child safety seat, be sure to use the correct safety belt buckle for that seating position, and make sure the tongue is securely fastened in the buckle. For a shoulder/lap belt combination with a sliding tongue, make sure the retractor is in the automatic locking mode. 36 Safety Restraints All child restraint systems are designed to be secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or by the lap portion of a lap-shoulder belt. RWARNING If you do not properly secure the safety seat, the child occupying the seat may be injured during a collision or sudden stop. An unsecured safety seat could also injure other passengers. RWARNING Carefully follow all of the manufacturer's instructions included with the safety seat you put in your vehicle. If you do not install and use the safety seat properly, the child may be injured in a sudden stop or collision. RWARNING Seatbacks should be upright for use with child safety seats. RWARNING Always keep the buckle release button pointing upward and away from the child seat, with the tongue between the child seat and the release button as shown in the following illustration. 37 Attaching Safety Seats With Tether Straps General Instructions Some manufacturers make safety seats that include a tether strap that goes over the back of the vehicle seat and attaches to an anchoring point. Other manufacturers offer the tether strap as an accessory. Contact the manufacturer of your child safety seat for information about ordering a tether strap. You can attach a tether strap anchor bracket to the cab inner back panel by using a tether anchor kit (613D74) available at no charge from any Ford dealer. Read and follow the instructions provided with the kit carefully, for installation of the child tether strap anchor. 38 Safety Restraints Follow the child seat manufacturer's instructions to attach the tether strap to the tether bracket. RWARNING Only use the tether attachment hole locations shown in the illustrations. The tether anchor may not perform properly if the wrong mounting location is used. In Super Cabs equipped with Center Facing Jump Seats, the tether strap anchor bracket should be installed only at the center of the cab's back panel with the child seat in the front center seating position. Installing an anchor bracket at the right rear of the cab may increase risk of injury to an occupant of the right rear center facing jump seat in the event of a collision or sudden stop. If a tethered child seat is installed in the right front seating position, secure the tether strap to the webbing of the buckled right rear lap belt. RWARNING Do not install a child seat in a center facing jump seat. Safety Belts for Children Children who are too large for child safety seats should always wear safety belts. (See instructions with your child seat, or contact its manufacturer, to determine maximum size of child that will safely fit in the seat.) RWARNING If safety belts are not properly worn and adjusted as described, the risk of serious injury to the child in a collision will be much greater. 39 If the shoulder belt portion of one of the lap and shoulder belts can be positioned so that it does not cross or rest in front of the child's face or neck, the child should wear the lap and shoulder belt. Moving the child closer to the center of the vehicle may help provide a good shoulder belt fit. To improve the fit of lap and shoulder belts on children who have outgrown child safety seats, Ford recommends use of a belt-positioning booster seat that is labelled as conforming to all Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Belt-positioning booster seats raise the child and provide a shorter, firmer seating cushion that encourages safer seating posture and better fit of lap and shoulder belts on the child. A belt-positioning booster should be used if the shoulder belt rests in front of the child's face or neck, or if the lap belt does not fit snugly on both thighs, or if the thighs are too short to let the child sit all the way back on the seat cushion when the lower legs hang over the edge of the seat cushion. You may wish to discuss the specific needs of your child with your pediatrician. Lap belts and the lap belt portion of lap and shoulder belts should always be worn snugly and below the hips, touching the child's thighs. RWARNING To reduce the risk of serious injury in a collision, children should always ride with the seatback upright. 40 Starting Your Ranger Ignition Understanding the Positions of the Ignition The positions of the key in the ignition lock cylinder. ACCESSORY allows some of your vehicle's electrical accessories such as the radio and the windshield wipers to operate while the engine is not running. In order to turn the key from the ON or OFF position to the ACCESSORY position, you must push the key release button if your vehicle's manual transmission gearshift is mounted on the floor. LOCK locks the steering wheel and gearshift lever. RWARNING LOCK does not lock the gearshift on console or floor-mounted manual transaxle gearshifts. If the parking brake is not set and the gearshift is moved out of gear, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone. A neutral tow feature is available on your vehicle. See your dealer for more information. 41 RWARNING Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N (Neutral) position. Always set the parking brake fully and turn off the ignition when leaving the vehicle. LOCK is the only position that allows you to remove the key. The LOCK feature helps to protect your vehicle from theft. If your key is stuck in the LOCK position and will not turn, move your steering wheel left or right until the key turns freely. OFF allows you to shut off the engine and all accessories without locking the steering wheel or the automatic transmission gearshift lever. ON allows you to test your vehicle's warning lights (except the brake system warning light) to make sure they work before you start the engine. The key returns to the ON position once the engine is started and remains in this position while the engine runs. START cranks the engine. Release the key once the engine starts so that you do not damage the starter. The key should return to ON when you release it. The START position also allows you to test the brake warning light. Ignition Key Buzzer or Chime The buzzer or chime will sound if you open the driver's door while the key is in the ignition. Never leave your vehicle unattended with the key in the ignition. 42 Starting Your Ranger Removing the Key From the Ignition Procedures for removing your key from the ignition will vary, depending on the type of gearshift your vehicle has. Gearshift levers may be mounted on the steering column or on the floor or console. If you have a manual transmission, you have a key release lever which allows you to remove your key from the ignition. The key release lever is on the upper right of the steering column, just above the key lock cylinder. If your vehicle's gearshift lever is mounted on the column: 1. Put the gearshift in P (Park). 2. Set the parking brake fully before removing your foot from the service brake. (This will avoid "binding" or "loading" the park gear if you park on a grade.) 3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK. 4. Remove the key. If your vehicle's gearshift lever is mounted on the floor: 1. Put the gearshift in 1 (First). 2. Turn the ignition key to OFF. 3. Set the parking brake fully before removing your foot from the service brake. 4. Push and hold in the key release button. 5. Turn the key to LOCK. 6. Remove the key. 43 RWARNING Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift is latched in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or 1 (First) (manual transmission). RWARNING Do not leave children, unreliable adults, or pets alone in your vehicle. They could accidentally injure themselves or others through inadvertent operation of the vehicle. Further, on hot, sunny days, temperatures in a closed vehicle could quickly become high enough to cause severe and possibly fatal injuries to people as well as animals. Fuel-Injected Engines When starting a fuel-injected engine, the most important thing to remember is to avoid pressing down on the accelerator before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have problems getting your vehicle started. See Starting Your Engine in this chapter for details about when to use the accelerator while you start your vehicle. Starting Your Vehicle Preparing to Start Your Vehicle RWARNING Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or other enclosed area. Never sit in a stopped vehicle for more than a short period of time with the engine running. Exhaust fumes are toxic. See Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes in this chapter for more instructions. 44 Starting Your Ranger Before you start your vehicle, do the following: 1. Make sure all occupants in the vehicle buckle their safety belts. See Safety Restraints in the Index for more details. 2. Make sure the headlamps and other accessories are turned off when starting. 3. If you have an automatic transmission, make sure that the gearshift lever is in P (Park) and the parking brake is set before you turn the key. 4. If you have a manual transmission, make sure that the parking brake is fully set, push the clutch pedal to the floor, and put the gearshift into Neutral before you turn the key. (Remember, the starter will operate only if the clutch pedal is pushed in all the way). Before you start your vehicle, you should test the warning lights on the instrument panel to make sure that they work. Refer to the Warning Lights and Gauges chapter. Starting Your Engine To start your engine: 1. Follow the steps under Preparing to Start Your Vehicle at the beginning of this section. 2. Turn the ignition key to the ON position. 3. DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when starting your engine. DO NOT use the accelerator while the vehicle is parked. 4. Turn the key to the START position (cranking) until the engine starts. Allow the key to return to the ON position after the engine has started. If you have difficulty in turning the key, rotate the steering wheel slightly because it may be binding. 45 For a cold engine: s At temperatures 10°F (-12°C) and below: If the engine does not start in fifteen (15) seconds on the first try, turn the key to OFF, wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not flood the engine, then try again. s At temperatures above 10°F (-12°C): If the engine does not start in five (5) seconds on the first try, turn the key to OFF, wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not flood the engine, then try again. For a warm engine: s Do not hold the key in the START position for more than five (5) seconds at a time. If the engine does not start within five (5) seconds on the first try, turn the key to the OFF position. Wait a few seconds after the starter stops, then try again. Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key as soon as the engine starts. Excessive cranking could damage the starter. After starting, allow the engine to idle for a few seconds before driving away. If the engine does not start after two attempts: 1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position. 2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor and hold it. 3. Turn the ignition key to the START position. 4. Release the ignition key when the engine starts. 5. Release the accelerator gradually as the engine speeds up. Then drive away in the normal manner. If the engine still does not start, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have been triggered. For directions on how to reset the switch see Fuel Pump Shut-Off Switch later in this chapter. 46 Starting Your Ranger A computer system controls the engine's idle speed. When you start your vehicle, the engine's idle speed normally runs high. These faster engine speeds will make your vehicle coast slightly faster than its normal idle speed. It should, however, slow down after a short time. If it does not, have the idle speed checked. If the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, do not allow your vehicle to idle for more than 10 minutes. Have the vehicle checked. RWARNING Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk of fire or other damage. RWARNING Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire. If you consistently start your vehicle in subzero temperatures, use an engine block heater (if your vehicle has this option). Engine Block Heater (If equipped) Engine block heaters are strongly recommended if you live in a region where temperatures reach 20°F ( 29°C) or below consistently during the winter months. An engine block heater warms the engine coolant, which improves starting, warms up the engine faster, and allows the heater-defrost system to respond quickly. 47 RWARNING To prevent electrical shock, do not use your heater with ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater) adapters. For best results, plug the heater in at least three hours before you start your vehicle. Using the heater for longer than three hours will not damage the engine, so you can plug it in at night to start your vehicle the following morning. NOTE: Be sure to disconnect the engine block heater before driving your vehicle. If the Engine Cranks but Does Not Start or Does Not Start After a Collision The Fuel Pump Shut-off Switch If the engine cranks but does not start or does not start after a collision, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have been triggered. The shut-off switch is a device intended to stop the fuel pump when your vehicle has been involved in a major jolt. Once the shut-off switch is triggered, you must reset the switch by hand before you can start your vehicle. 48