Ford BRONCO-1996 User Manual

Table of Contents

Introductory Information ............................... 1

Safety Restraints ............................................ 11

Starting Your Bronco .................................... 59

Warning Lights and Gauges ....................... 73

Instrument Panel Controls .......................... 89

Steering Column Controls ........................ 105

Features .......................................................... 119

Electronic Sound Systems ......................... 149

Driving Your Bronco .................................. 175

Roadside Emergencies ................................ 237

Customer Assistance ................................... 255

Accessories .................................................... 267

Servicing Your Bronco ............................... 275

Quick Index .................................................. 355

Index ............................................................... 363

Introductory Information

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

Quality comes first. For your satisfaction, the

❑

quality of our products and services must be
our number one priority.

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.

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.

Employee involvement is our way of life.

❑

We are a team. We must treat one another
with trust and respect.

Dealers and suppliers are our partners. We

❑

must maintain mutually beneficial
relationships with dealers, suppliers, and our
other business associates.

1

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.

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

2

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 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.

This guide has a table of contents at the
beginning of the book to show chapter titles.

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.

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.

3

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.

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.

4

UTILITY-TYPE 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 Utility
Vehicles in this book and the special supplement

included with four-wheel drive vehicles entitled
4-Wheeling with Ford.

RWARNING

Do not use this vehicle as an ambulance.

Number (VIN)

Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is the
same as the warranty number that appears on
your owner card. You should include this
number any time you write to Ford Motor
Company about your vehicle.

The Vehicle Identification Number is attached to
your vehicle in the following places:

on the metal tag attached to the top of the

❑

instrument panel on the driver’s side — you
can see the tag by looking through the
windshield from outside your vehicle.

5

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN/Serial Number)

on the Safety Compliance Certification Label -

❑

this label is attached to the left front door
lock facing or the door latch post pillar. It is
required by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration and is made of special
material. If someone tampers with it, it will
be destroyed and/or a destruction pattern
will appear.

The label contains the name of the manufacturer,
the month and year of manufacture, the
certification statement and the Vehicle
Identification Number. The label also contains
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle
Weight Ratings, wheel and tire data and
information codes for additional vehicle data.
For further information about the Safety
Compliance Certification Label and the
information contained on it, refer to the Index.

Federal Highway Administration
Regulation

Regulations such as those issued by the Federal
Highway Administration or issued pursuant to
the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA),
and/or state and local laws and regulations may
require additional equipment for the way you
intend to use the vehicle. It is the responsibility
of the registered owner to determine the
applicability of such laws and regulations to
your intended use for the vehicle, and to
arrange for the installation of required

6

equipment. Your Ford dealer has information
about the availability of many items of
equipment which may be ordered for your
vehicle.

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.

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.

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.

Use only the type of engine oil that Ford

❑

recommends. See Engine oil recommendations
in the Index. Do not use special “break-in”
oils.

7

Vehicle

Washing and Polishing Your Vehicle

Wash the outside of your vehicle, including the
underside, with a mild detergent.

DO NOT:

Wash your vehicle with hot water

❑

Wash your vehicle while it sits in direct

❑

sunlight
Wash your vehicle while the body is hot

❑

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.

Polish your vehicle to remove harmful deposits
and protect the finish.

8

Cleaning Chrome and Aluminum Parts

Wash chrome and aluminum parts with the
same detergent you use to wash the vehicle
body, such as Ford Premium Car Wash
Concentrate. You can use Ford Extra Strength
Tar and Road Oil Remover or equivalent to
clean grease, oil, and tar from chrome-plated
parts, including wheelcovers, aluminum wheels,
bumpers, or anodized aluminum parts.

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.

9

Safety Restraints

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:

the seatback is upright

❑

the occupant is sitting upright (not slouched)

❑

the lap belt is snug and low on the hips

❑

the shoulder belt is snug against the chest

❑

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.

11

RWARNING

Passengers should not be allowed to ride
in the cargo area. Persons not riding in a
seat with a fastened seat belt are much
more likely to suffer serious injury in a
collision. Cargo should always be secured
to prevent it from shifting and causing
damage to the vehicle or harm to
passengers.

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 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.

12

Lock the doors of your vehicle before driving to
lessen the risk of the door coming open in a
collision.

Your vehicle is equipped with a dual locking
mode retractor on the shoulder belt portion of
the combination lap/shoulder safety belt for
front seat passenger and a locking “cinch
tongue” for rear seat outboard passengers.

Dual Locking Mode Retractors

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 front seat belt retractor can also be made to
lock by pulling/jerking on the belt.

Automatic Locking Mode

In this operating mode, the shoulder belt
retractor will be automatically locked and 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:

A tight lap/shoulder belt fit on occupant

❑

Child seat/infant carrier installation restraint

❑

RWARNING

Rear-facing infant seats should never be
placed in the front seat.

This mode must be used when installing a child
seat on the front passenger seat and rear
outboard seats where dual locking retractors are
provided.

13

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 will be 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 back to the vehicle sensitive
(emergency) locking mode. See the
detailed instructions under Safety Seats
for Children in this chapter.

Locking Cinch Tongue

The “locking cinch tongue” will slide up and
down the belt webbing when belt is in the
stowed position or while putting seat belt on.
When the “locking cinch tongue” of the
lap/shoulder combination seat belt is latched
into buckle, the “cinch tongue” will allow the
lap portion to become shorter, but locks the
webbing in-place to restrict it from becoming
longer.

Your vehicle is equipped with safety seat belts
containing a “cinch tongue” at the rear outboard
seating positions.

14

Before you can reach and latch a combination
lap and shoulder belt having a “cinch tongue”
into the buckle, you may have to lengthen the
lap belt portion of it. To lengthen the lap belt,
pull some webbing out of the shoulder belt
retractor. While holding the webbing below the
tongue, grasp the tip (metal portion) of the
tongue so that it is parallel to the webbing and
slide the tongue upward. Provide enough lap
belt length so that tongue can reach the buckle.

NOTE: If you grasp the tongue by the tongue

cover to lengthen the belt, the tongue
cover will grab the webbing, making it
difficult to slide.

15

To fasten a “cinch tongue,” pull the combination
lap and shoulder belt from the retractor so that
the shoulder belt portion of the safety belt
crosses your shoulder and chest. Be sure the belt
is not twisted. If the belt is twisted, remove the
twist. (For instructions on how to remove a
twist, see the How to Untwist or Unjam a Safety
Belt Retractor section in this chapter.) Insert the
belt tongue into the proper buckle for your
seating position until you hear a snap and feel it
latch. Make sure the tongue is securely fastened
to the buckle by pulling on tongue. Adjust the
lap belt portion of the safety belt by pulling up
on the shoulder belt until the lap belt fits snugly
and as low as possible around your hips.

Lab and shoulder belt fastened

16

Belts

While your vehicle is in motion, the combination
lap and shoulder belt adjusts to your movement.
However, if you brake hard, corner hard or if
your truck receives an impact of 5 mph
(8 km/h) or more, the combination lap/shoulder
belt locks and helps reduce your forward
movement. The front seat belt systems can also
be made to lock by jerking on the shoulder belt.

NOTE: The rear belts cannot be made to lock

up by jerking on shoulder belt.

After you get into your vehicle, close the door
and lock it. Then adjust the seat to the position
that suits you best.

To fasten the belt

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.

17

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.

Due to folding rear seats, sometimes the buckles
and tongues toward the center of the vehicle
may be hidden by the rear edge of the seat
cushion. Pull them out so they will be accessible.

18

While you are fastened in the seat belt, 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 and
shoulder belt will become locked and help
reduce your forward movement.

Adjustable Lap Belts Without Retractors

On the center position of the front and rear
three-passenger bench seats you will find a
lap-belt without a retractor, but does have a
locking adjustable tongue. Shorten this belt and
fasten it to buckle when you are not using it. To
lengthen the belt, tip the tongue at a right angle
to the belt and pull the belt over your lap until
the tongue reaches the buckle.

Fastening occupant safety lap belts

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 latch.
Make sure the buckle is securely fastened by
pulling tongue.

19

Adjust the belt so that it fits snugly and as low
as possible around the hips:

If you need to lengthen the belt, unfasten it

❑

and repeat the procedure above.
If you need to shorten the belt, pull on the

❑

loose end of the webbing.

To unfasten the belt:

1. Push the release button on the buckle. This
allows the tongue to unlatch from the
buckle.

Unfastening the front outboard lap/shoulder belts

Unfastening the rear outboard lap/shoulder belts

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.

20

Instructions for securing child safety seats with
combination lap/shoulder safety belts having
“cinch tongues” are provided later in this
chapter.

How to Untwist or Unjam a Safety Belt
Retractor

If you should jam the lap belt retractor by
allowing the belt to retract when it is twisted,
you can free the webbing with this procedure:

1. Pull on the belt with both hands to tighten it
on the retractor spool.

2. Feed the belt back into the retractor until it
is completely retracted. Repeat previous step
if necessary.

3. Pull the belt out of the retractor as far as it
will go and untwist the belt or remove the
object that is jamming the belt. Let the belt
retract.

4. Then, pull the belt out and let it retract
several times to make sure that the belt
works properly.

21

Procedure to Correct a Twisted Safety
Shoulder Belt at the “D” Ring (if so
equipped) Front and/or Rear Outboard
Seating Positions

NOTE: The restraint system shown in the

following figures may be different than
the restraint system in your vehicle.
However, use these figures and this
procedure to correct a twisted safety
shoulder belt at any outboard seating
position that has a “D” ring.

22

1. Grasp the belt webbing at the “D” ring. See
Figure 2.

2. Rotate and fold the belt webbing over itself
as required to remove the twist.

3. Feed the folded portion of the belt through
the “D” ring.

4. When completed, the safety belt should look
like Figure 3.

23

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.

24

Check your safety belt system periodically to
make sure that it works properly and isn’t
damaged. If the webbing shows any wear, nicks
or cuts, have it examined by a qualified
technician to determine if replacement is
necessary. Always have your safety belt system
checked after a collision by a qualified
technician.

All safety belt assemblies, including retractors,
buckles, front seat belt buckle support assemblies
(slide bar) (if so equipped), child safety seat
tether bracket assemblies (if so 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.

System (SRS)

Driver air bag

Your vehicle is equipped with a driver side air
bag supplemental restraint system located in the
steering wheel and identified by the letters
“SRS” in the center of the wheel.

25

The driver air bag is a Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS), provided in addition to the driver
lap/shoulder belt, and is designed to
supplement the protection provided to a
properly belted driver in moderate to severe
frontal collisions. The supplemental air bag
system does not provide restraint to the lower
body.

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:

help keep you in the proper seating position

❑

(away from the air bag) when it inflates
reduce the risk of harm in rollover, side or

❑

rear impact collisions, because an air bag is
not designed to inflate in such situations

reduce the risk of harm in frontal collisions

❑

that are not severe enough to activate the
supplemental air bag

reduce the risk of being thrown from your

❑

vehicle

26

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.

RWARNING

Do not place objects or mount equipment
on or near the air bag cover on the
steering wheel or in front seat areas that
may come in contact with a deploying air
bag. Failure to follow this instruction may
increase the risk of personal injury in the
event of a collision.

How the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint
System Operates

The air bag supplemental restraint system has
two main parts. One part is the air bag system
with the driver air bag and inflator located in
the center of the steering wheel. The second part
is the electrical system, which has impact
sensors, and a diagnostic module, and backup
power supply. The diagnostic module monitors
its own internal circuits and the supplemental air
bag electrical system readiness, including the
impact sensors, the system wiring, the air bag
system readiness light, air bag power, and the
air bag ignitor.

27

The location of the air bag and warning label

The air bag system uses a readiness light and a
tone to indicate the condition of the system. The
readiness light is in the instrument cluster. When
you turn the ignition 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.

A problem with the system is indicated by one
or more of the following: the readiness light will
either flash or stay lit, or it will not light, or a
group of five beeps will be heard.

RWARNING

If any of these things happen, even
intermittently, have the air bag system
serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer immediately.

28

Tone generator

The air bag readiness light indicates the air bag
system condition. However, a series of five sets
of five beeps will be heard only if the readiness
light does not work and there is a problem with
the air bag system. This also means that the Air
Bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is in
need of service. The tone pattern will repeat
(five sets of five beeps) periodically until the
problem and light are repaired. 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.

The air bag system is designed to stay out of
sight until it is activated. 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.
The system activates when the sensors detect a
forward deceleration equal to or greater than the
deceleration experienced if you would drive
your vehicle into a solid wall at 14 mph. In
some side impacts, the forward deceleration of
your vehicle can be great enough to deploy your
air bag.

29

The following four steps show how the air bag
system works:

1. Sensors in the vehicle will detect the degree
of severity of a frontal impact. When the
sensor system is activated, electric current
flows to the inflator and the system ignites
the gas generant.

2. The propellant then rapidly burns in the
metal container. The rapid burning produces
nitrogen gas and small amounts of dust. The
nitrogen gas and dust are cooled and filtered
during inflation of the air bag.

3. The inflating supplemental air bag splits
open the trim cover. The supplemental air
bag then rapidly unfolds and inflates in front
of the driver.

NOTE: STEPS 1-3 TAKE PLACE IN A

FRACTION OF A SECOND.

4. After inflation, the gas empties through holes
in the air bag. The air bag deflates at once.

The surface of the air bags and the vehicle
interior may be dusted with a powdery residue.
The powder is cornstarch or talcum powder,
which is used to lubricate the air bag as it
inflates, and sodium compounds such as sodium
carbonates (e.g., baking soda), and possibly a
very small amount of sodium hydroxide that
may be irritating to the skin and eyes, but is not
toxic.

Right after air bag inflation, you may notice
smoke (from the powder and dust) and smell
the burnt propellant. This is normal.

30

RWARNING

Air bag system components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after
inflation.

Air bags may not inflate in certain frontal
collisions, even though the vehicle may be badly
damaged. The fact that your air bag did not
inflate in such a collision does not mean that
something is wrong with the air bag system.
Rather, it means the crash forces were not severe
enough to need an air bag to prevent serious
injury.

Inflated driver side air bag

31

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.

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, or refer to the procedures in the 1995
Ford Service Manual. Information on how to
order a service manual is available at an
authorized Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. You
can also order a service manual using the order
form in the Accessories chapter of your Owner
Guide.

Service and information labels

Service and information labels are attached to
the sun visors, the headliner above the sun
visors (Canadian vehicles), and the radiator
support in the engine compartment.

32

33

The label located on the back of the driver’s sun visor

Label on radiator support in the engine compartment

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.

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.

34

RWARNING

Passengers should not be allowed to ride
in the cargo area. Persons not riding in a
seat with a fastened seat belt are much
more likely to suffer serious injury in a
collision. Cargo should always be secured
to prevent it from shifting and causing
damage to the vehicle or harm to
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.

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

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.

35

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.

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.

RWARNING

If the shoulder belt cannot be properly
positioned, move the child to one of the
seats with a lap belt only (preferably in a
rear seat) and use the lap belt.

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.

36

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 making sure the tongue is securely
fastened in the buckle and for a shoulder/lap
belt combination with a sliding tongue make
sure the retractor is in the “automatic locking
mode.”

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.

37

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.

38

Installing Child Safety Seats

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 passenger and locking “cinch tongue”
for rear outboard passengers.

If you choose to install a forward-facing child
safety seat in the front seating positions, move
vehicle seat as far back as possible.

For front passenger seating positions equipped
with a dual-locking mode retractor, use the
following procedure:

For rear outboard seating positions, refer to
cinch tongue procedure.

1. Position the child seat in the center of the
passenger seat.

39

2. Pull down on shoulder belt, then grasp
shoulder belt and lap belt together. Figure 1.

40

3. While holding the shoulder and lap belt
portions together, route the tongue through
the child seat according to the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions. See Figure 2. Be
sure that the belt webbing is not twisted.

Routing the lap/shoulder belt

41

4. Insert the belt tongue into the buckle for that
seating position until you hear and feel the
latch engage. Figure 3. Make sure tongue is
latched securely to buckle by pulling on
tongue.

Buckling the belt

42

5. Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and
pull downward until all of the belt is
extracted and a click is heard. At this time,
the retractor is in the automatic locking
mode (child seat restraint mode). Figure 4.

NOTE: The dual-locking mode retractor must

be in the automatic locking mode to
properly restrain a child.

Setting the retractor to automatic locking mode

43

6. Allow the belt to retract. Pull up on the
shoulder webbing. A clicking sound will be
heard as the belt retracts. This indicates the
retractor is in the automatic locking mode.
Push down on the child seat while you pull
up on the belt to remove any slack in the
belt. Figures 5 and 6.

44

45

7. Before placing the child in the child seat,
forcibly tilt the seat from side to side, and
tug it forward to make sure that the seat is
securely held in place, Figure 7.

Checking that the seat is secure

46

8. Double check that the retractor is in the
automatic locking mode. Try to pull more
belt out of the retractor. If you cannot, the
belt is in the automatic locking mode,
Figure 8.

Checking the retractor

9. Check to make sure that the child seat is
properly secured prior to each use. If the
retractor is not locked, repeat steps 4
through 7.

To remove the retractor from automatic lock
mode, allow webbing to retract fully to its
stowed position and the retractor will
automatically switch back to the vehicle sensitive
locking mode for normal adult usage.

47

Installing a Child Safety Seat at the Rear
Center Seating Position with Locking
Adjustable Lap Belt

1. Lengthen the lap belt. To lengthen the belt,
hold the tongue so that its bottom is
perpendicular to the direction of webbing
while sliding the tongue up the webbing.

2. Place the child safety seat in the center
seating position.

3. Route the tongue and webbing through the
child seat according to the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions.

4. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle
for the center seating position until you hear
a snap and feel it latch. Make sure the
tongue is securely fastened to the buckle by
pulling on tongue.

5. Push down on the child seat while pulling
on the loose end of the lap belt webbing to
tighten the belt.

6. Before placing the child into child seat,
forcibly tilt the child seat from side-to-side
and in forward directions to ensure that the
seat is held securely in place. If the child
seat moves excessively, repeat steps 5
through 6, or properly install the child seat
in a different seating position.

48

Installing Child Safety Seats at the Rear
Outboard Seating Positions (For lap and
shoulder belts combination with “cinch
tongues”)

Your vehicle is equipped with rear seat safety
belts containing a “cinch tongue.” The rear
outboard safety belts will have the following
label:

49

If you install a child safety seat or infant carrier
in a rear outboard seating position having a
combination lap and shoulder belt with “cinch
tongue,” use the following procedure:

1. Grasp the belt webbing below the tongue
and pull as much of the belt out of the
retractor as possible. Hold the belt out. See
Figure 1.

NOTE: The belt webbing below the tongue is

the lap belt portion of the combination
lap/shoulder belt, and the belt webbing
above the tongue is the shoulder belt
portion of the combination
lap/shoulder belt.

50

2. With your other hand, grasp the tip (metal
portion) of the tongue (not the cover) and
slide the tongue up the webbing as far as it
will go. See Figure 1. Release the tongue, but
do not let go of the lap portion of the belt
webbing.

3. While still holding the belt webbing below
the tongue in one hand, use your other hand
to grasp the tip (metal portion) of the tongue
and belt webbing together, and again pull
out as much of the belt as possible. Then, let
go of the lap portion of the belt webbing.

4. While holding the shoulder and lap belt
portions together, route the tongue and
webbing through the child seat according to
the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.
See Figure 2. Be sure that the belt webbing
is not twisted.

51

5. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle
for that seating position until you hear a
snap and feel it latch. Make sure the tongue
is securely latched to the buckle by pulling
on the tongue. See Figure 3.

52

6. Push down on the child seat and pull up on
the shoulder belt portion to tighten the lap
belt portion of the combination lap and
shoulder belt. See Figure 4.

53

7. Grasp belt close to child seat and pull on the
shoulder belt portion of the combination
lap/shoulder belt, then allow the belt to
retract and remove all slack to securely
tighten the child safety seat in the vehicle.
See Figure 5.

54

8. Before placing the child into the child seat,
forcibly tilt the child seat from side-to-side
and in forward directions to make sure that
the seat is held securely in place. See Figures
6 and 7. If the child seat moves excessively,
repeat steps 6 through 8, or properly install
the child seat in a different seating position.

55

9. Check from time to time to be sure that
there is no slack in the lap/shoulder belt.
The shoulder belt must be snug to keep the
lap belt tight during a collision.

56

Attaching Safety Seats With Tether Straps

General Instructions

Some manufacturers make safety seats that
include an upper tether strap that goes over the
seatback 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 rear floor by using a tether anchor kit
(613D74), available at no charge from any Ford
dealership.

Read and follow the instructions provided with
the kit carefully for installation of the child
tether strap anchor.

Follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions
to attach the tether strap to the tether bracket.

Ford recommends placement of tethered safety
seats in a rear seating position with the tether
strap installed to the tether anchoring point as
shown in the instructions provided with the
child tether strap anchor kit.

This vehicle has provisions to install a tether
anchorage in the front, right hand and all second
row seating positions. It is easiest to install a
tether anchor at the second row, rear, center
seating position.

If the tethered seat is installed in the front seat,
Ford recommends the center front seating
position, with the tether strap secured to the
center rear lap belt tongue or to the webbing of
the buckled center rear lap belt behind the child
safety seat. The front, right hand seating position
may be used if it is the only seating position
available.

57

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.

The rear lap/shoulder safety belts should not be
used to secure the tether strap of a safety seat
located in the front seat.

RWARNING

Failure to follow these precautions could
increase the chance of injury in an
accident.

RWARNING

If the anchor bolt(s) is ever removed, the
hole(s) in the floor must be sealed to
prevent the possibility of exhaust fumes
entering the passenger compartment.

58

Starting Your Bronco

Understanding the Positions of the Ignition

The positions of the key in the ignition lock cylinder.

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.

OFF allows you to shut off the engine and all
accessories without locking the steering wheel or
the automatic transmission gearshift lever.

LOCK locks the steering wheel. It also locks the
gearshift if your vehicle’s gearshift is on the
column.

59

RWARNING

LOCK position does not lock the gearshift
on floor-mounted gearshifts. If the
parking brake is not set and the gearshift
is moved out of Park (automatic
transmission) or out of gear (manual
transmission), your vehicle may move
unexpectedly.

With the transfer case in N (Neutral), the vehicle
is free to move with either the automatic
transmission in P (Park) or with the manual
transmission in any driving gear.

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 the key is stuck in the LOCK position, move
the steering wheel left or right until the key
turns freely.

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.

60

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.

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. The lever says
PUSH.

Key release lever

If your vehicle’s gearshift lever is mounted
on the column:

1. Put the gearshift in 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.

61

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.

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).

With the transfer case in N (Neutral), the vehicle
is free to move with either the automatic
transmission in P (Park) or with the manual
transmission in any driving gear.

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.

62

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.

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.

Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically
controlled by a computer, some control
conditions are maintained by power from the
battery. If you ever disconnect the battery, install
a new battery, or experience a dead battery, you
must allow the computer to “relearn” its idle
conditions before your vehicle will idle at its
best. To let the engine do this, apply the parking
brake, put the gearshift in Park (automatic
transmission) or Neutral (manual transmission),
turn off all the accessories, and start the vehicle.
Let the engine idle for at least one minute.

If you do not let the engine relearn its idle, the
idle quality of your vehicle may be adversely
affected until the idle is relearned. Your vehicle
will eventually relearn its idle while you drive
it, but it takes much longer than if you use the
previous procedure.

63

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.

Before you start your vehicle, do the following:

1. Make sure you and all your passengers
buckle your 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).

Testing the Warning Lights

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.

If your Brake Warning Light does light up with
the key in the ON position, you may not have

64

fully released the parking brake or the brake
fluid may be low.

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.

rotate the steering wheel slightly because it
may be binding.

For a cold engine:

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.

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.

Do not hold the key in the START position

❑

for more than fifteen (15) seconds at a time.

65

For a warm engine:

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 or flood the engine.

After you start the engine, let it idle for a few
seconds. Keep your foot on the brake pedal and
put the gearshift lever in gear. Release the
parking brake. Slowly release the brake pedal
and drive away in the normal manner.

NOTE: Your vehicle is equipped with a

brake-shift interlock feature. This
feature prevents you from shifting
from P (Park) unless you have the
brake pedal depressed. (The ignition
must be in the ON position.) If you
cannot shift from P (Park) with the
brake pedal depressed:

1. Apply the parking brake.

2. Remove the key.

3. Insert the key and rotate one position
clockwise (ignition in the OFF position).

4. Apply the brake pedal and shift to N
(Neutral). (If the vehicle is shifted to P
(Park), you must repeat the previous steps.)

5. Start the vehicle.

If you need to shift out of P (Park) by using the
alternate procedure described above, it is
possible that a fuse has blown and that your
brakelamps may also not be functional. Please

66

refer to the chapter titled Servicing Your Bronco
in this Owner Guide for instructions on checking
and replacing fuses.

RWARNING

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL
YOU VERIFY THAT THE BRAKELAMPS
ARE WORKING.

For cold or warm engines:

If the engine still 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.

A computer system controls the engine’s idle
speed. When you start your vehicle, the engine’s
idle speed normally runs higher than when it’s
warmed up. These faster engine speeds will
make your vehicle move 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.

67

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)
(Standard in Canada)

Engine block heaters are strongly recommended
if you live in a region where temperatures reach

-10˚F (-23˚C) or below. 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.

RWARNING

To prevent electrical shock, do not use
your heater with ungrounded electrical
systems or two-pronged (cheater) adapters.

68

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.

Not Start or Does Not Start After
a Collision

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
substantial jolt.

Once the shut-off switch is triggered, you must
reset the switch by hand before you can start
your vehicle.

Fuel pump shut-off switch location

69

RWARNING

If you see or smell fuel, do not reset the
switch or try to start your vehicle. Have
all the passengers get out of the vehicle
and call the local fire department or a
towing service.

If your engine cranks but does not start after a
collision or substantial jolt:

1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.

2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.

3. If you do not see or smell fuel, push the red
reset button down. If the button is already
set, you may have a different mechanical
problem.

4. Turn the ignition key to the ON position for
a few seconds, then turn it to the OFF
position.

5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking
fuel. If you see or smell fuel, do not start
your vehicle again. If you do not see or
smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle
again.

6. Check all vehicle warning lights before
driving your vehicle.

Reset button for fuel pump shut-off switch

70

Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes

Carbon monoxide, although colorless and
odorless, is present in exhaust fumes. Take
precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.

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.

RWARNING

If you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your dealer inspect your
vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.

Make sure your Bronco’s tailgate window is
closed when your truck is running to prevent
exhaust fumes from being drawn in. If you must
have the tailgate window open, adjust your air
control system to force outside air into the front
of your truck. If your Bronco has outside air
control vents, open them fully.

Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems
checked whenever:

your vehicle is raised for service

❑

the sound of the exhaust system changes

❑

your vehicle has been damaged in a collision

❑

Improve your ventilation by keeping all air inlet
vents clear of snow, leaves, and other debris.

71

If the engine is idling while you are stopped in
an open area for long periods of time, open the
windows at least one inch (2.5 cm). Also, adjust
the heating or air conditioning to bring in
outside air.

HEATING — Set fan speed at MEDIUM or

❑

HIGH, the function selector knob on VENT,
FLOOR, MIX, or the DEFROST symbol and
the temperature control knob on any desired
position.

AIR CONDITIONING — Set the fan speed at

❑

MEDIUM or HIGH, the function selector
knob on NORM or VENT and the
temperature control knob on any desired
position.

72

Warning Lights and Gauges

The instrument panel (dashboard) on your
vehicle is divided into several different sections.
The illustrations on the following pages show
the major parts of the instrument panel that are
described in this chapter. Some items shown
may not be on all vehicles.

Your vehicle has one of the following clusters:

A mechanical cluster

❑

A mechanical cluster with tachometer

❑

If you are not sure which cluster your vehicle
has, check the diagrams on the following pages
of this section.

73

74

Mechanical cluster

75

Mechanical cluster with tachometer

The following warning lights and gauges are on
the mechanical cluster. All of the warning lights
and gauges alert you to possible problems with
your vehicle. Some of the lights listed are
optional. The following sections detail what each
of these indicators means.

Brake System Warning Light

The warning light for the brakes can show two
things — that the parking brake is not fully
released, or that the brake fluid level is low in
the master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid level is
low, the brake system should be checked by
your dealer or a qualified service technician.

This light comes on when you turn the ignition
key to START to verify that the indicator bulb is
working. If the light stays on or comes on after
you have released the parking brake fully, have
the hydraulic brake system serviced.

RWARNING

The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes
may not be working properly. Have the
brakes checked immediately.

Brake warning light symbols

76

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light

To check the amber ABS brake warning light
turn the ignition key to ON. The ABS brake
warning light should glow momentarily.

NOTE: If it does not glow momentarily, have

your vehicle’s electrical system checked
immediately.

NOTE: If the ABS brake warning light begins

to flash in a repeatable flash sequence,
check the rear anti-lock system
continuous power fuse and brake lights
for proper operation.

Anti-lock warning light symbol

RWARNING

If the anti-lock brake system warning
light remains on or comes on while
driving, have the braking system checked
by a qualified service technician as soon
as possible.

NOTE: If a fault occurs in the anti-lock

system, and the brake warning light is
not lit, the anti-lock system is disabled
but normal brake function remains
operational.

77

Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime

This warning light and chime remind you to
fasten your safety belt. The following conditions
will take place:

If the safety belt is not buckled when the key

❑

is turned to the ON position, the light comes
on for 1 to 2 minutes and the chime sounds
for 4 to 8 seconds.

If the safety belt is buckled while the light is

❑

on and the chime is sounding, both the light
and chime turn off.

If the safety belt is buckled before the

❑

ignition is turned to the ON position, neither
the light nor the chime will come on.

Safety belt warning light symbol

Check Engine Warning Light

The Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic II (OBD II)
system consists of the hardware and software
necessary to monitor the operation of the
powertrain. The OBD II system is designed to
check the function of the vehicle’s powertrain
control system during normal operation. If an
emission problem is detected, the Check Engine
Warning Light (in the cluster) is turned on.

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Check engine warning light symbol

Modification or additions to the vehicle may
cause incorrect operation of the OBD II system.
Additions such as burglar alarms, cellular
phones, and CB radios must be carefully
installed. Do not install these devices by tapping
into or running wires close to powertrain control
system wires or components.

The light comes on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to ON, but it should turn off when
the engine starts. If the light does not come on
when you turn the ignition to ON or if it comes
on and stays on when you are driving, have
your vehicle serviced as soon as possible. This
indicates a possible problem with one of the
vehicle’s emission control systems. You do not
need to have your vehicle towed in.

If the light turns on and off at one (1) second
intervals while you are driving the vehicle, it
means that the engine is misfiring. If this
condition persists, damage could occur to the
engine or catalytic convertor. Have your vehicle
serviced at the first opportunity. You do not
need to have your vehicle towed in.

If the light turns on and off on rare occasions
while you are driving, it means that a
malfunction occurred and the condition corrected
itself.

79

An example of a condition which corrects itself
occurs when an engine running out of fuel
begins to misfire. In this case, the Check Engine
Warning Light may turn on and will then set a
Diagnostic Trouble Code indicating that the
engine was misfiring while the last of the fuel
was being consumed. After refueling, the Check
Engine Warning Light will turn off after the
vehicle has completed three consecutive warm
up cycles without a misfire condition occurring.
A warm up cycle consists of engine start from a
cold condition (engine at ambient temperature)
and running until the engine reaches normal
operating temperature.

On the fourth engine start up, the Check Engine
Warning Light will turn off as soon as the
engine begins to crank. It is not necessary to
have the engine serviced.

Under certain conditions, the Check Engine
Warning Light may come on if the fuel cap is
not properly installed. If the Check Engine
Warning Light comes on and you suspect that
the fuel cap is not properly installed, pull off the
road as soon as it is safely possible and turn off
the engine. Remove and replace the fuel cap,
making sure it is properly seated.

After completing the three consecutive warm up
cycles and on the fourth engine start up, the
Check Engine Warning Light should turn off. If
the light does not go off after the fourth engine
restart, have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer or a qualified technician.

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Charging System Light

This light, shown as a battery symbol on your
cluster, indicates that your battery is not being
charged and that you need to have the electrical
system checked.

The charging system light

This light comes on every time you turn the
ignition to the ON or START position (engine
off). The light should go off when the engine
starts and the alternator begins to charge.

If the light stays on or comes on when the
engine is running, have the electrical system
checked as soon as possible.

Supplemental Air Bag Readiness Light and
Tone Generator

This light illuminates for six seconds when the
ignition is turned to the ON position. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to flash, remains on,
or if a series of five beeps is heard, have the
system serviced as soon as possible.

Supplemental air bag readiness light

81

Battery Voltage Gauge (Voltmeter)

This gauge shows you the battery voltage when
the ignition key is in the ON position.

If you are running electrical accessories (when
the engine is off, or idling at a low speed), the
pointer may move toward the lower end of the
normal band. If it stays outside the normal band
area, have your vehicle’s electrical system
checked as soon as it is safely possible.

If the battery is operating under cold weather
conditions, the pointer may indicate in the upper
range of the NORMAL band while the battery is
charging. If you are running electrical accessories
with the engine off or idling at a low speed, or
the battery is not fully charged, the pointer may
move toward the lower end of the NORMAL
band.

If it stays outside the NORMAL band, have your
vehicle’s electrical system checked as soon as it
is safely possible.

Battery voltage gauge

82

Engine Oil Pressure Gauge

This gauge indicates the engine’s oil pressure,
not the oil level. However, if your engine’s oil
level is low, it could affect the oil pressure. With
the engine running, the pointer should move
into the NORMAL band. If the pointer drops
below the NORMAL band while the engine is
running, you have lost oil pressure and
continued operation will cause severe engine
damage.

If you lose engine oil pressure:

1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.

2. Shut off the engine immediately or severe
engine damage could result.

3. Check the engine’s oil level, following the
instructions on checking and adding engine
oil. Refer to Engine oil in the Index. If you
do not follow these instructions, you or
others could be injured. To assure an
accurate reading, your vehicle should be on
level ground.

4. If the level is low, add only as much oil as
necessary before you start the engine again.
Do not overfill. Do not operate the engine if
the pointer is below the NORMAL band,
regardless of the oil level. Contact your
nearest dealer for further service actions.

Engine oil pressure gauge

83

High Beam Light

This light comes on when the headlamps are
turned on high beam or when you flash the
lights.

High beam indicator light

“Headlamps On” Alert Chime

This chime will sound if you open the door
while the headlamps or parklamps are on.

Fuel Gauge

The fuel gauge displays approximately how
much fuel is in the fuel tank only when the
ignition switch is ON.

The fuel gauge indicator may vary slightly when
the vehicle is in motion.

With ignition switch OFF, the fuel gauge
indicator may drift from the ignition switch ON
position.

Fuel gauge

84

Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge

This gauge tells you the temperature of the
engine coolant, not the coolant level. If the
coolant is not at its proper level or mixture, the
gauge indicator will not be accurate.

The pointer moves from the C (cold) mark into
the Normal band as the engine coolant warms
up. It is acceptable for the pointer to fluctuate
within the Normal band under normal driving
conditions. Under certain driving conditions,
such as heavy stop and go traffic or driving up
hills in hot weather, the pointer may indicate at
the top of the Normal band.

If, under any circumstances, the pointer moves
above the NORMAL band, the engine coolant is
overheating and continued operation may cause
engine damage.

If your engine coolant overheats:

1. Pull off the road as soon as it is safely
possible.

2. Turn off the engine. If you do not stop the
engine as soon as safely possible, severe
engine damage could result.

3. Let the engine cool. DO NOT REMOVE

COOLANT SYSTEM FILL CAP UNTIL
THE ENGINE IS COOL.

4. Check the coolant level following the
instructions on checking and adding coolant
to your engine, see Engine Coolant in the
Index. If you do not follow these
instructions, you or others could be injured.

For instructions on checking and adding coolant
to your engine, see Engine coolant in the Index. If
you do not follow these instructions, you or
others could be injured.

85

Engine coolant temperature gauge

Speedometer

The speedometer tells you how many miles
(kilometers) per hour your vehicle is moving.

Your vehicle contains a speedometer which
receives its input from the Anti-Lock brake
sensor. The speedometer is also used to provide
a speed signal for correct operation of the
vehicle’s Powertrain Control Module (PCM),
electronic transmission, and speed control (if so
equipped). Because of this, it is very
IMPORTANT to change the speedometer’s
internal conversion constant if the size of the
tires on the vehicle is changed. Changing the
conversion constant to the proper value when
the tires are changed will also ensure that the
speedometer retains the original factory-set
accuracy. NOTE: The conversion constant can
only be changed six times once the vehicle
leaves the factory. Your Ford dealership service
personnel can change the conversion constant.

Some vehicles are equipped with a vehicle speed
(MPH/km/h) limiting device that is contained
within the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
The purpose of this device is to maintain peak
vehicle speed below a specified limit. (Vehicle
speed limits may vary based on engine
displacement).

86

If you are experiencing an “engine cut-out”
condition at high speeds, it may be the result of
this limiting device. It is a normal condition and
can be avoided by reducing vehicle/engine
speed.

Speedometer

Odometer/Trip Odometer

The Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) odometer is a
combination trip odometer and total odometer.
The total odometer is normally displayed. To see
the trip odometer, press and release the “Select”
button on the upper right side of the
speedometer. To zero out the trip odometer,
press and release the “Reset” button on the
upper left side of the speedometer while the trip
odometer is displayed. If the trip odometer is
displayed, press and release the “Select” button
to return the display to the total odometer value.

87

Tachometer (If equipped)

The tachometer will show you the engine’s
speed measured in revolutions per minute
(RPM).

The tachometer may move slightly when the key
is placed in the ACC or ON position, with the
engine off. This is normal and does not affect
the performance of the tachometer when the
engine is running.

Some vehicles are equipped with an engine
speed (RPM) limiting device contained within
the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The
purpose of this device is to maintain peak
engine speed (RPM) below a specified limit. This
feature is only evident on automatic transmission
vehicles when shifting manually (1, 2, D) and on
all manual transmission units. (Engine speed
limits may vary based on engine displacement).

If you are experiencing an “engine cut-out”
condition at high speeds, it may be the result of
this limiting device. It is a normal condition and
can be avoided by reducing vehicle/engine
speed.

Tachometer

88

89

Instrument Panel and Controls

Instrument Panel Controls

Your vehicle is equipped with a control
assembly designed to handle either a
combination A/C-Heater System or a
Heater-Only System.

Instrument Panel Registers

There are four registers in the instrument panel.
Each of these registers contain a louver assembly
which can be manually adjusted to direct airflow
up, down, left, right, and positive shut-off. An
illustration of the register locations follows.

Instrument panel registers

Air Conditioner and Heater (If equipped)

The control for your air conditioning and heater
system is located at the center of the instrument
panel below the radio and will operate only
when the ignition key is turned to the ON
position. Your air conditioner and heater will
heat and/or cool your vehicle interior depending
on the function position and temperature you
select. The function selector control knob allows
you to select heating or cooling and determine
where the air will be directed. The temperature
control knob setting determines the temperature
of the air that flows into the vehicle.

90

Climate control knobs (Heater A/C system)

To turn your air conditioner and heater system
on, select any position except OFF. This will turn
the fan on and allow airflow into the vehicle. To
turn your air conditioner and heater off, select
OFF. This will turn the fan off and stop airflow
from coming into the vehicle.

Temperature selection

The temperature knob is the rotating knob
located at the center of of the control with
tapered RED and BLUE bands surrounding most
of the knob. The wide RED part of the band
(full right) is the heat or warmer area. The wide
BLUE area (full left) is the cooling or cool
temperature area. Any position selected between
full right and full left will give a temperature
between the two extreme temperatures.

Fan speed adjustment

H

TheHknob on the control is the fan speed
knob which controls the volume of air flow.
Rotate theHknob to the right to increase the
amount of air entering the vehicle. Four fan
speed positions are available and are indicated
by LO, two separate dots and HI beside the

H

control knob. The HI position provides the most
air flow.

91

Airflow selections

VENT

Use VENT to bring outside air through the
instrument panel registers. You can heat the air
in this position by rotating the center knob into
the RED area. The air CANNOT be cooled
below the outside temperature regardless of the
center knob setting. Select NORM A/C or MAX
A/C to get cool air through the instrument
panel registers.

NORM A/C

Select NORM A/C to get refrigerated outside air
through the instrument panel registers. The A/C
position is used for cooling except when it is
extremely hot or fast cooling of the vehicle is
needed. Then, select MAX A/C for fast cooling
and return to NORM A/C when you are
comfortable.

MAX A/C

The MAX A/C position produces cool air more
rapidly to provide faster cooling of your vehicle.
This is possible because cooler air is drawn from
inside the passenger area and refrigerated again
instead of using warmer outside air. Using
inside air will also make the fan sound louder
which is normal when using MAX A/C. The air
flow will be from the instrument panel registers.

FLOOR

Air flow will be to the floor when FLOOR is
selected. The air cannot be cooled in the FLOOR
position but can be heated by rotating the center
knob in the RED area.

92

MIX

Select MIX to get air to the floor and windshield
defrosters at the same time. If the outside
temperature is about 50˚ (10˚C) or warmer, the
air will also be dehumidified to remove
moisture. This feature will help prevent fogging
in humid weather. The air can be cooled or
heated.

V DEF

Select V DEF to obtain maximum air flow to
the windshield. Rotate the center knob into the
RED area for the air temperature required to
defrost. When the outside air temperature is
about 50˚F (9˚C) or warmer, the air will be
dehumidified to remove moisture. The air can be
cooled or heated. Rotate theHknob on the left
to increase the air flow.

Operating Tips

The following tips will help you to get the most
satisfaction from your air conditioning and
heater system.

In humid weather, select V DEF. This will

❑

help to prevent windshield fogging. After a
few minutes of operation, you may select
another air flow position. Rotate the control
knob to obtain your desired comfort level.

To prevent humidity buildup inside your

❑

vehicle, always drive with the Air
Conditioning and Heater System turned on.

Do not put objects under the front seats that

❑

will interfere with the flow of air under the
seats to the back seat area of your vehicle.

93

Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air

❑

intake area of your Air Conditioner and
Heater System which could block the air
intake. The intake area is located at the
bottom of the windshield.

Standard Heater

The control for your Heater system is located in
the center of the instrument panel below the
radio and will operate only when the ignition
key is turned to the RUN position. Your Heater
will heat and/or ventilate your vehicle interior
depending on the Function and temperature you
select. The Function Selector knob allows you to
select heating or ventilation and determine
where the air will be directed. The Temperature
knob setting determines the temperature of the
air that flows into the vehicle.

To turn your Heater system on, select any
position except OFF. This will turn the fan ON
and allow air flow into the vehicle. Select OFF to
turn your Heater off. This will turn the fan off
and stop outside air from coming into the
vehicle.

94

Temperature selection

The Temperature knob is the rotating knob
located at the center of the control with tapered
RED and BLUE bands surrounding most of the
knob. The wide RED part of the band (full right)
is the heat or warmer area. The wide BLUE area
(full left) is the cool or unheated temperature
area. Any position selected between full right
and full left will give a temperature between the
two extreme temperatures. The cool temperature
you select will not be cooler than the outside
temperature.

Fan speed adjustment

H

TheHknob on the control is the fan speed
knob which controls the volume of air flow.
Rotate theHknob to the right to increase fan
speed and increase the amount of of air entering
the vehicle. Four fan speed positions are
available and are indicated by LO, two separate
dots and HI beside theHcontrol knob. The HI
position provides the most air flow.

Air flow selections

VENT

Use VENT to bring outside air through the
instrument panel registers. You can heat the air
in this position by rotating the temperature knob
into the RED area. The air CANNOT be cooled
below the outside temperature regardless of the
temperature knob setting.

FLOOR

Air flow will be to the floor when FLOOR is
selected. The air can be heated by rotating the
temperature knob into the RED area.

95

MIX

Select MIX to get air to the floor and windshield
defrosters at the same time.

V DEF

Select V DEF to obtain maximum air flow to
the windshield. Rotate the temperature knob into
the RED area for the air temperature required to
defrost. Rotate theHknob to increase or
decrease the air flow.

Operating Tips

The following tips will help you to get the most
satisfaction from your heater system.

In humid weather, select V DEF. This will

❑

help to prevent windshield fogging. After a
few minutes, you may select another airflow
position.

To prevent humidity buildup inside your

❑

vehicle, always drive with the heater system
turned on.

Do not put objects under the front seats that

❑

will interfere with the flow of air under the
seats to the back seat area of your vehicle.

Remove any snow, ice, or leaves from the air

❑

intake area at the bottom of the windshield.

96

Climate control knobs (heater only)

(If equipped)
(Standard in Canada)

The defroster for the rear window clears frost,
fog, or thin ice from both the inside and outside
of the rear window.

The control switch is located on the instrument
panel to the right of the steering column.

Rear window defroster switch

To defrost the rear window:

1. Clear any snow from the rear window.

2. Get in your vehicle and start the engine.

3. Press the switch. The indicator light should
turn on.

97

The defroster turns off automatically after
approximately 10 minutes. If the window is not
clear, turn on the defroster again. It will also
automatically shut off any time the engine is
shut off.

NOTE: Never use sharp instruments or

window cleaners with abrasives to
clean the inside of your rear window.
If you do, you may damage the heating
elements that are bonded to the inside
of the rear window and cause damage
to the rear window defroster.

Turning On the Exterior Lights

To turn on your headlamps, parking lamps,
marker lamps, and tail lamps, use the headlamp
switch to the left of the steering column.

1. Pull the headlamp control knob toward you
to the first position. Parking lamps, tail
lamps and marker lamps are now on.

2. Pull the headlamp control knob toward you
to the outer position. Headlamps are now on
in addition to the above.

3. Rotate the knob when it is in an on position
to brighten or dim the instrument panel
lamps. Rotate fully counterclockwise to
operate courtesy and cargo lamps.

98