Ford Tracer 1996 User Manual

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Table of Contents

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

Safety Restraints ............................................ 7

Starting Your Tracer ................................... 81

Warning Lights and Gauges ..................... 93

Instrument Panel Controls ...................... 107

Steering Column Controls ...................... 131

Features ........................................................ 143

Electronic Sound Systems ....................... 167

Driving Your Tracer ................................. 193

Roadside Emergencies .............................. 213

Customer Assistance ................................. 229

Reporting Safety Defects .................... 237

Accessories .................................................. 241

Servicing Your Tracer ............................... 249

Quick Index ................................................ 323

Index .............................................................. 337

Service Station Information .................... 356

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.

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

Dealers and suppliers are our partners. We

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

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.

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.

Your vehicle may not look exactly like the vehicles shown in the Quick Index illustrations. Some features and components shown in the illustrations may not apply to your particular vehicle. Your vehicle may also have equipment

that is not illustrated or mentioned in the Quick Index. If you do not know which illustrated features and components apply to your vehicle, talk to your dealer.

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.

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.

Your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic Powertrain Control Module that limits engine and/or vehicle speeds with a cut-out mode to promote durability.

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.

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.

Use only the type of engine oil that Ford

❑

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

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

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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.

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.

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.

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)

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the lap belt is snug and low on the hips

❑

the shoulder belt is snug against the chest

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the knees are straight forward

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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/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

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 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

Never drive or ride with a twisted or

jammed safety belt. If you cannot untwist

or unjam the safety belt, see the nearest

qualified technician immediately.

RWARNING

Children should always ride with the

seatback in the fully upright position.

When the seatback is not fully upright,

there is a greater risk that the child will

slide under the safety belt and be

seriously injured in a collision.

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

Lock the doors of your vehicle before

driving to lessen the risk of the door

coming open in a collision.

Motorized Shoulder Belt Passive Restraint System

The front seat shoulder belts automatically adjust and together with the manual lap belt, help to provide added restraint in the event of a collision.

While you drive, the shoulder belt adjusts to your movement. However, if you brake hard, turn hard, or if your car receives an impact of 5 mph (8 km/h) or more, the shoulder belt locks and helps reduce your forward movement.

The proper position of the front lap safety belt

RWARNING

The lap belts should fit snugly and as low

as possible around the hips, not around

the waist.

To operate the motorized shoulder belt:

1. Get into your vehicle and close the door.

Check to be sure the shoulder belt is latched to the emergency release buckle.

2. If it is not latched, pull the shoulder belt

from the retractor and buckle it to the emergency release buckle. Note the twist in the shoulder belt as in Figures 1 and 2.

3. Turn the ignition key to the ON position. A motor causes the shoulder belt to slide along

its track from the A-pillar to the B-pillar until it locks in place.

If the belt does not lie flat against you, or the belt has a twist in it at the retractor, unlatch the belt at the buckle, remove twist, and relatch the belt into the buckle.

The shoulder belt sliding along its track

The shoulder belt in the locked position

If the driver does not fasten the lap belt before the ignition key is turned to ON, the chime will sound for four (4) to eight (8) seconds. The safety belt warning indicator lamp in the instrument cluster will also illuminate for one to two minutes. In the unlikely event the shoulder belt should stall before it reaches the B-pillar, the indicator light will flash continuously until the shoulder belt is in its locked position at the B-pillar. If the indicator lamp remains illuminated for more than one minute, check to be sure that both shoulder belts are latched to the emergency release buckle. If the indicator lamp remains illuminated with both front seat shoulder belts latched to the emergency release buckles, refer to the section titled What To Do If

Your Shoulder Belt Does Not Engage Properly

before driving the vehicle. Use the shoulder belt on the outside shoulder

only. Never wear the shoulder belt under the arm. Never swing it around your 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.

When the ignition is in any position and the door is opened, the shoulder belt will move forward to the A-pillar. This will allow ample room for the driver or passenger to exit from the vehicle. DO NOT use the belt as an assist handle when entering or exiting the vehicle. The door should not be opened while the vehicle is in motion.

NOTE: Be sure to read and understand

Important Safety Belt Information at the beginning of this chapter.

RWARNING

To reduce the risk of serious injury in a

collision, always drive and ride with your

seatback upright and the lap belt snug

and low across the hips.

Important For Your Safety

Before driving your vehicle, read the label on the back of the sun visor or on the headliner above the driver’s seat (Canadian vehicles). See the following figures.

Driver and passenger sun visor labels

Label located on headliner (U.S. vehicles only)

An additional warning label is located on the headliner (U.S. vehicles only). On vehicles equipped with a moon roof, the label is located on the manual override access panel.

What To Do If Your Shoulder Belt Does Not Engage Properly

If your shoulder belt does not move all the way across to the locked position on the B-pillar, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the ignition switch is in the

LOCK position.

2. Make sure your door is fully closed. The

shoulder belt does not work if your door is open and will remain in the forward position at the A-pillar.

RWARNING

The vehicle should not be driven unless

the doors are fully closed and the

shoulder belts are in the locked position.

3. Unbuckle the shoulder belt by pressing the

red emergency release button on the buckle. Then, reinsert the shoulder belt tongue into the buckle until you hear a snap and feel the latch engage.

4. Turn the key to the ON position.

5. If the shoulder belt doesn’t move across you,

turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position and then release the shoulder belt from the buckle.

6. Remove the access cap located in the lower

portion of the trim panel, rearward of the front door opening.

7. Pull the electrical wiring harness out through

the access hole and disconnect the connector. The electrical wiring harness is located near the internal hex nut. To disconnect the connector, pull the left and right sides apart. You may have to loosen the tape to disconnect the electrical connector.

8. Then, insert the emergency handle into the

hex nut inside the access hole. The emergency handle is stored in the owner portfolio in the glove compartment.

Moving the shoulder belt manually — 4-door model

9. Turn the emergency handle to move the

buckle rearward until you hear a click. To move the driver’s buckle, turn the handle clockwise. To move the passenger’s buckle, turn the handle counterclockwise.

10. Reinsert the shoulder belt tongue into the

buckle.

RWARNING

If it is necessary to use the emergency

handle to put the shoulder belt in

position, have the system serviced by a

qualified technician as soon as possible.

Manual Front Lap Belts (U.S. vehicles equipped with motorized passive restraint)

You should always wear the lap belt in addition to the shoulder belt.

RWARNING

The lap belts should fit snugly and as low

as possible around the hips, not around

the waist.

RWARNING

Front and rear seat occupants, including

pregnant women, should wear both lap

and shoulder belts for optimum protection

in a collision.

To fasten the lap belt: Pull the belt out of the retractor and bring it across your lap. Insert the tongue into the buckle until it snaps and locks in place.

The lap 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 be made to lock by jerking on the belt.

Front passenger safety belts with dual locking mode retractors can also be locked to tightly secure a child safety seat.

Refer to the section Front Passenger Lap Belt

Retractor (U.S. vehicles equipped with motorized passive restraint) or Front Passenger Lap/Shoulder Belt Retractor (Canadian 2-door vehicles only) in this

chapter for complete information on vehicle sensitive and automatic locking modes.

Buckling the lap belt

The lap belt fastened

The lap and shoulder belts in place

Front Passenger Lap Belt Retractor (U.S. vehicles equipped with motorized passive restraint)

Your vehicle is equipped with a dual locking mode retractor for the front seat passenger, and the lap belt has the following label:

Seat belt label

The retractor modes function as follows:

Vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode

In this operating mode, the lap 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 be made to lock by jerking on the belt.

Automatic locking mode

In this operating mode, the lap belt retractor will remain locked and does not allow the occupant freedom of movement. This mode provides the following:

A tight lap belt on the hips.

❑

Forward-facing child seat installation.

❑

RWARNING

Rear-facing infant seats should never be

placed in the front seat.

This mode must be used when installing a forward-facing child seat on the front passenger seat. To switch the retractor from the emergency locking mode, perform the following steps:

1. Buckle the lap belt.

2. Grasp the lap belt below the child seat label.

Pull upward until all of the belt is extracted and a click is heard. At this time, the lap belt retractor is in the automatic locking mode (child restraint mode).

3. A clicking sound will contnue to be heard as

the belt is allowed to retract.

4. Pull down on the belt to remove slack in the

belt.

NOTE: When the lap 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.

Shoulder Belt Emergency Release Buttons

If the shoulder belt locks up in a collision, it may stay locked. To unlock the belt, press the emergency release button on the shoulder belt buckle. This allows the tongue to unlatch from the buckle. If the shoulder belt is unlatched and partially retracted, a warning light in the instrument panel lights up and remains on; the warning chime sounds for about five (5) seconds.

To insert the tongue back into the shoulder belt buckle, push it in until you hear a click.

If the belt does not lie flat against you, or the belt has a twist in it at the retractor, unlatch the belt at the buckle, remove twist, and relatch the belt into the buckle.

The emergency release button for the shoulder belt

After a collision, refer to Safety Belt Maintenance in this section.

If your shoulder belts stop working after a collision, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have been triggered. Minor parking lot bumping and severe road impacts (such as potholes) may trigger the switch even when there is no apparent body damage. In many instances, you might not even know that the switch has been triggered. The shut-off switch cuts power to the motors that move the shoulder belts in addition to stopping the flow of fuel to the engine. To reset the switch, see Engine, starting after a collision in the Index.

If your shoulder belts are not working properly, get your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.

If the fuel pump shut-off switch is not the cause for the shoulder belt not moving, have the system serviced by a qualified technician as soon as possible.

RWARNING

If the shoulder belt is released from the

emergency release buckle, store the tongue

end away from the seat tracks. Failure to

do this may result in the seat belt being

cut or torn when the seat is adjusted

forward or back. Any damaged shoulder

belt must be replaced.

Rear Lap and Shoulder Belts

Your vehicle is equipped with rear seat safety belts containing a cinch tongue, and the rear outboard seat safety belts will have the following label:

Rear seat belt label

Before you fasten a combination lap and shoulder belt having a cinch tongue, you may have to lengthen the lap belt portion of it. To lengthen the lap belt, pull some webbing out of the retractor. While holding the webbing below the tongue, grasp the tip (metal portion) of the tongue parallel to the webbing and slide the tongue upward.

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.

Adjusting the cinch tongue rear combination lap and shoulder belt

While 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 and shoulder belt locks and helps reduce your forward movement.

To fasten a rear outboard belt, 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. 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.

The rear lap and shoulder belt fastened

RWARNING

Front and rear seat occupants, including

pregnant women, should wear safety belts

for optimum protection in an accident.

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.

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.

To unfasten the belt

1. Push the release button on the buckle. This

allows the tongue to unlatch from the buckle.

Unfastening the safety belts for the center seating position

Unfastening the outboard rear lap/shoulder belt

2. While the belt retracts, guide the tongue to

its original position to prevent it from striking you or the vehicle.

Instructions for securing child safety seats with rear manual lap and shoulder safety belts with cinch tongues are provided later in this chapter also.

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 its holder 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.

Procedure to Correct a Twisted Safety 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 belt at any outboard seating position that has a “D” ring.

NOTE: The following illustrations show the

front driver’s seat safety belt. Your vehicle may not have a “D” ring at the indicated position.

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.

Procedure to Correct a Rotated Tongue on the Safety Belt (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 rotated tongue on the safety belt at any seating position that has a “D” ring.

1. Grasp the belt tongue and pull down on the

belt webbing closest to you to form a loop through the upper (narrow and longer) slot in the tongue. See Figure 5.

2. Working within the upper slot, rotate and

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

3. Pull the excess belt webbing back through

the upper slot in the tongue.

4. Repeat the above steps to complete the

removal of the twist at the lower (wider and shorter) slot in the tongue. See Figure 6.

5. When completed, the safety belt should look

like Figure 3.

Rear Lap Belt

RWARNING

The lap belts should fit snugly and as low

as possible around the hips, not around

the waist.

RWARNING

Be sure the lap belt is fitted snugly and as

low as possible around the hips, not

around the waist. Failure to do so may

increase the risk of injury in the event of

a collision.

Before you fasten your lap belt, you may need to lengthen it.

To lengthen the belt, position the belt tongue at a right angle to the belt. Pull the belt tongue over your lap until it reaches the buckle.

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.

Adjust the belt so that it fits snugly around your hips, as low as possible.

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, push the release button on the end of the buckle. This allows the tongue to unlatch from the buckle. Because the center lap belt does not have a retractor, it should be shortened and fastened when not in use.

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. Safety belt extensions are available 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.

Check the safety belt systems periodically to make sure that they work properly and are not damaged.

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.

System (SRS)

The driver and right front passenger air bag 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.

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 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

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

If a passenger is not properly seated and

restrained, an inflating air bag could cause

serious injury.

RWARNING

Rear-facing infant seats should never be

placed in the front seat.

In rear-facing infant seats, the infant’s head is closer to the air bag. The force of the rapidly inflating air bag could push the top of the rear-facing seat against the vehicle seatback or center armrests (if so equipped), or center console (if so equipped). REAR-FACING INFANT CARRIERS MUST ALWAYS BE SECURED IN THE REAR SEAT, and other child safety seats and infant seats should be secured in the rear seat whenever possible.

Your vehicle is equipped with a right front passenger air bag. Air bags deploy with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. Front passengers, especially children and small adults, must never sit on the front edge of the seat, stand near the glove compartment of the instrument panel, or lean over near the air bag cover when the vehicle is moving. All occupants should sit with their backs against the seatback, move the seat to the most rearward position if possible and use the safety belts. Children weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg) always should use child or infant seats.

RWARNING

When using forward-facing child seats

move the passenger seat as far back from

the instrument panel as possible. NEVER

SECURE REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS

IN THE FRONT SEAT.

The force of the rapidly inflating passenger air bag could push the top of the rear-facing seat against the vehicle seatback, armrests or console. Rear-facing infant seats must always be secured in the rear seat.

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 consists of the Driver and Passenger air bags, impact sensors, a system diagnostic module, a readiness light and tone, and the electrical wiring which connects the components. The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and the supplemental air bag electrical system readiness, including crash sensors, the system wiring, the air bag readiness light, air bag backup power, and the supplemental air bag ignitors.

The driver air bag is in the center of the steering wheel. The front passenger seat air bag is located in the center section of the instrument panel ledge above the glove compartment. Both air bags are designed to stay out of sight until they are activated.

The location of the air bag and warning labels

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.

Inflated driver side air bag

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.

The air bag system uses a readiness light on the instrument cluster or a tone to indicate the condition of the system. 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 immediately after ignition

❑

is turned on, 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 air bags or 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.

Service and information labels

Service and information labels are attached to the sun visor, on the headliner above the driver’s sun visor (Canadian vehicles), and near the 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.

RWARNING

To prevent the risk of injury, make sure

children sit where they can be properly

restrained.

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

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.

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

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

Never leave a child unattended in your

vehicle.

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.

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.

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. REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS MUST ALWAYS BE SECURED IN THE REAR SEAT, and other child seats and infant seats should be secured in the rear seat whenever possible. Forward-facing child seats used in the front seat must have the passenger seat moved as far back from the instrument panel as possible.

RWARNING

When using forward-facing child seats

move the passenger seat as far back from

the instrument panel as possible. NEVER

SECURE REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS

IN THE FRONT SEAT.

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

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. Failure to

follow these instructions could result in

accidental unbuckling of the safety belt if

the child safety seat hits the release

button. Release of the safety belt could

result in serious injuries.

Safety belt buckle placement for child seats

Installing Safety Seats in the Front Seat (U.S. vehicles and Canadian 4-door sedan, 4-door hatchback and wagon vehicles)

Your vehicle is equipped with a dual locking mode retractor on the front lap belt (U.S. vehicles) or the lap belt portion of the front lap/shoulder belt (Canadian vehicles). The lap belt will have the following label:

The automatic locking mode must be used when installing a child seat in the front passenger seat.

If you choose to install a forward-facing child safety seat in a front seat with a dual locking mode retractor:

1. Move the front passenger seat as far back as

possible.

2. Position the child seat in the front passenger

seat of the vehicle.

3. Follow the child seat manufacturer’s

instructions. Route the lap or lap/shoulder belt through the child seat and insert the belt tongue into the buckle until you hear and feel the latch engage.

Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for belt routing.

Routing the lap or lap/shoulder belt

4. Grasp the lap portion of the belt below the

child seat label. Pull upward until all of the belt is extracted and a click is heard. At this time, the lap belt retractor is in the automatic locking mode (child seat restraint mode).

Setting the automatic locking mode

5. Allow the belt to retract. 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 down on the belt to remove any slack in the belt.

Removing slack from the belt

6. Before placing the child in the child seat,

forcibly tilt the seat from side to side, and also tug it forward to make sure that the seat is securely held in place.

Checking that the seat is secure

7. 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.

8. Check to make sure that the child seat is

properly secured prior to each use. If the lap belt is not locked, repeat steps 4 through 7.

NOTE: When the safety belt is unbuckled and

allowed to retract completely, the retractor will switch to the vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode. See the detailed instructions under Front Passenger Lap Belt Retractor in this chapter.

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

If you install a child safety seat in a rear outboard seating position with 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.

Pulling out belt webbing

NOTE: The belt webbing below the tongue is

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

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 belt webbing.

3. While holding the lap belt webbing in one

hand, use your other hand to pinch 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 belt webbing.

4. 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. If so, remove the twist. (For instructions on how to remove a twist, see the Procedure to

Correct a Rotated Tongue on the Safety Belt

section in this chapter.)

Routing the lap/shoulder belt

5. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle

for the seating position until you hear a snap and feel it latch. Make sure the tongue is securely fastened to the buckle. Let go of the belt webbing. See Figure 3.

Buckling the belt

6. Push down on the child seat and, at the

buckle, pull up on the shoulder belt to tighten the lap belt portion of the combination lap and shoulder belt. See Figure 4.

Tightening lap portion of belt

7. From outside the vehicle, grasp and pull on

the shoulder belt portion of the combination lap and shoulder belt that secures the child safety seat in the vehicle. See Figure 5.

Tightening shoulder portion of belt

8. Forcibly tilt the child seat from side to side

and tug the seat forward to ensure 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.

Checking that the seat is secure

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.

Installing a Child Safety Seat at the Rear Center Seating Position (For all vehicles)

1. Lengthen the lap belt. To lengthen the belt,

hold the belt tongue at a right angle to the belt webbing. Slide 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.

5. Push down on the child seat while pulling

on the loose end of the lap belt webbing to tighten the belt.

6. Forcibly tilt the child seat from side to side

and tug the seat forward 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.

Attaching Child Safety Seats with Tether Straps (For all vehicles)

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.

Front Seats

To install a tether from a child safety seat in the front seat:

1. Buckle the lap/shoulder belt (in the seat

directly behind the front passenger seat in which the child safety seat will be installed).

2. Pull at the stored belt out of the rear seat

retractor to switch the retractor to automatic locking mode.

3. Let the retractor wind up the slack from the

lap/shoulder belt.

4. Install the child safety seat in the front seat.

Refer to the previous section on Installing Safety Seats. Hook the tether strap hook around the webbing near the center of the shoulder portion of the locked lap/shoulder belt.

5. Tighten the tether strap.

Rear Seats

If you use a tethered safety seat on one of the rear seats, you can anchor the strap to the appropriate tether anchor directly behind that seat position.

Tether anchorage hardware (Canadian vehicles only)

All vehicles built for sale in Canada include a tether anchor hardware kit for use with Canadian child safety seats. Attachment holes (at each rear seating position) have been provided in your vehicle to attach the anchor hardware, if required. Additional kits can be obtained at no charge from any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.

Tether anchorage hardware (U.S. vehicles only)

Vehicles built for sale in the USA do not include a tether anchor hardware kit for use with child safety seats. However, attachment holes (at each rear seating position) have been provided in your vehicle to attach the tether anchor hardware. Tether anchor hardware kits can be obtained at no charge from any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.

Be sure to follow the child safety seat manufacturer’s instructions.

RWARNING

Tighten the anchor according to

specifications. Otherwise the safety seat

may not be properly secured and the child

may be injured in a sudden stop or

collision.

Tether anchorage hardware

The 2-door hatchback, 4-door hatchback, and wagon models have tether anchors at the locations shown.

Tether attachment locations in the 4-door model

Tether attachment locations in the wagon model

1. Find the plastic snap on covers for the tether

anchors in the locations shown.

2. Use a screwdriver or coin to snap the covers

off the anchor in a rearward and upward direction. Remove the covers completely.

NOTE: On the 4-door sedan model, holes have

to be cut through the package tray (at the locations shown) to attach the tether anchors. The package tray trim panel has visible markings at these locations showing where to cut the holes (see the appropriate illustration). A sharp knife is recommended for cutting through the panel.

3. Snap the tether strap hook onto the tether

anchor.

Built-In Child Seat (If Equipped)

The optional rear seat may include a built-in child seat. This child restraint is to be used only by children who are at least one year old, weigh between 20 and 60 pounds (9 and 27 kilograms) and whose shoulders (top) are below the shoulder harness slots. See Figure 1.

Figure 1: Proper child shoulder height

If your child is less than one year old or weighs less than 20 pounds (9 kilograms), always use a rear facing infant or convertible seat because a child of that size is not sufficiently developed to withstand crash forces in a front facing position. Follow the specific manufacturer’s instructions for weight and height restrictions.

Children must be properly buckled before riding in the vehicle. It is the law in every state and province. This child seat conforms to all Federal/Canadian motor vehicle safety standards.

RWARNING

The rear seatback must be fully locked

before operating the child restraint system.

Ensure that the latch release buttons are in the full up (locked) positions on both sides of the seat.

When the latch release buttons are in the full up position (locked) and the built-in child seat is open, the rear seatback cannot be unlocked and folded down. See Figure 2.

Figure 2: Latch release buttons

Built-In Child Seat Belt Retractors

The belts on the built-in child seat are equipped with a dual locking mode retractor. The child seat belts can be used with the retractor in either the emergency locking mode or the automatic locking mode. In the emergency locking mode, the retractor allows freedom of movement, locking only on hard braking, hard cornering, or collisions. In the automatic locking mode, the retractor will remain locked and does not allow the child freedom of movement.

The retractor will switch from the emergency locking mode to the automatic locking mode when the shoulder belts are pulled all the way out. The retractor will switch back to emergency locking mode when the belts are unbuckled and the shoulder belts retract completely.

The automatic locking mode must be used to hold small children in position, particularly sleeping children and those who may try to squirm out of the belts.

RWARNING

Never leave a child unattended in your

vehicle.

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

Failure to follow all of the instructions on

the use of this child restraint system can

result in your child striking the vehicle’s

interior during a sudden stop or crash.

How to use the Built-In Child Seat

Read the following procedures and all of the labels on the built-in child seat before using the seat.

RWARNING

Never use the Built-In Child Seat as a

booster cushion with the adult safety

belts. A child using the adult belts could

slide forward and out from under the

safety belts.

1. Slide hand under the flap and pull down the

top portion of the child seat. See Figure 3.

NOTE: The child seat cannot be opened unless

the seatback is latched in the upright position.

Figure 3: Unfolding built-in child seat

2. Release the cushion retention clip. See

Figure 4.

Figure 4: Location of cushion retention clip and warning/instruction labels

3. Lower the child seat cushion. If the child

seat cannot be opened, return to the dealer for repair.

4. Read the information and warnings on the

top half of the child seat flap and shoulder belt. Refer to Figure 4. Check the child’s size, weight and age to be sure the child is not too small or too large for the child seat.

Figure 5: Unfolding built-in child seat

5. Fold the top half of the child seat under the

child seat cushion to provide an elevated seating surface as shown in Figure 5.

6. If the chest clip is connected, squeeze the top

and the bottom of the right half of the chest clip and pull to separate both halves.

7. Place the child on the child seat and position

the shoulder belts over each shoulder. Refer to Figure 6.

Figure 6: Shoulder safety belt placement on the child

NOTE: Read the following steps carefully to

become familiar with the indicator windows located on the crotch safety belt buckle and the chest clip. When either of the tongues or the chest clip is unbuckled, the color red appears in the window. When the tongues or chest clip are securely buckled, the color green appears. See Figures 7 and 9.

8. Insert the left safety belt tongue into the

single opening of the crotch safety belt buckle as shown in Figure 6, then insert the right tongue as shown in Figure 7. The indicator window on each tongue must appear green when buckled.

RWARNING

If both tongues do not latch in the buckle,

do not use the child seat. See your dealer

for repairs.

Figure 7: Fastening the crotch safety belt buckle

9. Fasten both halves of the chest clip below

the child’s shoulders and adjust it to comfortably hold the child’s shoulders and adjust it to comfortably hold the shoulder belts in place on the child’s chest. The color green must show in the indicator when fastened. The purpose of this clip is to position the shoulder belts correctly on the child’s shoulders. The clip can be easily pulled apart and is designed to pull apart during a collision. The clip helps keep the belts on the shoulders of a sleeping or squirming child. Refer to Figures 8 and 9.

Figure 8: Securing the chest clip

Figure 9: Chest clip indicator window

10. Pull on the safety belt tongues to be sure

that they are both latched. See Figure 10.

Figure 10: Checking for securely latched buckle and locked retractor

11. If the child sleeps or tries to get out of the

child seat, pull shoulder out fully to put the retractor into automatic lock mode. Allow belts to tighten snugly against the child’s shoulders. See Figure 10.

Automatic lock mode keeps a sleeping child in position and prevents the child from getting out of the seat while the vehicle is in motion. Older children who do not fall asleep in the child seat may be secured with the retractor in the emergency locking mode. The belts will lock automatically during a collison or hard braking.

To remove the child from the built-in child seat:

1. Squeeze the tabs on the top and bottom of

the chest clip and pull the halves apart to open the chest clip. Refer back to Figure 8.

2. Press the release button on the crotch safety

belt buckle.

3. Slide the shoulder belts off the child’s

shoulders and remove the child. Refer back to Figure 6.

To stow the built-in child seat:

When the built-in child seat is not in use, it can be stowed so that an adult may use the center of the rear seat or the rear seatback can be folded down.

1. Return the child seat cushion to the upright

position.

2. Make sure shoulder belts are in the center of

the back of the child seat. Attach the cushion retention clip. Fold the child seat up into the seatback while tucking the top edge of the child seat under the flap. See Figure 11.

3. Press firmly in the center of the child seat to

keep in the stowed position. You will not be able to unlock the rear seatback if the built-in child seat is not stowed properly.

Figure 11: Stowing the built-in child seat

Inspection after a collision:

RWARNING

All built-in child restraints, including

seats, buckles, retractors, seat latches,

interlocks, and attaching hardware should

be inspected by a qualified Dealer

technician after any collision. If the child

seat was in use during a collision, Ford

recommends replacing it. However, if the

collision was minor and a qualified

technician finds that the child restraints

do not show damage and continue to

operate properly, they do not need to be

replaced. Built-in child seats not in use

during a collision should also be

inspected and replaced if either damage or

improper operation is noted.

Built-in child seat maintenance

Regularly inspect the lap and shoulder belts system of your child seat. See your Ford dealer if the shoulder belt webbing is frayed, or if the buckle and tongue are damaged and/or do not function properly.

Cleaning the built-in child seat

Your built-in child seat may be cleaned with mild soap and water. Do not use household cleaners as they may weaken the webbing or damage the plastic parts. For your convenience, the liner is removable and can be machine-washed and air-dried. See Figure 12.

Figure 12: Removing the washable liner

Starting Your Tracer

Understanding the Positions of the Ignition

Your vehicle may have one of the following lock cylinders depending on when it was built:

The ignition lock cylinders

LOCK locks the steering wheel when the key is removed. It also locks the console-mounted gearshift on vehicles with automatic transaxles. To turn the key to this position on an automatic transaxle vehicle, the shift control lever must be in P (Park).

RWARNING

LOCK position does not lock the gearshift

on 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.

The automatic transaxle console-mounted gearshift will lock only when you turn the key to LOCK. When the gearshift is in any gear position but P (Park), the ignition key cannot be

turned to LOCK or be removed from the steering column.

If you have a manual transaxle, you must push the key in while turning to the LOCK position in order to remove the key.

LOCK is the only position that allows you to remove the key. The LOCK feature helps to protect your vehicle from theft.

OFF (if equipped) allows you to shut off the engine and all accessories without locking the steering wheel.

ACC (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.

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 brake system warning light will remain lit if the parking brake is set or if there is a problem with the brake system.) 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 system warning light.

Removing the Key From the Ignition

Procedures for removing your key from the ignition vary, depending on whether your vehicle has an automatic or manual transaxle.

If your vehicle has an automatic transaxle:

1. Put the gearshift lever in P (Park).

2. Set the parking brake fully.

3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.

4. Remove the key. If your vehicle has a manual transaxle:

1. Put the gearshift lever in 1 (First).

2. Set the parking brake fully.

3. Turn the ignition key counterclockwise to

ACC. Push the key in while turning to LOCK.

4. Remove the key. If the key is stuck in the LOCK position, move

the steering wheel left or right until the key turns freely.

RWARNING

Always set the parking brake fully and

make sure that the gearshift is securely

latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or

in 1 (First) (manual transaxle).

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.

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 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 transaxle, make

sure that the gearshift is in P (Park) and the parking brake is set before you turn the key.

If you have an automatic transaxle, your vehicle has a special shift-lock safety feature. It prevents you from moving the gearshift lever out of the P (Park) position unless the ignition is in the ON position and your foot is on the brake. To move the gearshift lever, you must also depress the thumb button.

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 all the way to the floor.)

4. Before you start your vehicle, you should

check 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.

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.

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.

After starting, allow the engine to idle for a few seconds before driving away.

NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with an

automatic transaxle, your vehicle has an interlock that prevents you from shifting out of P (Park) unless your foot is on the brake pedal.

If the engine does not start after two attempts:

1. Turn the key to the OFF position and wait

about two minutes.

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 RPM. When you start your vehicle, the engine’s idling RPM normally runs higher than when warm. The engine idle control system should only be serviced by a qualified technician.

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.

Using the Engine Block Heater (If equipped)

Engine block heaters are strongly recommended if you live in a region where temperatures reach S20˚F (S29˚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.

To turn the heater on, simply plug it into a grounded 110-volt outlet. Ford recommends that you use a 110-volt circuit that is protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter.

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.

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 substantial jolt.

Once the shut-off switch is triggered, you must reset the switch by hand before you can start your vehicle. The fuel pump shut-off switch is located behind the right rear trim panel in the trunk. You can reach the switch to reset it through the access hole.

Location of the fuel pump shut-off switch (location on wagon similar)

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 key in the ignition to LOCK.

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 ON for a few seconds,

then turn it to LOCK.

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.

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.

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.

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 system to bring in outside air.

Warning Lights and Gauges

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

The sport cluster

Safety Belt Warning Light/Chime (U.S. vehicles equipped with motorized passive restraint)

The safety belt warning light/chime reminds you to fasten your safety belt. One of the following will take place:

If the lap belt is not buckled when the key is

❑

turned to the ON position, the light will come on for one to two minutes and the chime will sound for four to eight seconds.

If the lap belt is buckled while the light is on

❑

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

If the lap belt is buckled before the key is

❑

turned to the ON position, neither the light nor chime will activate.

If the warning light remains illuminated for more than one minute, check to be sure that both shoulder belts are latched to the emergency release buckle. If the warning light remains illuminated with both front seat shoulder belts latched to the emergency release buckles, refer to the section titled What to Do If Your Shoulder Belt Does Not Engage Properly before driving the vehicle.

The safety belt light

Brake 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, but it normally goes off shortly after the engine starts and you release the parking brake. If the light stays on or comes on after you have released the parking brake fully, have the hydraulic brake system serviced.

The brake system and parking brake light

RWARNING

The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes

may not be working properly. Have the

brakes checked immediately.

Charging System Light

This light indicates that your battery is not being charged and that you need to have the electrical system checked.

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.

The charging system light

Upshift Indicator Light (If equipped)

This light comes on to indicate when you should shift your manual transaxle to the next higher gear. This light will help you get better fuel economy by lighting when you should shift. (If you have a 1.8L engine you will not have an upshift indicator light.)

The upshift indicator light

High Beam Light

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

The high beam light

Liftgate Ajar Light (Wagons only)

This light comes on when you turn the ignition key to ON if the liftgate is not fully closed.

The liftgate ajar light

Chime for Headlamps On

This chime sounds if the driver or any passenger door is open when the parking lamps or headlamps are on. The chime sounds until you close the door, turn off the lamps or turn the ignition to the ON position.

Air Bag Readiness Light

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.

Ford Tracer 1996 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Introductory Information

Safety Restraints

Starting Your Tracer

Warning Lights and Gauges