Ford Tracer 1998 User Manual

Contents

Before driving

Introduction 2

Instrumentation 3

Controls and features 15

Seating and safety restraints 45

Starting and driving

Starting 77

Driving 85

Roadside emergencies 103

Servicing

Maintenance and care 118

Capacities and specifications 171

Reporting safety defects 177

Index 178

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Copyrightr1997 Ford Motor Company

Elemental Chlorine Free

Introduction

ICONS

Indicates a warning. Read the following section on Warnings for a full explanation.

Indicates vehicle information related to recycling and other environmental concerns will follow.

Correct vehicle usage and the authorized disposal of waste cleaning and lubrication materials are significant steps towards protecting the environment.

WARNINGS

Warnings provide information which may reduce the risk of personal injury and prevent possible damage to others, your vehicle and its equipment.

BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE

There are no particular breaking-in rules for your vehicle. During the first 1 600 km (1 000 miles) of driving, vary speeds frequently. This is necessary to give the moving parts a chance to break in.

If possible, you should avoid full use of the brakes for the first 1 600 km (1 000 miles).

INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GUIDE

The information found in this guide was in effect at the time of printing. Ford may change the contents without notice and without incurring obligation.

Instrumentation

Foglamp control *

(pg. 26)

Headlamp/turn

signal control

(pg. 24)

MIRROR L

FUEL FILL

LOW FUEL

Instrument cluster

(pg. 6)

60 70

100

000113

120

THEFT

140

160

100

RPMx1000

Power side view

mirrors

(pg. 15)

Instrument panel

dimmer switch

(pg. 15)

Speed control

(pg. 26)

Driver side air

bag

(pg. 57)

Windshield

wiper/washer control

(pg. 32)

MIST

OFF

Instrumentation

Passenger side air

bag

(pg. 57)

SEEK

TRACK

TUNE DISCS

AM FM

SCAN

VOL PUSH ON

PREMIUM SOUND

23456

SIDE 1-2

Climate controls

(pg. 16)

TAPE

BASS

REW

DOLBYB NR

COMP

SHUF

A/C

MAX A/C

TREB

BAL

FADE

OFF

R.DEF

Electronic sound

system; refer to

Audio Guide

(pg. 16)

Instrumentation

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES Base instrument cluster

MPH km/h

MPH

km/h

FUEL FILL

SERVICE ENGINE

LOW FUEL

SOON

BRAKE

ABS

Sport instrument cluster

BRAKE

ABS

LOW FUEL

FUEL FILL

SERVICE ENGINE

SOON

100

0000000

0 0 0

100

0000000

0 0 0

120

140

100

160

110

180

200

120

140

100

160

110

180

200

120

THEFT

RPMx1000

THEFT

CHECK

+–

COOLANT

7 8

CHECK

+–

COOLANT

Low fuel

Illuminates when the fuel tank has approximately eight liters (two gallons) remaining. The lamp will also illuminate when the ignition key is turned to ON and the engine is off.

Service engine soon

Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On Board Diagnostics System

LOW

FUEL

SERVICE

ENGINE

SOON

(OBD II). This OBD II system protects the environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet government emission standards. The OBD II system also assists the service technician in properly servicing your vehicle.

The Service Engine Soon indicator light illuminates when the ignition is first turned to the ON position to check the bulb. If it comes on after the engine is started, one of the engine’s emission control systems may be malfunctioning. The light may illuminate without a driveability concern being noted. The vehicle will usually be drivable and will not require towing.

What you should do if the Service Engine Soon light illuminates

Light turns on solid:

This means that the OBD II system has detected a malfunction.

Temporary malfunctions may cause your Service Engine Soon light to illuminate. Examples are:

1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run poorly.)

2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.

3. The fuel cap may not have been properly installed and securely tightened.

Instrumentation

These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank with good quality fuel and/or properly installing and securely tightening the gas cap. After three driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions present, the Service Engine Soon light should turn off. (A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.

If the Service Engine Soon light remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.

Light is blinking:

Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter. You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.

Under engine misfire

conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.

Air bag readiness

Momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned ON. If the light fails to illuminate, continues to flash or remains on, have the system serviced immediately.

Safety belt

Momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned ON to remind you to fasten your safety belts. For more information, refer to the

Seating and safety restraints

chapter.

Brake system warning

Momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned ON and the engine is off. Also illuminates when the parking brake is engaged. Illumination after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level.

Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (If equipped)

Momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned on and the engine is off. If the light remains on or continues to flash, the ABS needs to be serviced.

Instrumentation

P !

BRAKE

ABS

Turn signal

Illuminates when the left or right turn signal or the hazard lights are turned on. If one or both of the indicators stay on continuously or flash faster, check for a burned-out turn signal bulb. Refer to Exterior

Instrumentation

bulbs in the Maintenance and care chapter.

High beams

Illuminates when the high beam headlamps are turned on.

Anti-theft system (if equipped)

Refer to Anti-theft system in the Controls and features chapter.

Charging system

Momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned ON and the engine is off. The light also illuminates when the battery is not charging properly, requiring electrical system service.

THEFT

Engine oil pressure

Illuminates when the oil pressure falls below the normal range. Switch off the engine immediately. Check the oil level and add oil if needed. Refer to Engine oil in the Maintenance and Care chapter.

This lamp also illuminates when the ignition is turned to ON and the engine is off.

Check coolant

Illuminates when the coolant level in the coolant reservoir is low and more needs to be added. This lamp

CHECK

COOLANT

will also illuminate when the ignition is turned to ON and the engine is off. For more information on adding engine coolant, refer to

Engine coolant in the Maintenance and care chapter.

Liftgate ajar (if equipped)

Illuminates when the ignition is in the ON position and the liftgate is open.

Safety belt warning chime

Chimes to remind you to fasten your safety belts.

For information on the safety belt warning chime, refer to the

Seating and safety restraints

chapter.

Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning chime

For information on the SRS warning chime, refer to the

Seating and safety restraints

chapter.

Instrumentation

Key-in-ignition warning chime

Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC position and either front door is opened.

Headlamps on warning chime

Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are on, the ignition is off (and the key is not in the ignition) and either front door is opened.

Instrumentation

GAUGES Base instrument cluster gauges

MPH km/h

FUEL FILL

SERVICE ENGINE

SOON

BRAKE

ABS

Sport instrument cluster gauges

BRAKE

ABS

LOW FUEL

FUEL FILL

SERVICE ENGINE

SOON

100

0000000

0 0 0

100

0000000

0 0 0

120

140

100

160

110

180

200

120

140

100

160

110

180

200

120

THEFT

RPMx1000

THEFT

CHECK

+–

COOLANT

7 8

CHECK

+–

COOLANT

Fuel gauge

Displays approximately how much fuel is in the fuel tank (when the key is in the ON position). The fuel gauge may vary slightly when the vehicle is in motion. The ignition should be in the OFF position while the vehicle is being refueled. When the gauge first indicates empty, there is a small amount of reserve fuel in the tank.

FUEL

FILL

When refueling the vehicle from empty indication, the amount of fuel that can be added will be less than the advertised capacity due to the reserve fuel.

Engine coolant temperature gauge

Indicates the temperature of the engine coolant. At normal operating temperature, the needle remains within the normal area (the area between the “H” and “C”). If it enters the red section, the engine is overheating. Stop the vehicle, switch off the ignition and let the engine cool. Refer to

Engine coolant in the Maintenance and care chapter.

Never remove the coolant

recovery cap while the engine is running or hot.

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

Instrumentation

Speedometer

Indicates the current vehicle speed.

MPH

60 70

120

100

0000000

0 00

140

km/h

160

100

180

120

110

Instrumentation

Odometer

Registers the total kilometers (miles) of the vehicle.

Trip odometer

Registers the kilometers (miles) of individual journeys. To reset, depress the control.

Tachometer (if equipped)

Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute.

Driving with your tachometer pointer in the red zone may damage the engine.

THEFT

MPH

60 70

0 00000

MPH

60 70

100

0 00000

0000

RPMx1000

100

0 00

120

140

km/h

140

km/h

160

180

160

180

100

110

120

100

110

120

PANEL DIMMER CONTROL

Use to adjust the brightness of the instrument panel.

• Rotate left to brighten.

• Rotate right to dim.

POWER SIDE VIEW MIRRORS

To adjust your mirrors:

1. Select L to adjust the left mirror or R to adjust the right mirror.

2. Move the control in the direction you wish to tilt the mirror.

Controls and features

MIRRORS

L R

MIRRORS L R

3. Return to the center position to lock mirrors in place.

The ignition key must be in ACC or ON to adjust the power side view mirrors.

Controls and features

To adjust your mirrors:

1. Select L to adjust the left mirror or R to adjust the right mirror.

2. Move the control in the direction you wish to tilt the mirror.

3. Return to the center position to lock mirrors in place.

MIRRORS

L R

MIRRORS L R

AUDIO SYSTEM

Refer to the “Audio Guide” for instructions on how to operate the audio system.

CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM Heater only system

(if equipped)

OFF

Fan speed control

Controls the volume of air circulated in the vehicle.

Temperature control knob

Controls the temperature of the airflow inside the vehicle. On heater-only systems, the air cannot be cooled below the outside temperature.

Mode selector control

Controls the direction of the airflow to the inside of the vehicle.

Controls and features

OFF

•

(Vent)-Distributes outside air through the instrument panel registers.

• OFF-Outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate.

•

(Panel and floor)-Distributes outside air through the instrument panel registers and the floor ducts.

•

(Floor)-Allows for maximum heating. Distributes outside air through the floor ducts.

•

(Floor and defrost)-Distributes outside air through the floor ducts and the windshield defroster ducts.

•

-Distributes outside air

through the windshield defroster

Controls and features

ducts. It can be used to clear ice or fog from the windshield.

Operating tips

• In humid weather, select before driving. This will

help to prevent your windshield from fogging. After a few minutes, select any desired position.

• To prevent humidity buildup

inside the vehicle, don’t drive with the climate control system in the OFF position.

• Don’t put objects under the

front seat that will interfere with the airflow to the back seats.

• Remove any snow, ice or leaves

from the air intake area (at the bottom of the windshield under the hood).

• When placing objects on top of

your instrument panel, be careful to not place them over the defroster outlets. These objects can block airflow and reduce your ability to see through your windshield. Also, avoid placing small objects on top of your instrument panel. These objects can fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow and possibly damage your climate control system.

Manual heating and air conditioning system (if equipped)

Controls and features

Fan speed control

Controls the volume of air circulated in the vehicle.

Temperature control knob

Controls the temperature of the airflow inside the vehicle.

Mode selector control

Controls the direction of the airflow to the inside of the vehicle.

The air conditioning compressor will operate in all modes except

and . However, the air conditioning will only function if the outside temperature is about 10°C (50°F) or above.

Since the air conditioner removes considerable moisture from the air during operation, it is normal if clear water drips on the ground under the air conditioner drain while the system is working and

MAX

OFF

A/C

OFF

A/C

MAX

A/C

Controls and features

even after you have stopped the vehicle.

Under normal conditions, your vehicle’s climate control system should be left in any position other than MAX A/C or OFF when the vehicle is parked. This allows the vehicle to “breathe” through the outside air inlet duct.

• MAX A/C-Uses recirculated air

to cool the vehicle. MAX A/C is noisier than A/C but more economical and will cool the inside of the vehicle faster. Airflow will be from the instrument panel registers. This mode can also be used to prevent undesirable odors from entering the vehicle.

• A/C-Uses outside air to cool the

vehicle. It is quieter than MAX A/C but not as economical. Airflow will be from the instrument panel registers.

(Vent)-Distributes outside

•

air through the instrument panel registers. However, the air will not be cooled below the outside temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in this mode.

• OFF-Outside air is shut out and

the fan will not operate. For short periods of time only, use this mode to prevent undesirable odors from entering the vehicle.

•

(Panel and floor)-

Distributes outside air through

the instrument panel registers and the floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning capabilities are provided in this mode. For added customer comfort, when the temperature control knob is anywhere in between the full hot and full cold positions, the air distributed through the floor ducts will be slightly warmer than the air sent to the instrument panel registers.

• (Floor)-Allows for maximum

heating by distributing outside air through the floor ducts. However, the air will not be cooled below the outside temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in this mode.

•

(Floor and defrost)Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster ducts and the floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning capabilities are provided in this mode. For added customer comfort, when the temperature control knob is anywhere in between the full hot and full cold positions, the air distributed through the floor ducts will be slightly warmer than the air sent to the instrument panel registers. If the temperature is about 10°C (50°F) or higher, the air conditioner will automatically dehumidify the air to prevent fogging.

Controls and features

• -Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster ducts. It can be used to clear ice or fog from the windshield. If the temperature is about 10°C (50°F) or higher, the air conditioner will automatically dehumidify the air to prevent fogging.

Operating tips

• In humid weather, select

before driving. This will prevent your windshield from fogging. After a few minutes, select any desired position.

• To prevent humidity buildup inside the vehicle, don’t drive with the climate control system in the OFF position.

• Don’t put objects under the front seat that will interfere with the airflow to the back seats.

• Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area (at the bottom of the windshield under the hood).

• If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during hot weather, the air conditioner will do a much faster job of cooling if you drive for two or three minutes with the windows open. This will force most of the hot, stale air out of the vehicle.

Then operate your air conditioner as you would normally.

• When placing objects on top of your instrument panel, be careful to not place them over the defroster outlets. These objects can block airflow and reduce your ability to see through your windshield. Also, avoid placing small objects on top of your instrument panel. These objects can fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow and possibly damage your climate control system.

REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER

Clears the rear window of thin ice and fog. To operate:

1. Turn the ignition to the ON

position.

2. Press and release the control

once to turn on. The light will be lit while the rear window defroster is on.

3. Press and release the control

again to turn off. The defroster will automatically

turn off after fifteen minutes.

Controls and features

R.DEF

Controls and features

POSITIONS OF THE IGNITION

1. LOCK, locks the steering wheel,

gearshift lever (automatic transaxle only) and allows key removal. On vehicles with a manual transaxle push the key in while turning to lock.

2. ACCESSORY, allows the

electrical accessories such as the radio to operate while the engine is not running.

3. ON, all electrical circuits

operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key position when driving.

4. START, cranks the engine.

Release the key as soon as the engine starts.

HEADLAMP CONTROL

Rotate the headlamp control clockwise to the first position to turn on the parking lamps only. Rotate to the second position to also turn on the headlamps.

Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)

Turns the highbeam headlamps on with a reduced output. To activate:

• the engine must be running

• the gearshift must not be in P

(Park)

• the headlamp control is in the OFF or Parking lamps position.

OFF

The Daytime Running

Light (DRL) system will not illuminate the tail lamps and parking lamps. Turn on your headlamps at dusk. Failure to do so may result in a collision.

High beams

Push forward to activate.

Flash to pass

Pull toward you to activate and release to deactivate.

Controls and features

OFF

TURN SIGNAL CONTROL

• Push down to activate the left turn signal.

• Push up to activate the right turn signal.

OFF

Controls and features

FOGLAMPS (IF EQUIPPED)

Rotate forward to activate.

SPEED CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)

To turn speed control on

• Press ON.

Vehicle speed cannot be controlled until the vehicle is traveling at or above 48 km/h (30 mph).

OFF OFF

OFF

Do not use the speed

control in heavy traffic or on roads that are winding, slippery, or unpaved.

Do not shift the gearshift

lever into N (Neutral) with the speed control on.

To turn speed control off

• Press OFF or

• Turn off the vehicle ignition.

Once speed control is switched off, the previously programmed set speed will be erased.

To set a speed

• Press SET ACC/SET ACCEL. For speed control to operate, the speed control must be ON and the vehicle speed must be greater than 48 km/h (30 mph).

Controls and features

OFF

RSM

SET

ACC

CST

If you drive up or down a steep hill, your vehicle speed may vary momentarily slower or faster than the set speed. This is normal.

Speed control cannot reduce the vehicle speed if it increases above the set speed on a downhill. If your vehicle speed is faster than the set speed while driving on a downhill, you may want to shift to the next lower gear or apply the brakes to reduce your vehicle speed.

Controls and features

If your vehicle slows down more than 16 km/h (10 mph) below your set speed on an uphill, your speed control will disengage. This is normal. Pressing RES/RSM/RESUME will re-engage it.

Do not use the speed

control in heavy traffic or on roads that are winding, slippery, or unpaved.

To set a higher set speed

• Press and hold SET ACC/SET ACCEL. Release the control when the desired vehicle speed is reached or

• Press and release SET ACC/SET ACCEL. Each press will increase the set speed by 1.6 km/h (1 mph) or

• Accelerate with your accelerator pedal, then press and release SET ACC/SET ACCEL.

You can accelerate with the accelerator pedal at any time during speed control usage. Releasing the accelerator pedal will return your vehicle to the previously programmed set speed.

RSM

SET

ACC

CST

To set a lower set speed

• Press and hold CST/COAST. Release the control when the desired speed is reached or

• Press and release CST/COAST. Each press will decrease the set speed by 1.6 km/h (1 mph) or

• Depress the brake pedal. When the desired vehicle speed is reached, press SET ACC/SET ACCEL.

Controls and features

RSM

SET

ACC

CST

RSM

SET

ACC

CST

Controls and features

To disengage speed control

• Depress the brake pedal or

• Depress the clutch pedal (if

equipped)

Disengaging the speed control will not erase the previously programmed set speed.

Pressing OFF will erase the previously programmed set speed.

OFF

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