The organization that sets American automotive standards for automotive measurements, including horsepower, torque and lubricants.

A system of belts or harnesses designed to restrain and help reduce the risk of injury to occupants in the event of side, rear, rollover or frontal collisions.

An integrated body structure designed to work as a system to provide protection for occupants. Its major design features include:

• A front-end structure with a reinforced sub-frame to provide energy absorption
• A cross-car beam that helps provide an additional mounting point for the steering column and airbag mountings, reducing their movement in the event of a frontal impact
• High-strength side door intrusion beams
• Sheet metal at the front and rear corners that collapses progressively and predictably to dissipate some of the energy of an impact

The distance between the point at which the centerline of the tire contacts the road and the point at which the extended steering axis centerline would contact the road, as viewed from the front of the car.

Specially Designed Front and Rear Seats Seats designed to help prevent occupants from sliding forward or under the safety belt due to impact from a frontal crash
Power Lumbar Support Provides a variable amount of lower back support usually found only on power-equipped seats
Rear-facing Third-row Seats Expand Taurus Wagon’s seating capacity to eight passengers. Includes a D-pillar grab handle for convenience and manual safety belts with retractors
Split-folding Rear Seatbacks or Seat Cushions Increase overall versatility and cargo volume when carrying long or oversized objects such as skis. The split seat allows added cargo space plus room for one or two rear- seat passengers
Six-way Power The six-way power control moves the seat cushion up and down as well as forward and back, and reclines with the touch of a switch

In 2000, all Ford passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light trucks include a standard Second Generation Driver and Right Front Passenger Airbag Supplemental Restraint System. An airbag is a safety device that is supplemental to properly worn safety belts. In certain accident situations, sensors in the front of the vehicle automatically activate an airbag.

During a moderate-to-severe frontal impact, the airbag is designed to inflate in approximately 1/20th of a second (less time than it takes to blink an eye) and begins to deflate immediately thereafter. In that brief period, the airbag can help reduce the risk of injury to the head and chest of the driver and/or the right front seat passenger. An electronic diagnostic module continuously monitors the Airbag Supplemental Restraint System for proper operation

When the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, the airbag indicator light on the instrument cluster illuminates for approximately six seconds to signal the system is functioning properly. Should a fault occur in the system, the airbag indicator light flashes, stays on or fails to illuminate when the ignition switch is turned to the START position. This signifies that immediate service is required.

Put small children and child seats in the rear seating positions (except jump seats) or deactivate the passenger airbag with the airbag shutoff switch when using a rear-facing child safety seat, included in Ranger and certain F-Series models only(not included on F-150 SuperCrew or SuperDuty Crew Cab).

Note: The airbag is not a substitute for safety belts. Safety belts must be properly worn at all times to maximize the effectiveness of the system and secure children in the back seat.

A measure of the strength of frame side rails determined by the cross-section area and shape of the siderails. When comparing frames of the same material, the one with the largest section modulus will be the strongest. When comparing frames of different materials, the frame with the highest RBM (Resisting Bending Moment) has the greater strength.

A security system that works by "interrogating" your encoded key, helping to prevent would-be thieves from starting your engine.

An independent rear suspension in which each wheel hub is located by a large triangular arm that pivots at two points of the triangle, the third being fixed to the wheel.

This is the most common type of fuel injection system found in today’s engines. On these systems an equal amount of fuel is delivered to each cylinder. A computer receives input from a number of sensors within the engine and determines the proper air/fuel mixture. The signal is then sent to the fuel injectors which open and inject fuel into their ports.

The main dual hydraulic (diagonally linked on FWD vehicles) braking system operated by the brake pedal, as opposed to the independent parking brake system.

The weight of a car with standard equipment, including oil and lubricants, but not including the weight of coolant or fuel.

A device that provides mechanical or hydraulic friction to control excessive deflection of automobile springs. Energy caused by axle motion is converted into heat, dissipating the energy before it reaches the vehicle body. Oil in the shocks is then forced through small passages to absorb the force of a road shock. The bearings in the shock absorbers are lubed-for-life to reduce maintenance. Pressurized gas is used in many shock absorbers to prevent aeration of the oil. This reduces the tendency of the shock to overheat on rough road surfaces

Side door intrusion beams are designed to absorb impact energy before it reaches the passenger compartment.

Help protect the fuel tank and transfer case when driving off-road.

A large, flat expanse of smooth pavement used for various handling tests, e.g., roadholding. It is measured as the highest speed a vehicle can maintain without losing adhesion while maintaining the given diameter of a large circle (e.g., 250 feet, 300 feet, etc.) or the g-force generated at that speed.

Available on Explorer Sport Trac, the all-composite cargo area is made of durable, scratch-resistant molded plastic. Which means you’ll never have to worry about corrosion or a bedliner.

(Available on Explorer Sport Trac) The all-composite cargo area is made of durable, scratch-resistant molded plastic which means you’ll never have to worry about corrosion or a bedliner.

An engine design in which the camshaft is located atop the cylinder head, operating both the intake and exhaust valves. SOHC V-6 and V-8 engines, which are designed with cylinders in two banks, have a total of two cams, one for each cylinder head. All engines using the overhead cam design offer the potential for greater power output and higher engine speeds (rpm) when compared with overhead valve designs.

One of several measures used by noise specialists as a measure of vehicle quietness, it refers to the ability of the driver and passengers to understand normal conversation from various seating positions within a vehicle.

A feature that provides speed setting to maintain highway speeds with fingertip switches to help avoid highway fatigue. The speed control system can be engaged without drivers removing their hands from the steering wheel. To operate speed control:

• Activate the ON switch and press SET ACCEL at the desired speed
• The vehicle must be moving at least 30 mph for speed control to function properly
• To speed up or slow down, depress and hold the SET ACCEL or COAST button with the touch of a finger
• Depressing the brake or clutch or pushing the OFF button returns the car speed to normal foot control
• After braking or using the clutch, the RESUME button activates a memory circuit that automatically returns to the previously set speed

Most split-port induction systems have a dual-runner engine intake design promoting high-volume/high-velocity airflow to increase engine performance. The dual-runner design features long, small-diameter runners tuned for low engine rpm torque and short, large-diameter runners tuned for high rpm horsepower Runner usage is controlled by the electronic engine controls and integral throttle- body valves The Focus and Escort 2.0L I-4 engine uses a cylinder head with two runners per cylinder. These runners carry the air charge to the intake side of the combustion chamber. At lower engine speeds, the air charge is directed through a narrow pathway that results in a higher air velocity, quickening engine response. As engine speed increases above 3000 rpm, the second path works to further enhance engine power and operating efficiency

A body-panel extension that redirects airflow, generally to reduce naturally occurring lift. Decklid spoilers are sometimes used to create aerodynamic downforce on the body, aiding high-speed stability.

Any one of several methods of describing spring ratings currently used in the light truck industry, including:
Rating at Pad The amount of weight above the pad that can actually be supported by the springs, including the chassis, body and payload weights
Rating at Ground Includes the Rating at Pad plus the weight of components between the spring and ground (axle, brakes, tires and wheels)
Sprung Weight The weight of those components supported by the spring, such as the frame, engine, body, payload, etc.
Unsprung Weight The portion of the weight of the chassis (i.e., axle, wheels, tires, brakes, etc.) that is not supported by the springs, as well as one-half the weight of the springs and driveshaft.

A long straight bar that is fastened to the frame at one end and to a control arm at the other. Spring action is produced by a twisting of the bar.

Single Rear Wheel

A steel bar or tube that provides added support for suspension members to minimize body lean or roll. The stabilizer is transversely mounted and used at the front and/or rear suspension to resist unequal vertical motion across the width of the vehicle.

A convenience feature that permits the driver to adjust the steering wheel up or down for optimum comfort. Each of the positions varies the steering wheel angle. Placed in its full- up position, the steering wheel affords maximum thigh and knee clearance for easy entry and exit from the driver’s seat.

The set of design variables outside of the steering mechanism that affects steering behavior, including ride steer, scrub radius, toe-in, etc.

Include the following types:
Manual Rack-and-pinion A steering mechanism that consists of a gear in mesh with a toothed bar, called a rack. The ends of the rack are linked to the steered wheels with tie rods. When the gear is rotated by the steering shaft, it moves the rack from side to side, turning the wheels. Rack-and-pinion gears are engineered for low turning effort, good returnability and handling
Power Rack-and-pinion A rack-and- pinion system as described previously with a power-assist feature that reduces steering effort. Major design features include:

• Rack-and-pinion gears that are engineered for low turning effort, good returnability and handling
• Lightweight power steering pump
• Power assist

• A microprocessor-controlled system that electronically varies the assist based on signals received from vehicle speed sensors. This sophisticated system provides improved maneuverability with maximum assist at low speeds, such as when parking
• Decreases assist at highway speeds to provide improved road feel

• A linkage steering gear forward of the front wheel axis that combines with a lightweight steering pump for maximum assist when turning the wheel
• Power assist for low-speed turning and parking

Provides the driver with the comfortable and sporty feel of genuine leather.

The maximum distance traveled by a piston between bottom dead center and top dead center. The longer the stroke, the greater the displacement.

A suspension element in which a reinforced shock absorber is used as one of the wheel’s locating members, typically by solidly bolting the wheel hub to the bottom of the strut.

The standard body style of trucks in which the wheels are set in beneath the truck bed so that the bed is shaped like a rectangular box. Another body style in which the wheels are set on the outside of the box of the truck bed, therefore “flaring” the wheel wells outward is called flareside.

A partial front body frame that connects the vehicle’s powertrain and front suspension components to its underbody.

A sub-frame that attaches to the front structure of some Ford vehicles:

• Provides support for the engine, transmission and often the suspension
• Provides added strength and rigidity to the vehicle’s construction
• Uses rubber mounts to reduce levels of noise, vibration and harshness

A type of window in the roof of the vehicle which allows you to see the sun (or the moon). It can open up partially to either vent the vehicle or completely to act as an extra window so that the driver can enjoy the sunlight, the wind or the stars.

The springs, struts and/or shock absorbers, linkages and locating members that act together to control motions caused by tires passing over uneven road surfaces to reduce the effect on the vehicle body. Ford passenger cars and light trucks use a wide array of suspension systems, including:
Front Suspensions
See vehicle sections for suspension availability
MacPherson Strut An independent suspension design that allows either wheel to track over road imperfections with minimal effect on the opposite road wheel. Major design features include:

• Gas-pressurized hydraulic MacPherson struts to maintain optimum ride control over a wide variety of road surfaces
• Coil spring mounted over and incorporated into the strut
• Preset camber, which does not require scheduled maintenance.

• Gas-pressurized shock absorbers to maintain optimum ride control over a variety of road surfaces
• Four control arms to help absorb braking and acceleration forces
• Coil springs or torsion bars (on select vehicles)

• A high-strength girder beam axle shaft connected to each wheel in an independent design, allowing each front wheel to travel over road shocks separately from the other front wheel
• Coil springs and shock absorbers that help spread out road shocks, keeping the wheels in firm contact with the ground

• A one-piece forged wheel spindle attached to the outboard end of each control arm
• A trailing link (which functions as a tension strut) and a gas-pressurized hydraulic shock/strut that are attached to each spindle

• Four control arms that help absorb braking and acceleration forces (new Watt’s Linkage rear suspension for improved rear lateral movement handling on Crown Victoria)
• Coil springs mounted over the axle to reduce weight
• Gas-pressurized hydraulic shock absorbers to maintain optimum ride control over a wide variety of road surfaces
• Upper and lower control arms formed from galvanized steel for corrosion protection
• Additionally, Mustang GT uses horizontal axle dampers to reduce torque windup under acceleration.49

• Parabolic tapered leaf springs that react to differing loads, providing a smooth ride regardless of load conditions
• Leaves that are actually long flat bars that are bracket-mounted at each end and arc in the center to provide the necessary stiffness
• Leaf number that will differ from truck to truck, depending on individual load ratings
• Many trucks are two-stage, variable-rate leaf springs, with the first set of leaves handling most requirements. The shorter, second set reacts under heavy load or suspension demands as required

An acronym that stands for Sport Utility Vehicle.

A syncromesh clutch is typically a drum or sleeve that slides back and forth on a splined output shaft by means of a shifting fork. Generally, it has a bronze cone on each side that engages with a tapered mating cone. When this drum, or sleeve, is moved along the output shaft, the cone acts as a clutch. Upon contacting the gear that is to be engaged, the output shaft is sped up or slowed down as required until the speeds of the output shaft and the gear are synchronized, or are in sync with each other.

Synchronized gears are used in manual transmissions/transaxles to facilitate the meshing of two gears by causing the speed of both gears to coincide. This helps move clutch assemblies to the specific chosen gear. A synchronizer will help prevent an improper shift that could damage the transmission, such as shifting into first gear at highway speeds.