1996 Ford Ranger Owner's Manual - Page 177

Driving Your Ranger All utility-type and Four-Wheel Drive vehicles have special design and equipment features to make them capable of performing in a wide variety of off-road applications. Specific design characteristics give them higher centers of gravity than ordinary passenger cars. RWARNING Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles are NOT designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers in these vehicles. Brakes Front Disc Brakes The front disc brakes are self-adjusting. They do not require service other than periodic inspection for pad wear. Rear Drum Brakes The rear drum brakes are self-adjusting. Automatic adjustment occurs when the brakes are applied while "backing up." If normal operation does not include much backing, adjust the brakes when they seem "low," using the procedure under If Brakes Do Not Grip Well or Pedal is "Low" in this chapter. Hydraulic Power Brakes The hydraulic brake system is made up of two independent hydraulic circuits. One hydraulic circuit supplies fluid to the front disc brakes and the other hydraulic circuit supplies fluid to the rear drum or disc brakes. These two circuits are supplied by a common hydraulic brake fluid reservoir, with a fluid level sensor. The brake light in the instrument cluster will light for low brake fluid in the common brake fluid reservoir. 177