February in Michigan gave our long-term Ford Ranger 4x4 the chance to take on a wide variety of driving challenges. From trudging along snowy neighborhoods in four-wheel-drive to wading through rain-swollen streets, our truck was never at a loss for traction -- no matter what Mother Nature threw at us. Where it did fall somewhat short this month was in keeping up with the transportation needs of a family of four.

Obviously, a compact pickup - even in four-door extended-cab guise - is not the best vehicle choice for a growing, busy family with two very active boys. But to the Ranger's credit, it at least worked in a pinch when called upon for emergency people-hauling duty.

With the family's minivan in for service, the Ranger had to shuttle the crew back and forth to youth hockey one weekend. We quickly found that while our little 10-year-old could handle the ride to the rink and back in one of the truck's rear jump seats, our six-foot-plus 14-year-old could not. Cramped and complaining, he wondered aloud why our SuperCab Ranger had bucket seats up front instead of a three-place bench - which would have allowed him the option of sitting between dad and mom instead of facing little brother in back.

We explained that that this truck was meant for a younger owner, a smaller family or as a second vehicle. And besides, it was still able to get both boys home from their games, with plenty of room for their goalie gear in the bed. During the week, we've been using the Ranger for small trips, running a variety of errands, and providing shuttle service to and from school. And yes, we've already been asked by a family member to help move an old dresser - using the truck, of course. (As any pickup owner will tell you, owning a truck will get you invited to countless moving adventures.) The Ranger handled that task easily.

The top order of business this month, however, was to get the Ranger to our local Ford dealership for an oil change and to have the factory's recommended 25,000-mile service performed. As we mentioned earlier, our family minivan was already in the Ford shop for repairs (a 1995 Ford Windstar, with new head gaskets, thank you - but don't ask), so we merely needed to drop off Edmunds.com's Ranger when our van was ready to be picked up. All that it took was a quick call to Kristen Benson, our service advisor at Roy O'Brien Ford, Inc., in St. Clair Shores, Mich., a suburb on Detroit's far east side.

As usual, Kristen was pleasant and told us that she'd set things up; when we came in after lunch on a Monday afternoon, we were greeted promptly and the Ranger was written up and quickly whisked out back to the service garage. We were told up front that the 25K service interval would run about $69, and were warned we'd likely have to pick the Ranger up the next day, as the shop was busy. No sweat.

But around dinnertime that same evening, Roy O'Brien Ford called to say the Ranger was ready and we could pick it up anytime before the service department closed at 8 p.m. So back to the dealership we went, swapping $71.70 for a freshly serviced Ranger 4x4. For our money, we got an oil change and filter, as well as a tire rotation and brake inspection. (Kristen tells us that our front brake pads are down to about 20 percent of their life, and will likely need replacement when the 30,000-mile service interval comes around.)

We were also handed a sheet of paper that indicated the 25K service included several other things, such as: checking and topping off all fluid levels, checking tire pressures, lubrication of all suspension fittings (and 4x4 driveshaft joints), cleaning the air filter, breather, PCV valve and battery terminals, and an inspection of the exhaust system for damage or loose parts. When we got home, we noticed that the door-ajar idiot light was illuminated on the dash, but went out once we stopped the truck and put the gearshift lever into park. We checked the doors - they were all closed tightly - and then cleaned the contacts in the doorjambs just to make sure dirt wasn't the culprit. We'll monitor the problem to see if it happens again.

In an effort to get the truck mechanically fit first, we handled the 25K service before attempting to get the Ranger's cracked windshield replaced. (You'll recall that a stone tossed by an SUV outside Flagstaff, AZ, struck the Ranger's windshield during its cross-country trip out to Detroit from LA.) The Ford dealership gave us the number of an independent glass contractor that they use, and we've done some research into other local auto-glass suppliers for their prices and service reputations. We'll report on that part of the Ranger ownership saga next time around. For now, we're thinking spring and the kinds of hauling we may need to do to get our yard into shape. But that, too, is fodder for next month's update.

Until then, our shiny red Ranger still looks sporty and fresh, is fun to drive and returned an average of 16 and a half miles per every gallon of gas we pumped into it last month - not bad for a 4x4 pickup doing mostly city driving. We can't wait for springtime and the chance to put it to work at the lawn and garden center, so stay tuned.

Total Odometer Reading: 25,783
Best Fuel Economy: 18.7
Worst Fuel Economy: 15.4
Body Repair Costs: $0
Maintenance Costs: $71.70 (25,000-mile service)
Problems: The "Door Ajar" idiot light comes on and goes off sporadically without reopening or re-closing the doors. We cleaned the electrical contacts in the doorjambs and will monitor the problem.