FORD AEROSTAR 1997 1.G Owners Manual

232 [MC03025(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0095045-AHood release handle
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[MC03050(ALL)01/96]
2. While applying downward pressure on the
hood, push the hood latch handle located
behind the grille near the center front of the
vehicle to the left.
*
[MC03100(ALL)01/96]
3. Disconnect the hood support from the
retaining clip on the radiator support and
place it into the slot marked PROP in the
underside of the hood.
[MC03400(ALL)01/96]
quarter page art:0020335-A
Hood and support rod
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[MC03800(ALL)01/96]
To close the hood, raise it so that the support
rod comes away from the slotted hole in the
hood. Place the support rod in its retaining clip
and close the hood with enough force to make it
latch. Be sure to oil the hood latch every six
months to maintain smooth operation.
*
[MC03900(ALL)01/96]
Always attempt to lift the hood after closing to
be sure it is securely latched.
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233
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[MC06000(ALL)01/96]
Engine Oil Recommendations
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[MC06010(ALL)01/96]
We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an
equivalent oil meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M2C153-F and displaying the American
Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on
the front of the container.
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[MC06020(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0060021-E
The API Certification Mark
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[MC06030(ALL)01/96]
Neveruse:
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[MC06040(ALL)01/96]
q
ªNon-Detergentº oils
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[MC06050(ALL)02/96]
q
Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
%*
[MC06060(ALL)01/96]
q
Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments
or engine treatments
%*
[MC06070(ALL)03/96]
Engine oils with anSAE 5W-30viscosity are
PREFERREDfor your vehicle. They provide the
best engine performance, fuel economy and
engine protection for all climates down to-15ÊF
(-25ÊC).
%*
[MC06080(ALL)03/96]
Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and
of the preferred viscosity may be used in your
engine. The engine oil and oil filter must still be
changed according to the maintenance schedule.
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234
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[MC06085(ALL)05/96]
NOTE: Ford production and aftermarket
(Motorcraft) oil filters are designed for
added engine protection and long life.
If a replacement oil filter is used that
does not meet Ford material and design
specifications, startup engine noises or
knock may be experienced. It is
recommended you use the appropriate
Motorcraft oil filter (or another brand
meeting Ford specifications) for your
engine application.
%*
[MC06090(ALL)01/96]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
*
[MC06095(ALL)01/96]
Since the proper amount of engine oil is
important for safe engine operation, check the oil
using the dipstick each time you put fuel in
your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
parked on level ground.
%*
[MC06100(ALL)01/96]
Checking the engine oil level:
*
[MC06110(ALL)01/96]
1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up
and allow a few minutes for the engine oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
*
[MC06120(ALL)01/96]
2. Set the parking brake, making sure the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
*
[MC06130(ALL)01/96]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
*
[MC06140(ALL)01/96]
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
*
[MC06150(ALL)01/96]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
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235 [MC06160(ALL)01/96]
quarter page art:0095016-A
Engine oil dipstick
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[MC06170(ALL)03/96]
6. Carefully pull the dipstick out again. If the
oil level is below the ªADD 1 QTº line, add
engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªFº in Full, engine damage
or high oil consumption may occur and
some oil must be removed from the engine.
*
[MC06180(ALL)01/96]
7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
%*
[MC06190(ALL)01/96]
Adding engine oil
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[MC06200(ALL)01/96]
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil
changes. Make sure you use a CERTIFIED
engine oil of the preferred viscosity. Your
vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if
engine damage is caused by the use of improper
engine oil.
*
[MC06210(ALL)01/96]
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap
highlighted in yellow. To add oil, remove the
filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil into the
opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine.
Recheck the oil level after you finish adding oil.
[MC07000(ALL)05/96]
Engine Oil and Filter Changes
*
[MC07100(ALL)05/96]
Change your engine oil and oil filter according
to these mileage and time requirements,
whichever occurs first.
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236
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[MC07200(ALL)05/96]
one third page art:0060618-C
Oil change intervals
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[MC07300(ALL)05/96]
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for
additional information.
%
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[MC08000(ALL)05/96]
Brake Fluid
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[MC08025(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a brake fluid level
indicator in the master cylinder which lights the
BRAKE warning light on the instrument panel
when the brake fluid level is low.
*
[MC08050(ALL)01/96]
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle
should not use up brake fluid rapidly. However,
expect the level of the brake fluid to slowly fall
as you put more mileage on your vehicle and
the brake pads wear.
*
[MC08075(ALL)01/96]
Check the brake fluid at least once a year. You
can do this by looking at the fluid level in the
plastic brake fluid reservoir on the master
cylinder. The fluid level should be at or near the
MAX mark.
*
[MC08090(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Brake fluid is toxic.
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237
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[MC08100(ALL)01/96]
If brake fluid contacts eyes, flush eyes with
running water for 15 minutes. Get medical
attention if irritation persists. If taken internally,
drink water and induce vomiting. Get medical
attention immediately.
%*
[MC08125(ALL)03/96]
If the fluid is low, carefully clean and remove
the filler cap from the reservoir. Fill the
reservoir to the MAX line with Ford High
Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid C6AZ-19542-AB
or DOT 3 equivalent fluid meeting Ford
specification ESA-M6C25-A.
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[MC08150(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: If brake fluid is spilled on painted
surfaces, it must be flushed and wiped
away immediately. Brake fluid may
dissolve the paint finish on your
vehicle.
*
[MC08175(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT
3, you will cause permanent damage to
your brakes.
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[MC08200(ALL)01/96]
Do not fill the reservoir above the MAX line.
*
[MC08225(ALL)01/96]
If you find that the fluid level is excessively low
Ð below the seam or ridge on the outside of the
plastic reservoir Ð have the brake system
inspected.
*
[MC08250(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not let the reservoir for the master
cylinder run dry. This may cause the
brakes to fail.
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238 [MC08300(ALL)01/96]
quarter page art:0095017-ABrake master cylinder reservoir
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[MC08500(ALL)02/96]
Windshield Washer Fluid
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[MC08520(ALL)02/96]
Check the level of the windshield washer fluid
every time you stop for fuel. The reservoir for
the windshield washer fluid is located in the
engine compartment.
*
[MC08530(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the
container for the engine coolant.
[MC08540(ALL)01/96]
quarter page art:0020358-A
Windshield washer reservoir
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239 %
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[MC08550(ALL)02/96]
Use specially formulated windshield washer
fluid rather than plain water, because specially
formulated washer fluids contain additives that
dissolve road grime. For safety reasons, washer
fluids containing an appropriate antifreeze such
as methanol should be used in freezing weather
(temperatures below32ÊF [0ÊC]).State or local
regulations on Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs) may restrict use of the most common
antifreeze, methanol. Washer fluids containing
non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection
without damaging the vehicle's paint finish,
wiper blades, and windshield washer system.
*
[MC08560(ALL)01/96]
If you choose to use a windshield washing
solution that must be mixed, follow the
manufacturer's mixing instructions. Improperly
mixed solutions may freeze unexpectedly.
*
[MC08565(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Windshield washer fluid contains
methanol which is poisonous.
[MC08570(ALL)04/96]
Checking/adding the washer fluid for the
liftgate
[MC08580(ALL)01/96]
Check the liftgate washer reservoir regularly.
This is not the same reservoir your front
windshield wipers use. The opening for this
reservoir is on the right side of the liftgate above
the tail lamp. A fill cup is located on top of the
right hand tail lamp and is accessible when the
liftgate is open. Close the fill cup cover after
filling and before closing the liftgate. Refill this
reservoir with the same solution you use for
your windshield. To find out how much washer
fluid the liftgate reservoir holds, seeRefill
capacitiesin the Index.
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240 [MC08590(ALL)05/96]
one third page art:0020362-CLiftgate window washer reservoir
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[MC08700(ALL)01/96]
Engine Coolant
%*
[MC08710(ALL)01/96]
Checking the Engine Coolant
*
[MC08720(ALL)05/96]
NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
[MC08725(ALL)05/96]
Your vehicle's engine coolant protects the engine
from overheating in the summer and from
freezing in the winter. Check the level of the
engine coolant at least once a month, but
preferably each time you stop for fuel. Simply
look at the engine coolant recovery reservoir
located in the engine compartment. To locate
this reservoir, see the diagram of your vehicle's
engine underEngine Compartmentin the
Capacities and Specificationschapter.
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241
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[MC08755(ALL)05/96]
Adding Engine Coolant
[MC08760(ALL)01/96]
quarter page art:0020354-A
Adding engine coolant to reservoir
*
[MC08765(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Do not put engine coolant in the container
for the windshield washer fluid.
*
[MC08770(ALL)05/96]
When the engine is cool, add a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and water to the engine coolant
recovery reservoir Ð DO NOT ADD DIRECTLY
TO THE RADIATOR. Add straight water only in
an emergency, but you should replace it with a
50/50 mixture of coolant and distilled water as
soon as possible.
*
[MC08772(ALL)05/96]
Check the coolant level in the coolant recovery
reservoir the next few times you drive the
vehicle. If necessary, add enough of a 50/50
mixture of coolant and water to bring the liquid
level to the fill line on the reservoir.
*
[MC08775(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap
while the engine is running or hot.
[MC08780(ALL)01/96]
If you must remove the coolant recovery cap,
follow these steps to avoid personal injury
caused by escaping steam or engine coolant:
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