maintenance FORD AEROSTAR 1997 1.G Owners Manual

*
[PI02300(ALL)05/95]
Table of ContentsIntroduction ....................................................1
Instrumentation ..............................................7
Audio ..............................................................21
Controls and Features ................................59
Seating and Safety Restraints ..................97
Starting .........................................................153
Driving .........................................................163
Roadside Emergencies ..............................199
Maintenance and Care .............................229
Capacities and Specifications .................293
Reporting Safety Defects
(U.S. Only) ..................................................301
Customer Assistance .................................303
Accessories ..................................................315
Quick Index ................................................327
Index .............................................................335
Service Station Information ....................356
File:01cppia.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 14:22:51 1996

3 %
*
[II01090(ALL)01/96]
Canadian Owners Ð French Version
*
[II01100(ALL)01/96]
French Owner Guides can be obtained from your
dealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company of
Canada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box
1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3.
%
*
[II02400(ALL)01/96]
Your Maintenance Schedule and
Record Booklet
*
[II02500(ALL)03/96]
TheMaintenance Schedulebooklet lists the
services that are most important for keeping
your vehicle in good condition. A record log is
also provided to help you keep track of all
services performed.
%
*
[II02600(ALL)01/96]
About the Warranties
*
[II02700(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is covered by three types of
warranties:Basic Vehicle Warranty,Extended
Warrantieson certain parts, andEmissions
Warranties.
%*
[II03100(ALL)01/96]
Read yourWarranty Information Bookletcarefully
to find out about your vehicle's warranties and
your basic rights and responsibilities.
*
[II03250(ALL)03/96]
If you lose yourWarranty Information Booklet,you
can get a new one free of charge. Contact any
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the
addresses and phone numbers on the first page
of this Owner's Guide.
%*
[II04000(ALL)05/96]
Ford Extended Service Plan
[II04100(ALL)06/96]
More Protection for Your Vehicle
*
[II04200(ALL)05/96]
You can get more protection for your new car or
light truck by purchasing a Ford Extended
Service Plan (Ford ESP). Ford ESP is the only
extended service program with the Ford name
on it and the only service contract backed by
Ford Motor Company.
File:02cpiia.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 14:22:57 1996

4
*
[II04300(ALL)05/96]
Ford ESP is an optional service contract, backed
and administered by Ford. It provides:
*
[II04400(ALL)05/96]
q
protection against repair costs after your
Bumper to Bumper Warranty expires;
*
[II04500(ALL)05/96]
and
*
[II04600(ALL)05/96]
q
other benefits during the warranty period
(such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage
for certain maintenance and wear items).
*
[II04700(ALL)05/96]
You may purchase Ford ESP from any
participating Ford Motor Company dealer. There
are several Ford ESP plans available in various
time-and-mileage combinations. Each plan can be
tailored to fit your own driving needs, including
reimbursement benefits for towing and rental.
(In Hawaii, rules vary. See your dealer for
details.)
*
[II04800(ALL)05/96]
When you purchase Ford ESP, you receive
peace-of-mind protection throughout the United
States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,100 participating Ford Motor
Company dealers.
*
[II04850(ALL)05/96]
NOTE: Repairs performed outside the United
States and Canada are not eligible for
ESP coverage.
*
[II04900(ALL)05/96]
This information is subject to change. Ask your
dealer for complete details about Ford ESP
coverage.
File:02cpiia.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 14:22:57 1996

118
%*
[SS09775(ALL)03/96]
Safety Belt Maintenance
*
[SS09795(ALL)02/96]
Check the safety belt systems periodically to
make sure that they work properly and are not
damaged.
*
[SS09800(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Failure to follow these instructions will
affect the performance of the safety belts
and increase the risk of personal injury.
%*
[SS09805(ALL)05/96]
All safety belt assemblies, including retractors,
buckles, front seat belt buckle support assemblies
(slide bar) (if equipped), shoulder belt height
adjusters (if equipped), child safety seat tether
bracket assemblies (if equipped), and attaching
hardware, should be inspected after any
collision. Ford recommends that all safety belt
assemblies used in vehicles involved in a
collision be replaced. However, if the collision
was minor and a qualified technician finds that
the belts do not show damage and continue to
operate properly, they do not need to be
replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use
during a collision should also be inspected and
replaced if either damage or improper operation
is noted.
%*
[SS09875(ALL)01/96]
How to Untwist or Unjam a Safety Belt
Retractor
*
[SS09900(ALL)01/96]
If you should jam the lap belt retractor by
allowing the belt to retract when it is twisted,
you can free the webbing with this procedure:
*
[SS09925(ALL)01/96]
1. Pull on the belt with both hands to tighten it
on the retractor spool.
*
[SS09950(ALL)01/96]
2. Feed the belt back into the retractor until it
is completely retracted. Repeat previous step
if necessary.
File:06cpssa.ex
Update:Thu Jun 13 08:56:07 1996

127
*
[SS12700(ALL)05/96]
q
and the electrical wiring which connects the
components.
*
[SS12800(ALL)05/96]
The diagnostic module monitors its own internal
circuits and the supplemental air bag electrical
system readiness (including the impact sensors),
the system wiring, the air bag system readiness
light, the air bag backup power and the air bag
igniters.
*
[SS12900(ALL)05/96]
Determining if System Is Operational
*
[SS13000(ALL)05/96]
The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System uses
a readiness light and a tone to indicate the
condition of the system. The readiness light is in
the instrument cluster. When you turn the
ignition key to ON, this light will illuminate for
approximately six (6) seconds and then turn off.
This indicates that the system is operating
normally. NOTE: Routine maintenance of the air
bag system is not required.
%*
[SS13100(ALL)05/96]
A problem with the system is indicated by one
or more of the following:
*
[SS13200(ALL)05/96]
q
the readiness light will either flash or stay lit,
*
[SS13300(ALL)05/96]
q
the readiness light will not light immediately
after ignition is turned on,
%*
[SS13400(ALL)05/96]
q
a group of five beeps will be heard. The tone
pattern will repeat periodically until the
problem and light are repaired.
*
[SS13500(ALL)05/96]
If any of these things happen, even
intermittently, have the Air Bag Supplemental
Restraint System serviced at your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately. Unless
serviced, the system may not function properly
in the event of a collision.
File:06cpssa.ex
Update:Thu Jun 13 08:56:07 1996

150
*
[SS30500(ALL)08/95]
Built-in child seat maintenance
[SS30510(ALL)04/96]
Regularly inspect the lap and shoulder belts
system of your child seat. See your Ford dealer
if the shoulder belt webbing is frayed, or if the
buckle and tongue are damaged and/or do not
function properly.
%*
[SS30540(ALL)01/96]
Safety Belts for Children
*
[SS30550(ALL)01/96]
Children who are too large for child safety seats
should always wear safety belts. (See instructions
with your child seat, or contact its manufacturer,
to determine maximum size of child that will
safely fit in the seat.)
*
[SS30560(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
If safety belts are not properly worn and
adjusted as described, the risk of serious
injury to the child in a collision will be
much greater.
*
[SS30570(ALL)01/96]
If the shoulder belt portion of one of the lap and
shoulder belts can be positioned so that it does
not cross or rest in front of the child's face or
neck, the child should wear the lap and shoulder
belt. Moving the child closer to the center of the
vehicle may help provide a good shoulder belt
fit.
File:06cpssa.ex
Update:Thu Jun 13 08:56:07 1996

196 %
*
[GF38540(ALL)05/96]
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
[GF38600(ALL)05/96]
When towing a trailer in hilly terrain, with a
vehicle equipped with an automatic overdrive
transmission, you may wish to operate in Drive
(by cancelling Overdrive with OVERDRIVE OFF
button) rather thanj(Overdrive). This will
eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting
to maintain speed. Switch back to Overdrive
whenever practical for optimum powertrain
cooling. This can be accomplished by pushing in
the switch located on the end of the indicator
lever.
*
[GF38800(ALL)03/96]
When descending a steep grade with a trailer,
operate in Drive rather than Overdrive. If
additional braking is needed, shift the automatic
transmission gearshift into the 2 (Second) or 1
(Low) position.
[GF38925(ALL)01/96]
Servicing your vehicle if you tow
*
[GF38950(ALL)05/96]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule
booklet for additional information.
*
[GF39000(ALL)01/96]
Trailer Towing Tips
*
[GF39100(ALL)01/96]
Before starting on a trip, practice turning,
stopping and backing in an area away from
heavy traffic. Get to know the ªfeelº of the
vehicle/trailer combination.
*
[GF39200(ALL)01/96]
Practice backing up. Back up very slowly, with
someone outside at the rear of your trailer to
guide you. Place your hand at the bottom of the
steering wheel and move it in the direction you
want the rear of the trailer to swing. Slight
movement of the steering wheel results in a
much larger movement of the rear of the trailer.
File:09cpgfa.ex
Update:Wed Jun 5 12:04:06 1996

221 % [ER22400(ALL)04/96]
quarter page art:0020312-B
Lug nut tightening sequence
*
[ER23400(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Never use wheels or lug nuts different
than the original equipment as this could
damage the wheel or mounting system.
This damage could allow the wheels to
come off while the vehicle is being
driven.
*
[ER23500(ALL)01/96]
7. Replace any wheel covers, ornaments, or hub
caps that your vehicle has. Make sure that
they are screwed or snapped into place.
[ER23625(ALL)01/96]
8. Put the tire, jack, and wrench away. Make
sure jack is securely fastened so it doesn't
rattle when you drive. The carrier is
designed to hold the temporary spare which
comes with your vehicle. The stowage of a
full size tire in the spare tire carrier may
damage the tire or the vehicle. The flat full
size tire should be stowed securely in the
vehicle until it can be repaired.
*
[ER23700(ALL)03/96]
9. Unblock the wheels.
*
[ER23800(ALL)03/96]
Retighten the wheel lug nuts to the specified
torque at 500 miles (800 km) of new vehicle
operation and at intervals specified in the
Maintenance Schedulebooklet.
File:10cpera.ex
Update:Thu Jun 6 14:45:00 1996

226 %
*
[ER24660(ALL)02/96]
Removing jumper cables
*
[ER24670(ALL)02/96]
1.Always remove the jumper cables in the
reverse order.Remove the negative (S) end
of the jumper cable from the metallic surface
on the engine or frame of the disabled
vehicle.
*
[ER24680(ALL)03/96]
2. Remove the negative (S) cable from the
booster battery.
*
[ER24690(ALL)02/96]
3. Remove the positive (+) cable from the
booster battery.
*
[ER24692(ALL)02/96]
4. Remove the other end of the positive (+)
cable from the discharged battery.
*
[ER24694(ALL)02/96]
After the vehicle is started, let it idle for a while
to let the engine ªrelearnº its idle conditions.
Drive it around for a while with all electrical
accessories turned off to let the battery recharge.
Driveability may be deteriorated slightly until all
drive modes are ªrelearned.ºYou may need to
use a battery charger to fully recharge the
battery.
*
[ER24695(ALL)03/96]
If you need to replace your battery, seeBattery
in theMaintenance and Carechapter.
%
*
[ER24700(ALL)04/96]
Towing Your Vehicle
[ER24750(ALL)01/96]
The recommended method to tow your Aerostar
is with flatbed or wheel lift equipment.
However, slingbelt towing is acceptable. On
vehicles equipped with an under-vehicle spare
tire carrier, remove the tire assembly from the
carrier and store it in a secure area before
towing. For E-4WD vehicles, the 4-wheel drive
system must be disabled prior to towing. The
transmission must be in N (Neutral) and the
ignition switch must be in the OFF position to
disable the Electronic 4-Wheel Drive System.
File:10cpera.ex
Update:Thu Jun 6 14:45:00 1996

229
Maintenance and Care
%*
[MC00300(ALL)01/96]
Service Made Easy
*
[MC00400(ALL)01/96]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
*
[MC00500(ALL)01/96]
1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
*
[MC00600(ALL)01/96]
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
*
[MC00700(ALL)01/96]
q
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
*
[MC00800(ALL)03/96]
q
When possible, we design parts that can be
replaced without tools.
*
[MC00900(ALL)02/96]
q
We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your
vehicle easy. The maintenance schedule is
located in theMaintenance Schedulebooklet.
*
[MC01000(ALL)01/96]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
*
[MC01050(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
*
[MC01300(ALL)03/96]
Ford Motor Company recommends that you
perform the Owner Maintenance Checks listed in
theMaintenance Schedulebooklet. These services
are important for the proper operation of your
vehicle. In addition to the conditions listed in
the Owner Maintenance Checklist, be alert for
File:11cpmca.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 14:30:56 1996