FORD PROBE 1997 2.G Owners Manual

138steering system breaks down (or if the engine is
turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually
but it takes more effort.
*
[GF03100(ALL)01/96]
Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or left for more than five seconds if the
engine is running. This can damage the power
steering pump.
*
[GF04000(ALL)01/96]
Procedures for driving your vehicle will vary
depending on which type oftransaxleyour
vehicle has. You may be familiar with the term
ªtransmission.º We usetransaxlebecause it is a
more accurate term for vehicles that have
front-wheel drive.
[GF04100(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle has one of two types of transaxles:
[GF04200(ALL)01/96]
q
a manual five-speed overdrive
[GF04300(ALL)01/96]
q
an automatic four-speed overdrive
%
*
[GF04400(ALL)01/96]
Driving with an Automatic
Overdrive Transaxle
%*
[GF04500(ALL)05/96]
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
[GF04600(ALL)01/96]
The automatic transaxle on your vehicle is an
electrically controlled four speed. The highest
gear is Overdrive. The Overdrive position is
reflected by D in the shift selector indicator.
[GF04700(ALL)01/96]
The automatic transaxle uses the conventional
selector lever, and an Overdrive OFF button. All
normal driving is done with the selector in the
D position.
File:09prgfp.ex
Update:Fri Jan 3 09:33:04 1997

139 [GF04800(ALL)05/96]
two third page art:0032064-E
Automatic shift lever
*
[GF04900(ALL)01/96]
Your automatic transaxle vehicle has a
console-mounted shift selector lever. You must
step on the brake pedal, start the engine, and
then push in the thumb button to move the shift
selector lever to the position you choose.
File:09prgfp.ex
Update:Fri Jan 3 09:33:04 1997

140
*
[GF05000(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Hold the brake pedal down while you
move the gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move
unexpectedly and injure someone.
*
[GF05010(ALL)04/96]
Shift-lock System (If equipped)
*
[GF05020(ALL)04/96]
For your safety, the automatic transaxle has a
shift-lock system, which prevents shifting the
transaxle out of the P (Park) position without
depressing the brake pedal when the ignition
key is in the ON position.
*
[GF05030(ALL)03/96]
To shift the transaxle out of the P (Park)
position:
*
[GF05040(ALL)03/96]
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
*
[GF05050(ALL)03/96]
2. Start the engine.
[GF05060(ALL)03/96]
3. Push in the thumb button and move the
shift selector lever.
[GF05070(ALL)03/96]
4. SeeShift Lock Emergency Overridein this
section for more information.
File:09prgfp.ex
Update:Fri Jan 3 09:33:04 1997

141 [GF05080(ALL)05/96]
two third page art:0032064-E
Automatic console-mounted gearshift lever
*
[GF05090(ALL)03/96]
NOTE: When the ignition key is in the ACC
or LOCK position, the transaxle cannot
be shifted from the P (Park) position.
If the brake pedal is repeatedly
depressed and released when the
ignition is in the ON position and the
selector lever is in the P (Park)
position, a chattering near the gearshift
lever may be heard. This is not a
malfunction.
File:09prgfp.ex
Update:Fri Jan 3 09:33:04 1997

142
*
[GF05095(ALL)03/96]
NOTE: Your vehicle's gearshift lever is
securely latched in P (Park) if you
cannot move it without pushing in the
thumb button. Keep the brake pedal
depressed while moving your gearshift
lever.
*
[GF05110(ALL)03/96]
To make the system more effective, the ignition
key cannot be removed unless the gearshift
selector lever is in the P (Park) position.
[GF05120(ALL)03/96]
Shift lock emergency override
[GF05130(ALL)03/96]
If the gearshift selector lever should fail to move
from the P (Park) position with the brake pedal
depressed, continue depressing the brake pedal.
[GF05140(ALL)03/96]
1. Remove the shift lock override cover with a
screwdriver.
[GF05150(ALL)03/96]
2. Insert the screwdriver into the shift lock
override opening and push the screwdriver
down.
*
[GF05160(ALL)03/96]
3. Push and hold the thumb button.
[GF05170(ALL)03/96]
4. Move the shift selector lever.
*
[GF05180(ALL)05/96]
If you need to shift out of P (Park) by using the
alternate procedure described above, it is
possible that a fuse has blown and that your
brakelamps may also not be functional. Please
refer to the chapter titledRoadside Emergenciesin
this Owner Guide for instructions on checking
and replacing fuses.
*
[GF05190(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL
YOU VERIFY THAT THE BRAKELAMPS
ARE WORKING.
File:09prgfp.ex
Update:Fri Jan 3 09:33:04 1997

143
*
[GF05200(ALL)01/96]
Once the gearshift is secure in the desired
position, release the brake pedal and use the
accelerator as necessary.
%*
[GF05500(ALL)05/96]
Driving
[GF05600(ALL)01/96]
When to use Overdrive (D with Overdrive
activated)
[GF05700(ALL)01/96]
Overdrive is the usual driving position for an
automatic overdrive transaxle. It works the same
way Drive (Overdrive OFF) works, automatically
upshifting or downshifting as the vehicle speeds
or slows.
[GF05800(ALL)01/96]
However, Overdrive also shifts into a fourth
gear Ðan overdrive gear Ð when your vehicle
cruises at a consistent speed for any length of
time. This fourth gear will increase your fuel
economy when you travel at cruising speeds.
[GF05850(ALL)05/96]
Cancelling Overdrive
[GF05900(ALL)05/96]
Overdrive may not be appropriate for certain
terrain. If the transaxle shifts back and forth
between third and fourth gears while you are
driving on hilly roads, select Drive (Overdrive
OFF) by cancelling Overdrive as outlined below.
[GF06100(ALL)01/96]
The Overdrive Off (O/D OFF) button is located
on the gearshift. The Overdrive Off (O/D OFF)
light is located in the instrument cluster.
[GF06200(ALL)01/96]
The O/D OFF light is not illuminated during
normal vehicle operation. This allows the
transaxle to upshift and downshift from 1st
through 4th gears. When the O/D OFF button is
pressed, Overdrive is cancelled and the O/D
OFF light in the instrument cluster illuminates.
When the O/D OFF light is illuminated, the
transaxle will upshift and downshift from 1st
through 3rd gears.
File:09prgfp.ex
Update:Fri Jan 3 09:33:04 1997

144 [GF06300(ALL)01/96]
one inch art:0032053-AOverdrive OFF indicator light
[GF06400(ALL)01/96]
To return the transaxle to normal operation (1st
through 4th gears) press the O/D OFF button
again. The O/D OFF button may be used to
cancel Overdrive any time the vehicle is being
driven. Each time your vehicle is started, the
Overdrive system will automatically be in the
normal ªoverdrive onº mode and the light will
not be illuminated.
[GF06500(ALL)03/96]
If the light does not illuminate when the O/D
OFF button is pressed, or if the light flashes
when you are driving, have your vehicle
serviced at the first opportunity. If this
condition persists, damage could occur to the
transaxle.
[GF06600(ALL)01/96]
When to use Drive (D with Overdrive OFF)
[GF06700(ALL)01/96]
In Drive (Overdrive OFF), your vehicle
automatically upshifts or downshifts from 1st
through 4th gears as the vehicle speeds up or
slows down. It also downshifts when you need
extra acceleration to pass or when driving up a
hill.
[GF06800(ALL)01/96]
Selecting Drive (Overdrive OFF) will eliminate
the transaxle's tendency to ªhuntº between third
and fourth gears while driving over hilly terrain.
It also gives your vehicle more engine braking to
slow your vehicle than Overdrive does.
File:09prgfp.ex
Update:Fri Jan 3 09:33:04 1997

145
*
[GF06900(ALL)05/96]
When to use 2 (Second)
[GF07000(ALL)01/96]
Use Second (2) to help drive up moderately
steep hills or when starting on slick surfaces. It
prevents the transaxle from frequently shifting
up and down. It also gives more engine braking
than Overdrive or Drive when going down hills.
[GF07100(ALL)01/96]
Do not go faster than 64 mph (102 km/h) with
the gearshift in the Second (2) position. If you
shift from Overdrive or Drive to Second because
of hilly terrain, your transaxle will automatically
downshift in the proper sequence.
*
[GF07200(ALL)01/96]
When to use 1 (First)
[GF07300(ALL)01/96]
When your vehicle is in First (1), it gives more
engine braking to slow your car than Drive (D
with Overdrive OFF) on downgrades.
[GF07400(ALL)01/96]
Do not go faster than 32 mph (50 km/h) in this
gear. You can upshift from First (1) into D
Position at any speed. If you shift from
Overdrive or Drive to First (1) because of hilly
terrain, your transaxle will automatically
downshift in the proper sequence.
[GF07500(ALL)04/96]
Reverse
[GF07600(ALL)01/96]
In the Reverse (R) position, the vehicle moves
only backward. Your vehicle must be stopped
before shifting into Reverse (R).
[GF07700(ALL)04/96]
Neutral
[GF07800(ALL)01/96]
In Neutral (N), the wheels of the transaxle are
not locked. Your vehicle will roll freely, even on
the slightest incline, unless the parking brake or
brakes are on.
File:09prgfp.ex
Update:Fri Jan 3 09:33:04 1997

146
*
[GF07900(ALL)01/96]
Parking
[GF08000(ALL)01/96]
Always come to a complete stop before you shift
into P (Park). Make sure that the shift selector
lever is securely latched in P (Park). This locks
the transaxle and prevents the front wheels from
rotating.
*
[GF08100(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the gearshift is latched in P
(Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you
leave your vehicle.
*
[GF08200(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running.
*
[GF08300(ALL)01/96]
You can tell the gearshift is securely latched
when the thumb button has popped out. In this
position the gearshift selector lever cannot be
moved unless the button is pushed in.
*
[GF08400(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Hold the brake pedal down while you
move the gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move
unexpectedly and injure someone.
File:09prgfp.ex
Update:Fri Jan 3 09:33:04 1997

147
%*
[GF08500(ALL)01/96]
Driving with a Manual Transaxle
%*
[GF08600(ALL)01/96]
Using the Clutch
*
[GF08700(ALL)01/96]
After the engine starts, allow it to idle for a few
seconds. Then, hold your right foot on the brake
pedal, push the clutch pedal to the floor with
your left foot, and move the shift selector lever
into 1 (First) or R (Reverse).
*
[GF08800(ALL)01/96]
To move the vehicle, lift your right foot off the
brake pedal and slowly release the clutch pedal.
(You need to press down slowly on the
accelerator at the same time you release the
clutch pedal.)
*
[GF08900(ALL)01/96]
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal and do not use the clutch to hold
your vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a
hill. These actions will seriously reduce clutch
life.
*
[GF09000(ALL)01/96]
Driving with your foot resting on the clutch may
cause the vehicle to jerk sharply when pressing
or removing your other foot from the
accelerator.
File:09prgfp.ex
Update:Fri Jan 3 09:33:04 1997