FORD ASPIRE 1996 1.G Owners Manual

130 [DR11050(ALL)11/91]
one third page art:0030316-AParking brake (handbrake)
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[DR11100(ALL)11/91]
RWARNING
To prevent personal injury, do not release
the parking brake while outside the
vehicle.
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[DR11200(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or
in 1 (First) (manual transaxle).
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[DR11400(ALL)03/95]
Always check the Brake Warning Light each
time you start your engine. Driving with the
parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
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[DR11500(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If the parking brake is fully released, but
the Brake System light remains on, have
the brakes checked immediately. They
may not be working properly.
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131
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[DR11600(ALL)06/95]
The parking brake is not designed to stop a
moving vehicle, but you can use the parking
brake to stop your vehicle in an emergency if
the normal brakes fail. However, since the
parking brake applies only the rear brakes, the
stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely
affected.
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[DR14000(ALL)01/95]
Driving Under Special Conditions
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[DR14100(ALL)01/95]
Tips for Safe Driving
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[DR14200(ALL)07/95]
As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and
handle differently from your previous vehicle.
Use care until you become accustomed to its
various features and driving characteristics.
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[DR14300(ALL)03/95]
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.
Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, or
combinations of these maneuvers can cause a
vehicle to behave differently than anticipated.
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[DR14500(ALL)02/95]
q
Extreme braking can cause the front wheels
to lock and slide, making it difficult to
control the direction of the vehicle. Use a
ªsqueezeº technique Ð push on the brake
pedal with steadily increasing force. This
allows the wheels to brake yet continue to
roll so that you may steer in the direction
you want to travel. If you lock the wheels,
release the brake pedal and repeat the
ªsqueezeº technique.
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[DR14600(ALL)02/95]
q
If you abruptly release the accelerator or
brake hard while going too fast around a
severe curve, your vehicle may change
direction. Avoid application of the brakes, if
possible. If braking is necessary, it should be
done by using the ªsqueezeº technique
described above.
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132 %
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Driving in Bad Weather
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Slippery roads
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[DR14900(ALL)03/95]
On some slippery road surfaces, front-wheel
drive may provide better acceleration than
rear-wheel drive. However, this does not mean
that your vehicle can stop any faster or any
better than a vehicle with rear-wheel drive.
Exercise the same caution while driving on
slippery roads with your front-wheel drive
vehicle as you would with a rear-wheel drive
vehicle.
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[DR15000(ALL)03/95]
Drive cautiously on wet or snowy roads:
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[DR15100(ALL)03/95]
q
Do not quickly move the steering wheel
unless necessary.
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[DR15200(ALL)01/95]
q
Drive slower than you normally would.
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[DR15400(ALL)01/95]
q
Give your vehicle more distance to stop.
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[DR15550(ALL)01/92]
q
Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly to
avoid locking your wheels.
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[DR15600(ALL)02/93]
q
Consider using one of the lower gears.
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[DR15700(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid losing control on slippery roads,
do not downshift into 1 (First) with the
automatic transaxle when moving faster
than 20 mph (32 km/h). Do not downshift
into 1 (First) with the manual transaxle
when moving faster than 10 mph
(16 km/h).
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[DR15750(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
If your vehicle has speed control, do not
use it on slippery roads. You could lose
control of your vehicle and could injure
someone.
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133
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[DR15800(ALL)01/95]
If you have an automatic transaxle and your
vehicle gets stuck (for example, in mud or
snow), you may try to ªrockº it out of the spot.
Shift, in a steady rhythm, between forward and
reverse gears. While in each gear, press lightly
on the accelerator and release.
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[DR15900(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph
(55 km/h). The tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander.
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[DR16000(ALL)03/95]
By moving the vehicle backward and forward,
you may gain enough momentum to move out
of the spot. Do not rock the vehicle for more
than a few minutes. This may overheat the
engine, damage the transaxle, or damage the
tires. If you are still stuck after a minute or two
of rocking, call for a tow truck.
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[DR16200(ALL)01/95]
High water
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[DR16300(ALL)01/95]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you
are sure that the water is below the bottom of
the wheel rims.
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[DR16400(ALL)04/94]
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. You may have limited traction or wet
brakes, so allow extra stopping distance because
your vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.
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[DR16500(ALL)01/95]
After you drive through the standing water,
apply your brakes gently several times as your
vehicle moves slowly. This helps to dry the
brakes.
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134
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Driving With a Heavy Load
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[DR16650(ALL)03/94]
There are limits to the amount of weight your
vehicle can carry. The total weight of your
vehicle, plus the weight of the passengers and
cargo, should never be more than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight
that your vehicle carries over the front axle and
rear axle should never be more than the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective
axle.
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[DR16800(ALL)07/93]
You can find your vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label on
the left door lock pillar.
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[DR16900(ALL)07/95]
The weight limits of your vehicle's tires affect
the GVWR or GAWR limitations. Usage of
replacement tires with higher weight limits than
originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Usage of lower capacity replacement tires may
lower GVWR and GAWR limitations.
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[DR17150(ALL)04/95]
Trailer Towing
[DR17400(ALL)02/95]
Do not use your Aspire for towing a trailer.
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[DR22320(ALL)03/91]
Towing Behind Another Vehicle Ð
Recreational Vehicle
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[DR22350(ALL)02/92]
Towing an automatic transaxle (ATX) equipped
vehicle behind another vehicle, such as a
Recreational Vehicle (RV), is not recommended
unless a front wheel dolly or trailer is used. Do
not tow your ATX equipped vehicle with the
front wheels on the ground or transaxle damage
may occur.
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135
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[DR22355(ALL)09/93]
Towing a manual transaxle (MTX) equipped
vehicle behind another vehicle, such as a
Recreational Vehicle (RV), is allowed only if it is
towed forward. The parking brake must be
released, the gearshift must be in Neutral, the
ignition key must be in the ACC position, the
battery must be disconnected to eliminate battery
drain, and the steering wheel unlocked. You
may tow your MTX equipped vehicle only in a
forward direction with the front wheels on the
ground without damage to the transaxle.
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[DR22358(ALL)02/92]
Do not tow your manual transaxle equipped
vehicle at a speed faster than 55 mph
(88 km/h). The maximum towing distance is
unlimited.
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[DR22360(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Never use a tow bar that attaches to the
bumper when you tow your vehicle. This
could damage the bumper and cause an
accident.
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137
Roadside Emergencies
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[RE00400(ALL)03/95]
Jump-Starting Your Vehicle
[RE00600(ALL)09/93]
Your vehicle's battery may become discharged
(ªdieº) if you leave the lights or any electrical
equipment on after you turn the engine off. If
this happens, you may be able to jump-start
from a booster battery to start your vehicle.
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[RE00700(ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
The gases around the battery can explode
if exposed to flames, sparks, or lit
cigarettes. An explosion could result in
injury or vehicle damage.
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[RE00800(ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
To protect yourself when charging a
battery, always shield your face and eyes.
Make sure that you can breathe fresh air.
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[RE00900(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Applying too much pressure on the ends
when lifting a battery could cause acid to
spill. Lift the battery with a carrier or
with your hands on the opposite corners.
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[RE01000(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns
skin, eyes, and clothing.
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138
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[RE01010(ALL)07/95]
If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or
clothing, immediately flush the area with water
for at least 15 minutes. If someone swallows the
acid, have him or her drink lots of milk or water
first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or
vegetable oil. Call a doctor immediately.
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[RE01100(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Do not push-start your vehicle. You could
damage the catalytic converter. For further
information, seeJumper Cablesin the
Index.
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[RE01200(ALL)03/95]
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery,
and to avoid injury to yourself, follow these
directions for preparing your vehicle to
jump-start and connecting the jumper cables in
the order they are given. If in doubt, call for
road service.
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[RE01300(ALL)03/95]
Preparing Your Vehicle
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[RE01400(ALL)03/95]
1. Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so
you need to use a 12-volt jumper system.
You will damage your starting motor,
ignition system, and other electrical parts if
you connect them to a 24-volt power supply
(either two 12-volt batteries in series or a
24-volt generator set).
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[RE01500(ALL)03/95]
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
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[RE01600(ALL)04/95]
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of
the disabled vehicle.Make sure the vehicles
do not touch each other.Set the parking
brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
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139
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[RE01700(ALL)03/95]
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the
jumper cables.
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[RE01800(ALL)03/95]
5. Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles.
Press the DEFROST button. Turn off all
other switches and gauges.
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[RE01900(ALL)05/95]
Connecting the jumper cables
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[RE02000(ALL)03/95]
1. Connect one end of the first jumper cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the discharged
battery. (You can connect either jumper cable
to the positive (+) terminal, as long as you
use the same cable for both positive
terminals.) Most jumper cables have a red
cable and a black cable. The red cable is
generally used for the positive terminals and
the black for the negative ones.
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[RE02100(ALL)04/95]
2. Connect the other end of the first cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the booster
battery.
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[RE02200(ALL)07/95]
3. Connect one end of the second cable to the
negative (S) terminal of the booster battery
Ð NOT to the discharged battery.
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[RE02300(ALL)03/95]
4. Connect the other end of that cable to a
good metallic surface on the engine or frame
of the disabled vehicle. The following
illustration shows where you can find a
metallic surface.
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[RE02400(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
Do not connect the end of the second
cable to the negative (S) terminal of the
battery to be jumped. A spark may cause
an explosion of the gases that surround
the battery.
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140 [RE02700(ALL)05/95]
half page art:0032203-DThe sequence for connecting the jumper cables
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[RE02800(ALL)03/95]
Jump-Starting
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[RE02900(ALL)03/95]
1. Make sure that the jumper cables are not in
the way of moving engine parts, then start
the booster vehicle. Run the engine at a
moderate speed.
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[RE03000(ALL)03/95]
2. Let the discharged battery charge for a few
minutes and then start the disabled vehicle.
It may take a couple of tries before the
vehicle starts. If the vehicle does not start
after several attempts, there may be a
different problem.
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[RE03100(ALL)03/95]
3. When both vehicles are running, let them
idle for a few minutes to charge the
discharged battery.
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Update:Wed Jan 24 14:52:09 1996