engine FORD ASPIRE 1996 1.G Owner's Manual

79 [IP22900(ALL)05/93]
quarter page art:0030053-A
Interior courtesy lamp
[IP22950(ALL)07/93]
Do not leave the dome light on for long periods
of time when the engine is not running, or the
battery may discharge.
*
[IP24200(ALL)05/95]
Radio
*
[IP24300(ALL)07/95]
For information about the radio in your vehicle,
refer to theAudio SystemsChapter in this owner
guide.
*
[IP24320(ALL)05/92]
Radio Antenna
[IP24340(ALL)05/91]
The radio antenna is mounted near the top of
the windshield on the driver's side of the
vehicle. The antenna can be extended by pulling
it upward away from its base. To retract the
antenna, push it in toward its base.
[IP24360(ALL)05/91]
NOTE: To receive the best reception, the
antenna must be fully extended. If the
antenna is not fully extended, the
result may be weak or noisy radio
reception.
[IP24380(ALL)03/94]
NOTE: The radio antenna must be pushed in
prior to entering a car wash. If you do
not push in the antenna before
entering a car wash it could result in
damage to the antenna, antenna base,
or vehicle.
File:06icipf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:47:07 1996

119
Driving Your Aspire
*
[DR00400(ALL)09/93]
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.
[DR01100(ALL)02/95]
Your Aspire has one of two types of transaxles:
[DR01300(ALL)01/92]
q
a manual five-speed
[DR01400(ALL)02/89]
q
an automatic three-speed
[DR01700(ALL)02/95]
Driving With an Automatic
Transaxle (If equipped)
*
[DR01800(ALL)01/95]
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
[DR02100(ALL)02/91]
The automatic transaxle provides fully automatic
operation in D (Drive). For manual control, start
in 1 (First) or 2 (Second) and then shift
manually.
*
[DR02150(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic
Powertrain Control Module that limits engine
and/or vehicle speeds with a cut-out mode to
promote durability.
File:10icdrf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:53:01 1996

120
*
[DR02200(ALL)07/93]
Using a Console-Mounted Gearshift
[DR02350(ALL)05/93]
half page art:0032160-A
Automatic console-mounted gearshift lever
*
[DR02400(ALL)07/95]
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.
*
[DR02500(ALL)05/95]
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.
[DR02550(ALL)07/93]
NOTE: If the gearshift selector lever will not
move with the key on and the brake
pedal depressed refer toShift-lock
systemin the Index.
File:10icdrf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:53:01 1996

122
*
[DR04700(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park).
*
[DR04800(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running.
*
[DR05000(ALL)02/91]
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.
*
[DR05050(ALL)05/95]
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.
[DR05100(ALL)02/95]
Driving With a Manual
Transaxle (If equipped)
*
[DR05200(ALL)03/95]
Using the Clutch
*
[DR05300(ALL)05/95]
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).
*
[DR05400(ALL)01/94]
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.)
File:10icdrf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:53:01 1996

125
*
[DR07100(ALL)05/95]
Upshifting
*
[DR07200(ALL)03/95]
Most of the time, you should upshift at the
following speeds:
[DR07300(ALL)07/93]
eighteen pica chart:0030260-F[DR07500(ALL)07/89]
For better fuel economy, shift at these speeds.
%*
[DR08000(ALL)05/95]
Downshifting
*
[DR08100(ALL)03/95]
When you slow down or climb a steep hill,
always downshift before the engine starts to lose
power. Downshifting reduces the chance of
stalling and gives your vehicle better acceleration
to increase speed again.
*
[DR08500(ALL)03/95]
When you drive down steep hills, downshifting
helps you keep a safe speed and helps prevent
unnecessary wear on the brakes.
*
[DR08600(ALL)03/95]
When you come to a stop, do not downshift
through each gear. Disengage the clutch and use
the brake as necessary. Downshifting through
the gears decreases your vehicle's fuel economy.
File:10icdrf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:53:01 1996

126
*
[DR08800(ALL)03/95]
Parking
*
[DR08900(ALL)03/95]
To park your vehicle, shift into 1 (First), set the
parking brake fully, and turn off the ignition.
*
[DR09000(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it
may move unexpectedly and injure
someone. Use 1 (First) gear and set the
parking brake fully.
[DR09100(ALL)04/95]
Steering Your Vehicle (Power steering if
equipped)
[DR09200(ALL)05/93]
Your car may be equipped with power steering.
Power steering uses energy from the engine to
help steer your car.
%*
[DR09250(ALL)04/95]
If the amount of effort needed to steer your
vehicle changes at a constant vehicle speed, have
the power steering system checked. If the power
steering system breaks down (or if the engine is
turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually
but it takes more effort.
*
[DR09300(ALL)01/95]
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.
*
[DR09500(ALL)03/95]
Brakes
*
[DR09600(ALL)01/95]
Applying the Brakes
[DR10000(ALL)07/93]
Your vehicle is equipped with a power front
disc/rear drum brake system that adjusts
automatically as the brake pads and linings
wear.
[DR10050(ALL)05/95]
If power assist is lost you can still stop your
vehicle by applying greater force to the brake
pedal than you normally would. The stopping
distance, however, is longer.
File:10icdrf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:53:01 1996

127 [DR10075(ALL)05/95]
When the engine is not running or has stalled,
the power assist is interrupted. The reserve
brake power is partially depleted each time the
brake pedal is applied and released. Do not
pump the brake pedal when the power assist
has been interrupted, unless it is necessary to
maintain steering control on slippery surfaces.
*
[DR10100(ALL)05/95]
Apply the brake pedal gradually. Use the
ªsqueezeº technique Ð push on the brake pedal
with a steadily increasing force. This allows the
wheels to continue to roll while you are slowing
down, which lets you steer properly.
[DR10200(ALL)05/95]
Extreme braking can make the wheels lock and
slide, causing you to lose control of the steering.
If you lock the wheels, release the brake pedal
and repeat the ªsqueezeº technique.
*
[DR10300(ALL)05/95]
Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake
pedal; you will wear out the linings and increase
your vehicle's stopping distance. Brake rotor
damage may also eventually occur.
*
[DR10400(ALL)05/95]
NOTE: If you are driving down a long or
steep hill, shift to a lower gear and do
not apply your brakes continuously. If
you apply your brakes continuously,
they may overheat and become less
effective.
*
[DR10500(ALL)07/95]
Occasional brake squeal during light to moderate
stops does not affect the function of the brake
system and is normal. However, if the squeal
becomes louder or more frequent, have your
brakes inspected by your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
File:10icdrf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:53:01 1996

130 [DR11050(ALL)11/91]
one third page art:0030316-AParking brake (handbrake)
*
[DR11100(ALL)11/91]
RWARNING
To prevent personal injury, do not release
the parking brake while outside the
vehicle.
*
[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).
*
[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.
*
[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.
File:10icdrf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:53:01 1996

133
*
[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.
*
[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.
*
[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.
%*
[DR16200(ALL)01/95]
High water
*
[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.
*
[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.
*
[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.
File:10icdrf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:53:01 1996

137
Roadside Emergencies
*
[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.
*
[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.
*
[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.
%*
[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.
%*
[RE01000(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns
skin, eyes, and clothing.
File:12icref.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:52:09 1996