checking oil FORD ASPIRE 1996 1.G Owners Manual

188
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[SV13775(ALL)01/95]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
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[SV13800(ALL)03/95]
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.
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[SV13900(ALL)04/95]
Checking the engine oil level:
*
[SV14000(ALL)02/95]
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.
[SV14050(ALL)04/95]
2. Set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park)
or 1 (First).
*
[SV14100(ALL)02/95]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
[SV14200(ALL)03/95]
4. Locate the dipstick (highlighted in yellow)
and carefully pull it out of the engine.
[SV14300(ALL)05/93]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
[SV14400(ALL)07/93]
quarter page art:0032227-B
Engine oil dipstick
[SV14500(ALL)02/95]
6. Carefully pull the dipstick out again. If the
oil level is at or below the ªLº line, add
engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªFº, engine damage or
high oil consumption may occur and some
oil must be removed from the engine.
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190 [SV17250(ALL)05/95]NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
*
[SV17275(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil
has caused cancer in laboratory mice.
*
[SV17280(ALL)07/95]
Protect your skin by washing with soap and
water.
*
[SV17300(ALL)03/95]
Engine Coolant
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[SV17500(ALL)02/95]
Checking the engine coolant
[SV17550(ALL)05/95]
NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
*
[SV17600(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
The cooling fan is automatic and may
come on at any time. Always disconnect
the negative terminal of the battery before
working near the fan.
%*
[SV17800(ALL)02/95]
Your vehicle's coolant protects your engine from
overheating in the summer and from freezing in
the winter. Check the level of the coolant at least
once a month. Simply look at the engine coolant
reservoir located in the engine compartment. To
locate the reservoir, see the diagram of your
vehicle's engine underEngine Type,in this
chapter.
[SV18000(ALL)04/89]
q
If the engine is hot, the reservoir should be
filled with engine coolant to the FULL mark,
and the radiator should be full.
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207 %
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[SV29530(ALL)04/95]
Cleaning the Wheels
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[SV29535(ALL)05/95]
Wash the wheels with the same detergent you
use to wash your vehicle's body. Do not use
acid-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, abrasives,
fuel, or strong detergents. These substances will
damage protective coatings. Use tar and road oil
remover to remove grease and tar.
[SV29540(ALL)05/95]
NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if
the brushes are abrasive.
*
[SV29610(ALL)05/95]
Battery
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[SV29612(ALL)02/95]
The Motorcraft maintenance-free battery does
not require additional water during its life of
service. The vents are part of the cover and
cannot be removed. For longer, trouble-free
operation, keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are
tightly fastened to the battery terminals.
*
[SV29614(ALL)02/95]
If you see any corrosion on the battery cables or
terminals, remove the cables from the terminal
and clean them both with a wire brush. You can
neutralize the acid with a solution of baking
soda and water. Reinstall the cables when you
are done cleaning them, and apply a small
quantity of grease to the top of each battery
terminal to help prevent corrosion.
*
[SV29616(ALL)07/95]
Battery replacement
[SV29620(ALL)09/93]
If the original equipment battery requires
replacement (under warranty), it may be
replaced by a Motorcraft Low-Maintenance
battery.
[SV29625(ALL)04/95]
The Low-Maintenance battery has removable
vent caps for checking the electrolyte level and
adding water, if necessary. The electrolyte level
should be checked at least every 24 months or
24,000 miles (40,000 km) in temperatures up to
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211
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[SV30400(ALL)03/95]
If you must add transaxle fluid in an emergency,
use only MERCONHfluid, such as Motorcraft
MERCONHMulti-Purpose ATF. Add the fluid in
1/2-pint increments until you raise the fluid
level to within the crosshatched area on the
dipstick. Never overfill the transaxle. If the fluid
level gets too high, remove the excess fluid as
soon as possible; otherwise, you could damage
the transaxle.
[SV30475(ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
*
[SV30500(ALL)01/89]
Manual Transaxle Fluid
*
[SV30600(ALL)08/91]
The lubricant level and quality should not
deteriorate under normal use. However, you
should periodically have your Ford Dealer check
the fluid level during regular oil changes.
[SV30700(ALL)01/89]
Checking manual transaxle oil level
[SV30800(ALL)01/89]
1. Remove the speedometer cable and driven
gear from the transaxle case.
[SV30900(ALL)01/89]
2. Wipe the gear clean and reinsert it.
[SV31100(ALL)02/92]
3. Pull it out again. The oil level should be
between the F and L marks, as indicated in
the illustration.
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212 [SV31300(ALL)08/91]
half page art:0030228-BChecking manual transaxle oil level
%*
[SV31350(ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
*
[SV31600(ALL)03/95]
Brake Fluid
*
[SV31700(ALL)03/95]
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.
[SV31800(ALL)09/93]
Check the brake fluid at least once a year. You
can do this by looking at the fluid level in the
plastic reservoir on the master cylinder. (See
Your Engine Typeearlier in this chapter to locate
the master cylinder.) The fluid level should be at
or near the MAX mark.
File:15icsvf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:56:41 1996