brakes FORD ASPIRE 1997 1.G Owners Manual

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[II05850(ALL)01/96]
Federal Highway Administration
Regulation
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[II05875(ALL)01/96]
Regulations such as those issued by the Federal
Highway Administration or issued pursuant to
the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA),
and/or state and local laws and regulations may
require additional equipment for the way you
intend to use the vehicle. It is the responsibility
of the registered owner to determine the
applicability of such laws and regulations to
your intended use for the vehicle, and to
arrange for the installation of required
equipment. Your Ford dealer has information
about the availability of many items of
equipment which may be ordered for your
vehicle.
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[II06000(ALL)01/96]
Breaking Your Vehicle In
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[II06100(ALL)01/96]
Your new vehicle goes through an adjustment or
break-in period during the first 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) that you drive it. During the break-in
period, you need to pay careful attention to how
you drive your vehicle.
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[II06300(ALL)01/96]
q
Avoid sudden stops.Because your vehicle
has new brake linings, you should take these
steps:
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[II06400(ALL)01/96]
Ð Watch traffic carefully so that you can
anticipate when to stop.
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[II06500(ALL)01/96]
Ð Begin braking well in advance.
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[II06600(ALL)01/96]
Ð Apply the brakes gradually.
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[II06700(ALL)01/96]
The break-in period for new brake linings
lasts for 100 miles (160 km) of city driving or
1,000 miles (1,600 km) of highway driving.
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[II06800(ALL)03/96]
q
Use only the type of engine oil that Ford
recommends.SeeEngine oil recommendations
in the Index. Do not use special ªbreak-inº
oils.
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10 [IS02600(ALL)04/96]This light illuminates for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition key to START or ON. It
normally goes off shortly after the engine starts
and after you release the parking brake.
However, it may stay on for up to 60 seconds. If
the light doesn't illuminate after the engine is
started, stays on for longer than 60 seconds, or
illuminates after you have fully released the
parking brake, have the hydraulic brake system
checked.
[IS02605(ALL)02/96]
To test the brake warning light, release the
parking brake and turn the ignition key to the
START position. The brake warning light should
illuminate until the key is released.
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[IS02650(ALL)03/96]
This light will also illuminate if the parking
brake does not release fully. If it does stay on
afterthe parking brake is fully released, it
means there may be a brake problem. Pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal is harder to push, the pedal may go
closer to the floor, or it may take longer to stop
the vehicle. Try the brakes again after you have
stopped.
[IS02675(ALL)04/96]
Your vehicle has a divided brake system. If one
part isn't working, the other part can still work
and stop the vehicle. For good braking, you
need both systems working well.
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[IS02700(ALL)03/96]
WARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes
may not be working properly. Have the
brakes checked immediately.
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105
Driving
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[GF01000(ALL)05/96]
Brakes
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[GF01300(ALL)01/96]
Applying the Brakes
[GF01500(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a power front
disc/rear drum brake system that adjusts
automatically as the brake pads and linings
wear.
[GF01700(ALL)01/96]
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.
[GF01800(ALL)01/96]
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.
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[GF02000(ALL)01/96]
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.
[GF02100(ALL)01/96]
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.
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[GF02200(ALL)01/96]
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.
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106
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[GF02300(ALL)02/96]
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.
[GF02400(ALL)02/97]
Occasional brake noise is normal and does not
indicate a performance concern with the vehicle's
brake system. In normal operation, automotive
brake systems may emit occasional or
intermittent squeal or groan noises when the
brakes are applied. Such noises are usually
heard during the first few brake applications in
the morning; however, they may be heard at any
time while braking and can be aggravated by
environmental conditions such as cold, heat,
moisture, road dust, salt or mud. If a
ªmetal-to-metalº or ªcontinuous grindingº sound
is present while braking, the brake linings may
be worn-out and should be inspected by a
qualified service technician.
[GF03000(ALL)01/96]Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
(If equipped)
[GF03050(ALL)02/97]
On vehicles equipped with an antilock braking
system (ABS), a noise from the hydraulic pump
motor and pulsation in the pedal may be
observed during ABS braking events. Pedal
pulsation coupled with noise while braking
under panic conditions or on loose gravel, wet
or snowy roads is normal and indicates proper
functioning of the vehicle's antilock brake
system. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder while braking, felt mainly in the
steering wheel, the vehicle most likely needs
service.
[GF03100(ALL)01/96]
The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) prevents the
brakes from locking up. Whenever your wheels
start to lock during maximum braking, the
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107
system automatically releases and re-applies the
front wheel brakes independently and the rear
brakes as a set. You can feel the system working
when the brake pedal pulses.
[GF03200(ALL)04/96]
Despite this improvement in braking, you should
continue to be careful in all driving situations,
especially when driving on extremely slippery
road surfaces. Maximum braking on roads with
loose surfaces such as snow or gravel, uneven
pavement, or alternating patches of slippery and
dry surfaces, may reduce the directional control
of your vehicle, even with the Anti-lock Brake
System. When driving under normal conditions,
the braking action is the same as with standard
brakes.
[GF03300(ALL)01/96]
Problems in the Anti-lock Brake System will
cause the Anti-lock Brake Warning Light to
illuminate, which indicates the system has a
problem. Normal braking is not affected unless
the brake warning light is also on.
[GF03400(ALL)01/96]
Each time the ignition key is turned to the ON
position, the Anti-lock Brake System functions
through one test cycle.
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[GF03500(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: If your vehicle must be jump-started
because of a low battery, the Anti-Lock
Brake System warning light could
remain on. This is due to low battery
voltage and does not indicate a
malfunction in the system. Under these
circumstances, you should drive your
vehicle only after the battery has had
time to charge and the light has gone
out.
[GF03600(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: You might hear a chattering sound
from the Anti-lock Brake System each
time the vehicle is started or during
driving. This is normal.
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108 [GF03700(ALL)04/96]Ford Motor Company has not found any
detrimental effects of popular mobile radio
transmitting equipment installed on vehicles
equipped with the Anti-lock Brake System if
normal radio installation practices are rigidly
followed. However, if after installing mobile
radio transmitting equipment, the Anti-lock
Brake System light comes on at any time other
than immediately after turning the key to the
ON position or during a sudden stop, have your
mobile radio dealer inspect the radio installation.
Proper radio installation procedures to be
followed are published by the radio
manufacturer.
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[GF04000(ALL)05/96]
Parking Brake
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[GF04100(ALL)03/96]
The parking brake should be used whenever
you park your vehicle.
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[GF04200(ALL)03/96]
If the brakes don't operate while the vehicle is
in motion, you can make an emergency stop
with the parking brake, however, the stopping
distance will be much greater than normal.
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[GF04300(ALL)01/96]
The parking brake lever is located between the
front seats. To set the parking brake, put your
foot on the brake pedal while pulling the
parking brake handle fully and firmly upward.
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[GF04400(ALL)01/96]
To release the parking brake, put your foot on
the brake pedal, pull the handle upward and
push the button. Then lower the handle to the
released position while holding the button in.
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109 [GF04500(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0030316-A
Parking brake (handbrake)
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[GF05000(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
To prevent personal injury, do not release
the parking brake while outside the
vehicle.
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[GF05100(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
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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[GF05400(ALL)01/96]
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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[GF06000(ALL)09/96]
WARNING
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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[GF06500(ALL)03/96]
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
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110the 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.
[GF11700(ALL)04/96]Steering Your Vehicle
(If equipped with power steering)
[GF11705(ALL)04/96]
Your vehicle may be equipped with power
steering. Power steering uses energy from the
engine to help steer your vehicle.
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[GF11710(ALL)03/96]
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.
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[GF11715(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.
[GF11717(ALL)04/96]Transaxle Operation
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[GF11720(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.
[GF11725(ALL)04/96]
Your vehicle has one of two types of transaxles:
[GF11735(ALL)01/96]
q
an automatic three-speed
[GF11736(ALL)02/96]
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a manual five-speed
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117
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[GF11965(ALL)08/95]
Upshifting
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[GF11970(ALL)01/96]
Most of the time, you should upshift at the
following speeds:
[GF11975(ALL)01/96]
eighteen pica chart:0030260-F[GF11980(ALL)01/96]
For better fuel economy, shift at these speeds.
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[GF11985(ALL)01/96]
Downshifting
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[GF11990(ALL)03/96]
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.
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[GF11995(ALL)01/96]
When you drive down steep hills, downshifting
helps you keep a safe speed and helps prevent
unnecessary wear on the brakes.
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[GF12000(ALL)01/96]
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.
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153 [MC17286(ALL)07/96]
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. The
fluid level should be at or near the MAX mark.
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[MC17288(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Brake fluid is toxic.
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[MC17290(ALL)01/96]
If brake fluid contacts eyes, flush eyes with
running water for 15 minutes. Get medical
attention if irritation persists. If taken internally,
drink water and induce vomiting. Get medical
attention immediately.
[MC17292(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0030229-A
Brake fluid level
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[MC17294(ALL)04/96]
If the fluid is low, carefully clean and remove
the cap from the reservoir. Fill the reservoir to
the MAX line with Ford High Performance DOT
3 Brake Fluid C6AZ-19542-AB, or equivalent
DOT 3 fluid meeting Ford specification
ESA-M6C25-A.
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[MC17296(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT
3, you will cause permanent damage to
your brakes.
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[MC17298(ALL)01/96]
Do not fill the reservoir above the MAX line.
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Update:Tue Mar 4 08:57:16 1997