wheel FORD ASPIRE 1997 1.G Owners Manual

40
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[CF13850(ALL)01/96]
Engine Idle Speed Control System
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[CF13875(ALL)01/96]
Genuine Ford air conditioning (either
factory-installed or dealer-installed) has an
engine idle speed control system that
compensates for engine speed loss that may
occur when the air conditioning compressor is
running. This idle speed control holds the engine
idle essentially constant, regardless of whether
the air conditioning system is on or off.
[CF13885(ALL)01/96]
If an aftermarket air conditioner is installed, an
engine idle speed control system must be
installed. Otherwise, the engine may not operate
satisfactorily at idle speed and low engine speed,
or the engine may stall.
*
[CF13900(ALL)01/96]
Rear Window Defroster (If equipped)
[CF14150(ALL)01/96]
quarter page art:0032170-A
Rear window defroster switch
*
[CF14250(ALL)03/96]
The defroster for the rear window clears frost,
fog, or thin ice from both the inside and outside
of the rear window.
[CF14700(ALL)01/96]
To operate the defroster, push theV(defroster)
switch on the instrument panel to the right of
the steering wheel. The indicator light on the
instrument cluster comes on. When the window
is clear, push the defroster switch again to turn
it off.
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41 %
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[CF14900(ALL)03/96]
NOTE: Never use sharp instruments or
window cleaners with abrasives to
clean the inside of your rear window.
If you do, you may damage the heating
elements that are bonded to the inside
of the rear window and cause damage
to the rear window defroster.
*
[CF17700(ALL)01/96]
Interior Lights
%*
[CF20500(ALL)01/96]
Lighting Up the Interior and Instrument
Panel
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[CF20600(ALL)01/96]
With the parking lamps or headlamps on, the
brightness of the instrument panel lighting can
be adjusted.
*
[CF20700(ALL)01/96]
To brighten or dim the instrument panel
lighting, rotate the dimmer control thumbwheel
as desired.
[CF20850(ALL)01/96]
quarter page art:0032171-B
Dimmer control thumbwheel
[CF20900(ALL)01/96]
The dimmer control thumbwheel is located to
the right of the steering wheel on the instrument
panel.
[CF21800(ALL)01/96]
Interior Courtesy Lamp
[CF22500(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with an interior
courtesy lamp with a three-position switch.
[CF22600(ALL)01/96]
q
OFF-light will not turn on
[CF22700(ALL)01/96]
q
DOOR-light will turn on when the door is
open
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44
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[CF30100(ALL)01/96]
Ignition
%*
[CF30200(ALL)01/96]
Understanding the Positions of the Ignition
[CF30300(ALL)01/96]
The ignition has four positions. They are: LOCK,
ACC, ON, and START.
[CF30400(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0032158-A
Ignition lock cylinder (manual transaxle)
[CF30500(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0032159-A
Ignition lock cylinder (automatic transaxle)
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[CF30600(ALL)01/96]
LOCK locks the steering wheel. It also locks the
gearshift lever in P (Park) (automatic transaxle).
*
[CF30610(ALL)01/96]
LOCK is the only position that allows you to
remove the key. The LOCK feature helps to
protect your vehicle from theft.
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45
*
[CF30620(ALL)01/96]
If your key is stuck in the LOCK position and
will not turn, move your steering wheel left or
right until the key turns freely.
[CF30630(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle has a manual transaxle, you must
push the key toward the steering column to
rotate the switch to the LOCK position.
*
[CF30650(ALL)01/96]
ACC (accessory) allows some of your vehicle's
electrical accessories such as the radio and the
windshield wipers to operate while the engine is
not running.
*
[CF30660(ALL)01/96]
ON allows you to test your vehicle's warning
lights (except the brake system warning light) to
make sure they work before you start the
engine. The key returns to the ON position once
the engine is started and remains in this position
while the engine runs.
*
[CF30680(ALL)01/96]
START cranks the engine. Release the key once
the engine starts so that you do not damage the
starter. The key should return to ON when you
release it. The START position also allows you
to test the brake warning light.
%
*
[CF32000(ALL)01/96]
Hazard Flasher Switch
[CF32100(ALL)02/96]
The hazard flasher switch is located on the top
of the steering column. For more information,
refer toHazard Flasherin theRoadside Emergencies
chapter.
%
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[CF34000(ALL)02/96]
The Turn Signal Lever
*
[CF35000(ALL)02/96]
You can use the turn signal lever on the left side
of the steering column to:
*
[CF35020(ALL)02/96]
q
operate the headlamps and parking lamps
*
[CF35030(ALL)02/96]
q
operate the turn signals and cornering lamps
*
[CF35050(ALL)03/96]
q
turn the high beams on/off
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[CF35060(ALL)03/96]
q
flash the lamps
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70
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[SS12100(ALL)05/96]
WARNING
If you are close to an inflating air bag, it
could seriously injure you. Position your
seat such that it is as far back from the
steering wheel as possible but still allows
you to properly control the vehicle.
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[SS12150(ALL)05/96]
Children and Air Bags
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[SS12200(ALL)05/96]
NOTE: For additional important safety
information on the proper use of seat
belts, child seats, and infant seats,
please read the entire Safety Restraints
chapter in this owner guide.
*
[SS12250(ALL)05/96]
WARNING
Children should always wear their safety
belts. Failure to follow these instructions
may increase the risk of personal injury in
the event of a collision.
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[SS12260(ALL)05/96]
WARNING
Rear-facing child seats or infant carriers
should never be placed in the front seats.
*
[SS12270(ALL)05/96]
In rear-facing infant seats, the infant's head is
closer to the air bag. The force of the rapidly
inflating air bag could push the top of the
rear-facing seat against the vehicle seatback or
center armrests (if so equipped), or center
console (if so equipped). REAR-FACING
INFANT CARRIERS MUST ALWAYS BE
SECURED IN THE REAR SEAT, and other child
safety seats and infant seats should be secured in
the rear seat whenever possible.
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94
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[TO05500(ALL)01/96]
3.If you have an automatic transaxle, make
sure that the gearshift is in P (Park) and the
parking brake is set before you turn the key.
*
[TO05600(ALL)01/96]
If you have a manual transaxle, make sure
that the parking brake is fully set, push the
clutch pedal to the floor, and put the
gearshift into Neutral before you turn the
key.(Remember, the starter will operate
only if the clutch pedal is pushed all the
way to the floor.)
*
[TO05800(ALL)02/96]
Before you start your vehicle, you should test
the warning lights on the instrument panel to
make sure that they work. Refer to the
Instrumentationchapter.
%*
[TO06000(ALL)01/96]
Starting Your Engine
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[TO06100(ALL)01/96]
To start your engine:
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[TO06300(ALL)01/96]
1. Follow the steps underPreparing to Start
Your Vehicleat the beginning of this section.
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[TO06320(ALL)01/96]
2. Keep your foot on the brake pedal and turn
the ignition key to the ON position.
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[TO06330(ALL)01/96]
3. DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when
starting your engine. DO NOT use the
accelerator while the vehicle is parked.
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[TO06340(ALL)01/96]
4. Turn the key to the START position
(cranking) until the engine starts. Allow the
key to return to the ON position after the
engine has started.
*
[TO06400(ALL)01/96]
If you have difficulty in turning the key,
rotate the steering wheel slightly because it
may be binding.
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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.
*
[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.
*
[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.
*
[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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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.
%*
[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.
*
[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
*
[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]
q
a manual five-speed
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