1996 FORD AEROSTAR Owners Manual

279
*
[SV10230(ALL)08/95]
If you are taking the medication ªAntabuseº or
other forms of disulfiram for the treatment of
alcoholism, vapor or skin contact with a
gasoline-methanol blend may cause the same
kind of adverse reaction as drinking an alcoholic
beverage. In sensitive individuals, serious
personal injury or sickness could result. Consult
a physician promptly if you experience an
adverse reaction.
*
[SV10300(ALL)02/95]
Filling the fuel tank
*
[SV10400(ALL)04/94]
RWARNING
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure
in an overfilled tank may cause leakage
and lead to fuel spray and fire.
*
[SV10500(ALL)01/95]
To fill the fuel tank properly:
*
[SV10550(ALL)01/95]
NOTE: Extinguish all lit cigarettes, other
smoking materials, and any open
flames before fueling your vehicle.
*
[SV10600(ALL)01/95]
1. Remove the fuel cap by following the
instructions above underRemoving the Fuel
Capin this chapter. Proceed to add fuel to
the tank only if your vehicle is on level
ground.
*
[SV10700(ALL)05/95]
2. Make sure that you pump unleaded fuel and
put the nozzle all the way inside the fuel
filler pipe.
*
[SV10800(ALL)08/95]
3. If you spill any fuel on the body of your
vehicle, clean it off immediately. The fuel
may dull or soften the paint if you do not
wash it off.
*
[SV10900(ALL)08/95]
4. Replace the fuel cap completely when you
are finished. Turn it clockwise 1/4 turn until
it is fully tight. It will click when it is fully
tightened.
File:15cpsva.ex
Update:Tue Aug 29 17:51:51 1995

280
*
[SV11000(ALL)01/95]
You may occasionally hear and/or feel a slight
thump occurring one or two seconds after a
gentle stop. This is normal and generally occurs
with the fuel tank 3/4 full. It is caused by the
wave action of the fuel within the tank.
%*
[SV11300(ALL)05/95]
Running Out of Fuel
*
[SV11400(ALL)05/95]
If your vehicle runs out of fuel, try to stop on
level ground away from traffic. Add at least two
gallons (8 liters) of fuel to start your vehicle
again. If your vehicle is not on level ground,
you may need as much as five gallons (20 liters)
of fuel to start it.
*
[SV11450(ALL)08/95]
NOTE: Avoid running out of fuel because this
situation may have an adverse effect on
modern powertrain components.
*
[SV11500(ALL)07/95]
You may need to crank the engine several times
before the fuel system starts to pump fuel from
the tank to the engine.
%*
[SV11600(ALL)05/95]
Fuel Economy
*
[SV11700(ALL)07/95]
Fuel economy is an estimate of the efficiency of
your vehicle and can be calculated as Miles Per
Gallon (MPG) or Liters Per 100 Kilometers
(L/100K). Do not calculate the fuel economy
during your vehicle's break-in period. This
would not be an accurate estimate of how much
fuel your vehicle will normally use.
*
[SV11800(ALL)05/95]
To calculate fuel economy:
*
[SV11900(ALL)06/95]
1. Fill the tank completely and record the
initial odometer reading.
*
[SV12000(ALL)06/95]
2. Every time you buy fuel record the
amount (in gallons or liters) purchased.
[SV12200(ALL)08/95]
3. After at least three to five tankfuls, fill the
fuel tank and record the final odometer
reading.
File:15cpsva.ex
Update:Tue Aug 29 17:51:51 1995

281
*
[SV12225(ALL)08/95]
4. Use these equations to calculate your fuel
economy:
*
[SV12250(ALL)08/95]
q
English: MPG = (total miles driven)v
(gallons used)
[SV12275(ALL)08/95]
q
Metric: L/100k = (100 x liters used)v(total
kilometers driven)
%*
[SV12300(ALL)08/95]
Comparisons With Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and Transport
Canada (TC) Fuel Economy Estimates
*
[SV12400(ALL)08/95]
EPA and TC fuel economy figures are obtained
from laboratory tests under simulated road
conditions and thus are estimates which may not
reflect the actual conditions you experience or
your personal style of driving. The EPA or TC
fuel economy estimate is not a guarantee that
you will achieve the fuel economy shown.
*
[SV12675(ALL)05/95]
The following decrease fuel economy:
*
[SV12720(ALL)08/95]
q
Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
*
[SV12740(ALL)05/95]
q
Excessive speed
*
[SV12760(ALL)03/95]
q
Rapid acceleration
*
[SV12780(ALL)05/95]
q
Driving with your foot on the brake
*
[SV12820(ALL)05/95]
q
Sudden stops
*
[SV12840(ALL)05/95]
q
Extended engine idling
*
[SV12860(ALL)05/95]
q
Using speed control in hilly terrain
*
[SV12880(ALL)05/95]
q
Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear
window defroster and other accessories
*
[SV12920(ALL)05/95]
q
Underinflated tires
*
[SV12940(ALL)05/95]
q
Heavy loads
*
[SV12960(ALL)05/95]
q
Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or
luggage racks, bug deflectors, etc.
File:15cpsva.ex
Update:Tue Aug 29 17:51:51 1995

282
%*
[SV13600(ALL)02/95]
Engine Oil Recommendations
*
[SV13610(ALL)03/95]
We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an
equivalent oil meeting Ford Specification
ESE-M2C153-E and displaying the American
Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on
the front of the container.
*
[SV13650(ALL)03/95]
one third page art:0060021-E
The API Certification Mark
*
[SV13670(ALL)01/95]
Neveruse:
*
[SV13680(ALL)01/95]
q
ªNon-Detergentº oils
*
[SV13690(ALL)04/95]
q
Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
%*
[SV13700(ALL)01/95]
q
Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments
or engine treatments
%*
[SV13710(ALL)06/95]
Engine oils with anSAE 5W-30viscosity are
PREFERREDfor your vehicle. They provide the
best engine performance, fuel economy and
engine protection for all climates down to-15ÊF
(-25ÊC).
%*
[SV13750(ALL)03/95]
Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and
of the preferred viscosity may be used in your
engine. The engine oil and oil filter must still be
changed according to the maintenance schedule.
File:15cpsva.ex
Update:Tue Aug 29 17:51:51 1995

283 %
*
[SV13775(ALL)01/95]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
*
[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.
%*
[SV13900(ALL)03/95]
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)03/95]
2. Set the parking brake, making sure the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
*
[SV14100(ALL)02/95]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
*
[SV14200(ALL)03/95]
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
*
[SV14300(ALL)01/95]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
[SV14400(ALL)06/95]
quarter page art:0095016-A
Engine oil dipstick
File:15cpsva.ex
Update:Tue Aug 29 17:51:51 1995

284
*
[SV14500(ALL)03/95]
6. Carefully, pull the dipstick out again. If the
oil level is below the ªADD 1 QTº line, add
engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªFº in Full, engine damage
or high oil consumption may occur and
some oil must be removed from the engine.
*
[SV14600(ALL)01/95]
7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
%*
[SV14700(ALL)03/95]
Adding engine oil
*
[SV14800(ALL)01/95]
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil
changes. Make sure you use a CERTIFIED
engine oil of the preferred viscosity. Your
vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if
engine damage is caused by the use of improper
engine oil.
*
[SV15000(ALL)03/95]
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap
highlighted in yellow. To add oil, remove the
filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil into the
opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine.
Recheck the oil level after you finish adding oil.
%
*
[SV17300(ALL)03/95]
Engine Coolant
%*
[SV17400(ALL)03/95]
Checking the Engine Coolant
*
[SV17500(ALL)02/95]
NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
*
[SV17700(ALL)08/95]
Your vehicle's engine coolant protects the engine
from overheating in the summer and from
freezing in the winter. Check the level of the
engine coolant at least once a month, but
preferably each time you stop for fuel. Simply
look at the engine coolant recovery reservoir
located in the engine compartment. To locate
this reservoir, see the diagram of your vehicle's
engine underEngine Compartmentin this chapter.
File:15cpsva.ex
Update:Tue Aug 29 17:51:51 1995

285 [SV17740(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap
while the engine is running or hot.
*
[SV17750(ALL)03/95]
If the engine coolant has not been checked for a
long period of time the engine coolant reservoir
may eventually empty. If the engine coolant
reservoir empties, check the engine coolant level
in the radiator. Read the following warnings
before removing the radiator cap. If it is
necessary to fill the radiator, refer to theEngine
Coolant Refill Procedurein this chapter for
instructions.
[SV17765(ALL)08/95]
1. Before you remove the radiator cap, turn the
engine off and let it cool. Even when the
engine is cool, be careful when you remove
the radiator cap.
[SV17770(ALL)05/95]
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth
around the cap and turn it slowly
counterclockwise to the first stop.
[SV17775(ALL)03/95]
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
[SV17780(ALL)03/95]
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has
been released, use the cloth to turn and
remove cap.
[SV17785(ALL)03/95]
5. Stand away from the radiator opening. Hot
steam may blow out or hot engine coolant
may even splash out.
File:15cpsva.ex
Update:Tue Aug 29 17:51:51 1995

286 [SV17950(ALL)08/95]Adding Engine Coolant
[SV18000(ALL)08/95]
quarter page art:0020354-A
Adding engine coolant to reservoir
[SV20075()08/95]
RWARNING
Be careful not to add engine coolant to
the windshield washer fluid reservoir. If
sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant
could make it difficult to see through the
windshield.
[SV20100()08/95]
When the engine is cool, add a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and water to the engine coolant
recovery reservoir - DO NOT ADD DIRECTLY
TO THE RADIATOR. Add straight water only in
an emergency, but you should replace it with a
50/50 mixture of coolant and distilled water as
soon as possible.
[SV20125()08/95]
Check the coolant level in the coolant recovery
reservoir the next few times you drive the
vehicle. If necessary, add enough of a 50/50
mixture of coolant and water to bring the liquid
level to the fill line on the reservoir.
[SV20150()08/95]
RWARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap
while the engine is running or hot.
File:15cpsva.ex
Update:Tue Aug 29 17:51:51 1995