1996 FORD AEROSTAR Owners Manual

287 [SV20175()08/95]
If you must remove the coolant recovery cap,
follow these steps to avoid personal injury
casued by escaping steam or engine coolant:
[SV20200()08/95]
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine
off and let it cool.
[SV20225()08/95]
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth
around the cap and turn it slowly,
counterclockwise to the first stop.
[SV20250()08/95]
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
[SV20275()08/95]
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has
been released, use the cloth to press the cap
down, turn it counterclockwise, and remove
it.
[SV20295()08/95]
UseFord Premium Engine Coolant
E2FZ-19549-AA(in Canada, Motorcraft CXC-8-B)
or an equivalent premium engine coolant that
meets Ford Specification ESE-M97B44-A. Ford
Premium Engine Coolant is an optimized
formula that will protect all metals and rubber
elastomers used in Ford cooling systems for 4
years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km).
[SV20300()08/95]
Do not use alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any
engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. Do not use supplemental coolant
additives in your vehicle. These additives may
harm your engine cooling system.The use of an
improper coolant may void the warranty of
your vehicle's engine cooling system.
[SV20325()08/95]
Recycled engine coolant
[SV20350()08/95]
Ford Motor Company recommends that Ford
and Lincoln-Mercury dealers use recycled engine
coolant produced by Ford-approved processes.
Not all coolant recycling processes produce
coolant which meets Ford specification
ESE-M97B44-A, and use of such coolant may
harm engine and cooling system components.
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288 [SV20375()08/95]Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
regulations and standards for recycling and
disposing of automotive fluids.
[SV20400()08/95]
Coolant refill capacity
[SV20425()08/95]
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's
cooling system can hold, seeRefill capacities for
fluidsin the Index.
[SV20450()08/95]
Have your dealer check the engine cooling
system for leaks if you have to add more than a
quart (liter) of engine coolant per month.
[SV20475()08/95]
Severe winter climate
[SV20490()08/95]
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than
-34ÊF [-36ÊC]), it may benecessary to increase
the coolant concentration above 50%. Refer to
the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle is such that
the coolant will not freeze at the temperature
level in which you drive during winter months.
Never increase the engine coolant concentration
above 60%. Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine
coolant and water in your vehicle year-round in
non-extreme climates.
%*
[SV20500(ALL)08/95]
Checking Hoses
*
[SV20600(ALL)10/89]
Inspect all engine and heater system hoses for
deterioration, leaks and loose clamps before
adding or replacing engine coolant. Make
whatever repairs or replacements that are
necessary using Motorcraft parts or their
equivalents.
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289 %
*
[SV20700(ALL)08/95]
Engine Coolant Drain and Flush
*
[SV20800(ALL)10/89]
To drain your vehicle's engine coolant:
*
[SV20900(ALL)03/94]
1. Turn off the engine and let it cool. Fully
depressurize the engine cooling system by
covering the radiator cap with a thick cloth
and turning it slowly counterclockwise to the
first stop. Step back while the pressure
releases.
*
[SV20950(ALL)05/90]
2. Remove the cap.
*
[SV21000(ALL)05/90]
3. Attach a small hose to the drain tube at the
bottom of the radiator.
*
[SV21200(ALL)05/90]
4. Let the engine coolant drain into a suitable
container. Disconnect the lower radiator hose
at the radiator connector and drain any
remaining engine coolant into a container.
*
[SV21225(ALL)05/94]
5. Reconnect the lower radiator hose and close
the radiator drain cock.
*
[SV21250(ALL)05/95]
Proper procedures for flushing the cooling
system can be found in theService Manual.
%*
[SV21300(ALL)08/95]
Engine coolant refill procedure
*
[SV21400(ALL)10/89]
After you have drained the engine cooling
system:
*
[SV21500(ALL)01/89]
1. Fill the radiator with a 50/50 mixture of the
specified engine coolant concentrate and
water. Allow several minutes for trapped air
to escape (bubble out) and for engine coolant
to flow through the radiator.
*
[SV21900(ALL)03/94]
2. Replace the radiator cap to its fully installed
position, then back off to the first stop. This
will prevent high pressure from building up
in the cooling system during this part of the
fill procedure.
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290 [SV22000(ALL)03/91]3. Turn the heater (temperature and mode
selection) knobs to maximum heat positions
and operate the engine at fast idle
(approximately 2000 RPM) for three to four
minutes.
*
[SV22200(ALL)05/95]
4. Shut off the engine and allow the engine to
cool. Cover the radiator cap with a thick
cloth and cautiously remove it. Step back
while the pressure releases.
[SV22300(ALL)05/89]
5. Add the engine coolant mixture to a level
approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches (38 mm)
below the filler neck seat.
[SV22400(ALL)05/89]
6. Reinstall the radiator cap fully and back off
to the first stop. Once again, turn the engine
at fast idle until the upper radiator hose is
warm and the thermostat is open.
[SV22550(ALL)05/89]
7. Finally, check the radiator and add more
engine coolant if needed, following the
procedures noted above. Reinstall the
radiator cap securely, when finished.
[SV22555(ALL)05/95]
8. If more engine coolant is necessary, remove
the small plug from the top of the engine
coolant recovery reservoir (not the large cap
of the windshield washer reservoir) and add
1.1 quarts (1 liter) of the 50/50 engine
coolant mixture. Replace the plug in its
original position.
*
[SV22565(ALL)08/95]
NOTE: Due to air being trapped in the 4.0L
engine cooling system, it is not
unusual to experiencea4to7ounce
(120 to 210 ml) coolant loss up to 7,500
miles (12,000 km) after initial system
fill.
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291
*
[SV22620(ALL)06/95]
In order to bleed the cooling system properly
after initial fill with coolant, it might need up
to five cycles of:
*
[SV22630(ALL)06/95]
q
heating up the system (thermostat open)
*
[SV22640(ALL)06/95]
q
making sure coolant is at least up to the
cold fill mark of overflow bottle
*
[SV22650(ALL)06/95]
q
letting the coolant cool down (engine
coolant temperature gauge below the N of
NORMAL)
*
[SV22660(ALL)06/95]
q
topping off the coolant overflow bottle to
the cold fill mark
*
[SV22680(ALL)06/95]
If coolant loss continues after 7,500 miles
(12,000 km), consult your Ford Dealer.
%
*
[SV22700(ALL)03/95]
Windshield Washer Fluid and
Wipers
%*
[SV22800(ALL)03/95]
Washer Fluid
*
[SV22900(ALL)01/95]
Check the level of the windshield washer fluid
every time you stop for fuel. The reservoir for
the windshield washer fluid is located in the
engine compartment.
*
[SV23300(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the
container for the engine coolant.
[SV23400(ALL)01/89]
quarter page art:0020358-A
Windshield washer reservoir
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292 %
*
[SV23850(ALL)01/95]
Use specially formulated windshield washer
fluid rather than plain water, because specially
formulated washer fluids contain additives that
dissolve road grime. For safety reasons, washer
fluids containing an appropriate antifreeze such
as methanol should be used in freezing weather
(temperatures below32ÊF [0ÊC]).State or local
regulations on Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOC's) may restrict use of the most common
antifreeze, methanol. Washer fluids containing
non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection
without damaging the vehicle's paint finish,
wiper blades, and windshield washer system.
*
[SV23900(ALL)10/89]
If you choose to use a windshield washing
solution that must be mixed, follow the
manufacturer's mixing instructions. Improperly
mixed solutions may freeze unexpectedly.
*
[SV24300(ALL)03/90]
Checking/adding the washer fluid for the
liftgate
[SV24400(ALL)03/95]
Check the liftgate washer reservoir regularly.
This is not the same reservoir your front
windshield wipers use. The opening for this
reservoir is on the right side of the liftgate above
the tail lamp. A fill cup is located on top of the
right hand tail lamp and is accessible when the
liftgate is open. Close the fill cup cover after
filling and before closing the liftgate. Refill this
reservoir with the same solution you use for
your windshield. To find out how much washer
fluid the liftgate reservoir holds, seeRefill
capacitiesin the Index.
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293 [SV24450(ALL)12/91]
one third page art:0020362-B
Liftgate window washer reservoir
%*
[SV24500(ALL)03/95]
Wiper Blades
*
[SV24600(ALL)03/95]
Check the windshield wiper blades at least twice
a year. Also check them whenever they seem
less effective than usual. Substances such as tree
sap and some hot wax treatments used by
commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness
of wiper blades.
*
[SV24700(ALL)03/95]
If the blades do not wipe properly, clean both
the windshield and the wiper blades. Use
undiluted windshield washer solution or a mild
detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Do
not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner, or other
solvents to clean your wiper blades. These will
damage your blades.
*
[SV24800(ALL)03/95]
To make reaching the wiper blades easy, simply
turn the ignition to the ACC position and turn
your wipers on. Wait for them to reach a
vertical position and turn the ignition to the OFF
position. Do not move the wipers manually.
Manually moving the wipers across the
windshield may damage them.
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294
*
[SV24900(ALL)03/01]
Wiper blade replacement
*
[SV25000(ALL)07/95]
If the wiper blades still do not work properly
after you clean them, you may need to replace
the wiper blade assembly or the blade element.
When replacing the wiper blade assembly, blade
refill, or wiper arm always use a Motorcraft part
or equivalent. To replace the blades, follow the
instructions that come with them.
%
*
[SV25200(ALL)03/95]
Tires
*
[SV25300(ALL)03/95]
Look at your tires each time you fill your fuel
tank. If one tire looks lower than the others,
check the pressure in all of them. Always follow
these precautions:
*
[SV25400(ALL)03/95]
q
Keep your tires inflated to the recommended
pressures.
*
[SV25500(ALL)02/95]
q
Stay within the recommended load limits (see
Load limitsin the Index).
*
[SV25600(ALL)02/95]
q
Make sure the weight of your load is evenly
distributed.
*
[SV25700(ALL)10/89]
q
Drive at safe speeds.
[SV25750(ALL)08/95]
q
Make sure the spare tire is mounted and
anchored properly in the tire carrier without
contacting functional parts such as brake
tubes, fuel lines, exhaust pipes, etc.
*
[SV25800(ALL)01/95]
If you do not take these precautions, your tires
may fail or go flat.
*
[SV25890(ALL)07/95]
Ford Motor Company recommends obeying
posted speed limits.
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