1996 FORD AEROSTAR Owners Manual

303 [SV31625(ALL)03/95]
q
Put the chains on tightly with the ends held
down securely. Verify that no chain touches
any wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
Retighten the chains after driving 1/2 mile
(0.8 km). Follow the chain manufacturer's
instructions.
*
[SV31650(ALL)07/94]
q
Do not drive faster than 30 mph (48 km/h)
or the chain manufacturer's recommended
speed limit, whichever is lower. Avoid
bumps, holes and sharp turns. If you can
hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, remove the chains to prevent damage
to your vehicle.
*
[SV31750(ALL)11/94]
q
Tire chains may affect vehicle handling. Drive
carefully and avoid hard braking.
*
[SV31800(ALL)10/94]
q
Avoid fully loading your vehicle if possible.
*
[SV31900(ALL)05/94]
q
Remove tire chains at the first opportunity
after using them on snow and ice. Do not use
the chains on dry roads.
*
[SV31950(ALL)05/91]
q
Make sure your suspension insulation and
bumpers are not missing or worn to avoid
damage to your vehicle.
%*
[SV31960(ALL)04/95]
Cleaning the Wheels
*
[SV31965(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.
*
[SV31967(ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if
the brushes are abrasive.
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304
*
[SV31968(ALL)03/95]
If you have whitewall tires that are difficult to
clean with regular detergent, use Ford Extra
Strength Whitewall Tire Cleaner or equivalent.
Follow the directions on the container and rinse
the tires with plenty of clean water.
%
*
[SV32100(ALL)03/95]
Battery
*
[SV32200(ALL)02/95]
Your vehicle may have a Motorcraft
maintenance-free battery. 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.
*
[SV32300(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.
*
[SV32400(ALL)07/95]
Battery replacement
*
[SV32500(ALL)02/95]
If your original equipment battery requires
replacement (under warranty), it may in some
cases be replaced by a Motorcraft
low-maintenance battery. The low-maintenance
battery has removable vent caps for checking the
electrolyte level and for adding water, if needed.
*
[SV32600(ALL)07/95]
Check your battery's electrolyte level, at least
every 12 months or 12,000 miles (20,000 km), in
temperatures up to90ÊF (32ÊC) andmore often
in temperatures above90ÊF (32ÊC).Keep the
electrolyte in each cell up to the ªlevelº
indicator. Do not overfill the battery cell.
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305
*
[SV32700(ALL)02/95]
If the electrolyte level in your battery gets low,
you can add plain tap water to the battery, as
long as you don't use hard water, or water with
a high mineral or alkali content. If possible,
however, try to only fill the battery cell with
distilled water. If the battery needs water often,
have the charging system checked.
%*
[SV32725(ALL)03/95]
Help Us Protect Our Environment
*
[SV32750(ALL)04/95]
Ford Motor Company strongly recommends that
used lead-acid batteries be returned to an
authorized recycling facility for disposal.
*
[SV32775(ALL)03/95]
one inch art:0000983-A
Battery recycling symbol
%*
[SV32900(ALL)05/95]
Because your vehicle's engine is electronically
controlled by a computer, some control
conditions are maintained by power from the
battery. If you ever disconnect the battery, install
a new battery, or experience a dead battery you
must allow the computer to ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive
properly. To let the engine do this, put the
gearshift in P (Park), turn off all the accessories,
and start the vehicle. Let the engine idle for at
least one minute.
*
[SV33000(ALL)03/95]
If you do not let the engine relearn its idle, the
idle quality of your vehicle may be adversely
affected until the idle is relearned. Your vehicle
will eventually relearn its idle while you drive
it, but it takes much longer than if you use the
previous procedure.
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306
*
[SV33200(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Batteries normally produce explosive gases
which can cause personal injury.
Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks or
lit tobacco to come near the battery. When
charging or working near a battery, always
cover your face and protect your eyes, and
also provide ventilation.
%*
[SV33300(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns
skin, eyes, and clothing.
*
[SV33310(ALL)07/95]
If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or
clothing, immediately flush the area with water
for at least 15 minutes. If someone swallows the
acid, have him or her drink lots of milk or water
first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or
vegetable oil. Call a doctor immediately.
%*
[SV33400(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Applying too much pressure on the ends
when lifting a battery could cause acid to
spill. Lift the battery with a carrier or
with your hands on the opposite corners.
%
*
[SV33500(ALL)01/95]
Automatic Transmission Fluid
*
[SV33601(ALL)06/95]
Under normal driving conditions automatic
transmission fluid should be changed every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 21,000 miles
(34,000 km) if under severe duty conditions.
However, if the transmission is not working
properly, for instance, the transmission may slip
or shift slowly, or you may notice some sign of
fluid leakage, the fluid level should be checked.
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307
*
[SV33701(ALL)05/95]
It is preferable to check the transmission fluid
level at normal operating temperature, after
approximately 20 miles (30 km) of driving.
However, if necessary, you can check the fluid
level without having to drive 20 miles to obtain
a normal operating temperature if outside
temperatures are above50ÊF (10ÊC).
*
[SV33801(ALL)01/95]
NOTE: If the vehicle has been operated for an
extended period at high speeds or in
city traffic during hot weather, or
pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to
allow the fluid to cool before checking.
%*
[SV33901(ALL)02/95]
Checking the Automatic Transmission
Fluid
*
[SV33910(ALL)06/95]
With the vehicle on a level surface, start the
engine and move the transmission shift selector
through all of the gear ranges allowing sufficient
time for each position to engage. Securely latch
the transmission shift selector in the P (Park)
position, fully set the parking brake and leave
the engine running.
*
[SV33930(ALL)10/89]
RWARNING
Your vehicle should not be driven if the
fluid level is below the bottom hole on
the dipstick and outside temperatures are
above50ÊF (10ÊC).
*
[SV33940(ALL)02/95]
Wipe off the dipstick cap (located toward the
passenger's side of the engine), pull the dipstick
out and wipe the indicator end clean. Put the
dipstick back into the filler tube and make sure
it is fully seated. Pull the dipstick out and read
the fluid level.
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308
*
[SV33950(ALL)03/90]
When checking fluid at normal operating
temperature, the fluid level should be within the
crosshatched area on the dipstick. When the
vehicle has not been driven, and outside
temperature is above50ÊF (10ÊC), thefluid level
should be between the holes on the dipstick.
%*
[SV33960(ALL)08/95]
Adding Automatic Transmission Fluid
*
[SV33970(ALL)03/94]
The fluid type is stamped on the dipstick.
Before adding any fluid, be sure that the
correct type will be used.
*
[SV33980(ALL)10/89]
Add fluid in 1/2 pint (.25L) increments through
the filler tube to bring the level to the correct
area on the dipstick. If an overfill occurs, excess
fluid should be removed by a qualified
technician.
%*
[SV33990(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.
*
[SV34000(ALL)06/92]
quarter page art:0020372-E
Automatic transmission dipstick
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309 [SV35800(ALL)07/95]
Driveline Universal Joint and Slip
Yoke
*
[SV36000(ALL)06/93]
The universal joints that come standard with
your vehicle do not require lubrication. If your
original equipment universal joints are replaced
with universal joints equipped with grease
fittings, lubrication will be necessary at the
intervals shown in theMaintenance Schedule and
Recordbooklet.
%
*
[SV36300(ALL)03/95]
Brake Fluid
*
[SV36350(ALL)05/90]
Your vehicle is equipped with a brake fluid level
indicator in the master cylinder which lights the
BRAKE warning light on the instrument panel
when the brake fluid level is low.
*
[SV36400(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.
*
[SV36500(ALL)08/95]
Check the brake fluid at least once a year. You
can do this by looking at the fluid level in the
plastic brake fluid reservoir on the master
cylinder. The fluid level should be at or near the
MAX mark.
*
[SV36550(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Brake fluid is toxic.
*
[SV36560(ALL)07/95]
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.
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310 %
*
[SV36600(ALL)02/95]
If the fluid is low, carefully clean and remove
the filler cap from the reservoir. Fill the
reservoir to the MAX line with Ford High
Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid C6AZ-19542-AA
or DOT 3 equivalent fluid meeting Ford
specification ESA-M6C25-A.
*
[SV36850(ALL)12/91]
NOTE: If brake fluid is spilled on painted
surfaces, it must be flushed and wiped
away immediately. Brake fluid may
dissolve the paint finish on your
vehicle.
*
[SV36900(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT
3, you will cause permanent damage to
your brakes.
*
[SV37000(ALL)01/95]
Do not fill the reservoir above the MAX line.
*
[SV37100(ALL)01/95]
If you find that the fluid level is excessively low
Ð below the seam or ridge on the outside of the
plastic reservoir Ð have the brake system
inspected.
*
[SV37200(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Do not let the reservoir for the master
cylinder run dry. This may cause the
brakes to fail.
[SV37300(ALL)08/95]
quarter page art:0095017-A
Brake master cylinder reservoir
File:15cpsva.ex
Update:Tue Aug 29 17:51:51 1995