1996 FORD AEROSTAR power steering

186gearshift lever, may flash steadily if a
malfunction has been detected. If the Overdrive
Off Indicator Light is flashing, contact your Ford
dealer as soon as possible. If this condition
persists, damage to the transmission could occur.
*
[DR00700(ALL)03/95]
Some vehicles are equipped with a Powertrain
Control Module that limits engine speeds with a
cut-out mode to promote durability.
[DR05700(ALL)06/95]Automatic Overdrive
Transmission
%*
[DR05750(ALL)01/95]
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
[DR05800(ALL)03/93]
Your vehicle's gearshift is on the steering
column. You can put the gearshift in any one of
several positions.
[DR06001(ALL)06/95]
one third page art:0095027-A
The positions of the column-mounted gearshift
*
[DR06200(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Hold the brake pedal down while you
move the gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move
unexpectedly and injure someone.
File:10cpdra.ex
Update:Tue Aug 29 17:45:28 1995

191
%*
[DR15915(ALL)01/95]
Steering Your Vehicle
%*
[DR15945(ALL)01/95]
Your vehicle comes with power steering. Power
steering uses energy from the engine to help
steer your vehicle.
%*
[DR15950(ALL)04/95]
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.
*
[DR15960(ALL)01/95]
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.
*
[DR15985(ALL)05/90]
NOTE: After any severe impact such as
striking large potholes, sliding into
curbs on icy roads, or a collision
involving the front end, observe the
steering wheel alignment. If the spokes
of the steering wheel seem to be in a
different position while going straight
down the road, have the front
suspension and steering checked for
possible damage.
[DR16005(ALL)06/95]Electronic 4-Wheel Drive (E-4WD)
(If equipped)
[DR16015(ALL)06/95]
If your vehicle is equipped with the E-4WD
option, power is provided to all four wheels
whenever you press the accelerator pedal. It
improves both handling and traction during
difficult driving conditions, adjusting
automatically to your driving needs. Because the
entire E-4WD system is controlled by a
microprocessor, your vehicle is not equipped
with the switch or shift lever used with most
traditional 4WD vehicles. The microprocessor
does all the adjusting for you.
File:10cpdra.ex
Update:Tue Aug 29 17:45:28 1995

194
*
[DR22100(ALL)11/89]
Hydraulic Power Brakes
*
[DR22200(ALL)08/94]
The hydraulic brake system is made up of two
independent hydraulic circuits. One hydraulic
circuit supplies fluid to the front disc brakes and
the other hydraulic circuit supplies fluid to the
rear drum brakes. These two circuits are
supplied by a common hydraulic brake fluid
reservoir, with a fluid level sensor.
*
[DR22300(ALL)11/89]
The brake light in the instrument cluster will
light for low brake fluid in the common brake
fluid reservoir.
*
[DR22400(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
An increase in pedal travel will result in
reduced braking capability. The brake
system should be checked immediately.
%*
[DR22500(ALL)10/94]
Rear Anti-lock Brakes
[DR22700(ALL)06/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a rear Anti-lock
Brake System (ABS). This system prevents at
least one and often both rear wheels from
completely locking up when the brakes are
applied in a panic stop, for example.
*
[DR22800(ALL)07/94]
Even with the Anti-lock Brake System, you
should be careful when braking. Front brake
lock up on any surface, even on smooth
pavement causes loss of steering control. Heavy
braking on roads with loose surfaces such as
snow or gravel, or severe pavement irregularities
could also cause you to lose steering control of
your vehicle.
File:10cpdra.ex
Update:Tue Aug 29 17:45:28 1995

311
%*
[SV37600(ALL)03/95]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[SV37700(ALL)01/95]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at
least twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
%*
[SV37800(ALL)03/95]
Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid
*
[SV37900(ALL)02/95]
1. Start the engine and let it run until the
power steering fluid reaches normal
operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when
the engine coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster is near the center of the
NORMAL operating temperature range.
*
[SV38000(ALL)01/95]
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel back and forth several times. Make
sure that the cap assembly is installed at this
time.
*
[SV38100(ALL)05/95]
3. Turn the engine off.
%*
[SV38200(ALL)03/94]
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick (which
is highlighted in yellow in your vehicle). The
fluid level should be between the arrows in
the FULL HOT range, which is marked on
the side of the dipstick, opposite the side
marked FULL COLD. Do not add fluid if the
level is within the FULL HOT range.
File:15cpsva.ex
Update:Tue Aug 29 17:51:51 1995

312
*
[SV38250(ALL)03/94]
one third page art:0021016-B
Power steering dipstick
[SV38525(ALL)05/94]
one third page art:0095061-A
Power steering reservoir
[SV38550(ALL)05/94]
one third page art:0020531-B
Power steering reservoir
File:15cpsva.ex
Update:Tue Aug 29 17:51:51 1995

313
*
[SV38800(ALL)07/94]
5. If the power steering fluid is low, add fluid
in small amounts, continuously checking the
level, until you reach the FULL HOT range.
Do not overfill.
*
[SV38850(ALL)03/95]
6. When you are finished, put the dipstick back
in and make sure that it fits snugly.
[SV38900(ALL)06/95]
Use only a power steering fluid such as Ford
Power Steering Fluid Motorcraft MERCONH
ATF.
*
[SV39200(ALL)01/95]
If the power steering fluid is low, do not drive
your vehicle for a long period of time before
adding fluid. This can damage the power
steering pump.
*
[SV39400(ALL)02/95]
If you check the power steering fluid when it is
cold, make sure that the fluid reaches the FULL
COLD range on the dipstick. The reading will
only be accurate if the fluid temperature is
approximately 50 to85ÊF (10 to 30ÊC).
*
[SV39405(ALL)06/93]
NOTE: Do not turn the steering wheel of your
vehicle with the engine off. It could
force power steering fluid out from the
reservoir cap or in extreme cases, it
could unseat the cap.
%
*
[SV39500(ALL)03/95]
Fuses
*
[SV39600(ALL)12/91]
Fuses and circuit breakers protect your vehicle's
electrical system from overloading. If electrical
parts in your vehicle are not working, the
system may have been overloaded and blown a
fuse or tripped a circuit breaker. Before you
replace or repair any electrical parts, check the
appropriate fuses or circuit breakers.
*
[SV39700(ALL)10/89]
The following charts tell you which fuses or
circuit breakers protect each electrical part of
your vehicle. If a fuse blows or a circuit breaker
opens a circuit, all the parts of your vehicle that
use that circuit will not work.
File:15cpsva.ex
Update:Tue Aug 29 17:51:51 1995

364 Index
Customer Assistance Center,
Ford (U.S.).............. 247
Customer Assistance Centre,
Ford of Canada..........247, 253
D
Dashboard (see Instrument panel)...... 89
Daytime running light system...... 104
Defects, reporting............ 252
Defrost, rear window........... 99
Dipstick
automatic transmission fluid....306, 308
engine oil.............. 283
power steering fluid.......... 311
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)...... 243
Dispute Settlement Board........ 248
Doors................. 121
door ajar warning light......... 77
lubricant specifications......... 338
Driving under special conditions..... 198
bad weather............. 200
heavy load.............. 202
high speed.............. 199
high water.............. 201
slippery roads............ 200
tips for safe driving.......... 198
E
Electrical system
circuit breakers............ 322
fuses................. 313
operating when the engine is off..... 61
Electronic radio with cassette
(see Electronic sound system)..... 163
Electronic sound system
radio reception............ 182
tuning the radio.......151, 164, 175
warranty and service information.... 184
File:cpixa.ex
Update:Tue Aug 29 17:47:05 1995

Index 373
Power steering
dipstick............... 311
driving with power steering...... 191
fluid, checking and adding...... 311
fluid, specifications.......... 338
servicing............... 191
Prop rod, hood............. 268
R
Radio (see Electronic sound systems) . . . 149
Rear anti-lock brakes.......... 194
Rear axle
lubricant specification......... 338
refill capacity............. 335
traction lok............201, 297
Rear climate control system........ 98
Rear window
defroster................ 99
washer reservoir........... 291
Refill capacities for fluids........ 335
Regulations, National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration......... 252
Reporting safety defects......... 252
Restraints, safety (see Safety restraints)
adult................. 11
child.................. 32
infant............... 32,34
Roadside assistance........... 245
Roadside emergencies.......... 225
Rotating the tires............ 297
S
Safe driving tips............ 198
Safety belts (see Safety restraints)...... 11
Safety chains, when towing a trailer . . . 219
Safety Compliance Certification Label.... 5
File:cpixa.ex
Update:Tue Aug 29 17:47:05 1995