1996 FORD ASPIRE Owners Manual

128
[DR10510(ALL)07/95]
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
(If equipped)
[DR10520(ALL)07/95]
The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) prevents the
brakes from locking up. Whenever your wheels
start to lock during maximum braking, the
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.
[DR10530(ALL)07/95]
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 car, even with the Anti-lock Brake
System. When driving under normal conditions,
the braking action is the same as with standard
brakes.
[DR10540(ALL)07/95]
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.
[DR10550(ALL)07/95]
Each time the ignition key is turned to the ON
position, the Anti-lock Brake System functions
through one test cycle.
*
[DR10560(ALL)07/95]
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.
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129 [DR10570(ALL)07/95]
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.
[DR10580(ALL)07/95]
Ford Motor Company has not found any
detrimental effects of popular mobile road
transmitting equipment installed on vehicles
equipped with the Anti-lock Brake System if
normal radio installation practices are rigidly
followed. However, if after installing mobile
radio transmitting equipment, the Anti-lock
Brake System light comes on at any time other
than immediately after turning the key to the
ON position or during a sudden stop, have your
mobile radio dealer inspect the radio installation.
Proper radio installation procedures to be
followed are published by the radio
manufacturer.
*
[DR10600(ALL)03/95]
Parking Brake
*
[DR10700(ALL)01/95]
The parking brake should be used whenever
you park your vehicle.
*
[DR10800(ALL)11/91]
If the service brakes don't operate while the
vehicle is in motion, you can make an
emergency stop with the parking brake,
however, the stopping distance will be much
greater than normal.
*
[DR10900(ALL)11/93]
The parking brake lever is located between the
front seats. To set the parking brake, put your
foot on the brake pedal while pulling the
parking brake handle fully and firmly upward.
[DR11000(ALL)07/93]
To release the parking brake, put your foot on
the brake pedal, pull the handle upward and
push the button. Then lower the handle to the
released position while holding the button in.
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130 [DR11050(ALL)11/91]
one third page art:0030316-AParking brake (handbrake)
*
[DR11100(ALL)11/91]
RWARNING
To prevent personal injury, do not release
the parking brake while outside the
vehicle.
*
[DR11200(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or
in 1 (First) (manual transaxle).
*
[DR11400(ALL)03/95]
Always check the Brake Warning Light each
time you start your engine. Driving with the
parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
*
[DR11500(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If the parking brake is fully released, but
the Brake System light remains on, have
the brakes checked immediately. They
may not be working properly.
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131
*
[DR11600(ALL)06/95]
The parking brake is not designed to stop a
moving vehicle, but you can use the parking
brake to stop your vehicle in an emergency if
the 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.
*
[DR14000(ALL)01/95]
Driving Under Special Conditions
*
[DR14100(ALL)01/95]
Tips for Safe Driving
*
[DR14200(ALL)07/95]
As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and
handle differently from your previous vehicle.
Use care until you become accustomed to its
various features and driving characteristics.
*
[DR14300(ALL)03/95]
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.
Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, or
combinations of these maneuvers can cause a
vehicle to behave differently than anticipated.
*
[DR14500(ALL)02/95]
q
Extreme braking can cause the front wheels
to lock and slide, making it difficult to
control the direction of the vehicle. Use a
ªsqueezeº technique Ð push on the brake
pedal with steadily increasing force. This
allows the wheels to brake yet continue to
roll so that you may steer in the direction
you want to travel. If you lock the wheels,
release the brake pedal and repeat the
ªsqueezeº technique.
*
[DR14600(ALL)02/95]
q
If you abruptly release the accelerator or
brake hard while going too fast around a
severe curve, your vehicle may change
direction. Avoid application of the brakes, if
possible. If braking is necessary, it should be
done by using the ªsqueezeº technique
described above.
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132 %
*
[DR14700(ALL)01/95]
Driving in Bad Weather
%*
[DR14800(ALL)01/95]
Slippery roads
*
[DR14900(ALL)03/95]
On some slippery road surfaces, front-wheel
drive may provide better acceleration than
rear-wheel drive. However, this does not mean
that your vehicle can stop any faster or any
better than a vehicle with rear-wheel drive.
Exercise the same caution while driving on
slippery roads with your front-wheel drive
vehicle as you would with a rear-wheel drive
vehicle.
*
[DR15000(ALL)03/95]
Drive cautiously on wet or snowy roads:
*
[DR15100(ALL)03/95]
q
Do not quickly move the steering wheel
unless necessary.
*
[DR15200(ALL)01/95]
q
Drive slower than you normally would.
*
[DR15400(ALL)01/95]
q
Give your vehicle more distance to stop.
*
[DR15550(ALL)01/92]
q
Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly to
avoid locking your wheels.
*
[DR15600(ALL)02/93]
q
Consider using one of the lower gears.
*
[DR15700(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid losing control on slippery roads,
do not downshift into 1 (First) with the
automatic transaxle when moving faster
than 20 mph (32 km/h). Do not downshift
into 1 (First) with the manual transaxle
when moving faster than 10 mph
(16 km/h).
*
[DR15750(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
If your vehicle has speed control, do not
use it on slippery roads. You could lose
control of your vehicle and could injure
someone.
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133
*
[DR15800(ALL)01/95]
If you have an automatic transaxle and your
vehicle gets stuck (for example, in mud or
snow), you may try to ªrockº it out of the spot.
Shift, in a steady rhythm, between forward and
reverse gears. While in each gear, press lightly
on the accelerator and release.
*
[DR15900(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph
(55 km/h). The tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander.
*
[DR16000(ALL)03/95]
By moving the vehicle backward and forward,
you may gain enough momentum to move out
of the spot. Do not rock the vehicle for more
than a few minutes. This may overheat the
engine, damage the transaxle, or damage the
tires. If you are still stuck after a minute or two
of rocking, call for a tow truck.
%*
[DR16200(ALL)01/95]
High water
*
[DR16300(ALL)01/95]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you
are sure that the water is below the bottom of
the wheel rims.
*
[DR16400(ALL)04/94]
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. You may have limited traction or wet
brakes, so allow extra stopping distance because
your vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.
*
[DR16500(ALL)01/95]
After you drive through the standing water,
apply your brakes gently several times as your
vehicle moves slowly. This helps to dry the
brakes.
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134
*
[DR16600(ALL)03/95]
Driving With a Heavy Load
*
[DR16650(ALL)03/94]
There are limits to the amount of weight your
vehicle can carry. The total weight of your
vehicle, plus the weight of the passengers and
cargo, should never be more than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight
that your vehicle carries over the front axle and
rear axle should never be more than the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective
axle.
*
[DR16800(ALL)07/93]
You can find your vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label on
the left door lock pillar.
*
[DR16900(ALL)07/95]
The weight limits of your vehicle's tires affect
the GVWR or GAWR limitations. Usage of
replacement tires with higher weight limits than
originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Usage of lower capacity replacement tires may
lower GVWR and GAWR limitations.
*
[DR17150(ALL)04/95]
Trailer Towing
[DR17400(ALL)02/95]
Do not use your Aspire for towing a trailer.
*
[DR22320(ALL)03/91]
Towing Behind Another Vehicle Ð
Recreational Vehicle
*
[DR22350(ALL)02/92]
Towing an automatic transaxle (ATX) equipped
vehicle behind another vehicle, such as a
Recreational Vehicle (RV), is not recommended
unless a front wheel dolly or trailer is used. Do
not tow your ATX equipped vehicle with the
front wheels on the ground or transaxle damage
may occur.
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135
*
[DR22355(ALL)09/93]
Towing a manual transaxle (MTX) equipped
vehicle behind another vehicle, such as a
Recreational Vehicle (RV), is allowed only if it is
towed forward. The parking brake must be
released, the gearshift must be in Neutral, the
ignition key must be in the ACC position, the
battery must be disconnected to eliminate battery
drain, and the steering wheel unlocked. You
may tow your MTX equipped vehicle only in a
forward direction with the front wheels on the
ground without damage to the transaxle.
*
[DR22358(ALL)02/92]
Do not tow your manual transaxle equipped
vehicle at a speed faster than 55 mph
(88 km/h). The maximum towing distance is
unlimited.
*
[DR22360(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Never use a tow bar that attaches to the
bumper when you tow your vehicle. This
could damage the bumper and cause an
accident.
File:10icdrf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:53:01 1996