1996 FORD ASPIRE check engine light

173
Servicing Your Aspire
*
[SV00300(ALL)03/95]
Service Made Easy
*
[SV00400(ALL)01/95]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
*
[SV00500(ALL)01/95]
1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
*
[SV00600(ALL)01/95]
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
*
[SV00700(ALL)01/95]
q
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
*
[SV00800(ALL)01/95]
q
When possible, we design parts Ð such as
the headlamp bulbs Ð that can be replaced
without tools.
*
[SV00900(ALL)05/94]
q
We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your
vehicle easy. The maintenance schedule is
located in theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet.
*
[SV00925(ALL)01/95]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
[SV00930(ALL)02/95]
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
File:15icsvf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:56:41 1996

188
*
[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)04/95]
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)04/95]
2. Set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park)
or 1 (First).
*
[SV14100(ALL)02/95]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
[SV14200(ALL)03/95]
4. Locate the dipstick (highlighted in yellow)
and carefully pull it out of the engine.
[SV14300(ALL)05/93]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
[SV14400(ALL)07/93]
quarter page art:0032227-B
Engine oil dipstick
[SV14500(ALL)02/95]
6. Carefully pull the dipstick out again. If the
oil level is at or below the ªLº line, add
engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªFº, engine damage or
high oil consumption may occur and some
oil must be removed from the engine.
File:15icsvf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:56:41 1996

189 [SV14550(ALL)12/93]
NOTE: The distance between the L (low) and
F (full) marks on the dipstick
represents 1.0 liter (1.06 U.S. qts and
0.88 Imp. qts).
*
[SV14600(ALL)01/95]
7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
*
[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.
*
[SV16300(ALL)06/95]
Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
*
[SV16400(ALL)04/95]
Change the engine oil and oil filterper the
following, whichever occurs first.
*
[SV16500(ALL)04/95]
one third page art:0060618-C
Oil change intervals
*
[SV16600(ALL)06/95]
Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet for additional information.
File:15icsvf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:56:41 1996

231
*
[SV48400(ALL)05/95]
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss
of oil pressure, the charge warning light, the
check engine light, or the temperature warning
light. These sometimes indicate that the emission
system is not working properly.
*
[SV48500(ALL)01/95]
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. Changes that cause more
unburned fuel to reach the exhaust system can
increase the temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
*
[SV48550(ALL)03/95]
In general, maintenance, replacement, or service
of the emissions control devices or systems in
your new Ford Motor Company vehicle or
engine may be performed at your expense by
any automotive repair establishment or
individual using automotive parts equivalent to
those which your vehicle or engine was
originally equipped.
*
[SV48575(ALL)05/95]
If other than Ford or Motorcraft or Ford
authorized remanufactured parts are used for
maintenance, replacement, or for the service of
components affecting emissions control, the
owner should be assured that such parts are
warranted by their manufacturer to be
equivalent to genuine Ford Motor Company
parts in performance and durability. Please
consult your warranty information booklet for
complete warranty information.
*
[SV48600(ALL)01/95]
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs,
services, sells, leases, trades vehicles, or
supervises a fleet of vehicles is not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission control device
or prevent it from working. In some of the
United States and in Canada, vehicle owners
may be liable if their emission control device is
removed or is prevented from working.
File:15icsvf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:56:41 1996

239 %
*
[SV52200(ALL)01/95]
Engine
*
[SV52300(ALL)01/95]
q
Start engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle
until it reaches normal operating temperature.
*
[SV52400(ALL)01/95]
q
With your foot on the brake, shift through all
the gears while the engine is running.
%*
[SV52500(ALL)01/95]
Fuel system
%*
[SV52600(ALL)07/94]
q
Fill fuel tank with high-quality unleaded fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the fuel
pump nozzle.
*
[SV52800(ALL)03/95]
NOTE: During extended periods of vehicle
storage (60 days or more), fuel may
deteriorate due to oxidation. This can
damage rubber and other polymers in
the fuel system and may also clog
small orifices.
*
[SV52900(ALL)01/95]
Ford Gas Stabilizer should be added whenever
actual or expected storage periods exceed 60
days. Follow the instructions on the label. The
vehicle should then be operated at idle speed to
circulate the additive throughout the fuel system.
*
[SV53000(ALL)01/95]
A volatile corrosion inhibitor added to the fuel
system will protect the fuel system's inner
surfaces from corrosion. Follow the instructions
packaged with the product.
%*
[SV53100(ALL)01/95]
Cooling system
*
[SV53200(ALL)01/95]
q
Protect against freezing temperatures.
%*
[SV53300(ALL)01/95]
Battery
*
[SV53400(ALL)01/95]
q
Check and recharge as necessary.
*
[SV53500(ALL)01/95]
q
Keep connections clean and covered with a
light coat of grease.
File:15icsvf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:56:41 1996