1996 FORD ASPIRE Owners Manual

186 %
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[SV12300(ALL)07/95]
Comparisons With Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and Transport
Canada (TC) Fuel Economy Estimates
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[SV12400(ALL)05/95]
EPA fuel economy figures are obtained from
laboratory tests under simulated road conditions
and may not reflect the actual conditions you
experience or your style of driving. The EPA
fuel economy estimate is not a guarantee that
you will achieve the fuel economy shown.
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[SV12500(ALL)06/95]
Improving Fuel Economy
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Fuel economy is affected by a number of
variables which can reduce efficiency. You can
improve fuel economy by understanding these
variables and minimizing their effect.
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The following decrease fuel economy:
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[SV12550(ALL)05/95]
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Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
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Excessive speed
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Rapid acceleration and excessive speed
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[SV12650(ALL)05/95]
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Driving with your foot on the brake
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Sudden stops
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Using speed control in hilly terrain
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Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear
window defroster and other accessories
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Underinflated tires
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Heavy loads
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Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or
luggage racks, bug deflectors, etc.
[SV13550(ALL)05/95]
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.
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187
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Engine Oil Recommendations
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We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an
equivalent oil meeting Ford Specification
WSS-MZC153-F and displaying the American
Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on
the front of the container.
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one third page art:0060021-E
The API Certification Mark
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Neveruse:
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[SV13680(ALL)01/95]
q
ªNon-Detergentº oils
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Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
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Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments
or engine treatments
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[SV13710(ALL)03/95]
Engine oils with anSAE 5W-30viscosity are
PREFERREDfor your vehicle. They provide the
best engine performance, fuel economy and
engine protection for all climates down to-15ÊF
(-25ÊC).
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[SV13750(ALL)03/95]
Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and
of the preferred viscosity may be used in your
engine. The engine oil and oil filter must still be
changed according to the maintenance schedule.
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188
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Checking and Adding Engine Oil
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[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.
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Checking the engine oil level:
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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).
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[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.
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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).
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7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
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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.
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[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.
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[SV16300(ALL)06/95]
Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
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[SV16400(ALL)04/95]
Change the engine oil and oil filterper the
following, whichever occurs first.
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[SV16500(ALL)04/95]
one third page art:0060618-C
Oil change intervals
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[SV16600(ALL)06/95]
Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet for additional information.
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190 [SV17250(ALL)05/95]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.
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[SV17275(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil
has caused cancer in laboratory mice.
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[SV17280(ALL)07/95]
Protect your skin by washing with soap and
water.
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[SV17300(ALL)03/95]
Engine Coolant
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Checking the engine coolant
[SV17550(ALL)05/95]
NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
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RWARNING
The cooling fan is automatic and may
come on at any time. Always disconnect
the negative terminal of the battery before
working near the fan.
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[SV17800(ALL)02/95]
Your vehicle's coolant protects your engine from
overheating in the summer and from freezing in
the winter. Check the level of the coolant at least
once a month. Simply look at the engine coolant
reservoir located in the engine compartment. To
locate the reservoir, see the diagram of your
vehicle's engine underEngine Type,in this
chapter.
[SV18000(ALL)04/89]
q
If the engine is hot, the reservoir should be
filled with engine coolant to the FULL mark,
and the radiator should be full.
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191 [SV18100(ALL)04/89]
q
If the engine is cold, the reservoir should be
filled with engine coolant to just above the
LOW mark, and the radiator should be full.
[SV18400(ALL)07/93]
one third page art:0032226-A
Engine coolant recovery reservoir
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Adding engine coolant
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RWARNING
Do not put engine coolant in the container
for the windshield washer fluid.
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If sprayed to clean the glass, engine coolant or
antifreeze could make it difficult to see through
the windshield.
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[SV18650(ALL)06/95]
Add engine coolant only to the coolant
reservoir.If the coolant level is low, add to the
reservoir a 50/50 mixture of water and the type
of engine coolant that Ford specifies. You may
add water by itself only in an emergency, but
you should replace it with a 50/50 mixture as
soon as possible. Check the engine coolant again
the next few times you drive your vehicle.
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[SV18700(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap
while the engine is running or hot.
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192
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RWARNING
Follow these steps to minimize risk of
personal injury.
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1. Before you remove the radiator cap, turn the
engine off and let it cool. Even when the
engine is cool, be careful when you remove
the radiator cap.
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[SV19000(ALL)05/95]
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth
around the cap and turn it slowly
counterclockwise to the first stop.
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[SV20000(ALL)03/95]
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
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[SV20100(ALL)03/95]
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has
been released, use the cloth to turn and
remove cap.
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[SV20200(ALL)03/95]
5. Stand away from the radiator opening. Hot
steam may blow out or hot engine coolant
may even splash out.
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[SV20250(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Failure to follow these instructions could
result in serious personal injury from hot
engine coolant or steam blowout and/or
damage to the engine cooling system or
engine.
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[SV20300(ALL)03/95]
To find out how much engine coolant mixture
your vehicle's coolant system can hold, seeRefill
capacities for fluidsin the Index.
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193
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Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid is an
optimized formula that will protect all metals
and rubber elastomers used in Ford engines for
four years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km). It is not
necessary and not recommended to use
supplemental coolant additives in your vehicle.
These additives may harm your engine cooling
system. Follow the recommended service interval
for changing your engine coolant.
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[SV20550(ALL)04/94]
NOTE: When you change or add engine
coolant, it is important to maintain
your engine coolant concentration
between 40%(-11ÊF [-24ÊC]) and 60%
(-62ÊF [-52ÊC]),depending on your local
climate conditions. Below 40% you will
lose freeze protection and above 60%
your engine may overheat on a warm
day.
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[SV20570(ALL)03/95]
NOTE: The use of an improper coolant may
void your warranty for the engine
cooling system. Use only a premium,
nationally recognized brand name
engine coolant. Do not use alcohol,
methanol antifreeze or engine coolant
mixed with alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. If you do not use the proper
coolant, the aluminum engine on your
vehicle will corrode.
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[SV20575(ALL)05/95]
Ford Motor Company expressly authorizes the
Ford Rotunda engine coolant recycling process
and chemicals. Use only Ford Rotunda recycled
engine coolant or an equivalent recycled engine
coolant that is certified by the supplier to meet
Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A.
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