1996 FORD ASPIRE Owners Manual

194 %
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[SV20580(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.
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[SV20600(ALL)03/95]
Use Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid
E2FZ-19549-AA (in Canada, Motorcraft CXC-8-B)
or an equivalent engine coolant that meets Ford
Specification ESE-M97B44-A.
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[SV20700(ALL)04/93]
Leave the engine coolant in all year. Make sure
that the coolant will not freeze at the
temperature level in which you drive during
winter months. Keep an engine coolant in your
engine that has a protection rating of at least
-20ÊF (-29ÊC), orwhatever protection rating is
appropriate for the climate in which you live.
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[SV21000(ALL)01/95]
Have your dealer check the engine cooling
system for leaks if you have to add a quart
(liter) of engine coolant more than once a month.
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[SV21200(ALL)05/95]
Engine coolant drain and flush
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[SV21300(ALL)05/94]
The proper procedures to completely drain and
flush the engine cooling system can be found in
the Service Manual for your vehicle or you can
see your dealer. See the order form located
before this chapter. Follow these recommended
procedures to ensure that your vehicle has the
specified engine level and 50/50 mixture of
cooling system fluid and water.
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195
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[SV21400(ALL)02/95]
Engine coolant refill procedure
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[SV21500(ALL)03/95]
When the entire engine cooling system is to be
drained and refilled, use the following
procedure:
*
[SV21600(ALL)01/89]
1. Remove the radiator cap.
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[SV21700(ALL)06/89]
2. With the engine off and cool, add a 50/50
mixture of recommended engine cooling
system fluid and water until the radiator is
full.
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[SV21800(ALL)07/93]
3. Replace and fully tighten the radiator cap,
then unscrew the cap to the first stop.
*
[SV21900(ALL)06/89]
4. Start and idle the engine until the radiator
upper hose is warm (this indicates the
thermostat is open and engine coolant is
flowing through the entire system).
[SV22000(ALL)03/94]
5. When you are done, stop the engine and
tighten the cap completely.
%*
[SV22100(ALL)11/94]
Checking hoses
*
[SV22200(ALL)01/89]
Check all engine and heater system hoses and
hose connections for deterioration, leaks, and
loose hose clamps as specified in the
maintenance schedule. Repair or replace with
Motorcraft hoses or equivalent as necessary.
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[SV22300(ALL)03/95]
Windshield Washer Fluid and
Wipers
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[SV22350(ALL)03/95]
Washer Fluid
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[SV22500(ALL)01/95]
Check the level of the windshield washer fluid
every time you stop for fuel. The reservoir for
the windshield washer fluid is located in the
engine compartment.
[SV22600(ALL)05/93]
To check the washer fluid level, place your
finger over the hole in the reservoir cap and pull
out the dipstick.
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196 % [SV22800(ALL)07/95]
two third page art:0032217-CFront windshield washer fluid reservoir
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[SV23000(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the
container for the engine coolant.
%*
[SV23100(ALL)01/95]
Use specially formulated windshield washer
fluid rather than plain water, because specially
formulated washer fluids contain additives that
dissolve road grime. For safety reasons, washer
fluids containing an appropriate antifreeze such
as methanol should be used in freezing weather
(temperatures below32ÊF [0ÊC]).State or local
regulations on Volatile Organic Compounds
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197
(VOC's) may restrict use of the most common
antifreeze, methanol. Washer fluids containing
non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection
without damaging the vehicle's paint finish,
wiper blades, and windshield washer system.
[SV23200(ALL)04/95]
Rear window wiper (If equipped)
[SV23300(ALL)07/93]
Your Aspire may have a rear wiper/washer
system. The washer fluid reservoir is located in
the right side of the luggage compartment. To
open the reservoir compartment cover, pull out
the knob and pull the door open.
[SV23400(ALL)07/93]
two third page art:0032212-A
Rear washer fluid reservoir
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198 [SV23900(ALL)02/95]This is not the same reservoir your front
windshield wipers use. Refill this reservoir with
the same solution you use for your windshield.
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[SV24000(ALL)03/95]
Wiper Blades
*
[SV24100(ALL)03/95]
Check the windshield wiper blades at least twice
a year. Also check them whenever they seem
less effective than usual. Substances such as tree
sap and some hot wax treatments used by
commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness
of wiper blades.
*
[SV24200(ALL)03/95]
If the blades do not wipe properly, clean both
the windshield and the wiper blades. Use
undiluted windshield washer solution or a mild
detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Do
not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner, or other
solvents to clean your wiper blades. These will
damage your blades.
*
[SV24300(ALL)03/95]
To make reaching the wiper blades easy, simply
turn the ignition to the ACC position and turn
your wipers on. Wait for them to reach a
vertical position and turn the ignition to the OFF
position. Do not move the wipers manually.
Manually moving the wipers across the
windshield may damage them.
*
[SV24400(ALL)03/01]
Wiper blade replacement
*
[SV24500(ALL)01/95]
If the wipers still do not work properly after
you clean them, you may need to replace the
wiper blade assembly. When replacing the wiper
blade assembly always use a Motorcraft part or
equivalent.
*
[SV24525(ALL)10/93]
To replace the wiper blades:
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[SV24535(ALL)06/95]
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the
windshield and into the lock position.
*
[SV24550(ALL)03/94]
2. Turn the blade at an angle from the wiper
arm. Push the lock pin with a screwdriver to
release the blade and pull the wiper blade
down toward the windshield to remove it
from the arm.
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199
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[SV24560(ALL)03/94]
3. Attach a new wiper blade to the wiper arm
and press it into place until you hear it click.
[SV24575(ALL)03/94]
two third page art:0032257-A
Replacing the wiper blades
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200
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[SV24600(ALL)03/95]
Tires
*
[SV24700(ALL)03/95]
Look at your tires each time you fill your fuel
tank. If one tire looks lower than the others,
check the pressure in all of them. Always follow
these precautions:
*
[SV24900(ALL)03/95]
q
Keep your tires inflated to the recommended
pressures.
*
[SV25000(ALL)02/95]
q
Stay within the recommended load limits (see
Load limitsin the Index).
*
[SV25100(ALL)02/95]
q
Make sure the weight of your load is evenly
distributed.
*
[SV25200(ALL)10/89]
q
Drive at safe speeds.
*
[SV25300(ALL)01/95]
If you do not take these precautions, your tires
may fail or go flat.
*
[SV25390(ALL)07/95]
Ford Motor Company recommends obeying
posted speed limits.
*
[SV25400(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Driving too fast for conditions creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control.
Driving at very high speeds for extended
periods of time may result in damage to
vehicle components.
%*
[SV25600(ALL)05/95]
At least once a month, check the pressure in all
your vehicle's tires, including the spare. Use an
accurate tire pressure gauge. Check the tire
pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle
has been parked for at least one hour or has
been driven less than 3 miles (5 km). You can
find proper cold pressure and load limits of
recommended size tires on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
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201
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[SV25850(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, possibly
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
%*
[SV25875(ALL)07/95]
Tire Inspection and Maintenance
*
[SV25880(ALL)02/95]
Inspect the tire treads, and remove stones, nails,
glass or other objects that may be wedged in the
tread grooves. Check for holes or cuts that may
permit air to leak from the tire, and make the
necessary repairs.
*
[SV25890(ALL)05/95]
Inspect the tire sidewalls for cuts, bruises and
other damage. If you suspect internal damage to
the tire, have it removed and checked. You may
need to repair or replace it.
%*
[SV25900(ALL)02/95]
Tire Rotation
*
[SV26000(ALL)04/95]
Because your vehicle's front and rear tires
perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly
and last longer, rotate them as indicated in the
following diagram.
*
[SV26100(ALL)04/95]
Do not include the spare tire as part of your
rotation.
*
[SV26150(ALL)03/95]
For tire rotation intervals, see theMaintenance
Schedule and Recordbooklet. If you notice the
tires wearing unevenly, have them checked.
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Update:Wed Jan 24 14:56:41 1996