1996 FORD ASPIRE light

173
Servicing Your Aspire
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Service Made Easy
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Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
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2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
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We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
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When possible, we design parts Ð such as
the headlamp bulbs Ð that can be replaced
without tools.
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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.
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This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
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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.
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Update:Wed Jan 24 14:56:41 1996

180
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If you lose the fuel cap, replace it with an
authorized Motorcraft or equivalent part.
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RWARNING
If you do not use the proper fuel cap, the
pressure in the fuel tank can damage the
fuel system or cause it to work improperly
in a collision.
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NOTE: If you replace your fuel cap with an
aftermarket fuel filler cap, the customer
warranty may be void for any damage
to the fuel tank and/or fuel system.
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RWARNING
If the fuel cap is venting vapor or if you
hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the cap.
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NOTE: If you replace your fuel cap with an
aftermarket fuel filler cap, the customer
warranty may be void for any damage
to the fuel tank and/or fuel system.
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A venting fuel tank is not an abnormal
condition. It may be caused by:
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too volatile a fuel for the weather conditions.
Service stations sometimes sell winter grade
fuel in the summer.
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extended periods of idling with the engine
RPM increased above the normal idle range.
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parking the vehicle in full sunlight for
extended periods on extremely hot days.
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Update:Wed Jan 24 14:56:41 1996

182 %
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Octane recommendations
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Your vehicle is designed to use regular
unleaded fuel with an octane rating of 87.At
service stations, the octane rating is displayed in
a label on the pumps.
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one inch art:0060001-C
Typical octane rating label
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In some parts of the country, ªregularº grade
fuels are sold with octane ratings of 86 or even
less, especially in high altitude areas. We
recommend that you do not use these fuels.
Always use a fuel with an octane rating of 87,
even if it is sold as a ªmidgradeº or ªpremium.º
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Do not be concerned if your vehicle sometimes
knocks lightly when you drive up a hill or when
you accelerate. However, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician if persistent, heavy
knocking occurs because this can damage the
engine.
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Fuel quality
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If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or
hesitation problems when the engine is cold, it
may be caused by fuel with low volatility. Try a
different brand of fuel. If the condition persists,
see your dealer or a qualified service technician.
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Using a high-quality fuel makes your vehicle
more responsive and maintains its good fuel
economy and emissions by:
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protecting your fuel system from rusting.
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preventing the fuel lines from freezing.
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Update:Wed Jan 24 14:56:41 1996

188
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Checking and Adding Engine Oil
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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.
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2. Set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park)
or 1 (First).
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3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
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4. Locate the dipstick (highlighted in yellow)
and carefully pull it out of the engine.
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5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
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quarter page art:0032227-B
Engine oil dipstick
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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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Update:Wed Jan 24 14:56:41 1996

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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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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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Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
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Change the engine oil and oil filterper the
following, whichever occurs first.
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one third page art:0060618-C
Oil change intervals
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Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet for additional information.
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Update:Wed Jan 24 14:56:41 1996

224
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Lights and Bulb Replacement
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It is a good idea to check the operation of the
following lights frequently:
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headlamps
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high mount brakelamp
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tail lamps
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brakelamps
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hazard flasher
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turn signals
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side markers
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license plate lamp
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fog lamps
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The alignment of your headlamps should be
checked if:
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oncoming motorists frequently signal you to
turn off your vehicle's high beams when you
do not have the high beams on
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the headlamps do not seem to give you
enough light to see clearly at night
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the headlamp beams are pointed substantially
away from a position slightly down and to
the right
File:15icsvf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:56:41 1996

231
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Update:Wed Jan 24 14:56:41 1996

238
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Vehicle Storage
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Maintenance Tips
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If you plan on storing your vehicle for an
extended period of time (60 days or more), refer
to the following maintenance recommendations
to ensure your vehicle stays in good operating
condition.
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General
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Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated place.
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Protect from sunlight, if possible.
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If vehicles are stored outside, they require
regular maintenance to protect against rust
and damage.
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Body
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Wash vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt,
grease, oil, tar or mud from exterior surfaces,
rear wheel housing and underside of front
fenders.
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Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed
locations.
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Touch-up raw or primed metal to prevent
rust.
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Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a
thick coat of auto wax to prevent
discoloration. Re-wax as necessary when the
vehicle is washed.
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Lubricate all hood, door and trunk lid hinges
and latches with a light grade oil.
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Cover interior soft trim to prevent fading.
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Keep all rubber parts free from oil and
solvents.
File:15icsvf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:56:41 1996