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![FORD ASPIRE 1996 1.G Owners Manual 47
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[ST04500(ALL)03/95]
Starting Your Vehicle
%*
[ST05000(ALL)05/94]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
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[ST05100(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or other enclosed area FORD ASPIRE 1996 1.G Owners Manual 47
*
[ST04500(ALL)03/95]
Starting Your Vehicle
%*
[ST05000(ALL)05/94]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
*
[ST05100(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or other enclosed area](/manual-img/11/4753/w960_4753-48.png)
47
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Starting Your Vehicle
%*
[ST05000(ALL)05/94]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
*
[ST05100(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or other enclosed area. Never sit in
a stopped vehicle for more than a short
period of time with the engine running.
Exhaust fumes are toxic. SeeGuarding
Against Exhaust Fumesin this chapter for
more instructions.
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[ST05200(ALL)01/95]
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
*
[ST05300(ALL)07/95]
1. Make sure all occupants in the vehicle
buckle their safety belts. SeeSafety Restraints
in the Index for more details.
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[ST05400(ALL)03/95]
2. Make sure the headlamps and other
accessories are turned off when starting.
*
[ST05500(ALL)02/92]
3.If you have an automatic transaxle, make
sure that the gearshift is in P (Park) and the
parking brake is set before you turn the key.
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[ST05600(ALL)07/93]
If you have a manual transaxle, make sure
that the parking brake is fully set, push the
clutch pedal to the floor, and put the
gearshift into Neutral before you turn the
key.(Remember, the starter will operate
only if the clutch pedal is pushed all the
way to the floor.)
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[ST05800(ALL)03/95]
Before you start your vehicle, you should test
the warning lights on the instrument panel to
make sure that they work. Refer to theWarning
Lights and Gaugeschapter.
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![FORD ASPIRE 1996 1.G Owners Manual 122
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RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park).
*
[DR04800(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Never leave your vehicle unattended
wh FORD ASPIRE 1996 1.G Owners Manual 122
*
[DR04700(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park).
*
[DR04800(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Never leave your vehicle unattended
wh](/manual-img/11/4753/w960_4753-122.png)
122
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[DR04700(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park).
*
[DR04800(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running.
*
[DR05000(ALL)02/91]
You can tell the gearshift is securely latched
when the thumb button has popped out. In this
position the gearshift selector lever cannot be
moved unless the button is pushed in.
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[DR05050(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Hold the brake pedal down while you
move the gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move
unexpectedly and injure someone.
[DR05100(ALL)02/95]
Driving With a Manual
Transaxle (If equipped)
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[DR05200(ALL)03/95]
Using the Clutch
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[DR05300(ALL)05/95]
After the engine starts, allow it to idle for a few
seconds. Then, hold your right foot on the brake
pedal, push the clutch pedal to the floor with
your left foot, and move the shift selector lever
into 1 (First) or R (Reverse).
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[DR05400(ALL)01/94]
To move the vehicle, lift your right foot off the
brake pedal and slowly release the clutch pedal.
(You need to press down slowly on the
accelerator at the same time you release the
clutch pedal.)
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123
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Do not drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal and do not use the clutch to hold
your vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a
hill. These actions will seriously reduce clutch
life.
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[DR05600(ALL)03/95]
Driving with your foot resting on the clutch may
cause the vehicle to jerk sharply when pressing
or removing your other foot from the
accelerator.
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Shifting the Gears
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[DR05800(ALL)11/94]
The gearshift for a manual transaxle is mounted
on the floor. The gearshift can be in one of
seven possible positions, as shown.
[DR05905(ALL)05/91]
half page art:0034000-A
Shift pattern
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[DR06100(ALL)02/91]
Always push the clutch pedal all the way in
when you shift. You should upshift according to
the speeds given in the chart later in this
chapter.
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![FORD ASPIRE 1996 1.G Owners Manual 124 [DR06150(ALL)02/91]Sometimes, you will upshift at higher speeds.
For example, you may want to stay in a lower
gear to gain more power for passing or for
climbing a hill. However, you must stay wit FORD ASPIRE 1996 1.G Owners Manual 124 [DR06150(ALL)02/91]Sometimes, you will upshift at higher speeds.
For example, you may want to stay in a lower
gear to gain more power for passing or for
climbing a hill. However, you must stay wit](/manual-img/11/4753/w960_4753-124.png)
124 [DR06150(ALL)02/91]Sometimes, you will upshift at higher speeds.
For example, you may want to stay in a lower
gear to gain more power for passing or for
climbing a hill. However, you must stay within
the allowable range when you upshift or
downshift.
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Backing up
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[DR06300(ALL)03/95]
To shift into R (Reverse):
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1. Bring your vehicle to acompletestop.
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[DR06500(ALL)03/90]
2. Push the clutch pedal in all the way to the
floor and hold it. If you do not hold the
clutch pedal in all the way, you may hear a
grinding noise when you shift.
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[DR06600(ALL)08/94]
3. Put the gearshift in Neutral and wait at least
3 seconds before shifting into R (Reverse) to
prevent a grinding noise. Do not release the
clutch.
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[DR06700(ALL)02/92]
4. Then push the gearshift all the way to the
right and pull it down into R (Reverse).
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[DR06800(ALL)03/95]
When in 5 (Fifth) gear, you can engage R
(Reverse) only by moving the gearshift to
Neutral before you shift into R (Reverse).
This is a special lockout feature that protects
you from accidentally shifting into R
(Reverse) when you downshift from 5 (Fifth)
gear.
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[DR06900(ALL)02/92]
5. Once R (Reverse) is engaged, slowly release
the clutch pedal from the floor.
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[DR07000(ALL)03/94]
If R (Reverse) is not engaged, continue to push
the clutch pedal in while you put the gearshift
back into Neutral. Then, release the clutch pedal
for a moment and repeat steps 2 through 5.
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125
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Upshifting
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Most of the time, you should upshift at the
following speeds:
[DR07300(ALL)07/93]
eighteen pica chart:0030260-F[DR07500(ALL)07/89]
For better fuel economy, shift at these speeds.
%*
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Downshifting
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When you slow down or climb a steep hill,
always downshift before the engine starts to lose
power. Downshifting reduces the chance of
stalling and gives your vehicle better acceleration
to increase speed again.
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[DR08500(ALL)03/95]
When you drive down steep hills, downshifting
helps you keep a safe speed and helps prevent
unnecessary wear on the brakes.
*
[DR08600(ALL)03/95]
When you come to a stop, do not downshift
through each gear. Disengage the clutch and use
the brake as necessary. Downshifting through
the gears decreases your vehicle's fuel economy.
File:10icdrf.ex
Update:Wed Jan 24 14:53:01 1996