1996 FORD PROBE check engine light

203
Servicing Your Probe
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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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[SV00900(ALL)05/94]
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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:Fri Jun 23 19:33:26 1995

218
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Neveruse:
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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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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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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.
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2. Set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park) (automatic transaxle) or 1 (First)
(manual transaxle).
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3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
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4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
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219
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5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
[SV14400(ALL)01/93]
one inch art:0032075-A
Engine oil dipstick
[SV14500(ALL)05/95]
6. Carefully, pull the dipstick out again. If the
oil level is below the L line, add engine oil
as necessary. If the oil level is beyond the
letter F, engine damage or high oil
consumption may occur and some oil must
be removed from the engine.
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7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
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Adding engine oil
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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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Update:Fri Jun 23 19:33:26 1995

262
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To make sure that the catalytic converter and the
other emission control parts continue to work
properly:
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Use only unleaded fuel.
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Avoid running out of fuel.
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Do not turn off the ignition while your
vehicle is moving, especially at high speeds.
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Do not push start your vehicle.
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Have the services listed in yourMaintenance
Schedule and Recordbooklet performed
according to the specified schedule.
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RWARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which
can start a fire.
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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 emission 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 with which your vehicle or engine was
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272 %
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Engine
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Start engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle
until it reaches normal operating temperature.
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With your foot on the brake, shift through all
the gears while the engine is running.
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Fuel system
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Fill fuel tank with high-quality unleaded fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the fuel
pump nozzle.
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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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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.
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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.
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Cooling system
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Protect against freezing temperatures.
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Battery
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Check and recharge as necessary.
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Keep connections clean and covered with a
light coat of grease.
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Update:Fri Jun 23 19:33:26 1995

294 Index
Cleaning your vehicle (continued)
wheels................ 239
windows................ 72
Clock................127, 143
Clutch
operation while driving........ 153
recommended shift speeds....... 156
shifting the gears........... 154
Cold engine starting............ 43
Combination lap and shoulder belts..... 9
Compact disc player
(see Electronic sound system) . . . 122, 128
Compact disc radio
(see Electronic sound system)..... 122
Console, description........... 114
Controls
instrument panel............ 63
mirrors................ 113
steering column............. 77
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
checking and adding......... 221
drain and flush............ 226
preparing for storage......... 272
specifications............. 226
temperature gauge........... 61
Cooling fan............... 204
Crankcase emission filter......... 268
Cruise control (see Speed control)...... 89
Customer Assistance Center,
Ford (U.S.).............. 187
Customer Assistance Centre,
Ford of Canada............ 192
D
Dashboard (see Instrument panel)...... 63
Daytime running light system....... 78
Defects, reporting............ 192
Dipstick
engine oil.............. 218
power steering fluid.......... 247
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)...... 181
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Index 295
Dispute Settlement Board........ 188
Doors.................. 95
Driving under special conditions
bad weather............. 162
heavy load.............. 164
high water.............. 164
slippery roads............ 162
tips for safe driving.......... 162
towing a trailer............ 166
E
Electronic radio with cassette
(see Electronic sound system)..... 134
Electronic sound system
antenna................ 75
atenna................. 75
radio reception............ 143
tuning the radio.........123, 137
warranty and service information . . . 146
Electronic stereo cassette radio
(see Electronic sound system)..... 134
Electronic stereo radio
(see Electronic sound system)..... 134
Emergencies, roadside
assistance.............. 185
battery acid spills.........169, 242
jump-starting............. 169
towing................ 181
Emergency brake (parking brake) . . . 158, 160
Emission control system
catalytic converter.......... 261
emissions warranty........261±262
Engine
check engine warning light....... 58
does not start............. 44
fuel injected engine, starting.....42±43
fuel pump shut-off switch........ 46
preparing to start............ 42
starting.............. 37,43
starting after a collision......... 46
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Update:Fri Jun 23 19:30:26 1995

296 Index
Engine (continued)
storing your vehicle........271±272
Engine block heater............ 45
Engine coolant
checking and adding......... 221
checking hoses............ 229
disposal.........204, 220, 225, 244
drain and flush............ 226
preparing for storage......... 272
temperature gauge........... 61
Engine coolant temperature gauge..... 61
description............... 61
mechanical............... 61
Engine fan............... 204
Engine knocking............. 213
Engine oil
changing oil and oil filter....... 220
checking and adding......... 218
dipstick............... 218
disposal.........204, 220, 225, 244
engine oil pressure gauge........ 60
filter, specifications.......... 268
synthetic oil...........217±218
ªbreak-inº oils............ 5±6
viscosity............... 217
Exhaust fumes.............. 48
Extended Service Plan, Ford........ 4
F
Federal Communications Commission . . . 145
Federal Highway Administration
Regulation............... 5
Flashers, hazard.............. 81
Flashing the lights............. 81
Flat tire................. 173
Foglamps................. 74
Ford Customer Assistance Center..... 187
Ford Dispute Settlement Board...... 188
Ford Extended Service Plan........ 4
Ford Motor Company of Canada..... 192
File:prixp.ex
Update:Fri Jun 23 19:30:26 1995