1996 FORD PROBE Owners Manual

236 %
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[SV28100(ALL)02/95]
Information About Tire Quality Grades
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[SV28200(ALL)01/95]
New vehicles are fitted with tires that have their
Tire Quality Grade (described below) molded
into the tire's sidewall. These Tire Quality
Grades are determined by standards that the
United States Department of Transportation has
set.
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[SV28250(ALL)01/95]
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic
tires for use on passenger cars. They do not
apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires
with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches or
limited production tires as defined in Title 49
Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
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[SV28300(ALL)01/95]
U.S. Department of Transportation Ð Tire
quality grades:The U.S. Department of
Transportation requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire grades exactly
as the government has written it.
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[SV28399(ALL)01/95]
Treadwear
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[SV28400(ALL)01/95]
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2)
times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
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[SV28499(ALL)01/95]
Traction A B C
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[SV28500(ALL)01/95]
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
A, B, and C, and they represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on braking (straightahead) traction tests
and does not include cornering (turning)
traction.
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[SV28699(ALL)01/95]
Temperature A B C
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[SV28700(ALL)01/95]
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law. Warning: The temperature
grade for this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
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238
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[SV28750(ALL)02/95]
Snow tires
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[SV28770(ALL)06/93]
During the winter months in some climates, you
may need to use snow tires and occasionally
chains for your tires.
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[SV28790(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Snow tires must be the same size and
grade as the tires you currently have on
your vehicle.
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[SV28810(ALL)02/95]
Use chains on the tires only in an emergency or
if the law requires them where you live. If you
choose to use chains on your vehicle's tires, be
aware of the following:
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[SV28820(ALL)11/94]
q
Tire chains may scratch or chip aluminum
wheels. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT TIRE
CHAINS ARE INSTALLED ON STEEL
WHEELS ONLY. Be sure to remove wheel
covers (if equipped) from steel rims before
using tire chains to avoid scratches or
damage.
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[SV28830(ALL)06/93]
q
Do not use tire chains if you have the GT
model.
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[SV28840(ALL)11/94]
q
Local regulations may prohibit or restrict the
use of tire chains. Investigate the laws and
regulations in your area before installing
chains.
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[SV28860(ALL)05/95]
q
Put the chains on the front tires tightly with
the ends held down securely. Retighten the
chains after driving 1/2 mile (1 km). Follow
the chain manufacturer's instructions.
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[SV28870(ALL)05/95]
q
Do not drive faster than 30 mph (50 km/h)
or the chain manufacturer's recommended
speed limit, whichever is lower. Avoid
bumps, holes and sharp turns. If you can
hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, remove the chains to prevent damage
to your vehicle.
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239
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[SV28880(ALL)11/94]
q
Tire chains may affect vehicle handling. Drive
carefully and avoid hard braking.
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[SV28890(ALL)11/94]
q
Do not use chains on temporary spare tires.
They may damage the vehicle and the tire.
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[SV29025(ALL)05/94]
q
Remove tire chains at the first opportunity
after using them on snow and ice. Do not use
the chains on dry roads.
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[SV29100(ALL)04/95]
Cleaning the Wheels
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[SV29150(ALL)05/95]
Wash the wheels with the same detergent you
use to wash your vehicle's body. Do not use
acid-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, abrasives,
fuel, or strong detergents. These substances will
damage protective coatings. Use tar and road oil
remover to remove grease and tar.
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[SV29175(ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if
the brushes are abrasive.
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[SV29200(ALL)04/95]
If you have whitewall tires that are difficult to
clean with regular detergent, use whitewall tire
cleaner. Follow the directions on the container
and rinse the tires with plenty of clean water.
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[SV29610(ALL)05/95]
Battery
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[SV29612(ALL)02/95]
The Motorcraft maintenance-free battery does
not require additional water during its life of
service. The vents are part of the cover and
cannot be removed. For longer, trouble-free
operation, keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are
tightly fastened to the battery terminals.
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[SV29614(ALL)02/95]
If you see any corrosion on the battery cables or
terminals, remove the cables from the terminal
and clean them both with a wire brush. You can
neutralize the acid with a solution of baking
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240soda and water. Reinstall the cables when you
are done cleaning them, and apply a small
quantity of grease to the top of each battery
terminal to help prevent corrosion.
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[SV29616(ALL)02/95]
Battery replacement
[SV29620(ALL)11/91]
When the original equipment maintenance-free
battery is replaced under warranty, it may be
replaced by a low-maintenance battery.
[SV29625(ALL)03/95]
The low-maintenance battery has removable vent
caps for checking the electrolyte level and
adding water, if necessary.
[SV29630(ALL)04/93]
The electrolyte level should be checked at least
every 24 months or 24,000 miles (40,000 km) in
temperatures up to90ÊF (32ÊC) andmore in
temperatures above90ÊF (32ÊC).Keep the
electrolyte level in each cell up to the level
indicator. Do not overfill.
[SV29635(ALL)03/95]
If the level gets low, you can add plain tap
water to the battery, provided the water isn't
hard or doesn't have a high mineral or alkali
content. However, if possible, refill with distilled
water. If the battery needs water quite often,
have the charging system checked for a possible
problem.
[SV29636(ALL)01/95]
If you ever disconnect the battery or install a
new battery, you must allow the computer to
ªrelearnº its idle condition before your vehicle
will drive properly. To begin this process, put
the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or
N (Neutral) (manual transaxle), set the
emergency brake, turn off all the accessories, and
start the vehicle. Bring the engine to normal
operating temperature.
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241
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[SV29637(ALL)03/95]
If you do not let the engine relearn its idle, the
idle quality of your vehicle may be adversely
affected until the idle is relearned. Your vehicle
will eventually relearn its idle while you drive
it, but it takes much longer than if you use the
previous procedure.
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[SV29640(ALL)03/95]
Help Us Protect Our Environment
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[SV29645(ALL)04/95]
Ford Motor Company strongly recommends that
used lead-acid batteries be returned to an
authorized recycling facility for disposal.
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[SV29650(ALL)03/95]
one inch art:0000983-A
Battery recycling symbol
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[SV29655(ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
The gases around the battery can explode
if exposed to flames, sparks, or lit
cigarettes. An explosion could result in
injury or vehicle damage.
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[SV29660(ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
To protect yourself when charging a
battery, always shield your face and eyes.
Make sure that you can breathe fresh air.
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[SV29670(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns
skin, eyes, and clothing.
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242
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[SV29675(ALL)06/95]
If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or
clothing, immediately flush the area with water
for at least 15 minutes. If someone swallows the
acid, have him or her drink lots of milk or water
first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or
vegetable oil. Call a doctor immediately.
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[SV29690(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Applying too much pressure on the ends
when lifting a battery could cause acid to
spill. Lift the battery with a carrier or
with your hands on the opposite corners.
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[SV29700(ALL)03/01]
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
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[SV29800(ALL)03/95]
Under normal circumstances, you do not need to
check the fluid level of the transaxle, since your
vehicle does not use up transaxle fluid. Refer to
theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet for
replacement intervals. However, if the transaxle
is not working properly Ð for instance, the
transaxle may slip or shift slowly, or you may
notice some sign of fluid leakage Ð the fluid
level should be checked.
[SV29900(ALL)01/94]
If you must check the transaxle fluid in an
emergency, make sure that your vehicle is on
level ground, start the engine, and move the
gearshift through all of the gears allowing
sufficient time for each position to engage.
Securely latch the gearshift in P (Park). Set the
parking brake and leave the engine running.
[SV29950(ALL)04/93]
Wipe off the dipstick cap, pull the dipstick out
and wipe the indicator end clean. Put the
dipstick back into the filler tube. Make sure the
dipstick is fully seated in the filler tube;
otherwise, you will not get an accurate reading.
Pull the dipstick out and read the fluid level.
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243 [SV30000(ALL)01/92]
The fluid level must be above the lower mark. If
it is not, you should not drive your vehicle until
more fluid is added. Ideally, the fluid level
should be within the specified area of the
dipstick.
[SV30100(ALL)03/90]
NOTE: The fluid level indication on the
dipstick will be different at operating
temperature and room temperature. For
the correct fluid level reading on the
dipstick, follow the appropriate
instructions.
[SV30200(ALL)01/94]
At normal operating temperature (approximately
20 miles [32 km] of vehicle operation), the level
on the dipstick should be within the specified
area on the ªSafe level when hotº temperature
scale. At room temperature, the level should be
within the specified area on the ªSafe level when
coldº temperature scale. If your vehicle has not
been operated for some time and outside
temperature is below50ÊF (10ÊC) thefluid must
be warmed by running the engine.
[SV30300(ALL)05/93]
one third page art:0032096-A
Automatic transaxle fluid dipstick on 2.5L engine vehicles
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