1997 FORD AEROSTAR Owners Manual

151
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[SS30580(ALL)01/96]
To improve the fit of lap and shoulder belts on
children who have outgrown child safety seats,
Ford recommends use of a belt-positioning
booster seat that is labelled as conforming to all
Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Belt-positioning booster seats raise the child and
provide a shorter, firmer seating cushion that
encourages safer seating posture and better fit of
lap and shoulder belts on the child. A
belt-positioning booster should be used if the
shoulder belt rests in front of the child's face or
neck, or if the lap belt does not fit snugly on
both thighs, or if the thighs are too short to let
the child sit all the way back on the seat cushion
when the lower legs hang over the edge of the
seat cushion. You may wish to discuss the
specific needs of your child with your
pediatrician.
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[SS30590(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not use a belt-positioning booster with
a lap-only belt.
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[SS30600(ALL)01/96]
Lap belts and the lap belt portion of lap and
shoulder belts should always be worn snugly
and below the hips, touching the child's thighs.
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[SS30610(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Children should always ride with the
seatback in the fully upright position.
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153
Starting
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Fuel-Injected Engines
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When starting a fuel-injected engine,the most
important thing to remember is to avoid
pressing down on the accelerator before or
during starting. Only use the accelerator when
you have problems getting your vehicle started.
SeeStarting Your Enginein this chapter for
details about when to use the accelerator while
you start your vehicle.
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[TO05150(ALL)01/96]
Starting Your Vehicle
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Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
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RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or in other enclosed areas. Exhaust
fumes can be toxic. Always open the
garage door before you start the engine.
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[TO05400(ALL)01/96]
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
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[TO05500(ALL)01/96]
1. Make sure all occupants in the vehicle
buckle their safety belts. SeeSafety Restraints
in the Index for more details.
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[TO05600(ALL)01/96]
2. Make sure the headlamps and other
accessories are turned off when starting.
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[TO05750(ALL)01/96]
3. Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park)
and the parking brake is set before you turn
the key.
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[TO06015(ALL)02/96]
Before you start your vehicle, you should test
the warning lights on the instrument panel to
make sure that they work. Refer to the
Instrumentationchapter.
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154 %
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Starting Your Engine
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To start your engine:
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1. Follow the steps underPreparing to Start
Your Vehicleat the beginning of this section.
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[TO06425(ALL)01/96]
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
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[TO06451(ALL)01/96]
3. DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when
starting your engine. DO NOT use the
accelerator while the vehicle is parked.
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[TO06475(ALL)01/96]
4. Turn the key to the START position
(cranking) until the engine starts. Allow the
key to return to the ON position after the
engine has started.
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[TO06501(ALL)05/96]
If you have difficulty in turning the key,
rotate the steering wheel slightly because it
may be binding.
%*
[TO06505(ALL)01/96]
For a cold engine:
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[TO06510(ALL)01/96]
q
At temperatures10ÊF (-12ÊC) andbelow:If
the engine does not start infifteen (15)
secondson the first try, turn the key to OFF,
wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you
do not flood the engine, then try again.
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[TO06515(ALL)01/96]
q
At temperaturesabove10ÊF(-12ÊC):If the
engine does not start infive (5) secondson
the first try, turn the key to OFF, wait
approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not
flood the engine, then try again.
%*
[TO06530(ALL)01/96]
For a warm engine:
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[TO06551(ALL)01/96]
q
Do not hold the key in the START position
for more thanfive (5) secondsat a time. If
the engine does not start within five (5)
seconds on the first try, turn the key to the
OFF position. Wait a few seconds after the
starter stops, then try again.
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155
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[TO06575(ALL)01/96]
Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key
as soon as the engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
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[TO06601(ALL)01/96]
After starting, allow the engine to idle for a few
seconds before driving away.
%*
[TO06625(ALL)05/96]
NOTE: Your vehicle is equipped with a
brake-shift interlock feature. This
feature prevents you from shifting
from P (Park) unless you have the
brake pedal depressed. (The ignition
must be in the ON position.) If you
cannot shift from P (Park) with the
brake pedal depressed:
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[TO06627(ALL)05/96]
1. Apply the parking brake.
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[TO06629(ALL)05/96]
2. Remove the key.
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[TO06631(ALL)05/96]
3. Insert the key and rotate it one position
clockwise (ignition in the OFF position).
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[TO06633(ALL)05/96]
4. Apply the brake pedal and shift to N
(Neutral). (If the vehicle is shifted back to P
[Park], you must repeat the previous steps.)
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[TO06635(ALL)05/96]
5. Start the vehicle.
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[TO06637(ALL)05/96]
If you need to shift out of P (Park) by using the
alternate procedure described above, it is
possible that a fuse has blown and that your
brakelamps may also not be functional. Please
refer to the chapter titledRoadside Emergenciesin
this Owner Guide for instructions on checking
and replacing fuses.
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[TO06640(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL
YOU VERIFY THAT THE BRAKELAMPS
ARE WORKING.
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156
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If the engine still does not start after two
attempts:
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1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
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[TO06851(ALL)01/96]
2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor
and hold it.
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3. Turn the ignition key to the START position.
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[TO06900(ALL)01/96]
4. Release the ignition key when the engine
starts.
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5. Release the accelerator gradually as the
engine speeds up.
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[TO06951(ALL)05/96]
If the engine still does not start, the fuel pump
shut-off switch may have been activated. For
directions on how to reset the switch seeFuel
Pump Shut-Off Switchin the index.
%*
[TO07300(ALL)01/96]
A computer system controls the engine's idle
speed. When you start your vehicle, the engine's
idle speed normally runs high. These faster
engine speeds will make your vehicle coast
slightly faster than its normal idle speed. It
should, however, slow down after a short time.
If it does not, have the idle speed checked.
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[TO07390(ALL)01/96]
If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, do not allow your vehicle to idle
for more than 10 minutes. Have the vehicle
checked.
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[TO07400(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Extended idling at high engine speeds can
produce very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system, creating the
risk of fire or other damage.
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157
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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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[TO07500(ALL)01/96]
If you consistently start your vehicle in subzero
temperatures, use an engine block heater (if
your vehicle has this option).
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Engine Block Heater (If equipped)
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[TO07700(ALL)01/96]
Engine block heaters are strongly recommended
if you live in a region where temperatures reach
-10ÊF (-23ÊC) orbelow. An engine block heater
warms the engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine faster, and allows
the heater-defrost system to respond quickly.
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[TO08000(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
To prevent electrical shock, do not use
your heater with ungrounded electrical
systems or two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
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[TO08100(ALL)01/96]
For best results, plug the heater in at least three
hours before you start your vehicle. Using the
heater for longer than three hours will not
damage the engine, so you can plug it in at
night to start your vehicle the following
morning.
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[TO08150(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: Be sure to disconnect the engine block
heater before driving your vehicle.
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158
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If the Engine Cranks but Does
Not Start or Does Not Start After
a Collision
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Fuel Pump Shut-Off Switch
[TO08520(ALL)03/96]
If the engine cranks but does not start or does
not start even after a small collision, the fuel
pump shut-off switch may have been activated.
The shut-off switch is a device intended to stop
the fuel pump when your vehicle has been
involved in a substantial jolt. Refer to the
Roadside Emergencieschapter.
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[TO08530(ALL)03/96]
Once the shut-off switch is activated, you must
reset the switch by hand before you can start
your vehicle.
[TO08540(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0095071-A
Fuel pump shut-off switch location
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[TO08550(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
If you see or smell fuel, do not reset the
switch or try to start your vehicle. Have
all the passengers get out of the vehicle
and call the local fire department or a
towing service.
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159
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[TO08560(ALL)03/96]
If your engine cranks but does not start after a
collision or substantial jolt:
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[TO08570(ALL)01/96]
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
*
[TO08580(ALL)03/96]
2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
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[TO08590(ALL)01/96]
3. If you do not see or smell fuel, push the red
reset button down. If the button is already
set, you may have a different mechanical
problem.
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[TO08600(ALL)01/96]
4. Turn the ignition key to the ON position for
a few seconds, then turn it to the OFF
position.
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[TO08610(ALL)03/96]
5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking
fuel.If you see or smell fuel, do not start
your vehicle again.If you do not see or
smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle
again.
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[TO08620(ALL)01/96]
6. Check all vehicle warning lights before
driving the vehicle.
[TO08630(ALL)04/96]
quarter page art:0020107-A
Reset button for fuel pump shut-off switch
*
[TO09200(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or in other enclosed areas. Exhaust
fumes can be toxic. Always open the
garage door before you start the engine.
File:08cptoa.ex
Update:Thu Jun 6 14:43:40 1996