1997 FORD AEROSTAR steering

244 [MC08970(ALL)04/96]NOTE: Due to air being trapped in the 4.0L
engine cooling system, it is not
unusual to experiencea4to7ounce
(120 to 210 ml) coolant loss up to 7,500
miles (12,000 km) after initial system
fill.
%
*
[MC09000(ALL)01/96]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[MC09020(ALL)01/96]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at
least twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
%*
[MC09030(ALL)01/96]
Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid
*
[MC09035(ALL)04/96]
1. Start the engine and let it run until the
power steering fluid reaches normal
operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when
the engine coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster is near the center of the
NORMAL operating temperature range.
*
[MC09040(ALL)01/96]
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel back and forth several times. Make
sure that the cap assembly is installed at this
time.
*
[MC09045(ALL)01/96]
3. Turn the engine off.
%*
[MC09050(ALL)01/96]
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick (which
is highlighted in yellow in your vehicle). The
fluid level should be between the arrows in
the FULL HOT range, which is marked on
the side of the dipstick, opposite the side
marked FULL COLD. Do not add fluid if the
level is within the FULL HOT range.
File:11cpmca.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 14:30:56 1996

245
*
[MC09060(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0021016-B
Power steering dipstick
[MC09070(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0095061-A
Power steering reservoir
[MC09100(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0020531-B
Power steering reservoir
File:11cpmca.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 14:30:56 1996

246
*
[MC09200(ALL)01/96]
5. If the power steering fluid is low, add fluid
in small amounts, continuously checking the
level, until you reach the FULL HOT range.
Do not overfill.
*
[MC09210(ALL)03/96]
6. When you are finished, put the dipstick back
in and make sure that it fits snugly.
[MC09220(ALL)01/96]
Use only a power steering fluid such as Ford
Power Steering Fluid Motorcraft MERCONH
ATF.
*
[MC09230(ALL)01/96]
If the power steering fluid is low, do not drive
your vehicle for a long period of time before
adding fluid. This can damage the power
steering pump.
*
[MC09240(ALL)03/96]
If you check the power steering fluid when it is
cold, make sure that the fluid reaches the FULL
COLD range on the dipstick. The reading will
only be accurate if the fluid temperature is
approximately 50 to85ÊF (10 to 30ÊC).
*
[MC09250(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: Do not turn the steering wheel of your
vehicle with the engine off. It could
force power steering fluid out from the
reservoir cap or in extreme cases, it
could unseat the cap.
%
*
[MC10000(ALL)01/96]
Automatic Transmission Fluid
*
[MC10100(ALL)05/96]
Under normal driving conditions automatic
transmission fluid should be changed every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 21,000 miles
(34,000 km) if under severe duty conditions.
However, if the transmission is not working
properly, for instance, the transmission may slip
or shift slowly, or you may notice some sign of
fluid leakage, the fluid level should be checked.
*
[MC10110(ALL)01/96]
It is preferable to check the transmission fluid
level at normal operating temperature, after
approximately 20 miles (30 km) of driving.
However, if necessary, you can check the fluid
File:11cpmca.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 14:30:56 1996

340 Index
D
Daytime running light system....... 72
Defects, reporting............ 301
Defrost, rear window........... 69
Dipstick
automatic transmission fluid....246, 248
engine oil.............. 234
power steering fluid.......... 244
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)...... 226
Dispute Settlement Board........ 306
Doors
door ajar warning light......... 11
lubricant specifications......... 296
Driveline universal joint and slip yoke . . 248
Driving under special conditions,
heavy load.............. 179
E
Electrical system
circuit breakers............ 209
fuses................. 200
operating when the engine is off..... 74
Electronic radio with cassette
(see Electronic sound system)...... 49
Electronic sound system
accessory delay............. 74
tuning the radio........ 23,37,49
warranty and service information..... 58
Electronic stereo cassette radio
(see Electronic sound system)...... 49
Electronic stereo radio (see Electronic
sound system)............. 49
Emergencies, roadside
assistance............... 303
battery acid spills.........223, 251
fuel................. 265
jump-starting............. 222
towing................ 226
File:cpixa.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 14:33:41 1996

348 Index
N
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration............ 301
New vehicle break-in........... 5
O
Octane rating.............. 264
Odometer
description............... 20
trip odometer.............. 20
Oil filter................ 293
Oil (see Engine oil)........... 233
Oil viscosity.............. 233
On-board diagnostic (OBD II) system . . . 271
Order forms, service information.... 25,50
Overdrive................ 173
Overseas offices............. 312
P
Parking brake
operation............... 166
warning light.............. 9
Parts (see Motorcraft Parts)........ 293
PCV valve, specifications......... 293
Power door locks............. 88
Power features
door locks............... 88
lumbar support............ 106
mirrors................. 91
windows................ 89
Power steering
dipstick............... 244
driving with power steering...... 168
fluid, checking and adding....... 244
fluid, refill capacity.......... 294
fluid, specifications.......... 296
servicing............... 168
Prop rod, hood............. 231
File:cpixa.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 14:33:41 1996

Index 351
Shoulder and lap belts
(see Safety restraints).......108, 110
Shoulder belts (see Safety restraints) . . . 110
Side mirrors
adjusting................ 91
Snow tires and chains.......... 259
Spare tire
changing the tire.........209, 216
conventional spare........209, 211
finding the spare........... 211
removing the spare tire........ 211
storing the flat tire........211, 219
temporary spare........... 210
Spark plugs, specifications........ 293
Special notice
E-4WD vehicles............. 5
Specification chart, lubricants....... 296
Speed control
turning off............... 80
when towing a trailer......... 196
Speedometer............... 18
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle..... 153
starting a cold engine......... 154
starting after a collision........ 158
starting a warm engine........ 154
starting your vehicle if the battery
is disabled............. 222
Steering, power............. 168
Steering wheel
locking................ 74
tilting................. 79
Storage compartments
center console............. 92
underseat storage drawer....... 107
Storing your vehicle........... 283
Supplemental air bag readiness light.... 13
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) . . . 122
File:cpixa.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 14:33:41 1996

352 Index
T
Tail lamps
bulb replacement........... 272
cleaning............... 281
Temperature control (see Climate control) . . 61
Tether anchor installation
(see Child restraints)......... 139
Tilt steering wheel............. 79
Tires
changing............... 209
checking the pressure......... 252
cleaning............... 281
inspection and maintenance...... 252
replacing............... 256
rotating............... 255
snow tires and chains......... 259
spare tire.............209, 211
storing your vehicle.......... 285
tire grades.............. 256
treadwear.............. 256
wear bands.............. 256
wheel and tire matching........ 259
Towing your vehicle
using wheel dollies.......... 226
with a tow truck........... 226
Traction control...........177, 254
Traction-lok rear axle........177, 254
Trailer towing
calculating maximum trailer weight . . . 187
safety chains............. 194
trailer brakes............. 195
trailer lamps............. 195
File:cpixa.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 14:33:41 1996