1997 FORD AEROSTAR Owners Manual

250 %
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[MC15070(ALL)01/96]
Help Us Protect Our Environment
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[MC15080(ALL)01/96]
Ford Motor Company strongly recommends that
used lead-acid batteries be returned to an
authorized recycling facility for disposal.
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[MC15090(ALL)01/96]
one inch art:0000983-A
Battery recycling symbol
% [MC15100(ALL)04/96]
Because your vehicle's engine is electronically
controlled by a computer, some control
conditions are maintained by power from the
battery. If you ever disconnect the battery, install
a new battery, or experience a dead battery you
must allow the computer to ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive
properly. To let the engine do this, put the
gearshift in P (Park), turn off all the accessories,
and start the vehicle. Let the engine idle for at
least one minute.
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[MC15110(ALL)01/96]
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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[MC15130(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Batteries normally produce explosive gases
which can cause personal injury. Do not
allow flames, sparks or lit tobacco to come
near the battery. Always cover your face
and protect your eyes and also provide
ventilation.
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Update:Fri Jun 7 14:30:56 1996

251 %
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[MC15150(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns
skin, eyes, and clothing.
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[MC15170(ALL)02/96]
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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[MC15190(ALL)02/96]
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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[MC24500(ALL)02/96]
Wiper Blades
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[MC24600(ALL)01/96]
Check the windshield wiper blades at least twice
a year. Also check them whenever they seem
less effective than usual. Substances such as tree
sap and some hot wax treatments used by
commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness
of wiper blades.
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[MC24700(ALL)01/96]
If the blades do not wipe properly, clean both
the windshield and the wiper blades. Use
undiluted windshield washer solution or a mild
detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Do
not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner, or other
solvents to clean your wiper blades. These will
damage your blades.
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[MC24800(ALL)01/96]
To make reaching the wiper blades easy, simply
turn the ignition to the ACC position and turn
your wipers on. Wait for them to reach a
vertical position and turn the ignition to the OFF
position. Do not move the wipers manually.
Manually moving the wipers across the
windshield may damage them.
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[MC24900(ALL)02/96]
Wiper blade replacement
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[MC25000(ALL)01/96]
If the wiper blades still do not work properly
after you clean them, you may need to replace
the wiper blade assembly or the blade element.
When replacing the wiper blade assembly, blade
refill, or wiper arm always use a Motorcraft part
or equivalent. To replace the blades, follow the
instructions that come with them.
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[MC25200(ALL)01/96]
Tires
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[MC25300(ALL)03/96]
Look at your tires each time you fill your fuel
tank. If one tire looks lower than the others,
check the pressure in all of them. Always follow
these precautions:
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[MC25400(ALL)02/96]
q
Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
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[MC25500(ALL)02/96]
q
Check the tire pressure when tires are cold,
after the vehicle has been parked for at least
one hour or has been driven less than 3 miles
(5 km).
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[MC25600(ALL)03/96]
q
Make sure the weight of your load is evenly
distributed.
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[MC25700(ALL)03/96]
q
Adjust tire pressure to recommended
specifications found on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
[MC25750(ALL)01/96]
q
Make sure the spare tire is mounted and
anchored properly in the tire carrier without
contacting functional parts such as brake
tubes, fuel lines, exhaust pipes, etc.
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[MC25800(ALL)03/96]
If you do not take these precautions, your tires
may fail or go flat.
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[MC25890(ALL)03/96]
Ford Motor Company recommends obeying
posted speed limits.
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[MC25900(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Driving too fast for conditions creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control.
Driving at very high speeds for extended
periods of time may result in damage to
vehicle components.
%*
[MC26100(ALL)03/96]
At least once a month, check the pressure in all
your vehicle's tires, including the spare. Use an
accurate tire pressure gauge. Check the tire
pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle
has been parked for at least one hour or has
been driven less than 3 miles (5 km). You can
find proper cold pressure and load limits of
recommended size tires on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
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[MC26150(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, possibly
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
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[MC26200(ALL)01/96]
Tire Inspection and Maintenance
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[MC26300(ALL)03/96]
Inspect the tire treads, and remove stones, nails,
glass or other objects that may be wedged in the
tread grooves. Check for holes or cuts that may
permit air to leak from the tire, and make the
necessary repairs.
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[MC26400(ALL)03/96]
Inspect the tire side walls for cuts, bruises and
other damage. If you suspect internal damage to
the tire, have it demounted and checked. You
may need to repair or replace it.
[MC26410(ALL)01/96]
Wheel inspection and maintenance
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[MC26420(ALL)03/96]
Check for damage that would affect the runout
of the wheels. Wobble or shimmy will eventually
damage the wheel bearings.
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Update:Fri Jun 7 14:30:56 1996

254
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[MC26430(ALL)03/96]
Front wheel bearings require periodic repacking
and adjustment as specified in theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet. Loose or worn front wheel
bearings tend to let the vehicle wander or
shimmy, and can eventually cause excessive tire
wear.
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[MC26435(ALL)03/96]
Whenever a wheel is removed and then
re-installed, always remove any corrosion that
may be present on the mounting surface of the
wheel and/or the surface of the hub, drum or
rotor that contacts the wheel.
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[MC26440(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Installing wheels without a good
metal-to-metal contact at the wheel
mounting surface can cause the wheel lug
nuts to loosen and could allow the wheel
to come off while the vehicle is in motion.
[MC26447(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
On-vehicle wheel balancing will cause
damage to the drivetrain of E-4WD
Aerostars.
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[MC26450(ALL)05/96]
Traction-Lok Rear Axle
(If equipped)
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[MC26460(ALL)05/96]
This axle provides added drive away traction on
slippery surfaces, particularly when one or more
wheels are on a surface with poor traction.
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[MC26470(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine
with one wheel off the ground, such as
when changing a tire.
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Update:Fri Jun 7 14:30:56 1996

255 %
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[MC26500(ALL)01/96]
Tire Rotation
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[MC26600(ALL)01/96]
Because your vehicle's front and rear tires
perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly
and last longer, rotate them as indicated in the
following diagram.
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[MC26700(ALL)05/96]
For tire rotation intervals, see theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet. If you notice that the tires wear
unevenly, have them checked.
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[MC26750(ALL)03/96]
In situations where the tires differ from front to
rear (snow/traction), simply rotate using a side
to side pattern.
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[MC26800(ALL)01/96]
half page art:0020364-A
Tire rotation pattern
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[MC26900(ALL)03/96]
After each rotation, adjust individual tire
pressure as specified on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label. Tighten wheel lug nuts to the
required torque specification and retighten again
after 500 miles (800 km).
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Update:Fri Jun 7 14:30:56 1996

256
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[MC27000(ALL)03/96]
If your vehicle has aluminum wheels, you may
demount the full size, non-temporary spare
tire (if so equipped) and remount on an
aluminum wheel to rotate the spare tire into
your vehicle's rotation pattern. Rebalance the
wheel.
[MC27100(ALL)04/96]
You may discover uneven outside shoulder wear
on your vehicle's front radial tires if you drive
often in the city and turn frequently around
curbs. You can extend the life of your front tires
by remounting them so the outside of the tire
faces inside on the wheel rim.
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[MC27300(ALL)01/96]
Replacing the Tires
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[MC27400(ALL)01/96]
Replace any tires that show wear bands. When
your tire shows a wear band, it has only 1/16
inch (2 mm) of tread left.
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[MC27500(ALL)01/96]
quarter page art:0060006-A
Wear band
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[MC27600(ALL)02/96]
Because your vehicle's tires may wear unevenly,
you may need to replace them before a wear
band appears across the entire tread.
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[MC27700(ALL)03/96]
Your wheels and tires are match-mounted for
improved ride. Before you begin to repair a tire,
mark the wheel and tire so that they are
properly aligned when remounted. This will
ensure that the tires will continue to give you
the same ride level.
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Update:Fri Jun 7 14:30:56 1996

257
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[MC27851(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
When replacing full size tires, never mix
radial, bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use
only the tire sizes that are listed on the
tire pressure decal. Make sure that all tires
are the same size, speed rating, and
load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire
combinations recommended on the decal.
If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and
safely.
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[MC27860(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Make sure that all replacement tires are of
the same size, type, load-carrying capacity,
and tread design (e.g. ªAll Terrainº, etc.),
as originally offered by Ford.
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[MC27885(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Do not replace your tires with ªhigh
performanceº tires or larger size tires.
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[MC27895(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Failure to follow these precautions may
adversely affect the handling of the
vehicle and make it easier to lose control
and roll over.
*
[MC27900(ALL)01/96]
Tires that are larger or smaller than your
vehicle's original tires may also affect the
accuracy of your speedometer.
File:11cpmca.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 14:30:56 1996