1997 FORD AEROSTAR power steering

168
%*
[GF04000(ALL)01/96]
Steering Your Vehicle
%*
[GF04100(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle comes with power steering. Power
steering uses energy from the engine to help
steer your vehicle.
%*
[GF04150(ALL)03/96]
If the amount of effort needed to steer your
vehicle changes at a constant vehicle speed, have
the power steering system checked. If the power
steering system breaks down (or if the engine is
turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually
but it takes more effort.
*
[GF04200(ALL)01/96]
Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or left for more than five seconds if the
engine is running. This can damage the power
steering pump.
*
[GF04300(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: After any severe impact such as
striking large potholes, sliding into
curbs on icy roads, or a collision
involving the front end, observe the
steering wheel alignment. If the spokes
of the steering wheel seem to be in a
different position while going straight
down the road, have the front
suspension and steering checked for
possible damage.
[GF10000(ALL)03/96]Automatic Transmission
Operation (4R44E/5R55E)
[GF10050(ALL)06/96]
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, it will be either a four speed
overdrive transmission (4R44E) or a five speed
overdrive transmission (5R55E). All 3.0L engines
use the 4R44E transmission, while all 4.0L
engines use the 5R55E transmission. Both
transmission types have a lockup torque
converter. Transmission operation is controlled
by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
File:09cpgfa.ex
Update:Wed Jun 5 12:04:06 1996

170
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[GF10400(ALL)05/96]
Power Braking
*
[GF10410(ALL)05/96]
Increasing the engine speed above idle without
vehicle movement (such as holding the brake) in
a forward or reverse gear causes transmission
stall.
*
[GF10450(ALL)05/96]
NOTE: Continued operation in the stall
condition can result in transmission
overheat, malfunction or fluid
expulsion.
*
[GF10500(ALL)05/96]
Automatic Overdrive
Transmission
%*
[GF10750(ALL)05/96]
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
[GF10800(ALL)05/96]
Your vehicle's gearshift is on the steering
column. The transmission control switch is
located on the end of the gearshift lever. You
can put the gearshift in any one of several
positions.
[GF10900(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0095027-A
The positions of the column-mounted gearshift
File:09cpgfa.ex
Update:Wed Jun 5 12:04:06 1996

196 %
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[GF38540(ALL)05/96]
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
[GF38600(ALL)05/96]
When towing a trailer in hilly terrain, with a
vehicle equipped with an automatic overdrive
transmission, you may wish to operate in Drive
(by cancelling Overdrive with OVERDRIVE OFF
button) rather thanj(Overdrive). This will
eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting
to maintain speed. Switch back to Overdrive
whenever practical for optimum powertrain
cooling. This can be accomplished by pushing in
the switch located on the end of the indicator
lever.
*
[GF38800(ALL)03/96]
When descending a steep grade with a trailer,
operate in Drive rather than Overdrive. If
additional braking is needed, shift the automatic
transmission gearshift into the 2 (Second) or 1
(Low) position.
[GF38925(ALL)01/96]
Servicing your vehicle if you tow
*
[GF38950(ALL)05/96]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule
booklet for additional information.
*
[GF39000(ALL)01/96]
Trailer Towing Tips
*
[GF39100(ALL)01/96]
Before starting on a trip, practice turning,
stopping and backing in an area away from
heavy traffic. Get to know the ªfeelº of the
vehicle/trailer combination.
*
[GF39200(ALL)01/96]
Practice backing up. Back up very slowly, with
someone outside at the rear of your trailer to
guide you. Place your hand at the bottom of the
steering wheel and move it in the direction you
want the rear of the trailer to swing. Slight
movement of the steering wheel results in a
much larger movement of the rear of the trailer.
File:09cpgfa.ex
Update:Wed Jun 5 12:04:06 1996

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
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[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
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[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
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[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