1997 FORD ASPIRE Owners Manual

111
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Driving With an Automatic
Transaxle (If equipped)
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[GF11745(ALL)05/96]
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
[GF11750(ALL)01/96]
The automatic transaxle provides fully automatic
operation in D (Drive). For manual control, start
in 1 (First) or 2 (Second) and then shift
manually.
*
[GF11755(ALL)03/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic
Powertrain Control Module that limits engine
and/or vehicle speeds with a cut-out mode to
promote durability.
[GF11760(ALL)04/96]
Using a Console-Mounted Gearshift
[GF11765(ALL)01/96]
half page art:0032160-A
Automatic console-mounted gearshift lever
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[GF11770(ALL)01/96]
Your automatic transaxle vehicle has a
console-mounted shift selector lever. You must
step on the brake pedal, start the engine, and
then push in the thumb button to move the shift
selector lever to the position you choose.
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112
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[GF11775(ALL)05/96]
WARNING
Hold the brake pedal down while you
move the gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move
unexpectedly and injure someone.
[GF11780(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: If the gearshift selector lever will not
move with the key on and the brake
pedal depressed refer toShift-lock
systemin the Index.
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[GF11785(ALL)01/96]
Once the gearshift is secure in the desired
position, release the brake pedal and use the
accelerator as necessary.
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[GF11790(ALL)05/96]
Backing Up
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[GF11795(ALL)05/96]
With the gearshift in the R (Reverse) position,
the vehicle will move backward. You should
always come to a complete stop before shifting
into or out of R (Reverse).
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[GF11800(ALL)05/96]
Driving
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[GF11805(ALL)05/96]
When to use D (Drive)
[GF11810(ALL)04/96]
This is the normal driving position for your
vehicle. As your vehicle picks up speed the
transaxle will automatically upshift. The
transaxle will automatically downshift as speed
decreases.
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[GF11815(ALL)01/96]
When to use 1 (First)
[GF11820(ALL)01/96]
Do not go faster than 40 mph (64 km/h) in this
gear. You can upshift from 1 (First) into 2
(Second) or D (Drive) at any speed.
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113
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When to use 2 (Second)
[GF11830(ALL)01/96]
Manually shift to 2 (Second) when driving in
heavy, slow moving traffic, when climbing hills,
for braking on steep hills, or for starting on slick
surfaces. Do not go faster than the posted speed
limit in this gear.
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[GF11835(ALL)01/96]
Parking
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[GF11840(ALL)01/96]
Always come to a complete stop before you shift
into P (Park). Make sure that the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park). This locks the
transaxle and prevents the front wheels from
rotating.
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[GF11845(ALL)05/96]
WARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the gearshift is latched in P
(Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you
leave your vehicle.
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[GF11850(ALL)05/96]
WARNING
Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running.
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[GF11855(ALL)01/96]
You can tell the gearshift is securely latched
when the thumb button has popped out. In this
position the gearshift selector lever cannot be
moved unless the button is pushed in.
*
[GF11860(ALL)05/96]
WARNING
Hold the brake pedal down while you
move the gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move
unexpectedly and injure someone.
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114
[GF11865(ALL)01/96]
Driving With a Manual
Transaxle (If equipped)
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Using the Clutch
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[GF11875(ALL)01/96]
After the engine starts, allow it to idle for a few
seconds. Then, hold your right foot on the brake
pedal, push the clutch pedal to the floor with
your left foot, and move the shift selector lever
into 1 (First) or R (Reverse).
*
[GF11880(ALL)01/96]
To move the vehicle, lift your right foot off the
brake pedal and slowly release the clutch pedal.
(You need to press down slowly on the
accelerator at the same time you release the
clutch pedal.)
*
[GF11885(ALL)01/96]
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal and do not use the clutch to hold
your vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a
hill. These actions will seriously reduce clutch
life.
*
[GF11890(ALL)01/96]
Driving with your foot resting on the clutch may
cause the vehicle to jerk sharply when pressing
or removing your other foot from the
accelerator.
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115 %
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Shifting the Gears
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[GF11900(ALL)01/96]
The gearshift for a manual transaxle is mounted
on the floor. The gearshift can be in one of
seven possible positions, as shown.
[GF11905(ALL)01/96]
half page art:0034000-A
Shift pattern
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[GF11910(ALL)01/96]
Always push the clutch pedal all the way in
when you shift. You should upshift according to
the speeds given in the chart later in this
chapter.
[GF11915(ALL)01/96]
Sometimes, you will upshift at higher speeds.
For example, you may want to stay in a lower
gear to gain more power for passing or for
climbing a hill. However, you must stay within
the allowable range when you upshift or
downshift.
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116 %
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Backing up
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[GF11925(ALL)01/96]
To shift into R (Reverse):
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[GF11930(ALL)01/96]
1. Bring your vehicle to acompletestop.
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[GF11935(ALL)01/96]
2. Push the clutch pedal in all the way to the
floor and hold it. If you do not hold the
clutch pedal in all the way, you may hear a
grinding noise when you shift.
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[GF11940(ALL)01/96]
3. Put the gearshift in Neutral and wait at least
3 seconds before shifting into R (Reverse) to
prevent a grinding noise. Do not release the
clutch.
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[GF11945(ALL)01/96]
4. Then push the gearshift all the way to the
right and pull it down into R (Reverse).
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[GF11950(ALL)01/96]
When in 5 (Fifth) gear, you can engage R
(Reverse) only by moving the gearshift to
Neutral before you shift into R (Reverse).
This is a special lockout feature that protects
you from accidentally shifting into R
(Reverse) when you downshift from 5 (Fifth)
gear.
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[GF11955(ALL)01/96]
5. Once R (Reverse) is engaged, slowly release
the clutch pedal from the floor.
*
[GF11960(ALL)01/96]
If R (Reverse) is not engaged, continue to push
the clutch pedal in while you put the gearshift
back into Neutral. Then, release the clutch pedal
for a moment and repeat steps 2 through 5.
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117
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Upshifting
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[GF11970(ALL)01/96]
Most of the time, you should upshift at the
following speeds:
[GF11975(ALL)01/96]
eighteen pica chart:0030260-F[GF11980(ALL)01/96]
For better fuel economy, shift at these speeds.
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[GF11985(ALL)01/96]
Downshifting
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[GF11990(ALL)03/96]
When you slow down or climb a steep hill,
always downshift before the engine starts to lose
power. Downshifting reduces the chance of
stalling and gives your vehicle better acceleration
to increase speed again.
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[GF11995(ALL)01/96]
When you drive down steep hills, downshifting
helps you keep a safe speed and helps prevent
unnecessary wear on the brakes.
*
[GF12000(ALL)01/96]
When you come to a stop, do not downshift
through each gear. Disengage the clutch and use
the brake as necessary. Downshifting through
the gears decreases your vehicle's fuel economy.
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118
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Parking
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[GF12010(ALL)01/96]
To park your vehicle, shift into 1 (First), set the
parking brake fully, and turn off the ignition.
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[GF12015(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it
may move unexpectedly and injure
someone. Use 1 (First) gear and set the
parking brake fully.
%
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[GF30000(ALL)01/96]
Driving With a Heavy Load
[GF30100(ALL)04/96]
There are limits to the amount of weight your
vehicle can carry. The total weight of your
vehicle, plus the weight of the passengers and
cargo, should never be more than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight
that your vehicle carries over the front axle and
rear axle should never be more than the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective
axle.
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[GF30200(ALL)01/96]
You can find your vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label on
the left door lock pillar.
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[GF30300(ALL)01/96]
The weight limits of your vehicle's tires affect
the GVWR or GAWR limitations. Usage of
replacement tires with higher weight limits than
originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Usage of lower capacity replacement tires may
lower GVWR and GAWR limitations.
File:09icgff.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:54:55 1997