1997 FORD ASPIRE Owners Manual

167 [MC31100(ALL)01/96]
two third page art:0032257-A
Replacing the wiper blades
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[MC43172(ALL)01/96]
Tires
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[MC43174(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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[MC43176(ALL)02/96]
q
Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
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[MC43178(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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168
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[MC43180(ALL)03/96]
q
Make sure the weight of your load is evenly
distributed.
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[MC43182(ALL)03/96]
q
Adjust tire pressure to recommended
specifications found on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
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[MC43184(ALL)03/96]
If you do not take these precautions, your tires
may fail or go flat.
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[MC43186(ALL)03/96]
Ford Motor Company recommends obeying
posted speed limits.
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[MC43188(ALL)01/97]
WARNING
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.
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[MC43190(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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[MC43192(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, possibly
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
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169 %
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[MC43194(ALL)01/96]
Tire Inspection and Maintenance
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[MC43196(ALL)05/96]
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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[MC43198(ALL)01/96]
Inspect the tire sidewalls for cuts, bruises and
other damage. If you suspect internal damage to
the tire, have it removed and checked. You may
need to repair or replace it.
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[MC43200(ALL)01/96]
Tire Rotation
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[MC43202(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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[MC43204(ALL)01/96]
Do not include the spare tire as part of your
rotation.
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[MC43206(ALL)02/96]
For tire rotation intervals, see theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet. If you notice the tires wearing
unevenly, have them checked.
[MC43208(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0030224-E
Rotating the tires
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170 %
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[MC43210(ALL)01/96]
Replacing the Tires
[MC43212(ALL)01/96]
We recommend you use all weather tires when
you replace your tires.
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[MC43214(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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[MC43216(ALL)01/96]
quarter page art:0060006-A
A worn-out tire
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[MC43218(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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[MC43220(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
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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[MC43222(ALL)01/96]
Tires that are larger or smaller than your
vehicle's original tires may also affect the
accuracy of your speedometer.
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171 %
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[MC43224(ALL)03/96]
Wheel and Tire Matching
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[MC43226(ALL)03/96]
See an authorized tire dealer for proper
servicing procedures. Wheels and tires must be
properly removed, matched and remounted to
maintain the best possible ride.
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[MC43228(ALL)01/96]
Information About Tire Quality Grades
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[MC43230(ALL)01/96]
New vehicles are fitted with tires that have their
Tire Quality Grade (described below) molded
into the tire's sidewall. These Tire Quality
Grades are determined by standards that the
United States Department of Transportation has
set.
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[MC43232(ALL)01/96]
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic
tires for use on passenger cars. They do not
apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires
with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches or
limited production tires as defined in Title 49
Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
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[MC43234(ALL)01/96]
U.S. Department of Transportation Ð Tire
quality grades:The U.S. Department of
Transportation requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire grades exactly
as the government has written it.
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[MC43236(ALL)01/96]
Treadwear
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[MC43238(ALL)01/96]
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2)
times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
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172
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[MC43240(ALL)01/97]
Traction A B C
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[MC43242(ALL)01/97]
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
A, B, and C, and they represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
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[MC43243(ALL)01/97]
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on braking (straightahead) traction
tests and does not include cornering
(turning) traction.
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[MC43244(ALL)01/97]
Temperature A B C
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[MC43246(ALL)05/96]
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
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173
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[MC43247(ALL)01/97]
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
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[MC43248(ALL)08/96]
Snow Tires and Chains
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[MC43250(ALL)08/96]
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads
that provide traction in rain or snow. However,
during the winter months in some climates, you
may need to use snow tires and occasionally
chains for your tires.
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[MC43252(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Snow tires must be the same size and
grade as the tires you currently have on
your vehicle.
*
[MC43254(ALL)01/96]
Use chains on the tires only in an emergency or
if the law requires them where you live. If you
choose to use chains on your vehicle's tires, be
aware of the following:
*
[MC43256(ALL)01/96]
q
Local regulations may prohibit or restrict the
use of tire chains. Investigate the laws and
regulations in your area before installing
chains.
*
[MC43258(ALL)01/96]
q
Tire chains may scratch or chip aluminum
wheels. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT TIRE
CHAINS ARE INSTALLED ON STEEL
WHEELS ONLY. Be sure to remove wheel
covers (if equipped) from steel rims before
using tire chains to avoid scratches or
damage.
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Update:Tue Mar 4 08:57:16 1997

174
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[MC43260(ALL)01/96]
q
Put the chains on the front tires tightly with
the ends held down securely. Retighten the
chains after driving 1/2 mile (1 km). Follow
the chain manufacturer's instructions.
*
[MC43262(ALL)01/96]
q
Do not drive faster than 30 mph (48 km/h)
or the chain manufacturer's recommended
speed limit, whichever is lower. Avoid
bumps, holes and sharp turns. If you can
hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, remove the chains to prevent damage
to your vehicle.
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[MC43264(ALL)01/96]
q
Tire chains may affect vehicle handling. Drive
carefully and avoid hard braking.
*
[MC43266(ALL)01/96]
q
Do not use chains on temporary spare tires.
They may damage the vehicle and the tire.
%
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[MC43755(ALL)01/96]
Filling the Fuel Tank
[MC43760(ALL)01/96]
Your fuel hatch door is located on the driver's
side. To open the fuel door, simply pull the
hatch open.
[MC43765(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0032224-B
Fuel hatch and fuel cap
*
[MC43770(ALL)01/96]
If you lose the fuel cap, replace it with an
authorized Motorcraft or equivalent part.
File:11icmcf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:57:16 1997