1997 FORD ASPIRE Owners Manual

175 %
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[MC43775(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
If you do not use the proper fuel cap, the
pressure in the fuel tank can damage the
fuel system or cause it to work improperly
in a collision.
*
[MC43780(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: If you replace your fuel cap with an
aftermarket fuel filler cap, the customer
warranty may be void for any damage
to the fuel tank and/or fuel system.
*
[MC43785(ALL)08/96]
WARNING
The fuel system may be under pressure. If
the fuel cap is venting vapor or if you
hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the cap.
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[MC43795(ALL)08/96]
A venting fuel tank is not an abnormal
condition. It may be caused by:
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[MC43800(ALL)08/96]
q
too volatile a fuel for the weather conditions.
Service stations sometimes sell winter grade
fuel in the summer.
*
[MC43805(ALL)08/96]
q
extended periods of idling with the engine
RPM increased above the normal idle range.
*
[MC43810(ALL)08/96]
q
parking the vehicle in full sunlight for
extended periods on extremely hot days.
*
[MC43815(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure
in an overfilled tank may cause leakage
and lead to fuel spray and fire.
*
[MC43820(ALL)01/96]
Before you fill your vehicle with fuel, extinguish
all lit cigarettes, other smoking materials, and
any open flames.
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[MC43825(ALL)01/96]
To fill the tank properly:
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[MC43830(ALL)01/96]
1. Remove the fuel cap. Proceed to add fuel to
the tank only if your vehicle is on level
ground.
[MC43835(ALL)01/96]
2. Make sure that you pump unleaded fuel and
put the nozzle all the way inside the fuel
filler pipe. The fuel tank is normally full
after three automatic shutoffs of the nozzle.
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[MC43840(ALL)01/96]
3. If you spill any fuel on the body of your
vehicle, clean it off immediately. The fuel
may dull or soften the paint if you do not
wash it off.
[MC43845(ALL)01/96]
4. Replace the fuel cap tightly when you are
finished. Turn it clockwise until you hear at
least three clicks.
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[MC43850(ALL)01/96]
5. Push the fuel door closed.
%*
[MC43855(ALL)08/96]
Choosing the Right Fuel
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[MC43861(ALL)05/96]
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded
fuel is prohibited by law and could damage
your vehicle. The damage may not be covered
by your warranty.
*
[MC43866(ALL)08/96]
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel
containing manganese-based additives such as
MMT. Additionally, vehicles certified to
California emission standards (indicated on the
underhood Vehicle Emissions Control
Information label) are designed to operate on
California reformulated gasolines. If California
reformulated gasoline is not available when you
refuel, your vehicle can be operated on
non-California fuels. However, even though your
engine will perform adequately on other
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177
gasolines, the performance of the emission
control devices and systems may be adversely
affected. Repair of damage caused by using a
fuel that your vehicle was not designed for may
not be covered by your warranty.
%*
[MC43870(ALL)08/96]
Octane recommendation
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[MC43876(ALL)05/96]
Your vehicle is designed to use regular gasoline
with an (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.We do not
recommend gasolines labeled as ªregularº in
high altitude areas that are sold with octane
ratings of 86 or even less.
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[MC43880(ALL)05/96]
one inch art:0060001-C
Typical octane rating label
*
[MC43891(ALL)08/96]
Do not be concerned if your vehicle sometimes
knocks lightly. However, if it knocks heavily
under most driving conditions on the
recommended octane fuel, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician to prevent any
engine damage.
%*
[MC43895(ALL)05/96]
Fuel quality
*
[MC43901(ALL)05/96]
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or
hesitation problems try a different brand of fuel.
If the condition persists, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician.
*
[MC43904(ALL)08/96]
The American Automobile Manufacturers
Association (AAMA) issued a gasoline
specification to provide information on high
quality fuels that optimize the performance of
your vehicle. We recommend the use of
gasolines that meet the AAMA specification if
they are available.
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[MC43909(ALL)08/96]
It should not be necessary to add any
aftermarket products to your fuel tank if you
continue to use a high-quality fuel.
*
[MC43945(ALL)04/96]
Clean air
*
[MC43951(ALL)08/96]
Ford approves the use of gasolines to improve
air quality, including reformulated gasolines, that
contain oxygenates such as a maximum of 10%
ethanol or 15% MTBE. There should be no more
than 5% methanol with cosolvents and additives
to protect the fuel system.
%*
[MC43965(ALL)01/96]
Safety Information Relating to Automotive
Fuels
*
[MC43970(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury
or death if misused or mishandled.
*
[MC43975(ALL)05/96]
q
Turn vehicle off when refueling.
*
[MC43980(ALL)08/95]
q
Do not smoke when refueling. Fuels are
extremely flammable.
*
[MC43985(ALL)08/95]
q
Do not siphon any fuel by mouth.
*
[MC43990(ALL)02/96]
WARNING
Gasoline or gasoline blended with
methanol can cause blindness and
possible death when swallowed. If any
fuel is swallowed, call a physician or
poison control center immediately.
*
[MC43995(ALL)08/95]
q
Avoid breathing vapors while refueling.
*
[MC44000(ALL)08/95]
q
If fuel is splashed on the skin, wash with
soap and water.
*
[MC44005(ALL)08/95]
q
If fuel is splashed in the eyes, remove contact
lenses (if worn), flush with water for 15
minutes, and seek medical attention.
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[MC44010(ALL)01/96]
Gasoline and gasoline blends may contain small
amounts of carcinogens, such as benzene.
Long-term exposure to unleaded gasoline vapors
has caused cancer in laboratory animals.
*
[MC44015(ALL)01/96]
If you are taking the medication ªAntabuseº or
other forms of disulfiram for the treatment of
alcoholism, vapor or skin contact with a
gasoline-methanol blend may cause the same
kind of adverse reaction as drinking an alcoholic
beverage. In sensitive individuals, serious
personal injury or sickness could result. Consult
a physician promptly if you experience an
adverse reaction.
%*
[MC44020(ALL)01/96]
Running Out of Fuel
*
[MC44025(ALL)08/95]
NOTE: Avoid running out of fuel because this
situation may have an adverse effect on
modern powertrain components.
*
[MC44030(ALL)01/96]
You may need to crank the engine several times
before the fuel system starts to pump fuel from
the tank to the engine.
%*
[MC44035(ALL)03/96]
Fuel Economy
*
[MC44040(ALL)01/96]
Fuel economy is an estimate of the efficiency of
your vehicle and can be calculated as Miles Per
Gallon (MPG) or Liters Per 100 Kilometers
(L/100K). Do not calculate the fuel economy
during your vehicle's break-in period. This
would not be an accurate estimate of how much
fuel your vehicle will normally use.
*
[MC44045(ALL)01/96]
To calculate fuel economy:
*
[MC44050(ALL)01/96]
1. Fill the tank completely and record the
initial odometer reading.
*
[MC44055(ALL)01/96]
2. Every time you buy fuel record the
amount (in gallons or liters) purchased.
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[MC44060(ALL)01/96]
3. After at least three to five tankfuls, fill the
fuel tank and record the final odometer
reading.
*
[MC44065(ALL)01/96]
4. Divide the total number of miles that you
have driven by the total number of gallons
that your vehicle has used. In metric,
multiply the number of liters used by 100
and divide the answer by the number of
kilometers traveled. This will give you the
number of liters used per 100 km.
%*
[MC44070(ALL)01/96]
Comparisons With Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and Transport
Canada (TC) Fuel Economy Estimates
*
[MC44075(ALL)05/96]
EPA fuel economy figures are obtained from
laboratory tests under simulated road conditions
and may not reflect the actual conditions you
experience or your style of driving. The EPA
fuel economy estimate is not a guarantee that
you will achieve the fuel economy shown.
%*
[MC44080(ALL)01/96]
Improving Fuel Economy
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[MC44085(ALL)01/96]
Fuel economy is affected by a number of
variables which can reduce efficiency. You can
improve fuel economy by understanding these
variables and minimizing their effect.
*
[MC44090(ALL)01/96]
The following decrease fuel economy:
*
[MC44095(ALL)01/96]
q
Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
*
[MC44100(ALL)01/96]
q
Excessive speed
*
[MC44105(ALL)01/96]
q
Rapid acceleration and excessive speed
*
[MC44110(ALL)01/96]
q
Driving with your foot on the brake
*
[MC44115(ALL)01/96]
q
Sudden stops
*
[MC44120(ALL)01/96]
q
Using speed control in hilly terrain
*
[MC44125(ALL)01/96]
q
Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear
window defroster and other accessories
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181
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[MC44130(ALL)01/96]
q
Underinflated tires
*
[MC44135(ALL)01/96]
q
Heavy loads
*
[MC44140(ALL)01/96]
q
Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or
luggage racks, bug deflectors, etc.
[MC44145(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: During extended periods of vehicle
storage (60 days or more) fuel may
deteriorate due to oxidation. This can
damage rubber and other polymers in
the fuel system and may also clog
small orifices.
%
*
[MC47600(ALL)01/96]
Emission Control System
*
[MC47700(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic
converter which enables your vehicle to comply
with applicable exhaust emission requirements.
*
[MC47750(ALL)05/96]
WARNING
Exhaust leaks may result in the entry of
harmful and potentially lethal fumes into
the passenger compartment. Under
extreme conditions excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the fuel
system, the interior floor covering, or
other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
*
[MC47800(ALL)01/96]
To make sure that the catalytic converter and the
other emission control parts continue to work
properly:
*
[MC47900(ALL)01/96]
q
Use only unleaded fuel.
*
[MC48000(ALL)01/96]
q
Avoid running out of fuel.
*
[MC48100(ALL)01/96]
q
Do not turn off the ignition while your
vehicle is moving, especially at high speeds.
*
[MC48200(ALL)07/96]
q
Have the services listed in yourMaintenance
Schedulebooklet performed according to the
specified schedule.
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182
*
[MC48300(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which
can start a fire.
*
[MC48400(ALL)01/96]
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss
of oil pressure, the charge warning light, the
check engine light, or the temperature warning
light. These sometimes indicate that the emission
system is not working properly.
*
[MC48500(ALL)01/96]
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. Changes that cause more
unburned fuel to reach the exhaust system can
increase the temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
*
[MC48550(ALL)01/96]
In general, maintenance, replacement, or service
of the emissions control devices or systems in
your new Ford Motor Company vehicle or
engine may be performed at your expense by
any automotive repair establishment or
individual using automotive parts equivalent to
those which your vehicle or engine was
originally equipped.
*
[MC48575(ALL)01/96]
If other than Ford or Motorcraft or Ford
authorized remanufactured parts are used for
maintenance, replacement, or for the service of
components affecting emissions control, the
owner should be assured that such parts are
warranted by their manufacturer to be
equivalent to genuine Ford Motor Company
parts in performance and durability. Please
consult your warranty information booklet for
complete warranty information.
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