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109 [GF04500(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0030316-A
Parking brake (handbrake)
*
[GF05000(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
To prevent personal injury, do not release
the parking brake while outside the
vehicle.
*
[GF05100(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or
in 1 (First) (manual transaxle).
*
[GF05400(ALL)01/96]
Always check the Brake Warning Light each
time you start your engine. Driving with the
parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
*
[GF06000(ALL)09/96]
WARNING
If the parking brake is fully released, but
the Brake System light remains on, have
the brakes checked immediately. They
may not be working properly.
*
[GF06500(ALL)03/96]
The parking brake is not designed to stop a
moving vehicle, but you can use the parking
brake to stop your vehicle in an emergency if
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110the normal brakes fail. However, since the
parking brake applies only the rear brakes, the
stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely
affected.
[GF11700(ALL)04/96]Steering Your Vehicle
(If equipped with power steering)
[GF11705(ALL)04/96]
Your vehicle may be equipped with power
steering. Power steering uses energy from the
engine to help steer your vehicle.
%*
[GF11710(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.
*
[GF11715(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.
[GF11717(ALL)04/96]Transaxle Operation
*
[GF11720(ALL)01/96]
Procedures for driving your vehicle will vary
depending on which type oftransaxleyour
vehicle has. You may be familiar with the term
ªtransmission.º We usetransaxlebecause it is a
more accurate term for vehicles that have
front-wheel drive.
[GF11725(ALL)04/96]
Your vehicle has one of two types of transaxles:
[GF11735(ALL)01/96]
q
an automatic three-speed
[GF11736(ALL)02/96]
q
a manual five-speed
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111
[GF11740(ALL)01/96]
Driving With an Automatic
Transaxle (If equipped)
%*
[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
*
[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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![FORD ASPIRE 1997 1.G Owners Manual 114
[GF11865(ALL)01/96]
Driving With a Manual
Transaxle (If equipped)
%*
[GF11870(ALL)01/96]
Using the Clutch
*
[GF11875(ALL)01/96]
After the engine starts, allow it to idle for a few
seconds. Then, h FORD ASPIRE 1997 1.G Owners Manual 114
[GF11865(ALL)01/96]
Driving With a Manual
Transaxle (If equipped)
%*
[GF11870(ALL)01/96]
Using the Clutch
*
[GF11875(ALL)01/96]
After the engine starts, allow it to idle for a few
seconds. Then, h](/manual-img/11/4754/w960_4754-115.png)
114
[GF11865(ALL)01/96]
Driving With a Manual
Transaxle (If equipped)
%*
[GF11870(ALL)01/96]
Using the Clutch
*
[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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117
*
[GF11965(ALL)08/95]
Upshifting
*
[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.
%*
[GF11985(ALL)01/96]
Downshifting
*
[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.
*
[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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![FORD ASPIRE 1997 1.G Owners Manual 122
*
[ER02985(ALL)01/96]
If the Engine Cranks but Does
Not Start or Starting After a
Collision
*
[ER02990(ALL)02/96]
If the engine cranks but does not start or if you
have had a collision, the fuel p FORD ASPIRE 1997 1.G Owners Manual 122
*
[ER02985(ALL)01/96]
If the Engine Cranks but Does
Not Start or Starting After a
Collision
*
[ER02990(ALL)02/96]
If the engine cranks but does not start or if you
have had a collision, the fuel p](/manual-img/11/4754/w960_4754-123.png)
122
*
[ER02985(ALL)01/96]
If the Engine Cranks but Does
Not Start or Starting After a
Collision
*
[ER02990(ALL)02/96]
If the engine cranks but does not start or if you
have had a collision, the fuel pump shut-off
switch may have been triggered. The shut-off
switch is a device that stops the fuel pump
when your vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
*
[ER02995(ALL)03/96]
For information on how to check and reset the
fuel pump shut-off switch, seeFuel pump shut-off
switchin the Index.
%
*
[ER03000(ALL)01/96]
Fuses
[ER03005(ALL)01/96]
Fuses protect your vehicle's electrical system
from overloading. If electrical parts in your
vehicle are not working, the system may have
been overloaded and blown a fuse. Before you
replace or repair any electrical parts, check the
appropriate circuit protectors.
[ER03010(ALL)04/96]
The following charts tell you which fuses protect
each electrical part of your vehicle. If a fuse
blows, all the parts of your vehicle that use the
circuit will not work.
*
[ER03015(ALL)01/96]
Once you have determined which fuses to check,
follow the procedures underChecking and
replacing fuseslater in this chapter.
[ER03020(ALL)04/96]
Your vehicle has a main fuse block under the
hood and a regular fuse box mounted in the
instrument panel behind a cover.
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Page 138 of 254
136 %
*
[ER08650(ALL)01/96]
Removing and Replacing the Tire
[ER08700(ALL)04/96]
1. Find the jacking location near the door of
the tire that you are changing. Position the
jack and turn the handle of the jack
clockwise until the wheel is completely off
the ground.
*
[ER08800(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
To lessen the risk of personal injury, do
not put any part of your body under the
vehicle while changing a tire. Do not start
the engine when your vehicle is on the
jack. The jack is only meant for changing
the tire.
[ER09200(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0032213-A
Jack mounting position
[ER09600(ALL)04/96]
2. Remove the wheel lug bolts by using the lug
wrench. Never loosen the hub nuts. See the
illustration following Step 1Preparing to
Change the Tireif you are not sure where to
find the wheel bolts.
[ER09700(ALL)01/96]
3. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire. Keep
the retaining tool in place.
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![FORD ASPIRE 1997 1.G Owners Manual 138 [ER10100(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Installation of an English thread lug bolt
into a metric hub will not properly secure
the wheel to the hub. Damaged lug bolts
may result in wheel separation and
possibl FORD ASPIRE 1997 1.G Owners Manual 138 [ER10100(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Installation of an English thread lug bolt
into a metric hub will not properly secure
the wheel to the hub. Damaged lug bolts
may result in wheel separation and
possibl](/manual-img/11/4754/w960_4754-139.png)
138 [ER10100(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Installation of an English thread lug bolt
into a metric hub will not properly secure
the wheel to the hub. Damaged lug bolts
may result in wheel separation and
possible injury.
*
[ER10200(ALL)03/96]
6. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise.
[ER10500(ALL)01/96]
7. Remove the jack and fully tighten the wheel
lug bolts in the order shown in the
illustration under Step 1.
[ER10700(ALL)01/96]
8. Put the tire, jack, retaining tool and wrench
away.
[ER10750(ALL)01/96]
9. Secure the conventional tire where the spare
was stored with the bolt provided.
*
[ER10850(ALL)03/96]
10. Unblock the wheels.
%
*
[ER12255(ALL)02/96]
Jump-Starting Your Vehicle
[ER12260(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle's battery may become discharged
(ªdieº) if you leave the lights or any electrical
equipment on after you turn the engine off. If
this happens, you may be able to jump-start
from a booster battery to start your vehicle.
*
[ER12265(ALL)02/96]
WARNING
The gases around the battery can explode
if exposed to flames, sparks, or lit
cigarettes. An explosion could result in
injury or vehicle damage.
*
[ER12270(ALL)02/96]
WARNING
To protect yourself when charging a
battery, always shield your face and eyes.
Make sure that you can breathe fresh air.
File:10icerf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:55:59 1997