1997 FORD ASPIRE check oil

11 %
*
[IS03200(ALL)01/96]
Charging System Light
*
[IS03300(ALL)04/96]
This light indicates that your battery is not being
charged and that you need to have the electrical
system checked.
[IS03400(ALL)01/96]
one inch art:0030172-C
Charging system light
*
[IS03500(ALL)03/96]
This light illuminates every time you turn the
ignition to the ON or START position (engine
off). The light should go off when the engine
starts and the alternator begins to charge.
*
[IS03550(ALL)03/96]
If the light stays on or illuminates when the
engine is running, have the electrical system
checked as soon as possible.
%*
[IS03615(ALL)01/96]
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
[IS03715(ALL)04/96]
This light indicates low oil pressure, not low oil
level. However, if the engine's oil level is low, it
could affect the oil pressure. This light
illuminates every time the ignition key is turned
to ON or START, but it normally turns off when
the engine starts.
[IS03800(ALL)01/96]
one inch art:0030173-C
Engine oil pressure light
File:03icisf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:51:24 1997

12 [IS03900(ALL)04/96]If the light stays on or illuminates while the
engine is running:
*
[IS04000(ALL)03/96]
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
[IS04100(ALL)01/96]
2.Shut off the engine immediately.Continued
operation could cause severe engine damage.
[IS04200(ALL)01/96]
3. Check the engine oil level. Make sure the car
is on level ground.
[IS04300(ALL)01/96]
4. Add oil to the full mark on the dipstick
before you drive your car again. Do not
overfill. Do not operate the engine when the
oil light is on. For more information about
adding oil, seeEngine oil recommendationsin
the Index.
[IS04350(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
Do not rely on the oil light to tell you
when the oil is low. Have the oil checked
often. It is possible for damage to occur if
an engine is operated with a low oil level.
%*
[IS04500(ALL)03/96]
High Beam Light
*
[IS04600(ALL)03/96]
This light illuminates when the headlamps are
turned to high beam or when you flash the
lights. If your vehicle is equipped with daytime
running lights and you have your headlamps on
your high beam telltale will not illuminate when
you flash the lights.
*
[IS04700(ALL)01/96]
one inch art:0030174-A
High beam light
File:03icisf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:51:24 1997

150
*
[MC05650(ALL)05/96]
NOTE: Ford production and aftermarket
(Motorcraft) oil filters are designed for
added engine protection and long life.
If a replacement oil filter is used that
does not meet Ford material and design
specifications, startup engine noises or
knock may be experienced. It is
recommended you use the appropriate
ªMotorcraftº oil filter (or another brand
meeting Ford specifications) for your
engine application.
%*
[MC05700(ALL)01/96]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
*
[MC05800(ALL)01/96]
Since the proper amount of engine oil is
important for safe engine operation, check the oil
using the dipstick each time you put fuel in
your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
parked on level ground.
%*
[MC05900(ALL)01/96]
Checking the engine oil level:
*
[MC06000(ALL)01/96]
1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up
and allow a few minutes for the engine oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
[MC06100(ALL)01/96]
2. Set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park)
or 1 (First).
*
[MC06200(ALL)01/96]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
[MC06300(ALL)01/96]
4. Locate the dipstick (highlighted in yellow)
and carefully pull it out of the engine.
*
[MC06400(ALL)01/96]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
File:11icmcf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:57:16 1997

151 [MC06500(ALL)01/96]
quarter page art:0032227-B
Engine oil dipstick
[MC06600(ALL)01/96]
6. Carefully pull the dipstick out again. If the
oil level is at or below the ªLº line, add
engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªFº, engine damage or
high oil consumption may occur and some
oil must be removed from the engine.
[MC06700(ALL)04/96]
NOTE: The distance between the L (low) and
F (full) marks on the dipstick
represents 1.06 qts (1.0 liter).
*
[MC06800(ALL)01/96]
7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
*
[MC06900(ALL)01/96]
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil
changes. Make sure you use a CERTIFIED
engine oil of the preferred viscosity. Your
vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if
engine damage is caused by the use of improper
engine oil.
*
[MC07000(ALL)09/96]
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap
highlighted in yellow. To add oil, remove the
filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil into the
opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine.
Recheck the oil level after you finish adding oil.
File:11icmcf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:57:16 1997

162 [MC29560(ALL)01/96]The fluid level must be above the ªLº mark. If it
is not, you should not drive your vehicle until
more fluid is added. Ideally, the fluid level
should be within the specified area of the
dipstick.
*
[MC29565(ALL)01/96]
If you must add transaxle fluid in an emergency,
use only MERCONHfluid, such as Motorcraft
MERCONHMulti-Purpose ATF. Add the fluid in
1/2-pint increments until you raise the fluid
level to within the crosshatched area on the
dipstick. Never overfill the transaxle. If the fluid
level gets too high, remove the excess fluid as
soon as possible; otherwise, you could damage
the transaxle.
%*
[MC29570(ALL)05/96]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
*
[MC29575(ALL)01/96]
Manual Transaxle Fluid
*
[MC29580(ALL)01/96]
The lubricant level and quality should not
deteriorate under normal use. However, you
should periodically have your Ford Dealer check
the fluid level during regular oil changes.
%
*
[MC29611(ALL)01/97]
Battery
*
[MC29612(ALL)02/97]
The Motorcraft maintenance-free battery
normally does not require additional water
during its life of service. However, for severe
service usage or in high temperature climates,
check your battery electrolyte level, at least
every 24 months or 24,000 miles (40,000 km).
Keep the electrolyte in each cell up to the
ªlevelº indicator. Do not overfill the battery
cells.
File:11icmcf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:57:16 1997

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.
File:11icmcf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:57:16 1997

185 %
*
[MC61100(ALL)01/96]
The alignment of your headlamps should be
checked if:
*
[MC61200(ALL)01/96]
q
oncoming motorists frequently signal you to
turn off your vehicle's high beams when you
do not have the high beams on
*
[MC61300(ALL)01/96]
q
the headlamps do not seem to give you
enough light to see clearly at night
*
[MC61400(ALL)01/96]
q
the headlamp beams are pointed substantially
away from a position slightly down and to
the right
%*
[MC61500(ALL)01/96]
Headlamp Bulb
*
[MC61600(ALL)03/96]
The headlamps on your vehicle use replaceable
bulbs. When the lamp burns out, simply replace
the bulb, rather than the whole lamp.
*
[MC61700(ALL)01/97]
WARNING
Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully
and keep out of children's reach. Grasp
the bulb only by its plastic base and do
not touch the glass. The oil from your
hand could cause the bulb to break the
next time the headlamps are operated.
*
[MC61800(ALL)01/97]
Do not remove the burned-out bulb unless you
can immediately replace it with a new one. If a
bulb is removed for an extended period of time,
contaminants may enter the headlamp housing
and affect its performance.
File:11icmcf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:57:16 1997

Index 243
Index
A
ABS warning light (see Anti-lock
brake system)............. 15
Accessory position on the ignition..... 44
Additives, engine oil.......... 149
Air bag supplemental restraint system . 69, 78
and child safety seats........77±78
description............. 69,71
driver air bag........... 69,71
indicator light............. 14
operation............... 71
passenger air bag............ 71
service and information labels.... 71,75
tone generator............. 74
Air cleaner filter, specifications...... 199
Antenna, radio (see Electronic
sound system)......... 19,27,42
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)...... 155
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description.............. 105
see also Brake............ 105
warning light.............. 15
warninig light............. 9
Appeals (see Dispute settlement board) . . 214
Assistance (see Customer assistance) . . . 211
Audio system (see Electronic
sound system)............. 19
Autolamp system (see Headlamps)..... 46
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding............. 161
fluid, checking............ 161
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic overdrive.... 112
fluid, adding............. 161
File:icixf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:59:36 1997