1997 FORD ASPIRE maintenance

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Table of ContentsIntroduction ...................................................... 1
Instrumentation ................................................ 7
Electronic Sound Systems ........................... 19
Controls and Features .................................. 31
Seating and Safety Restraints .................... 57
Starting ............................................................. 93
Driving ........................................................... 105
Roadside Emergencies ................................ 121
Maintenance and Care ............................... 145
Capacities and Specifications ................... 199
Reporting Safety Defects
(U.S. Only) .................................................... 209
Customer Assistance ................................... 211
Accessories .................................................... 223
Quick Index .................................................. 233
Index ............................................................... 243
Service Station Information --
1.3L Engine ................................................... 260
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Canadian Owners Ð French Version
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French Owner Guides can be obtained from your
dealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company of
Canada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box
1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3.
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Your Maintenance Schedule and
Record Booklet
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TheMaintenance Schedulebooklet lists the
services that are most important for keeping
your vehicle in good condition. A record log is
also provided to help you keep track of all
services performed.
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About the Warranties
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Your vehicle is covered by three types of
warranties:Basic Vehicle Warranty,Extended
Warrantieson certain parts, andEmissions
Warranties.
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Read yourWarranty Information Bookletcarefully
to find out about your vehicle's warranties and
your basic rights and responsibilities.
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If you lose yourWarranty Information Booklet,you
can get a new one free of charge. Contact any
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the
addresses and phone numbers on the first page
of this Owner's Guide.
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Ford Extended Service Plan
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More Protection for Your Vehicle
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You can get more protection for your new car or
light truck by purchasing a Ford Extended
Service Plan (Ford ESP). Ford ESP is the only
extended service program with the Ford name
on it and the only service contract backed by
Ford Motor Company.
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Ford ESP is an optional service contract, backed
and administered by Ford. It provides:
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protection against repair costs after your
Bumper to Bumper Warranty expires;
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and
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other benefits during the warranty period
(such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage
for certain maintenance and wear items).
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You may purchase Ford ESP from any
participating Ford Motor Company dealer. There
are several Ford ESP plans available in various
time-and-mileage combinations. Each plan can be
tailored to fit your own driving needs, including
reimbursement benefits for towing and rental.
(In Hawaii, rules vary. See your dealer for
details.)
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When you purchase Ford ESP, you receive
peace-of-mind protection throughout the United
States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,100 participating Ford Motor
Company dealers.
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NOTE: Repairs performed outside the United
States and Canada are not eligible for
ESP coverage.
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This information is subject to change, ask your
dealer for complete details about Ford ESP
coverage.
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Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
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This gauge indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant, not the coolant level. If the
coolant is not at its proper level or mixture, the
gauge indication will not be accurate.
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The pointer normally moves from C (cold) into
the normal band as your vehicle warms up.
Under most driving conditions, the pointer
should stay in the normal band. If you are
driving in heavy traffic or on an extended grade
in hot weather, the pointer may reach to the top
of the normal band.
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If, under any circumstances, the pointer moves
above the normal band, the engine is
overheating and continued operation may cause
engine damage.
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If your engine overheats:
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1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
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2. Turn off the engine.
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3. Let the engine cool.
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4. Check the coolant level following the
instructions on checking and adding coolant
to your engine. (SeeEngine coolantin the
Index.) If you do not follow these
instructions, you or others could be injured.
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5. Refer toAdding Engine Coolantin the
Maintenance and Carechapter. Add as much
coolant as your engine needs. If the engine
continues to overheat, have the cooling
system serviced.
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Windshield Washer
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To clean the windshield, turn the wiper switch
on and pull the lever toward you. Washer fluid
is sprayed until the lever is released. When the
windshield is clean, turn the wiper switch to
OFF.
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quarter page art:0032178-B
Windshield washer control
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If the washer does not work, check the washer
fluid level and fill it if it is low. See the
Maintenance and Carechapter in the Owner
Guide. If there is fluid in the reservoir, consult
your nearest authorized Ford dealer.
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Do not try to clean the windshield when the
washer fluid container is empty or activate the
washers at any time for more than 15 seconds
continuously. This could damage the washer
pump system.
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WARNING
Always warm up the windshield with the
defroster before you use the washer fluid.
In freezing weather, the washer solution
may freeze on the windshield and obscure
your vision.
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For information about refilling the washer fluid
or replacing your windshield wiper blades, see
Windshield washer fluid and Wipersin the Index.
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NOTE: When the combination lap/shoulder
belt is unbuckled and allowed to
retract completely, the retractor will
switch to the vehicle sensitive
(emergency) locking mode. See the
detailed instructions underSafety Seats
for Childrenin this chapter.
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Safety Belt Extension Assembly
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For some people, the safety belt may be too
short even when it is fully extended. You can
add about eight inches (20 cm) to the belt length
with a safety belt extension assembly (part
number 611C22). Safety belt extensions are
available at no cost from your dealer.
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WARNING
Failure to follow these instructions will
affect the performance of the safety belts
and increase the risk of personal injury.
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Safety Belt Maintenance
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Check the safety belt systems periodically to
make sure that they work properly and are not
damaged.
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All safety belt assemblies, including retractors,
buckles, front seat belt buckle support assemblies
(slide bar) (if equipped), shoulder belt height
adjusters (if equipped), child safety seat tether
bracket assemblies (if equipped), and attaching
hardware, should be inspected after any
collision. Ford recommends that all safety belt
assemblies used in vehicles involved in a
collision be replaced. However, if the collision
was minor and a qualified technician finds that
the belts do not show damage and continue to
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WARNING
The air bag will inflate only once. The
system is designed to function on a
one-time-only basis. If the air bag is
inflated, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT
FUNCTION AGAIN AND MUST BE
REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. If the air
bag is not replaced, this will increase the
risk of injury in a subsequent collision.
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The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
consists of:
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driver and passenger air bag modules (which
include the inflators and air bags),
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one or more impact and safing sensors,
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a system diagnostic module,
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a readiness light and tone,
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and the electrical wiring which connects the
components.
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The diagnostic module monitors its own circuits,
the air bag electrical system, the air bag
readiness light, the air bag power and the air
bag inflators.
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Determining if System Is Operational
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The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System uses
a readiness light and a tone to indicate the
condition of the system. The readiness light is in
the instrument cluster. When you turn the
ignition key to ON, this light will illuminate for
approximately six (6) seconds and then turn off.
This indicates that the system is operating
normally. NOTE: Routine maintenance of the air
bag system is not required.
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Jump-Starting
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1. Make sure that the jumper cables are not in
the way of moving engine parts, then start
the booster vehicle. Run the engine at a
moderate speed.
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2. Let the discharged battery charge for a few
minutes and then start the disabled vehicle.
It may take a couple of tries before the
vehicle starts. If the vehicle does not start
after several attempts, there may be a
different problem.
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3. When both vehicles are running, let them
idle for a few minutes to charge the
discharged battery.
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Removing jumper cables
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1.Always remove the jumper cables in the
reverse order.Remove the negative (S) end
of the jumper cable from the metallic surface
on the engine or frame of the disabled
vehicle.
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2. Remove the negative (S) cable from the
booster battery.
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3. Remove the positive (+) cable from the
booster battery.
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4. Remove the other end of the positive (+)
cable from the discharged battery.
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After the vehicle is started, let it idle for a while
to let the engine ªrelearnº its idle conditions.
Drive it around for a while with all electrical
accessories turned off to let the battery recharge.
Driveability may be deteriorated slightly until all
drive modes are ªrelearned.ºYou may need to
use a battery charger to fully recharge the
battery.
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If you need to replace your battery, seeBattery
in theMaintenance and Carechapter.
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Update:Tue Mar 4 08:55:59 1997