1997 FORD PROBE Owners Manual

134 %
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[GF01000(ALL)01/96]
Occasional brake noise is normal and often does
not indicate a performance concern with the
vehicle's brake system. In normal operation,
automotive brake systems may emit occasional
or intermittent squeal or groan noises when the
brakes are applied. Such noises are usually
heard during the first few brake applications in
the morning; however they may be heard at any
time while braking and can be aggravated by
environmental conditions such as cold, heat,
moisture, road dust, salt or mud. If a
"metal-to-metal" or "continuous grinding" sound
is present while braking, the brake linings may
be worn-out and should be inspected by a
qualified service technician.
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[GF01100(ALL)01/96]
Anti-lock Brake System (If equipped)
[GF01200(ALL)04/96]
If your vehicle is equipped with the anti-lock
brake system (ABS), the wheels will not lock and
slide when you press down hard on the brake
pedal. The ABS automatically starts releasing
and reapplying the front brakes independently
and the rear brakes together whenever your
vehicle's wheels start to lock. When this
happens, you will feel the brake pedal pulsate.
This is an indication that the ABS is working
correctly and is normal.
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[GF01300(ALL)01/96]
If the brake pedal is applied while the vehicle is
driven over uneven road surfaces, the ABS may
cycle and the driver may sense a pulsation in
the brake pedal, accompanied by a slight up and
down movement of the pedal height and a
clicking sound. This may also happen when
driving on an inclined surface such as a
driveway while making a sharp turn. This is a
normal condition.
[GF01400(ALL)04/96]
Each time you turn the ignition key to the ON
position, the ABS will function through one test
cycle. When this happens, the ABS light will
illuminate for up to five seconds. If the light
illuminates longer than five seconds, shut off the
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135
engine and restart. If it remains illuminated, it
means the ABS is disabled and should be
serviced immediately to restore the benefits of
the anti-lock feature. Normal braking is not
affected unless the red BRAKE system warning
light is also illuminated.
[GF01500(ALL)04/96]
ABS has self-check capabilities. As described
above, the system turns on the ABS light each
time you start your engine. After the engine is
started and the ABS light turns off, the system
performs another test the first time the vehicle
reaches 4-9 mph (6-15 km/h). The system turns
on the ABS pump motor for approximately 1/2
second. At this time, a mechanical noise may be
heard. This is a normal part of the self-check
feature. If a malfunction is found during this
check the ABS light will come on.
[GF01510(ALL)12/96]
On vehicles equipped with an antilock braking
system (ABS), a noise from the hydraulic pump
motor and pulsation in the pedal may be
observed during ABS braking events. Pedal
pulsation coupled with noise while braking
under panic conditions or on loose gravel, wet
or snowy roads is normal and indicated proper
functioning of the vehicle's antilock brake
system. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder while braking, mainly in the steering
wheel, the vehicle most likely needs service.
[GF01600(ALL)03/96]
Ford Motor Company has not found any
detrimental effects of popular mobile radio
transmitting equipment installed on vehicles
equipped with the Anti-lock Brake System if
normal radio installation practices are rigidly
followed. However, if after installing mobile
radio transmitting equipment, the Anti-lock
Brake System light comes on at any time other
than immediately after turning the key to the
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136ON position, or during a sudden stop, have
your mobile radio dealer inspect the radio
installation. Proper radio installation procedures
to be followed are published by the radio
manufacturer.
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[GF01700(ALL)05/96]
Parking Brake
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[GF01800(ALL)03/96]
The parking brake should be used whenever
you park your vehicle.
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[GF01900(ALL)03/96]
If the brakes don't operate while the vehicle is
in motion, you can make an emergency stop
with the parking brake, however, the stopping
distance will be much greater than normal.
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[GF02000(ALL)01/96]
The parking brake lever is located between the
front seats. To set the parking brake, put your
foot on the brake pedal while pulling the
parking brake handle fully and firmly upward.
[GF02100(ALL)01/96]
half page art:0032065-C
Parking brake (handbrake)
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137
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[GF02200(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
To prevent personal injury, do not release
the parking brake while outside the
vehicle.
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[GF02300(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
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).
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[GF02400(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.
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[GF02500(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
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.
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[GF02600(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
the 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.
%
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[GF02800(ALL)01/96]
Steering Your Vehicle
[GF02900(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering.
Power steering uses energy from the engine to
help steer your vehicle.
%*
[GF03000(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
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138steering system breaks down (or if the engine is
turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually
but it takes more effort.
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[GF03100(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.
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[GF04000(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.
[GF04100(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle has one of two types of transaxles:
[GF04200(ALL)01/96]
q
a manual five-speed overdrive
[GF04300(ALL)01/96]
q
an automatic four-speed overdrive
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[GF04400(ALL)01/96]
Driving with an Automatic
Overdrive Transaxle
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[GF04500(ALL)05/96]
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
[GF04600(ALL)01/96]
The automatic transaxle on your vehicle is an
electrically controlled four speed. The highest
gear is Overdrive. The Overdrive position is
reflected by D in the shift selector indicator.
[GF04700(ALL)01/96]
The automatic transaxle uses the conventional
selector lever, and an Overdrive OFF button. All
normal driving is done with the selector in the
D position.
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139 [GF04800(ALL)05/96]
two third page art:0032064-E
Automatic shift lever
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[GF04900(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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140
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[GF05000(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Hold the brake pedal down while you
move the gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move
unexpectedly and injure someone.
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[GF05010(ALL)04/96]
Shift-lock System (If equipped)
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[GF05020(ALL)04/96]
For your safety, the automatic transaxle has a
shift-lock system, which prevents shifting the
transaxle out of the P (Park) position without
depressing the brake pedal when the ignition
key is in the ON position.
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[GF05030(ALL)03/96]
To shift the transaxle out of the P (Park)
position:
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[GF05040(ALL)03/96]
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
*
[GF05050(ALL)03/96]
2. Start the engine.
[GF05060(ALL)03/96]
3. Push in the thumb button and move the
shift selector lever.
[GF05070(ALL)03/96]
4. SeeShift Lock Emergency Overridein this
section for more information.
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141 [GF05080(ALL)05/96]
two third page art:0032064-E
Automatic console-mounted gearshift lever
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[GF05090(ALL)03/96]
NOTE: When the ignition key is in the ACC
or LOCK position, the transaxle cannot
be shifted from the P (Park) position.
If the brake pedal is repeatedly
depressed and released when the
ignition is in the ON position and the
selector lever is in the P (Park)
position, a chattering near the gearshift
lever may be heard. This is not a
malfunction.
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