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![FORD PROBE 1997 2.G Owners Manual 183
Maintenance and Care
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Service Made Easy
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Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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1. When we can, we design parts that do not FORD PROBE 1997 2.G Owners Manual 183
Maintenance and Care
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Service Made Easy
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Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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[MC00500(ALL)01/96]
1. When we can, we design parts that do not](/manual-img/11/5321/w960_5321-184.png)
183
Maintenance and Care
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Service Made Easy
*
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Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
*
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1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
*
[MC00600(ALL)01/96]
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
*
[MC00700(ALL)01/96]
q
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
*
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q
When possible, we design parts that can be
replaced without tools.
*
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q
We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your
vehicle easy. The maintenance schedule is
located in theMaintenance Schedulebooklet.
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This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
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If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
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[MC01000(ALL)03/96]
Ford Motor Company recommends that you
perform the Owner Maintenance Checks listed in
theMaintenance Schedulebooklet. These services
are important for the proper operation of your
vehicle. In addition to the conditions listed in
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Page 186 of 288

184the Owner Maintenance Checklist, be alert for
any unusual noise, vibration, or other indication
that your vehicle may need service. If you do
notice something unusual, see that your vehicle
is serviced promptly.
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Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids,
and service parts that meet Ford Motor
Company specifications. Motorcraft parts are
designed and built to provide the best
performance in your vehicle. Using these parts
for replacement is your assurance that Ford-built
quality stays in your vehicle.
%*
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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.
%
*
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Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicle
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Be especially careful when inspecting or
servicing your vehicle. Here are some general
precautions for your safety:
%*
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q
Do not work on a hot engine. The engine
cooling fan may come on unexpectedly.
Always turn the engine off and let it cool.
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RWARNING
The cooling fan is automatic and may
come on at any time. Always disconnect
the negative terminal of the battery before
working near the fan.
*
[MC01900(ALL)01/96]
q
If you must work with the engine running,
avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry that
could get caught in moving parts. Take
appropriate precautions with long hair.
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![FORD PROBE 1997 2.G Owners Manual 185
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q
Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed
space with the engine running, unless you are
sure you have enough ventilation.
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q
Never get under a vehicle wh FORD PROBE 1997 2.G Owners Manual 185
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q
Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed
space with the engine running, unless you are
sure you have enough ventilation.
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q
Never get under a vehicle wh](/manual-img/11/5321/w960_5321-186.png)
185
*
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q
Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed
space with the engine running, unless you are
sure you have enough ventilation.
*
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q
Never get under a vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If you must work
under a vehicle, use safety stands.
*
[MC02200(ALL)01/96]
q
Keep all lit cigarettes and other smoking
materials away from the battery and all
fuel-related parts.
*
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If you disconnect the battery, the engine must
ªrelearnº its idle conditions before your vehicle
will drive properly. To find out how the engine
does this, seeBatteryin this chapter.
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Working with the engine off:
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1. Set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park)
(automatic transaxle) or Neutral (manual
transaxle).
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2. Remove the key from the ignition after you
turn the engine off.
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3. Block the wheels. This will prevent your
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
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Working with the engine on:
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1. Set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park)
(automatic transaxle) or Neutral (manual
transaxle).
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2. Block the wheels. This will prevent your
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
*
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RWARNING
Do not start your engine with the air
cleaner removed and do not remove it
while the engine is running.
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186 %
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Opening the Hood
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1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood release
handle located under the bottom left corner
of the instrument panel.
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2. Go to the front of the vehicle and release the
auxiliary latch that is located under the hood
at the center of the vehicle.
[MC03750(ALL)01/96]
3. Lift the hood and set the prop rod in the
hole in the hood marked with an arrow.
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When you close the hood, make sure the prop
rod is in its retainer and that the hood latches
securely.
[MC03900(ALL)01/96]
half page art:0032100-A
The hood release handle
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187
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NOTE: Apply lubricant to the hood latch at
six-month intervals to maintain smooth
and trouble-free operation.
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NOTE: Read and understandPrecautions When
Servicing Your Vehicleat the beginning
of this chapter before opening the
hood.
[MC04450(ALL)01/96]Engine Types
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Your vehicle has one of these types of engines:
[MC04700(ALL)01/96]
q
a 2.0L (121 CID) fuel injected 16-valve
four-cylinder engine.
[MC04800(ALL)01/96]
q
a 2.5L (152 CID) fuel injected 24-valve
six-cylinder engine.
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188 [MC05400(ALL)01/96]
three fourths page art:0032074-BThe 2.0L engine
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189 [MC05500(ALL)01/96]
three fourths page art:0032081-E
The 2.5L engine
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![FORD PROBE 1997 2.G Owners Manual 190
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Engine Oil Recommendations
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We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an
equivalent oil meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M2C153-F and displaying the American
P FORD PROBE 1997 2.G Owners Manual 190
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Engine Oil Recommendations
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We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an
equivalent oil meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M2C153-F and displaying the American
P](/manual-img/11/5321/w960_5321-191.png)
190
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Engine Oil Recommendations
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We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an
equivalent oil meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M2C153-F and displaying the American
Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on
the front of the container.
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one third page art:0060021-E
The API Certification Mark
*
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Neveruse:
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q
ªNon-Detergentº oils
*
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q
Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
%*
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q
Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments
or engine treatments
%*
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Engine oils with anSAE 5W-30viscosity are
PREFERREDfor your vehicle. They provide the
best engine performance, fuel economy and
engine protection for all climates down to-15ÊF
(-25ÊC).
%*
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Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and
of the preferred viscosity may be used in your
engine. The engine oil and oil filter must still be
changed according to the maintenance schedule.
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