1997 FORD PROBE brake

150
*
[GF10400(ALL)08/95]
Upshifting
[GF10500(ALL)04/96]
For normal acceleration, you should upshift at
the following speeds:
[GF10600(ALL)01/96]
eight pica chart:0032089-A[GF10700(ALL)01/96]
For cruising, you should upshift at the following
speeds.
[GF10800(ALL)01/96]
eight pica chart:0032090-A%*
[GF10900(ALL)01/96]
Downshifting
*
[GF11000(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.
*
[GF11100(ALL)01/96]
When you drive down steep hills, downshifting
helps you keep a safe speed and helps prevent
unnecessary wear on the brakes.
*
[GF11200(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.
File:09prgfp.ex
Update:Fri Jan 3 09:33:04 1997

155
Roadside Emergencies
%*
[ER00300(ALL)03/96]
Hazard Flasher
*
[ER00400(ALL)01/96]
To alert other drivers to hazardous situations,
press the hazard flasher switch on the top of the
steering column. All the turn signals will flash
on and off at the same time. The flashers will
also operate while the brake pedal is applied. To
turn the flashers off, press the switch again.
*
[ER00500(ALL)01/96]
The flashers work whether your vehicle is
running or not. The flashers will work for up to
two hours when the battery is fully charged and
in good condition. They will not drain the
battery excessively unless they are left on for an
extended period of time.
[ER00600(ALL)01/96]
If the flashers run for longer than 2 hours while
your engine is not running, or if your battery is
not fully charged, your battery could be drained.
File:10prerp.ex
Update:Thu Jun 13 09:57:39 1996

167
*
[ER03300(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Always replace a fuse with one that has
the specified amperage rating. Using a
fuse with a higher amperage rating can
cause severe wire damage and could start
a fire.
[ER03400(ALL)04/96]
To find a fuse's amperage rating, check the
number on the fuse or check the color.
[ER03500(ALL)01/96]
twelve pica chart:0032119-A*
[ER03600(ALL)04/96]
Even after you replace a fuse, it may continue to
blow if you do not find what caused the
overload. If the fuse continues to blow, have
your electrical system checked.
%
*
[ER03800(ALL)02/96]
Changing a Tire
*
[ER03900(ALL)02/96]
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do
not apply the brake heavily. Instead, gradually
decrease the speed. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the
side of the road. Park on a level spot, turn off
the ignition, set the parking brake, and turn on
the hazard flashers.
File:10prerp.ex
Update:Thu Jun 13 09:57:39 1996

170 %
*
[ER07600(ALL)03/96]
Preparing to Change the Tire
*
[ER07700(ALL)01/96]
1. Make sure that your vehicle will not move
or roll. If you have an automatic transaxle,
put the gearshift in P (Park). If you have a
manual transaxle, put the gearshift in 1
(First). Set the parking brake and block the
wheel that is diagonally opposite the tire
that you are changing.
[ER07800(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0030146-A
Blocking the wheel diagonally opposite the tire being
changed
*
[ER08000(ALL)01/96]
When one of the front wheels is off the ground,
the transaxle alone will not prevent the vehicle
from moving or slipping off the jack, even if the
vehicle is in P (Park) or 1 (First). To prevent the
vehicle from moving when you change one of
the front tires, put a block behind the wheel that
is diagonally opposite to the tire.
*
[ER08100(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or
someone else could be seriously injured.
File:10prerp.ex
Update:Thu Jun 13 09:57:39 1996

176 %
*
[ER11800(ALL)02/96]
Preparing Your Vehicle
*
[ER11900(ALL)02/96]
1. Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so
you need to use a 12-volt jumper system.
You will damage your starting motor,
ignition system, and other electrical parts if
you connect them to a 24-volt power supply
(either two 12-volt batteries in series or a
24-volt generator set).
*
[ER12000(ALL)02/96]
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
*
[ER12100(ALL)02/96]
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of
the disabled vehicle.Make sure the vehicles
do not touch each other.Set the parking
brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
*
[ER12200(ALL)02/96]
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the
jumper cables.
%*
[ER12400(ALL)02/96]
Connecting the jumper cables
*
[ER12500(ALL)02/96]
1. Connect one end of the first jumper cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the discharged
battery. (You can connect either jumper cable
to the positive (+) terminal, as long as you
use the same cable for both positive
terminals.) Most jumper cables have a red
cable and a black cable. The red cable is
generally used for the positive terminals and
the black for the negative ones.
*
[ER12600(ALL)02/96]
2. Connect the other end of the first cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the booster
battery.
*
[ER12700(ALL)02/96]
3. Connect one end of the second cable to the
negative (S) terminal of the booster battery
Ð NOT to the discharged battery.
File:10prerp.ex
Update:Thu Jun 13 09:57:39 1996

185
*
[MC02000(ALL)01/96]
q
Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed
space with the engine running, unless you are
sure you have enough ventilation.
*
[MC02100(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC02500(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC02700(ALL)01/96]
Working with the engine off:
*
[MC02750(ALL)01/96]
1. Set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park)
(automatic transaxle) or Neutral (manual
transaxle).
*
[MC02800(ALL)01/96]
2. Remove the key from the ignition after you
turn the engine off.
*
[MC02850(ALL)01/96]
3. Block the wheels. This will prevent your
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
*
[MC02900(ALL)01/96]
Working with the engine on:
*
[MC03000(ALL)01/96]
1. Set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park)
(automatic transaxle) or Neutral (manual
transaxle).
*
[MC03100(ALL)01/96]
2. Block the wheels. This will prevent your
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
*
[MC03200(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not start your engine with the air
cleaner removed and do not remove it
while the engine is running.
File:11prmcp.ex
Update:Thu May 16 12:08:53 1996

191 %
*
[MC06500(ALL)01/96]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
*
[MC06600(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.
%*
[MC06700(ALL)01/96]
Checking the engine oil level:
*
[MC06800(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.
*
[MC06900(ALL)01/96]
2. Set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park) (automatic transaxle) or 1 (First)
(manual transaxle).
*
[MC07000(ALL)01/96]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
*
[MC07100(ALL)01/96]
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
*
[MC07200(ALL)01/96]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
[MC07300(ALL)01/96]
one inch art:0032075-A
Engine oil dipstick
File:11prmcp.ex
Update:Thu May 16 12:08:53 1996

193
*
[MC08200(ALL)02/96]
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for
additional information.
%*
[MC08250(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.
*
[MC08275(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
Motorcraft oil filter (or another brand
meeting Ford specifications) for your
engine application.
*
[MC08300(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil
has caused cancer in laboratory mice.
*
[MC08400(ALL)01/96]
Protect your skin by washing with soap and
water.
%
*
[MC08450(ALL)05/96]
Brake Fluid
*
[MC08500(ALL)01/96]
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle
should not use up brake fluid rapidly. However,
expect the level of the brake fluid to slowly fall
as you put more mileage on your vehicle and
the brake pads wear.
[MC08600(ALL)01/96]
Check the brake fluid at least once a year. You
can do this by looking at the fluid level in the
plastic reservoir on the master cylinder. (SeeThe
Engine Typesearlier in this chapter to locate the
master cylinder.) The fluid level should be at or
near the MAX mark.
File:11prmcp.ex
Update:Thu May 16 12:08:53 1996