1997 FORD PROBE service

213
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
*
[MC28499(ALL)01/96]
Traction A B C
*
[MC28500(ALL)05/96]
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
A, B, and C, and they represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
*
[MC28550(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on braking (straightahead) traction
tests and does not include cornering
(turning) traction.
*
[MC28699(ALL)01/96]
Temperature A B C
*
[MC28700(ALL)05/96]
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
File:11prmcp.ex
Update:Thu May 16 12:08:53 1996

215
*
[MC28860(ALL)01/96]
q
Put the chains on the front tires tightly with
the ends held down securely. Retighten the
chains after driving 1/2 mile (1 km). Follow
the chain manufacturer's instructions.
*
[MC28870(ALL)01/96]
q
Do not drive faster than 30 mph (50 km/h)
or the chain manufacturer's recommended
speed limit, whichever is lower. Avoid
bumps, holes and sharp turns. If you can
hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, remove the chains to prevent damage
to your vehicle.
*
[MC28880(ALL)01/96]
q
Tire chains may affect vehicle handling. Drive
carefully and avoid hard braking.
*
[MC28890(ALL)01/96]
q
Do not use chains on temporary spare tires.
They may damage the vehicle and the tire.
*
[MC29025(ALL)01/96]
q
Remove tire chains at the first opportunity
after using them on snow and ice. Do not use
the chains on dry roads.
%
*
[MC30000(ALL)01/96]
Filling the Fuel Tank
[MC30050(ALL)03/96]
Fuel filler door release lever
[MC30100(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a fuel filler door
release. To open the fuel filler door, pull up on
the release lever which is located in front of the
driver's seat and near the door.
[MC30200(ALL)01/96]
Remote Fuel Filler-Lid Release Override
[MC30300(ALL)01/96]
If the release does not operate, open the
hatchback, remove the trim on the left rear side,
reach into the opening and pull the latch toward
the rear (see the service manual for trim
removal). You should wear gloves to protect
your hands from any sharp edges when you use
the fuel filler-lid release override.
File:11prmcp.ex
Update:Thu May 16 12:08:53 1996

218refuel, your vehicle can be operated on
non-California fuels. However, even though your
engine will perform adequately on other
gasolines, the performance of the emission
control devices and systems may be adversely
affected. Repair of damage caused by using a
fuel that your vehicle was not designed for may
not be covered by your warranty.
[MC31800(ALL)03/96]
Octane Recommendations
[MC31900(ALL)03/96]
Your 2.0L engine is designed to use regular
gasoline with an (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend gasolines labeled as
ªregularº in high altitude areas that are sold
with octane ratings of 86 or even less.
[MC32000(ALL)03/96]
Your 2.5L engine is designed to use premium
gasoline for optimum performance with an
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 91 or higher. Gasolines
with lower octane ratings can be used, but
performance may decrease. We do not
recommend gasolines labeled as ªpremiumº in
high altitude areas that are sold with octane
ratings less than 91.
*
[MC32100(ALL)05/96]
Do not be concerned if your vehicle sometimes
knocks lightly. However, if it knocks heavily
under most driving conditions on the
recommended octane fuel, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician to prevent any
engine damage.
*
[MC32200(ALL)05/96]
Fuel Quality
*
[MC32300(ALL)05/96]
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or
hesitation problems try a different brand of fuel.
If the condition persists, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician.
*
[MC32400(ALL)05/96]
The American Automobile Manufacturers
Association (AAMA) issued a gasoline
specification to provide information on high
File:11prmcp.ex
Update:Thu May 16 12:08:53 1996

222
*
[MC37000(ALL)01/96]
q
Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear
window defroster and other accessories
*
[MC37100(ALL)01/96]
q
Underinflated tires
*
[MC37200(ALL)01/96]
q
Heavy loads
*
[MC37300(ALL)01/96]
q
Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or
luggage racks, bug deflectors, etc.
[MC38000(ALL)01/96]
Air Conditioning Refrigerant
[MC38100(ALL)01/96]
Whenever service to the air conditioning system
is required, make sure the service facility uses a
refrigerant recycling system. These systems will
capture the refrigerant for reuse. Releasing
certain refrigerants into the atmosphere can
damage our environment.
%
*
[MC38200(ALL)01/96]
Emission Control System
*
[MC38300(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic
converter which enables your vehicle to comply
with applicable exhaust emission requirements.
*
[MC38400(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Exhaust leaks may result in the entry of
harmful and potentially lethal fumes into
the passenger compartment. Under
extreme conditions excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the fuel
system, the interior floor covering, or
other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
File:11prmcp.ex
Update:Thu May 16 12:08:53 1996

223
*
[MC38500(ALL)01/96]
To make sure that the catalytic converter and the
other emission control parts continue to work
properly:
*
[MC38600(ALL)01/96]
q
Use only unleaded fuel.
*
[MC38700(ALL)01/96]
q
Avoid running out of fuel.
*
[MC38800(ALL)01/96]
q
Do not turn off the ignition while your
vehicle is moving, especially at high speeds.
*
[MC38900(ALL)01/96]
q
Do not push start your vehicle.
*
[MC38950(ALL)03/96]
q
Have the services listed in yourMaintenance
Schedulebooklet performed according to the
specified schedule.
*
[MC39000(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
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.
*
[MC39100(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.
*
[MC39200(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.
%*
[MC39300(ALL)01/96]
In general, maintenance, replacement, or service
of the emission 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 with which your vehicle or engine was
originally equipped.
File:11prmcp.ex
Update:Thu May 16 12:08:53 1996

224
*
[MC39400(ALL)01/96]
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs,
services, sells, leases, trades vehicles, or
supervises a fleet of vehicles is not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission control device
or prevent it from working. In some of the
United States and in Canada, vehicle owners
may be liable if their emission control device is
removed or is prevented from working.
*
[MC39500(ALL)08/95]
Never use a metal exhaust collector when you
service your vehicle. If the metal collector
contacts any of your vehicle's plastic trim or
bumper parts they could melt or deform.
*
[MC39600(ALL)01/96]
Do not drive your vehicle if it does not operate
properly. See your dealer if the engine runs on
for more than five seconds after you shut it off
or if it misfires, surges, stalls, or backfires.
%*
[MC39700(ALL)01/96]
Information about your vehicle's emission
control system is on the Vehicle Emission
Control Information decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement
and gives some tune-up specifications.
%*
[MC39800(ALL)03/96]
How to Prepare Your Vehicle for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Testing
*
[MC39900(ALL)05/96]
In some localities it may become a legal
requirement to pass an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the
On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) II system. If the
vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the OBD II system is reset to
a not ready for I/M testing condition. To
prepare for I/M testing, the law specifies that
additional mixed city and highway driving is
required to complete the check of the OBD II
system.
File:11prmcp.ex
Update:Thu May 16 12:08:53 1996

225
*
[MC39910(ALL)03/96]
The driving modes required to reach the ready
condition consist of a minimum of 30 minutes of
city and highway driving as described below.
*
[MC39920(ALL)03/96]
q
20 minutes of driving in stop and go
city-type traffic with at least four idle periods.
*
[MC39930(ALL)03/96]
q
10 minutes of driving on an expressway or
highway
*
[MC39940(ALL)05/96]
Before completing the above driving modes, the
engine must be warmed up and at operating
temperature. Once started, the vehicle must not
be turned off during the above driving modes. If
the vehicle owner is unable to meet the I/M
requirements by using these driving patterns, an
authorized service center can perform a detailed
OBD II drive cycle as it would any other type of
repair work.
%
*
[MC42000(ALL)03/96]
Lights and Bulb Replacement
*
[MC42100(ALL)01/96]
It is a good idea to check the operation of the
following lights frequently:
*
[MC42200(ALL)01/96]
q
headlamps
*
[MC42400(ALL)01/96]
q
tail lamps
*
[MC42500(ALL)01/96]
q
brakelamps
*
[MC42600(ALL)01/96]
q
hazard flasher
*
[MC42700(ALL)01/96]
q
turn signals
*
[MC42800(ALL)01/96]
q
side markers
*
[MC42900(ALL)05/96]
q
license plate lamps
[MC43000(ALL)01/96]
q
fog lamps (GT model)
File:11prmcp.ex
Update:Thu May 16 12:08:53 1996

226 %
*
[MC43100(ALL)01/96]
The alignment of your headlamps should be
checked if:
*
[MC43200(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
*
[MC43300(ALL)01/96]
q
the headlamps do not seem to give you
enough light to see clearly at night
*
[MC43400(ALL)01/96]
q
the headlamp beams are pointed substantially
away from a position slightly down and to
the right
%*
[MC43500(ALL)01/96]
Headlamp Bulb
[MC43600(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle has retractable halogen headlamps.
If you need to replace a headlamp, have it done
by a Ford service technician.
% [MC43700(ALL)04/96]
High-Mount Brakelamp Bulb
[MC43800(ALL)01/96]
To replace the bulb:
[MC43900(ALL)01/96]
1. Remove the two side trim liftgate panels.
[MC44000(ALL)01/96]
2. Remove the liftgate trim clip and the liftgate
trim.
[MC44100(ALL)01/96]
3. Remove the bulb from the socket by pushing
it in and turning it counterclockwise.
[MC44200(ALL)01/96]
4. Install the bulb by pushing straight into the
lamp socket and turning it clockwise until it
locks in place.
[MC44300(ALL)01/96]
5. Replace the liftgate trim and trim clip.
[MC44400(ALL)01/96]
6. Replace the two side trim liftgate panels.
File:11prmcp.ex
Update:Thu May 16 12:08:53 1996