1997 FORD PROBE power steering

133
Driving
%*
[GF00300(ALL)05/96]
Brakes
%*
[GF00400(ALL)01/96]
Applying the Brakes
[GF00500(ALL)04/96]
Your vehicle may have four-wheel power
anti-lock disc brakes which adjust automatically
through everyday use.
[GF00600(ALL)04/96]
Some models have power front disc brakes and
rear drum brakes which automatically adjust as
the brake pads and linings wear down.
*
[GF00700(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle does not have anti-lock brakes,
apply the brake pedal gradually. Use the
ªsqueezeº technique Ð push on the brake pedal
with a steadily increasing force. This allows the
wheels to continue to roll while you are slowing
down, which lets you steer properly.
*
[GF00800(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle does not have anti-lock brakes,
extreme braking can make the wheels lock and
slide, causing you to lose control of the steering.
If the wheels lock, release the brake pedal and
repeat the ªsqueezeº technique.
*
[GF00900(ALL)01/96]
Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake
pedal; you will wear out the linings and increase
your vehicle's stopping distance. Brake rotor
damage may also eventually occur.
*
[GF00950(ALL)02/96]
NOTE: If you are driving down a long or
steep hill, shift to a lower gear and do
not apply your brakes continuously. If
you apply your brakes continuously,
they may overheat and become less
effective.
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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.
*
[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).
*
[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.
*
[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.
*
[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.
%
*
[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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Update:Fri Jan 3 09:33:04 1997

138steering system breaks down (or if the engine is
turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually
but it takes more effort.
*
[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.
*
[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
%
*
[GF04400(ALL)01/96]
Driving with an Automatic
Overdrive Transaxle
%*
[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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199 [MC10960(ALL)05/96]
Have your dealer check the engine cooling
system for leaks if you have to add more than a
quart (liter) of engine coolant each month.
[MC10980(ALL)05/96]
Severe winter climate
*
[MC11000(ALL)05/96]
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than
S34ÊF [S36ÊC]), it may be necessary to increase
the coolant concentration above 50%. Refer to
the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle is such that
the coolant will not freeze at the temperature
level in which you drive during winter months.
Never increase the engine coolant concentration
above 60%. Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine
coolant and water in your vehicle year-round in
non-extreme climates.
%*
[MC16100(ALL)01/96]
Checking Hoses
*
[MC16200(ALL)04/96]
Check all engine and heater system hoses and
hose connections for deterioration, leaks, and
loose hose clamps as specified in themaintenance
schedule. Repair or replace with Motorcraft hoses
or equivalent as necessary.
%
*
[MC17000(ALL)01/96]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[MC17100(ALL)01/96]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at
least twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
%*
[MC17200(ALL)01/96]
Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid
*
[MC17300(ALL)04/96]
1. Start the engine and let it run until the
power steering fluid reaches normal
operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when
the engine coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster is near the center of the
NORMAL operating temperature range.
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Update:Thu May 16 12:08:53 1996

200
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[MC17400(ALL)01/96]
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel back and forth several times. Make
sure that the cap assembly is installed at this
time.
*
[MC17500(ALL)01/96]
3. Turn the engine off and check the level on
the power steering reservoir.
[MC17600(ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0032043-A
Where to check for power steering fluid
[MC17700(ALL)01/96]
4. Remove the dipstick to read the power
steering fluid level. If the power steering
fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts,
continuously checking the level, until you
reach the HIGH line. Do not overfill. To find
out how much fluid your vehicle's power
steering fluid reservoir will hold, seeRefill
capacities for fluidsin the Index.
[MC17800(ALL)01/96]
5. When you are finished, put the dipstick back
in and make sure that it fits snugly.
*
[MC17900(ALL)01/96]
If the power steering fluid is low, do not drive
your vehicle for a long period of time before
adding fluid. This can damage the power
steering pump.
*
[MC18000(ALL)04/96]
If you must check the power steering fluid
before it reaches normal operating temperature,
make sure that the fluid reaches the ªLº (LOW)
line range in the reservoir. The reading will only
be accurate if the fluid temperature is
approximately 70Ê to100ÊF (21Ê to 38ÊC).
File:11prmcp.ex
Update:Thu May 16 12:08:53 1996

Index 279
D
Daytime running light system....... 63
Defects, reporting............ 243
Dipstick
automatic transaxle fluid....... 201
engine oil.............. 191
power steering fluid......... 199
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)...... 179
Doors.................. 76
Driving under special conditions
heavy load.............. 151
towing a trailer............ 153
E
Electrical system, relays......... 165
Electronic radio with cassette
(see Electronic sound system)...... 34
Electronic sound system
antenna................ 43
radio reception............. 43
tuning the radio.......... 23,37
warranty and service information.... 46
Electronic stereo cassette radio
(see Electronic sound system)...... 34
Electronic stereo radio (see Electronic
sound system)............. 34
Emergencies, roadside
assistance.............. 245
battery acid spills.........175, 206
fuel................. 219
jump-starting............. 174
towing................ 179
Emergency brake (parking brake)..... 134
Emission control system
catalytic converter.......... 222
emissions warranty......... 4,222
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Update:Tue Jun 11 11:04:36 1996

286 Index
Oil viscosity.............. 190
On-board diagnostic (OBD II) system . . . 224
Order forms, service information...... 24
Overseas offices............. 254
P
Parking brake
operation............... 135
warning light.............. 12
Parts (see Motorcraft Parts)........ 237
PCV valve, specifications......... 237
Power door locks............. 76
Power features
door locks............... 76
mirrors................. 78
moon roof............... 74
windows................ 77
Power steering
dipstick............... 199
driving with power steering...... 137
fluid, checking and adding....... 199
servicing............... 137
Prop rod, hood............. 186
R
Radio (see Electronic sound systems).... 21
Rear window............... 77
washer reservoir........... 195
Regulations, National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration......... 243
Relays................. 165
Remote entry system
replacement/additional transmitters.... 88
replacing the batteries.......... 87
Reporting safety defects......... 243
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Update:Tue Jun 11 11:04:36 1996

288 Index
Seat belts (see Safety restraints)....... 98
Seats
child safety seats........... 113
cleaning upholstery.......... 233
folding rear seats............ 96
head restraints............. 89
rear seat access............. 96
split-folding rear seat.......... 96
Serial number (VIN)........... 252
Service concerns............. 246
Servicing your vehicle
precautions when servicing...... 184
servicing when you tow........ 179
Shift positions (see Gearshift).....138, 148
Shoulder and lap belts
(see Safety restraints)....... 98,100
Shoulder belts (see Safety restraints).... 100
Side mirrors............... 78
Sliding moon roof (see Moon roof)..... 74
Snow tires and chains.......... 214
Spare tire
changing the tire.........167, 170
conventional spare.......... 169
finding the spare........... 169
removing the spare tire........ 169
storing the flat tire........169, 171
temporary spare........... 168
Spark plugs, specifications........ 237
Speed control, turning off......... 72
Speedometer............... 19
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle..... 125
starting a cold engine......... 127
starting after a collision........ 130
starting a warm engine........ 127
starting your vehicle if the battery
is disabled............. 174
Steering, power............. 137
Steering wheel, locking........... 61
Storage compartments........... 80
File:prixp.ex
Update:Tue Jun 11 11:04:36 1996