Ford Aspire 1996

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Table of Contents

Introductory Information .........................................1

Safety Restraints.......................................................11

Starting Your Aspire ...............................................41

Warning Lights and Gauges .................................55

Instrument Panel Controls.....................................67

Steering Column Controls .....................................81

Features.......................................................................91

Electronic Sound Systems ....................................107

Driving Your Aspire .............................................119

Roadside Emergencies ..........................................137

Customer Assistance..............................................153

Reporting Safety Defects.................................160Accessories...............................................................165

Servicing Your Aspire...........................................173

Quick Index .............................................................247

Index..........................................................................257

Service Station Information -- 1.3L Engine .....276

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1

Introductory Information

Fords Commitment to You

At Ford Motor Company, excellence is thecontinuous commitment to achieve the bestresult possible. It is dedication to learning whatyou want, determination to develop the rightconcept, and execution of that concept with care,precision, and attention to detail. In short,excellence means being the standard by whichothers are judged.

Our Guiding Principles

Quality comes first.For your satisfaction, thequality of our products and services must beour number one priority.

You are the focus of everything we do. Ourwork must be done with you in mind,providing better products and services thanour competition.

Continuous improvement is essential to oursuccess. We must strive for excellence ineverything we do: in our products in theirsafety and value and in our services, ourhuman relations, our competitiveness, and

our profitability.Employee involvement is our way of life.

We are a team. We must treat one anotherwith trust and respect.

Dealers and suppliers are our partners. Wemust maintain mutually beneficialrelationships with dealers, suppliers, and ourother business associates.

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Integrity is never compromised. Our conductworldwide must be pursued in a manner that

is socially responsible and commands respectfor its integrity and for its positivecontributions to society.

Things to Know About UsingThis Guide

Congratulations on the purchase of your newvehicle. This guide has information about theequipment and the options for your new vehicle.You may not have bought all of the optionsavailable to you. If you do not know whichinformation applies to your vehicle, talk to yourdealer.

This guide describes equipment and givesspecifications for equipment that was in effectwhen this guide was approved for printing. Fordmay discontinue models or change specificationsor design without any notice and withoutincurring obligation.

NOTES and WARNINGS

NOTESgive you additional information aboutthe subject matter you are referencing.

WARNINGS remind you to be especially carefulin those areas where carelessness can causedamage to your vehicle or personal injury toyourself, your passengers or other people. Pleaseread all WARNINGScarefully.

RWARNING

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Finding Information in This Guide

After you have read this guide once, you will

probably return to it when you have a specificquestion or need additional information. To helpyou find specific information quickly, you canuse the Quick Index, Table of Contents, or theIndex.

The Quick Index at the end of the bookprovides a page number following each itemwhich indicates where detailed information canbe found.

To use the Index, turn to the back of the bookand search in the alphabetical listing for theword that best describes the information youneed. If the word you chose is not listed, thinkof other related words and look them up. Wehave designed the Index so that you can findinformation under a technical term.

Canadian Owners French Version

French Owner Guides can be obtained from yourdealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company ofCanada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3.

Your Maintenance Schedule andRecord Booklet

The Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet liststhe services that are most important for keeping

your vehicle in good condition. A record log isalso provided to help you keep track of allservices performed.

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About the Warranties

Your vehicle is covered by three types ofwarranties: Basic Vehicle Warranty, ExtendedWarranties on certain parts, and EmissionsWarranties.

Read your Warranty Information Bookletcarefullyto find out about your vehicles warranties andyour basic rights and responsibilities.

If you lose your Warranty Information Booklet,youcan get a new one free of charge. Contact any

Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to theaddresses and phone numbers on the first pageof this owner guide.

Buying a Ford Extended Service Plan

If you bought your vehicle in the U.S., you canbuy a Ford Extended Service Plan for yourvehicle. This optional contract provides serviceprotection for a longer period of time than thebasic warranty that comes with your vehicle.

You do not have to buy this option when youbuy your vehicle. However, your option topurchase the Ford Extended Service Plan runsout after 18 months or 18,000 miles. See yourdealer for more details about the Ford ExtendedService Plan.

If you purchased a Canadian vehicle and did nottake advantage of the Ford Extended ServicePlan at the time of purchase, you may still be

eligible. See your dealer for the details.

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Your Vehicle IdentificationNumber (VIN)

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN/Serial Number)

Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is the

same as the warranty number that appears onyour owner card. You should include thisnumber any time you write to Ford MotorCompany about your vehicle.

The Vehicle Identification Number is attached toyour vehicle in the following places:

on the metal tag attached to the top of thecowl top panel on the drivers side youcan see the tag by looking through thewindshield from outside your vehicle. It isrecessed in the top of the instrument panel.

on the Safety Compliance Certification label this label is attached to the left door lockpillar. It is required by the National HighwayTraffic Safety Administration and is made ofspecial material. If someone tampers with it,it will be destroyed or a series of diagonallines will appear.

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Safety Compliance Certification label location

The label contains the name of the manufacturer,the month and year of manufacture, the

certification statement and the VehicleIdentification Number. The label also containsGross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross AxleWeight Ratings, wheel and tire data andinformation codes for additional vehicle data.For further information about the SafetyCompliance Certification Label and theinformation contained on it, refer to the Index.

Federal Highway Administration

RegulationRegulations such as those issued by the FederalHighway Administration or issued pursuant tothe Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA),and/or state and local laws and regulations mayrequire additional equipment for the way youintend to use the vehicle. It is the responsibilityof the registered owner to determine the

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applicability of such laws and regulations toyour intended use for the vehicle, and toarrange for the installation of requiredequipment. Your Ford dealer has informationabout the availability of many items ofequipment which may be ordered for yourvehicle.

Breaking Your Vehicle In

Your new vehicle goes through an adjustment orbreak-in period during the first 1,000 miles(1,600 km) that you drive it. During the break-in

period, you need to pay careful attention to howyou drive your vehicle.

Avoid sudden stops.Because your vehiclehas new brake linings, you should take thesesteps:

Watch traffic carefully so that you cananticipate when to stop.

Begin braking well in advance.

Apply the brakes gradually.

The break-in period for new brake liningslasts for 100 miles (160 km) of city driving or1,000 miles (1,600 km) of highway driving.

Use only the type of engine oil that Fordrecommends.See Engine oil recommendationsin the Index. Do not use special break-inoils.

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Cleaning the Outside of YourVehicle

Washing and Polishing Your Vehicle

Wash the outside of your vehicle, including theunderside, with a mild detergent.

DO NOT:

Wash your vehicle with hot water

Wash your vehicle while it sits in directsunlight

Wash your vehicle while the body is hot

Pollen, bird droppings and tree sap can damagethe paint, especially in hot weather. Wash yourvehicle as often as necessary to keep it clean.

Take similar precautions if your vehicle isexposed to chemical industrial fallout.

Paint damage resulting from fallout is notrelated to a defect in paint materials orworkmanship and therefore is not covered bywarranty. Ford, however, believes that continualimprovement in customer satisfaction is a highpriority. For this reason, Ford has authorized itsdealers to repair, at no charge to the owner, thesurfaces of new vehicles damaged byenvironmental fallout within 12 months or 12,000miles (20,000 km) of purchase, whichever comesfirst. Customers may be required to bring their

vehicle in for inspection by a Fordrepresentative.

Polish your vehicle to remove harmful depositsand protect the finish.

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Cleaning Chrome and Aluminum Parts

Wash chrome and aluminum parts with a mild

detergent. Do not use steel wool, abrasivecleaners, fuel or strong detergents.

Cleaning Plastic Parts

Some of your vehicles exterior trim parts areplastic. Clean with a tar and road oil remover ifnecessary. Use a vinyl cleaner for routinecleaning.

Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents

or petroleum-based cleaners.If you have your vehicle rustproofed, removeoversprayed rustproofing with a tar and road oilremover. If rustproofing is not removed fromplastic and rubber parts, it can causedeterioration.

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Safety Restraints

Important Safety Belt Information

The use of safety belts helps to restrain you andyour passengers in case of a collision. In moststates and in Canada the law requires their use.

Safety belts provide best restraint when:

the seatback is upright

the occupant is sitting upright (not slouched)

the lap belt is snug and low on the hips

the shoulder belt is snug against the chest

the knees are straight forward

To help you remember to fasten your safety belt,a warning light may come on and a chime maysound. See Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime inthe Warning Lights and Gauges chapter.

See the following sections in this chapter fordirections on how to properly use these safetybelts. Also see Safety Restraints for Children in thischapter for special instructions about usingsafety belts for children.

RWARNING

Make sure that you and your passengerswear safety belts. Always drive and ridewith your seatback upright and the lapbelt snug and low across the hips.

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RWARNING

Never wear the shoulder belt under thearm. Never swing it around the neck overthe inside shoulder. Never use a singlebelt for more than one person or acrossmore than one seating position. Eachseating position in your vehicle has aspecific safety belt assembly which ismade up of one buckle and one tonguethat are designed to be used as a pair.Failure to follow these precautions could

increase the risk and/or severity of injuryin a collision.

RWARNING

Never drive or ride with a twisted orjammed safety belt. If you cannot untwistor unjam the safety belt, see the nearestqualified technician immediately.

RWARNINGTo reduce the risk of serious injury in acollision, children should always ride withthe seatback upright.

RWARNING

Never let a passenger hold a child on hisor her lap while the vehicle is moving.The passenger cannot protect the childfrom injury in a collision.

Lock the doors of your vehicle before driving tolessen the risk of the door coming open in acollision.

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Combination Lap and ShoulderBelts

While your vehicle is in motion, the combinationlap and shoulder belt adjusts to your movement.However, if you brake hard, turn hard, or ifyour vehicle receives an impact of 5 mph(8 km/h) or more, the lap/shoulder belt locksand helps reduce your forward movement.

After you get into your vehicle, close the doorand lock it. Then adjust the seat to the positionthat suits you best.

To fasten the belt, pull the combinationlap/shoulder belt from the retractor so that theshoulder portion of the belt crosses yourshoulder and chest. Be sure the belt is nottwisted. If it is, remove the twist. Insert the belttongue into the proper buckle until you hear asnap and feel it latch. Make sure the tongue issecurely fastened to the buckle by pulling ontongue.

Fastening the safety belt

Adjust the lap part of the belt by pulling up onthe shoulder belt until the lap belt fits snuglyand as low as possible around your hips.

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NOTE: Be sure to read and understandI mport ant Saf et y Belt I nf ormat ion atthe beginning of this chapter.

Unfastening the combination lap/shoulder belts frontand rear outboard seating positions

While the belt retracts, guide the tongue to itsoriginal position to prevent it from striking youor the vehicle.

Passenger Seat Lap/Shoulder Belt

Retractors (Dual Locking Modes)Your vehicle is equipped with a dual lockingmode retractor on the shoulder belt portion ofthe combination lap/shoulder safety belt for allpassengers.

Dual locking mode retractors operate in twoways:

Vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode

In this operating mode, the shoulder beltretractor will allow the occupant freedom ofmovement, locking tight only on hard braking,hard cornering, or impacts of approximately5 mph (8 km/h) or more. The retractor can alsobe made to lock by pulling on the belt.

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A u t o m a t i c l o ck i n g m o de

In this operating mode, the shoulder belt

retractor will be automatically locked and willremain locked when the combinationlap/shoulder safety belt is buckled, and does notallow the occupant freedom of movement. Thismode provides the following:

A tight lap/shoulder belt on the occupant.

Child safety seat installation.

RWARNING

Rear-facing infant seats should never beplaced in the front seats.

This mode must be used when installing a childsafety seat on the front passenger seat and rearoutboard seats where dual locking retractors areprovided.

To switch the retractor from the emergencylocking mode to the automatic locking mode,

perform the following steps:

1. Buckle the lap/shoulder combination belt.

2. Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt andpull downward until all of the belt isextracted, and when allowed to retract, aclicking sound will be heard. At this time,the belt retractor is in the automatic lockingmode (child restraint mode).

3. A clicking sound will continue to be heardas the belt is allowed to retract. Thisindicates that the retractor is in theautomatic locking mode.

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NOTE: When the combination lap/shoulderbelt is unbuckled and allowed toretract completely, the retractor will

switch to the vehicle sensitive(emergency) locking mode. See thedetailed instructions under Safety Seat sfor Childrenin this chapter.

Safety Belt Extension Assembly

For some people, the safety belt may be tooshort even when it is fully extended. You canadd about eight inches (20 cm) to the belt lengthwith a safety belt extension assembly (part

number 611C22). Safety belt extensions areavailable at no cost from your dealer.

RWARNING

Failure to follow these instructions willaffect the performance of the safety beltsand increase the risk of personal injury.

Safety Belt Maintenance

Check the safety belt systems periodically tomake sure that they work properly and are notdamaged.

All safety belt assemblies, including retractors,buckles, front seat belt buckle support assemblies(slide bar) (if equipped), child safety seat tetherbracket assemblies (if equipped), and attachinghardware, should be inspected after anycollision. Ford recommends that all safety belt

assemblies used in vehicles involved in acollision be replaced. However, if the collisionwas minor and a qualified technician finds thatthe belts do not show damage and continue tooperate properly, they do not need to bereplaced. Safety belt assemblies not in useduring a collision should also be inspected andreplaced if either damage or improper operationis noted.

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Cleaning the Safety Belts

Clean the safety belts with any mild soap

solution that is recommended for cleaningupholstery or carpets. Do not bleach or dye thebelt webbing because this may weaken it.

Air Bag Supplemental RestraintSystem (SRS)

The driver and right front passenger air bags areSupplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), providedat these seating positions in addition to the

lap/shoulder belt, and are designed tosupplement the protection provided to properlybelted occupants in moderate to severe frontalcollisions. The supplemental air bag system doesnot provide restraint to the lower body.

The Importance of Wearing Safety Belts

RWARNING

Safety belts must be worn by all vehicle

occupants to be properly restrained andhelp reduce the risk of injury in acollision.

RWARNING

All occupants of the vehicle, including thedriver, should always wear their safetybelts, even when an air bag SupplementalRestraint System is provided.

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There are four very important reasons to usesafety belts even with an air bag system. Useyour safety belts to:

help keep you in the proper position (awayfrom the air bag) when it inflates

reduce the risk of harm in rollover, side orrear impact collisions, because an air bag isnot designed to inflate in such situations

reduce the risk of harm in frontal collisionsthat are not severe enough to activate thesupplemental air bag

reduce the risk of being thrown from yourvehicle

The Importance of Being Properly Seated

In a collision, the air bag must inflate extremelyfast to help provide additional protection foryou. In order to do this, the air bag must inflatewith considerable force. If you are not seated ina normal riding position with your back against

the seatback, the air bag may not protect youproperly and could possibly hurt you as itinflates.

RWARNING

If a passenger is not properly seated andrestrained, an inflating air bag could causeserious injury.

RWARNINGRear-facing infant seats should never beplaced in the front seat.

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In rear-facing infant seats, the infants head iscloser to the air bag. The force of the rapidlyinflating air bag could push the top of the

rear-facing seat against the vehicle seatback orcenter armrests (if so equipped), or centerconsole (if so equipped). REAR-FACINGINFANT CARRIERS MUST ALWAYS BESECURED IN THE REAR SEAT, and other childsafety seats and infant seats should be secured inthe rear seat whenever possible.

RWARNING

When using forward-facing child seatsmove the passenger seat as far back fromthe instrument panel as possible. NEVERSECURE REAR-FACING INFANT SEATSIN THE FRONT SEAT.

The force of the rapidly inflating passenger airbag could push the top of the rear-facing seatagainst the vehicle seatback, armrests, or console.Rear-facing infant seats must always be secured

in the rear seat.

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RWARNING

Do not place objects or mount equipment

on or near the air bag cover on thesteering wheel or in front seat areas thatmay come in contact with a deploying airbag. Failure to follow this instruction mayincrease the risk of personal injury in theevent of a collision.

For further information about the propermounting of equipment in the front seat of thisvehicle, please refer to Fords brochure entitled

Some Important Information About Air BagSupplemental Restraint Systemwhich can beobtained by calling Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356.Ask for brochure FPS-8602.

For additional important safety information onthe proper use of seat belts, child seats, andinfant seats, please read the other sections of thischapter of the Owner Guide, especially sectionsentitled Safety Belts for Childrenand Safety Seats

for Children.How the Air Bag Supplemental RestraintSystem Operates

The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint Systemconsists of the Driver and Passenger air bags,impact sensors, a system diagnostic module, areadiness light and tone, and the electricalwiring which connects the components. Thediagnostic module monitors its own internal

circuits and the supplemental air bag electricalsystem readiness, including crash sensors, thesystem wiring, the air bag readiness light, the airbag back up power, and the supplemental airbag ignitors.

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The driver air bag is in the center of the steeringwheel. The front passenger seat air bag islocated in the center section of the instrument

panel ledge above the glove compartment. Bothair bags are designed to stay out of sight untilthey are activated.

Location of air bags and warning labels

If a collision occurs, the sensors sense the

severity of the impact and activate the air bags ifnecessary. The air bag system is designed todeploy in frontal and front-angled collisionsmore severe than hitting a parked vehicle (ofsimilar size and weight) head-on at about28 mph (45 km/h). Because the system sensesthe crash severity rather than vehicle speed,

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some frontal collisions at speeds above 28 mph(45 km/h) will not inflate the air bag.

When the sensors activate the system, the airbags inflate rapidly, filling with non-toxicnitrogen gas in a fraction of a second.Immediately after inflation, the air bags deflateby releasing the nitrogen gas through vent holes.The whole process takes place in a matter ofseconds.

RWARNING

Air bag system components get hot afterinflation. Do not touch them afterinflation.

Inflated driver air bag

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Inflated passenger air bag

RWARNING

If the air bag is inflated, THE AIR BAGWILL NOT FUNCTION AGAIN ANDMUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. Ifthe air bag is not replaced, the unrepairedarea will increase the risk of injury in acollision.

To ensure that the air bag system will operate asintended in a crash, the system is equipped witha diagnostic module, which controls a readiness

lamp and a warning tone. The diagnosticmodule monitors its own circuits, the air bagelectrical system, the air bag readiness light, theair bag power and the air bag inflators.

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The air bag system uses a readiness light on theinstrument cluster and a tone to indicate thecondition of the system. When you turn the

ignition key to the ON position, this light willilluminate for approximately six (6) seconds andthen turn off. This indicates that the system isoperating normally. NOTE: Maintenance of theair bag system is not required.

A problem with the system is indicated by oneor more of the following:

the readiness light will either flash or stay lit,

or it will not light immediately after ignitionis turned on,

or a group of five beeps will be heard. Thetone pattern will repeat periodically until theproblem and light are repaired.

If any of these things happen, have the air bagsystem serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercurydealer immediately. Unless serviced, the air bagSupplemental Restraint System may not function

properly in the event of a collision.

RWARNING

Do not attempt to service, repair, ormodify the Air Bag SupplementalRestraint System or its fuses. See yourFord or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.

Di sposal of air bags or air bag equipped

vehicles

For disposal of air bags or air bag equippedvehicles, see your local Ford or Lincoln-Mercurydealer. Air bags MUSTbe disposed of byqualified personnel.

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Safety Restraints for Children

In the U.S. and Canada, you are required by law

to use safety restraints for children. If smallchildren ride in your vehicle this generallyincludes children who are four years old oryounger and who weigh 40 pounds (18 kg) orless you must put them in safety seats thatare made specially for children. Safety beltsalone do not provide maximum protection forthese children. Check your local and state lawsfor specific requirements.

RWARNING

Never let a passenger hold a child on hisor her lap while the vehicle is moving.The passenger cannot protect the childfrom injury in a collision.

RWARNING

To prevent the risk of injury, make surechildren sit where they can be properlyrestrained.

RWARNING

It is extremely dangerous to ride in acargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle.In a collision, people riding in theseareas are more likely to be seriouslyinjured or killed.Do not allow people to ride in any area ofyour vehicle that is not equipped withseats and safety belts.Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in aseat and using a safety belt properly.

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When possible, put children in the rear seat ofyour vehicle. Accident statistics suggest thatchildren are safer when properly restrained in

the rear seating positions than in the frontseating positions.

RWARNING

Carefully follow all of the manufacturersinstructions included with the safety seatyou put in your vehicle. If you do notinstall and use the safety seat properly,the child may be injured in a sudden stop

or collision.

RWARNING

Safety belts and seats can become hot in avehicle that has been closed up in sunnyweather; they could burn a small child.Check seat covers and buckles before youplace a child anywhere near them.

RWARNING

Never leave a child unattended in yourvehicle.

Safety Seats for Children

Use a safety seat that is recommended for thesize and weight of the child. Always follow thesafety seat manufacturers instructions wheninstalling and using the safety seat.

Ford recommends the use of a child safety seathaving a top tether strap. Install the child safetyseat in a seating position which is capable ofproviding a tether anchorage. For moreinformation on top tether straps see AttachingSafety Seats With Tether Strapsin this chapter.

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When installing a child safety seat, be sure touse the correct safety belt buckle for that seatingposition, and make sure the tongue is securely

fastened in the buckle.Your vehicle is equipped with a right frontpassenger air bag. Air bags deploy with greatforce, faster than the blink of an eye. Frontpassengers, especially children and small adults,must never sit on the front edge of the seat,stand near the glove compartment of theinstrument panel, or lean over near the air bagcover when the vehicle is moving. All occupants

should sit with their backs against the seatback,move the seat to the most rearward position ifpossible and use the safety belts. Childrenweighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg) always shoulduse child or infant seats.

RWARNING

When using forward-facing child seatsmove the passenger seat as far back fromthe instrument panel as possible. NEVERSECURE REAR-FACING INFANT SEATSIN THE FRONT SEAT.

The force of the rapidly inflating passenger airbag could push the top of the rear-facing seatagainst the vehicle seatback, armrests or console.Rear-facing infant seats must always be securedin the rear seat.

All child restraint systems are designed to be

secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or by thelap portion of a lap-shoulder belt.

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RWARNING

If you do not properly secure the safety

seat, the child occupying the seat may beinjured during a collision or sudden stop.An unsecured safety seat could also injureother passengers.

RWARNING

Carefully follow all of the manufacturersinstructions included with the safety seatyou put in your vehicle. If you do not

install and use the safety seat properly,the child may be injured in a sudden stopor collision.

RWARNING

Always keep the buckle release buttonpointing upward and away from the childseat, with the tongue between the childseat and the release button as shown in

the following illustration.

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Safety belt buckle placement for child seats

Using the Dual Locking Mode RetractorWhen Installing a Child Safety Seat

Your vehicle is equipped with a dual lockingmode retractor on the shoulder belt portoin ofthe front passenger seat and both rear seats. Theautomatic locking mode must be used wheninstalling a child seat or infant carrier in thefront passenger seat or rear seats.

RWARNING

Never install a rear-facing child seat or

infant carrier in the right front passengerseat.

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RWARNING

Carefully follow all of the manufacturers

instructions included with the safety seatyou put in your vehicle. If you do notinstall and use the safety seat properly,the child may be injured in a sudden stopor collision.

If you choose to install a child safety seat in thefront seat, move the seat as far back as possible.

1. Position the child seat or infant carrier onthe passenger seat of the vehicle.

2. Pull down on shoulder belt, then graspshoulder belt and lap belt together. SeeFigure 1.

Grasping the shoulder and lap belt together

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3. While holding the shoulder and lap beltportions together, route the tongue throughthe child seat according to the child seat

manufacturers instructions. See Figure 2. Besure the belt webbing is not twisted, andinsert the tongue into the buckle. SeeFigure 3.

Routing the lap/shoulder belt

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Checking that the seat is secure

Removing slack from the belt

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Removing slack from the belt

6. Before placing the child in the child seat,forcibly tilt the seat from side to side, andtug it forward to make sure that the seat issecurely held in place. See Figure 7.

7. Double-check that the retractor is in theautomatic locking mode. Try to pull morebelt out of the retractor. If you cannot, thebelt is in the automatic locking mode. SeeFigure 8.

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Checking that retractor is in automatic locking mode

8. Check to make sure that the child seat isproperly secured prior to each use. If theretractor is not locked, repeat steps 4through 7.

NOTE: To remove the retractor from theautomatic lock mode, allow the seat belt toretract fully to its stowed position and theretractor will automatically switch back to thevehicle sensitive locking mode for normal adultusage.

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Tether Anchorage Hardware

All vehicles built for sale in Canada include atether anchor hardware kit for use with

Canadian child safety seats.

Your vehicle has two tether attachment locationsin the luggage compartment. To access the tetherattachment locations, you must pry off the caps.

Be sure to follow the child safety seatmanufacturers instructions.

RWARNING

Tighten the anchor according tospecifications. Otherwise, the safety seatmay not be properly secured and the childmay be injured in a sudden stop orcollision.

Installing and positioning the anchor bracket

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Install the hardware for anchoring the tetherfollowing the instructions in the tether anchoragehardware kit. When attaching the anchor bracket

to the anchor, position the anchor bracketstraight up.

Safety Belts for Children

Children who are too large for child safety seatsshould always wear safety belts. (See instructionswith your child seat, or contact its manufacturer,to determine maximum size of child that willsafely fit in the seat.)

RWARNINGIf safety belts are not properly worn andadjusted as described, the risk of seriousinjury to the child in a collision will bemuch greater.

If the shoulder belt portion of one of the lap andshoulder belts can be positioned so that it doesnot cross or rest in front of the childs face or

neck, the child should wear the lap and shoulderbelt. Moving the child closer to the center of thevehicle may help provide a good shoulder beltfit.

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To improve the fit of lap and shoulder belts onchildren who have outgrown child safety seats,Ford recommends use of a belt-positioning

booster seat that is labelled as conforming to allFederal motor vehicle safety standards.Belt-positioning booster seats raise the child andprovide a shorter, firmer seating cushion thatencourages safer seating posture and better fit oflap and shoulder belts on the child. Abelt-positioning booster should be used if theshoulder belt rests in front of the childs face orneck, or if the lap belt does not fit snugly onboth thighs, or if the thighs are too short to let

the child sit all the way back on the seat cushionwhen the lower legs hang over the edge of theseat cushion. You may wish to discuss thespecific needs of your child with yourpediatrician.

RWARNING

Do not use a belt-positioning booster witha lap-only belt.

Lap belts and the lap belt portion of lap andshoulder belts should always be worn snuglyand below the hips, touching the childs thighs.

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Emergency O verri de System

Your vehicle has a cap covering the overridemechanism for the shift-lock feature. If you have

to use the override procedure to move thegearshift lever out of the P (Park) position,follow these instructions:

1. Remove the shift-lock override cap with a 1or longer screwdriver.

2. Insert the screwdriver into the shift-lockoverride opening and push the screwdriverhandle down.

Operating the shift-lock override mechanism

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Starting Your Vehicle

Preparing to Start Your Vehicle

RWARNING

Do not start your vehicle in a closedgarage or other enclosed area. Never sit ina stopped vehicle for more than a shortperiod of time with the engine running.Exhaust fumes are toxic. See GuardingAgainst Exhaust Fumesin this chapter formore instructions.

Before you start your vehicle, do the following:1. Make sure all occupants in the vehicle

buckle their safety belts. See Safety Restraintsin the Index for more details.

2. Make sure the headlamps and otheraccessories are turned off when starting.

3. If you have an automatic transaxle, makesure that the gearshift is in P (Park) and the

parking brake is set before you turn the key.If you have a manual transaxle, make surethat the parking brake is fully set, push theclutch pedal to the floor, and put thegearshift into Neutral before you turn thekey. (Remember, the starter will operateonly if the clutch pedal is pushed all theway to the floor.)

Before you start your vehicle, you should test

the warning lights on the instrument panel tomake sure that they work. Refer to the WarningLights and Gaugeschapter.

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For a cold engine:

At temperatures 10F (-12C) and below:Ifthe engine does not start in fifteen (15)

seconds on the first try, turn the key to OFF,wait approximately ten (10) seconds so youdo not flood the engine, then try again.

At temperatures above 10F (-12C): If theengine does not start in five (5) seconds onthe first try, turn the key to OFF, waitapproximately ten (10) seconds so you do notflood the engine, then try again.

For a warm engine:

Do not hold the key in the START positionfor more than five (5) seconds at a time. Ifthe engine does not start within five (5)seconds on the first try, turn the key to theOFF position. Wait a few seconds after thestarter stops, then try again.

Whenever you start your vehicle, release the keyas soon as the engine starts. Excessive cranking

could damage the starter.After starting, allow the engine to idle for a fewseconds before driving away.

NOTE: Automatic transaxle equipped vehicleshave an interlock that prevents youfrom shifting out of P (Park) unlessyour foot is on the brake pedal.

If the engine does not start after two attempts:

1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor

and hold it.

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Using the Engine Block Heater

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Using the Engine Block Heater(If equipped)

Engine block heaters are strongly recommended

if you live in a region where temperatures reach-10F (-23C) or below. An engine block heaterwarms the engine coolant, which improvesstarting, warms up the engine faster, and allowsthe heater-defrost system to respond quickly.

To turn the heater on, simply plug it into agrounded 110-volt outlet. Ford recommends thatyou use a 110-volt circuit that is protected by aground fault circuit interrupter.

RWARNING

To prevent electrical shock, do not useyour heater with ungrounded electricalsystems or two-pronged (cheater) adapters.

For best results, plug the heater in at least threehours before you start your vehicle. Using theheater for longer than three hours will notdamage the engine, so you can plug it in at

night to start your vehicle the followingmorning.

If the Engine Cranks but DoesNot Start or Does Not Start Aftera Collision

Fuel Pump Shut-Off Switch

If the engine cranks but does not start or does

not start after a collision, the fuel pump shut-offswitch may have been triggered. The shut-offswitch is a device intended to stop the fuelpump when your vehicle has been involved in amajor jolt.

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If your engine cranks but does not start after a

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If your engine cranks but does not start after acollision or major jolt:

1. Turn the key in the ignition to the LOCK

position.2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.

3. If you do not see or smell fuel, remove thedoor covering the fuel pump shut-off switchcompartment by pressing the tab toward therear seat. Push down the red reset button onthe fuel pump shut-off switch.

4. Attempt to start your vehicle. If the vehicle

starts, let it run a few seconds, then turn thekey to the LOCK position.

5. Check under the vehicle again for leakingfuel. If you see or smell fuel, do not startyour vehicle again. If you do not see orsmell fuel, you can try to start your vehicleagain.

RWARNING

Do not start your vehicle in a closedgarage or other enclosed area. Never sit ina stopped vehicle for more than a shortperiod of time with the engine running.Exhaust fumes are toxic. See GuardingAgainst Exhaust Fumesin this chapter formore instructions.

Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes

Carbon monoxide, although colorless andodorless, is present in exhaust fumes. Takeprecautions to avoid its dangerous effects.

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56In

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6 nstrume

ntpanel

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RWARNING

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The BRAKE light indicates that the brakesmay not be working properly. Have the

brakes checked immediately.

Charging System Light

This light, shown as a battery symbol on yourcluster, indicates that your battery is not beingcharged and that you need to have the electricalsystem checked.

Charging system light

This light comes on every time you turn theignition to the ON or START position (engineoff). The light should go off when the engine

starts and the alternator begins to charge.If the light stays on or comes on when theengine is running, have the electrical systemchecked as soon as possible.

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High Beam Light

Thi li ht m h th h dl m

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This light comes on when the headlamps areturned to high beam or when you flash the

lights.

High beam light

Check Engine Warning LightThis light comes on when the electronic enginecontrol system is not working properly. This isthe computer system that controls the operatingconditions of the engine.

Check engine warning light

This light comes on briefly when you turn theignition to the ON position, but should turn offwhen the engine starts. If the light does notcome on when you turn the ignition to the ONposition or if it comes on and stays on whenyou are driving, have your vehicle serviced assoon as possible. This indicates a possibleproblem with one of the engines emissioncontrol systems. You do not need to have yourvehicle towed in.

If the light turns on and off briefly while youare driving, it means that the condition is no

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glonger present.

Air Bag Readiness LightThis light illuminates for six seconds when theignition is turned to the ON position. If the lightfails to illuminate, continues to flash, remains on,or if a series of five beeps is heard, have thesystem serviced as soon as possible.

Air bag readiness light

Rear Window Defroster Indicator Light(If equipped)

When the rear window defroster is activated, theindicator light in the instrument cluster

illuminates. After the rear window is clear, pushthe defroster switch to turn off the defroster. Thelight in the cluster goes out.

Rear window defroster indicator light

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Ventilating Your Vehicle With Outside Air

On mild days, you may want to ventilate yourvehicle with outside air. To open the vents:

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p

1. Move the function selector lever to the Q(panel) position.

2. Move the air door control lever to theN(fresh air) position.

3. Set the fan H speed as desired.

Tips for Controlling the Temperature inYour Vehicle

To vary the temperature inside your vehicle,move the temperature selector toward the redarea for warmer air and toward the blue areafor cooler air.

If you drive with the fan off and thewindows closed, the windows may fog up.To prevent fogging:

1. Set the function selector lever to theV(defrost) position.

2. Set the desired temperature.

3. Set the desired H speed.

4. Always use theN (fresh air) setting onthe air door control lever.

Do not put objects under the front seats thatwill interfere with the flow of air to the backseats.

Remove any snow, ice, or leaves from thearea below the windshield on the outside ofyour vehicle. They could block the air intake.

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Windshield wiper control lever

ONE-TOUCH WIPER SWITCH (If equipped) For one wiping cycle, push the lever away fromyou and release it with the lever in the OFFposition. The ignition switch must be in the ON

position for this operation.

One-touch wiper switch

Windshield Washer

To clean the windshield, turn the wiper switchon and pull the lever toward you. Washer fluidis sprayed until the lever is released. When thewindshield is clean, turn the wiper switch toOFF.

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Horn

To sound the horn, push the horn button oneither side of the steering wheel. Check the hornregularly to be sure it operates properly.

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Using the horn

Features

h l h f f d d

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Your vehicle has a variety of features designedfor your comfort, convenience and safety. Readthis chapter to find out about standard andoptional features.

Doors

Locking the door s

Either front door can be locked or unlocked withthe key.

Using the key to lock or unlock the front door

Once the door is unlocked, you may open it bypulling the door handle upward.

To lock the doors without using your key, push

the inside lock button down, then close the door.

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Adjusting the Seats

In the front seats, you can move the whole seatforward or backward or tilt the back of the seatforward or backward.

To move the seat forward or backward:

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1. Make sure nothing is placed under the frontseats. Such items may interfere with the seatlock mechanism.

2. Find the seat slide adjustment lever locatedon the outside of the seat.

3. Pull the lever up and hold it.

4. Slide the seat to the position you desire.5. Release the lever and make sure the seat has

locked in place.

Seat slide adjustment lever

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To raise the rear seatback:

1. Push the seatback upward until it locks inplace.

2. Make sure the seatback is firmly locked bypushing forward and backward on it.

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Folding down the full-folding rear seatback

Folding down the split-folding rear seatback

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RWARNING

Do not pile cargo higher than theseatbacks to avoid injuring people in acollision or sudden stop.

RWARNING

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Do not remove the floor carpet in yourvehicle. Emission controls cause highexhaust temperatures under the floor.

NOTE: When returning the folding seats to theupright position, remember to returnrear shoulder belts to their proper

position. Routing the safety beltwebbing through the rear safety beltguides will help keep belts from beingtrapped behind or under the seats.

Cleaning the Seats

V i n y l

Wipe the surface with a damp, soft cloth, thendry and buff with a dry, soft cloth.

Fabric

Remove dust and loose dirt with a whisk broomor a vacuum cleaner. Remove fresh spotsimmediately. Follow the directions that comewith the cleaner.

NOTE: Before using any cleaner, test it on asmall, hidden area of fabric. If thefabrics color or texture is adversely

affected by a particular cleaner, do notuse it.

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ElectronicSt

ereoRadi

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o

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Electronic Stereo and StereoCassette Radios

Using the Controls on Your New Radio

H o w t o t u r n t h e r a d i o o n a n d a d j u s t t h e

v o l u m e

Press the POWER button to turn the radio on.P i i i ff

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Press it again to turn it off.

Press the right (+) side of the VOLUMEbutton to increase the volume. Press the left ()side of the button to decrease the volume.Illuminated bars in the display show the relativevolume level.

NOTE: If the volume level is set above acertain listening level when theignition switch is turned off, when theignition switch is turned back on, thevolume will come back to a nominallistening level. However, if the radiopower is turned off (with thePOWER button), the volume willremain in the position it was set atwhen radio power was turned off.

Sel ect i ng t he AM or FM frequency band

Push the AM/FM button to select the desiredfrequency band. Pushing the button more thanonce will alternate between AM, FM1 and FM2.These functions are used with the stationmemory buttons described under How to tuneradio stations.

How t o t une r adio st ati ons (Ster eo Radio)

There are three ways for you to tune in to aparticular station. You can manually locate thestation by using the TUNE button, SEEK thestation or select the station by using the memorypreset buttons, which you can set to any desiredfrequency.

How t o tune r adio st ati ons (Ster eo Cassett e

Radio)

There are four ways for you to tune in to aparticular station. You can manually locate thestation by using Automatic Music Search(AMS), SEEK the station, SCAN to thestation or select the station by using the memorybuttons, which you can set to any desired

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y yfrequency.

Using the AMS function to manually tuneyour radio (Stereo Cassette Radio)

You can change the frequency up or downone increment at a time by first pressing the

AMS button (display shows TUNE) thenwithin approximately five seconds pressingand releasing either the right a or left bside of the SEEK button. To changefrequencies quickly, press and hold downeither the right or left side of the SEEKbutton.

Manual tuning adjusts your radio to anyallowable broadcast frequency, whether or

not a station is present on that frequency.(See All About Radio Frequencies in thissection.)

Using the SEEK function

This feature on your radio allows you toautomatically select listenable stations up ordown the frequency band. Press the right aside of the SEEK button to select the nextlistenable station up the frequency band.

Press the left b side of the button to selectthe next listenable station down thefrequency band. By holding the button down,listenable stations can be passed over to reachthe desired station.

Using the SCAN function (Stereo CassetteRadio)

Press the SCAN button to enter the scanmode. The radio will begin scanning up thefrequency band, stopping on each listenablestation for approximately a five-secondsampling. This continues until you press theSCAN button a second time.

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Setting the Station Memory Preset buttons

Your radio is equipped with 5 stationmemory buttons. These buttons can be usedto select up to 5 preset AM stations and 10preset FM stations (5 in FM1 and 5 in FM2).

Follow the easy steps below to set these buttonsto the desired frequencies:

1. Select a band, then select a frequency.

2. Press one of the memory preset buttons andhold the button until the sound returns. Thatstation is now held in memory on thatbutton.

3. Follow the two steps above for each station

memory preset button you want to set.

NOTE: If the vehicles battery is disconnected,the clock and station memory presetbuttons (if programmed in auto mode)will need to be reset.

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NOTE: Illuminated bars show relative levels ofbass and treble and positions ofspeaker balance and fader functionsafter adjustments are made, then revertto volume level set.

Using the Controls of Your Cassette TapePlayer

H o w t o i n ser t a t a pe

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p

Insert a cassette (with the open edge to theright) firmly into the tape door opening, makingsure the cassette is completely in and seated.

H o w t o l o ca t e a d esi r ed t r a ck o n t h e t a p e

NOTE: The tape track or side numberindicated in the display does notnecessarily correspond to the tape trackor side number on the cassette label. Itis used only to indicate when the tapemechanism reverses tracks.

Using the Automatic Music Search (AMS)function with cassette tape player

Press and hold the AMS button (AMS

will appear in the display). Then, push thelefth button to rewind to the beginningof the current selection or press the right

g button to fast forward to the beginningof the next selection.

Fast forwarding the tape

Push the rightg button to fast forwardthe tape.

Rewinding the tapePush the lefth button to rewind the tape.

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To minimize these conditions, a stereo/monoblend circuit has been incorporated into thissystem. This feature automatically switches aweak stereo signal to a clearer monaural signal,which improves the quality of reception.

Several sources of static are normal conditionson AM frequencies. These can be caused bypower lines, electric fences, traffic lights andthunderstorms.

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thunderstorms.

Another reception phenomenon is Strong SignalCapture and Overload. This can occur whenlistening to a weak station and when passinganother broadcast tower. The close station maycapture the more distant station, although thedisplayed frequency does not change. Whilepassing the tower, the station may switch backand forth a few times before returning to theoriginal station.

When several broadcast towers are present(common in metropolitan areas) several stationsmay overload the receiver, resulting inconsiderable station changing, mixing anddistortion.

Automatic gain control circuitry for both AMand FM bands has been incorporated into thissystem to reduce strong signal capture andoverload.

All About Radio Frequencies

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)and the Canadian Radio Telecommunications

Commission (CRTC) establish the frequenciesAM and FM radio stations may use for theirbroadcasts. The allowable frequencies are, AM:530, 540...1600, 1610 kHz in 10 kHz steps; FM:87.9, 88.1...107.7, 107.9 MHz in 0.2 MHz steps.

Not all frequencies will be assigned to a givenarea. This radio will tune to each of thesefrequencies using manual tune and no finetuning is necessary as radio stations may not useother frequencies.

Some FM radio stations advertise arounded-off frequency which is not thefrequency they actually broadcast on. Forexample, a radio station that is assigned a

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p , gfrequency of 98.7 MHz may call itself Radio 99even though 99.0 MHz is not an allowable FMbroadcast frequency.

Important Warranty and Service

InformationWarranty

Your sound system is warranted for three yearsor 36,000 miles (60,000 kilometers), whichevercomes first. Consult your vehicle warrantybooklet for further information. Ask your dealerfor a copy of this limited warranty.

Service

At Ford Electronics, we stand behind our audiosystems with a comprehensive service and repairprogram. If anything should go wrong withyour Ford audio system, return to your dealerfor service. There is a nationwide network ofqualified Ford authorized repair centers to assistyou.

Driving Your Aspire

Procedures for driving your vehicle will varydepending on which type oftransaxleyourvehicle has. You may be familiar with the termtransmission. We use transaxlebecause it is a

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more accurate term for vehicles that havefront-wheel drive.

Your Aspire has one of two types of transaxles:

a manual five-speed

an automatic three-speed

Driving With an AutomaticTransaxle (If equipped)

Putting Your Vehicle in Gear

The automatic transaxle provides fully automaticoperation in D (Drive). For manual control, start

in 1 (First) or 2 (Second) and then shiftmanually.

Your vehicle is equipped with an ElectronicPowertrain Control Module that limits engineand/or vehicle speeds with a cut-out mode topromote durability.

Using a Console-Mounted Gearshift

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Automatic console-mounted gearshift lever

Your automatic transaxle vehicle has aconsole-mounted shift selector lever. You muststep on the brake pedal, start the engine, and

then push in the thumb button to move the shiftselector lever to the position you choose.

RWARNING

Hold the brake pedal down while youmove the gearshift lever from position toposition. If you do not hold the brakepedal down, your vehicle may moveunexpectedly and injure someone.

NOTE: If the gearshift selector lever will notmove with the key on and the brakepedal depressed refer to Shift-locksystem in the Index.

Once the gearshift is secure in the desiredposition, release the brake pedal and use theaccelerator as necessary.

Backing Up

With the gearshift in the R (Reverse) position,the vehicle will move backward. You shouldalways come to a complete stop before shiftinginto or out of R (Reverse).

Driving

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Driving

W hen t o use D ( Dr i ve)

This is the normal driving position for your car.As your vehicle picks up speed the transaxle

will automatically upshift. The transaxle willautomatically downshift as speed decreases.

When to use 1 ( Fir st)

Do not go faster than 40 mph (64 km/h) in thisgear. You can upshift from 1 (First) into 2(Second) or D (Drive) at any speed.

W hen t o use 2 (Second)

Manually shift to 2 (Second) when driving in

heavy, slow moving traffic, when climbing hills,for braking on steep hills, or for starting on slicksurfaces. Do not go faster than the posted speedlimit in this gear.

Parking

Always come to a complete stop before you shiftinto P (Park). Make sure that the gearshift issecurely latched in P (Park). This locks thetransaxle and prevents the front wheels fromrotating.

RWARNING

Always set the parking brake fully andmake sure the gearshift is securely latchedin P (Park).

RWARNING

Never leave your vehicle unattendedwhile it is running.

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You can tell the gearshift is securely latchedwhen the thumb button has popped out. In thisposition the gearshift selector lever cannot bemoved unless the button is pushed in.

RWARNING

Hold the brake pedal down while youmove the gearshift lever from position toposition. If you do not hold the brakepedal down, your vehicle may moveunexpectedly and injure someone.

Driving With a Manual

Transaxle (If equipped)Using the ClutchAfter the engine starts, allow it to idle for a fewseconds. Then, hold your right foot on the brakepedal, push the clutch pedal to the floor withyour left foot, and move the shift selector leverinto 1 (First) or R (Reverse).

To move the vehicle, lift your right foot off thebrake pedal and slowly release the clutch pedal.(You need to press down slowly on theaccelerator at the same time you release theclutch pedal.)

Do not drive with your foot resting on theclutch pedal and do not use the clutch to holdyour vehicle at a standstill while waiting on ahill. These actions will seriously reduce clutchlife.

Driving with your foot resting on the clutch maycause the vehicle to jerk sharply when pressingor removing your other foot from theaccelerator.

Shifti th G

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Shifting the Gears

The gearshift for a manual transaxle is mountedon the floor. The gearshift can be in one ofseven possible positions, as shown.

Shift pattern

Always push the clutch pedal all the way inwhen you shift. You should upshift according tothe speeds given in the chart later in thischapter.

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U p s h i f t i n g

Most of the time, you should upshift at thefollowing speeds:

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For better fuel economy, shift at these speeds.

D o w n s h i f t i n g

When you slow down or climb a steep hill,always downshift before the engine starts to losepower. Downshifting reduces the chance ofstalling and gives your vehicle better accelerationto increase speed again.

When you drive down steep hills, downshiftinghelps you keep a safe speed and helps prevent

unnecessary wear on the brakes.

When you come to a stop, do not downshiftthrough each gear. Disengage the clutch and usethe brake as necessary. Downshifting throughthe gears decreases your vehicles fuel economy.

P a r k i n g

To park your vehicle, shift into 1 (First), set theparking brake fully, and turn off the ignition.

RWARNING

Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, itmay move unexpectedly and injuresomeone. Use 1 (First) gear and set theparking brake fully.

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Steering Your Vehicle (Power steering ifequipped)

Your car may be equipped with power steering.Power steering uses energy from the engine to

help steer your car.

If the amount of effort needed to steer yourvehicle changes at a constant vehicle speed, havethe power steering system checked. If the powersteering system breaks down (or if the engine isturned off), you can steer the vehicle manuallybut it takes more effort.

Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme

right or left for more than five seconds if theengine is running. This can damage the powersteering pump.

Brakes

Applying the Brakes

Your vehicle is equipped with a power frontdisc/rear drum brake system that adjustsautomatically as the brake pads and linings

wear.If power assist is lost you can still stop yourvehicle by applying greater force to the brakepedal than you normally would. The stoppingdistance, however, is longer.

When the engine is not running or has stalled,the power assist is interrupted. The reservebrake power is partially depleted each time thebrake pedal is applied and released. Do notpump the brake pedal when the power assisthas been interrupted, unless it is necessary tomaintain steering control on slippery surfaces.

Apply the brake pedal gradually. Use thesqueeze technique push on the brake pedalwith a steadily increasing force. This allows thewheels to continue to roll while ou are slowing

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wheels to continue to roll while you are slowingdown, which lets you steer properly.

Extreme braking can make the wheels lock andslide, causing you to lose control of the steering.

If you lock the wheels, release the brake pedaland repeat the squeeze technique.

Do not drive with your foot resting on the brakepedal; you will wear out the linings and increaseyour vehicles stopping distance. Brake rotordamage may also eventually occur.

NOTE: If you are driving down a long orsteep hill, shift to a lower gear and donot apply your brakes continuously. If

you apply your brakes continuously,they may overheat and become lesseffective.

Occasional brake squeal during light to moderatestops does not affect the function of the brakesystem and is normal. However, if the squealbecomes louder or more frequent, have yourbrakes inspected by your dealer or a qualifiedservice technician.

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)(If equipped)

The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) prevents thebrakes from locking up. Whenever your wheels

start to lock during maximum braking, thesystem automatically releases and re-applies thefront wheel brakes independently and the rearbrakes as a set. You can feel the system workingwhen the brake pedal pulses.

Despite this improvement in braking you should

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Despite this improvement in braking, you shouldcontinue to be careful in all driving situations,especially when driving on extremely slipperyroad surfaces. Maximum braking on roads withloose surfaces such as snow or gravel, uneven

pavement, or alternating patches of slippery anddry surfaces, may reduce the directional controlof your car, even with the Anti-lock BrakeSystem. When driving under normal conditions,the braking action is the same as with standardbrakes.

Problems in the Anti-lock Brake System willcause the Anti-lock Brake Warning Light toilluminate, which indicates the system has a

problem. Normal braking is not affected unlessthe brake warning light is also on.

Each time the ignition key is turned to the ONposition, the Anti-lock Brake System functionsthrough one test cycle.

NOTE: If your vehicle must be jump-startedbecause of a low battery, the Anti-LockBrake System warning light couldremain on. This is due to low battery

voltage and does not indicate amalfunction in the system. Under thesecircumstances, you should drive yourvehicle only after the battery has hadtime to charge and the light has goneout.

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Parking brake (handbrake)

RWARNING

To prevent personal injury, do not releasethe parking brake while outside thevehicle.

RWARNING

Always set the parking brake fully andmake sure that the gearshift is securelylatched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) orin 1 (First) (manual transaxle).

Always check the Brake Warning Light eachtime you start your engine. Driving with theparking brake on will cause the brakes to wearout quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.

RWARNING

If the parking brake is fully released, butthe Brake System light remains on, havethe brakes checked immediately. Theymay not be working properly.

The parking brake is not designed to stop amoving vehicle, but you can use the parkingbrake to stop your vehicle in an emergency ifthe normal brakes fail. However, since theparking brake applies only the rear brakes, thestopping distance will increase greatly and thehandling of your vehicle will be adverselyaffected.

Driving Under Special Conditions

Tips for Safe Driving

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As with any new vehicle, yours may drive andhandle differently from your previous vehicle.Use care until you become accustomed to its

various features and driving characteristics.Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, orcombinations of these maneuvers can cause avehicle to behave differently than anticipated.

Extreme braking can cause the front wheelsto lock and slide, making it difficult tocontrol the direction of the vehicle. Use asqueeze technique push on the brake

pedal with steadily increasing force. Thisallows the wheels to brake yet continue toroll so that you may steer in the directionyou want to travel. If you lock the wheels,release the brake pedal and repeat thesqueeze technique.

If you abruptly release the accelerator orbrake hard while going too fast around asevere curve, your vehicle may change

direction. Avoid application of the brakes, ifpossible. If braking is necessary, it should bedone by using the squeeze techniquedescribed above.

Driving in Bad Weather

Sl i ppery roads

On some slippery road surfaces, front-wheeldrive may provide better acceleration thanrear-wheel drive. However, this does not meanthat your vehicle can stop any faster or anybetter than a vehicle with rear-wheel drive.Exercise the same caution while driving onslippery roads with your front-wheel drivevehicle as you would with a rear-wheel drivevehicle

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vehicle.

Drive cautiously on wet or snowy roads:

Do not quickly move the steering wheel

unless necessary.Drive slower than you normally would.

Give your vehicle more distance to stop.

Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly toavoid locking your wheels.

Consider using one of the lower gears.

RWARNING

To avoid losing control on slippery roads,do not downshift into 1 (First) with theautomatic transaxle when moving fasterthan 20 mph (32 km/h). Do not downshiftinto 1 (First) with the manual transaxlewhen moving faster than 10 mph(16 km/h).

RWARNING

If your vehicle has speed control, do notuse it on slippery roads. You could losecontrol of your vehicle and could injuresomeone.

If you have an automatic transaxle and yourvehicle gets stuck (for example, in mud orsnow), you may try to rock it out of the spot.Shift, in a steady rhythm, between forward andreverse gears. While in each gear, press lightlyon the accelerator and release.

RWARNING

Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph(55 km/h). The tires may fail and injure apassenger or bystander.

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By moving the vehicle backward and forward,you may gain enough momentum to move outof the spot. Do not rock the vehicle for more

than a few minutes. This may overheat theengine, damage the transaxle, or damage thetires. If you are still stuck after a minute or twoof rocking, call for a tow truck.

H i g h w a t e r

Do not drive through flooded areas unless youare sure that the water is below the bottom ofthe wheel rims.

If you must drive through high water, driveslowly. You may have limited traction or wetbrakes, so allow extra stopping distance becauseyour vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.

After you drive through the standing water,apply your brakes gently several times as yourvehicle moves slowly. This helps to dry thebrakes.

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Towing a manual transaxle (MTX) equippedvehicle behind another vehicle, such as aRecreational Vehicle (RV), is allowed only if it istowed forward. The parking brake must bereleased, the gearshift must be in Neutral, theignition key must be in the ACC position, thebattery must be disconnected to eliminate batterydrain, and the steering wheel unlocked. Youmay tow your MTX equipped vehicle only in aforward direction with the front wheels on theground without damage to the transaxle.

Do not tow your manual transaxle equipped

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Do not tow your manual transaxle equippedvehicle at a speed faster than 55 mph(88 km/h). The maximum towing distance isunlimited.

RWARNING

Never use a tow bar that attaches to thebumper when you tow your vehicle. Thiscould damage the bumper and cause anaccident.

Roadside Emergencies

Jump-Starting Your VehicleYour vehicles battery may become discharged(die) if you leave the lights or any electricalequipment on after you turn the engine off. Ifthis happens, you may be able to jump-startfrom a booster battery to start your vehicle

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from a booster battery to start your vehicle.

RWARNING

The gases around the battery can explodeif exposed to flames, sparks, or litcigarettes. An explosion could result ininjury or vehicle damage.

RWARNING

To protect yourself when charging abattery, always shield your face and eyes.Make sure that you can breathe fresh air.

RWARNING

Applying too much pressure on the endswhen lifting a battery could cause acid tospill. Lift the battery with a carrier orwith your hands on the opposite corners.

RWARNING

Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burnsskin, eyes, and clothing.

If the acid touches someones skin, eyes, orclothing, immediately flush the area with waterfor at least 15 minutes. If someone swallows theacid, have him or her drink lots of milk or waterfirst, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, orvegetable oil. Call a doctor immediately.

RWARNING

Do not push-start your vehicle. You coulddamage the catalytic converter. For furtherinformation, see Jumper Cabl es in theIndex.

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Index.

To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery,and to avoid injury to yourself, follow these

directions for preparing your vehicle tojump-start and connecting the jumper cables inthe order they are given. If in doubt, call forroad service.

Preparing Your Vehicle

1. Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, soyou 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 a24-volt generator set).

2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabledvehicle. You could damage the vehicleselectrical system.

3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood ofthe disabled vehicle. Make sure the vehiclesdo not touch each other. Set the parkingbrake on both vehicles and stay clear of theengine cooling fan and other moving parts.

4. Check all battery terminals and remove anyexcessive corrosion before you attach thejumper cables.

5. Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles.Press the DEFROST button. Turn off all

other switches and gauges.Connecti ng t he j umper cables

1. Connect one end of the first jumper cable tothe positive (+) terminal of the dischargedbattery. (You can connect either jumper cableto the positive (+) terminal, as long as you

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p ( ) , g yuse the same cable for both positiveterminals.) Most jumper cables have a redcable and a black cable. The red cable is

generally used for the positive terminals andthe black for the negative ones.

2. Connect the other end of the first cable tothe positive (+) terminal of the boosterbattery.

3. Connect one end of the second cable to thenegative () terminal of the booster battery NOT to the discharged battery.

4. Connect the other end of that cable to agood metallic surface on the engine or frameof the disabled vehicle. The followingillustration shows where you can find ametallic surface.

RWARNING

Do not connect the end of the secondcable to the negative () terminal of the

battery to be jumped. A spark may causean explosion of the gases that surroundthe battery.

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The sequence for connecting the jumper cables

Jump-Starting

1. Make sure that the jumper cables are not inthe way of moving engine parts, then startthe booster vehicle. Run the engine at amoderate speed.

2. Let the discharged battery charge for a fewminutes and then start the disabled vehicle.It may take a couple of tries before thevehicle starts. If the vehicle does not startafter several attempts, there may be adifferent problem.

3. When both vehicles are running, let themidle for a few minutes to charge the

discharged battery.

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The Temporary Spare Tire

You may have a high pressure temporary sparetire. This spare tire is smaller than a regular tireand is designed for emergency use only. Use itonly when you get a flat tire and replace it as

soon as you can. This spare tire is marked withthe words TEMPORARY USE ONLY so thatyou can easily identify it.

RWARNING

If you use the temporary spare tirecontinuously or do not follow these

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co t uous y o do ot o o t eseprecautions, the tire could fail, causingyou to lose control of the vehicle, possiblyinjuring yourself or others.

When you drive with the temporary spare tire,DO NOT:

exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under anycircumstances.

load your vehicle so that it is heavier thanthe maximum vehicle load rating listed onthe tire decal.

use tire chains on this tire.

try to repair the temporary spare tire orremove it from its wheel.

use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.

drive through an automatic car wash withthis tire. Because the temporary spare tire issmaller than a conventional tire, it reducesthe ground clearance. Your vehicle may get

caught in the rails and it could be damaged.

Spare Tire Location

The spare tire and tools are stored in the rearluggage compartment, under the carpet andfloorboard.

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The location of the temporary spare tire and jackingequipment

The tool kit in the spare tire compartment

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Tire retaining tool

NOTE: Be sure to thread the retaining tooluntil no threads on the retaining toolare visible.

5. Loosen the wheel lug bolts by turning thehandle of the wrench one half turn

counterclockwise. Do not remove the wheellug bolts until you raise the tire off theground.

Removing and Replacing the Tire

1. Find the jack location near the door of thetire that you are changing. Position the jackand turn the handle of the jack clockwiseuntil the wheel is completely off the ground.

RWARNING

To lessen the risk of personal injury, donot put any part of your body under thevehicle while changing a tire. Do not startthe engine when your vehicle is on thejack. The jack is only meant for changingthe tire

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the tire.

Jack mounting position

2. Remove the wheel bolts by using the lugwrench. Never loosen the hub nuts. See theillustration following Step 1 Preparing toChange the Tire if you are not sure where tofind the wheel bolts.

3. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire. Keepthe retaining tool in place.

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Positioning spare tire

4. Replace the wheel lug bolts, but do not fullytighten them until you lower the car. If youdo, you could force the car off the jack.

5. Remove the retaining tool and replace itwith the final lug bolt.

Your vehicle is built with metric (12 mm)threads on the wheel hubs and lug bolts. Makecertain, during wheel removal, the same boltsremoved are reinstalled, or if replaced, boltswith metric threads and the same chamferconfiguration are used.

RWARNING

Installation of an English thread lug boltinto a metric hub will not properly securethe wheel to the hub. Damaged lug boltsmay result in wheel separation andpossible injury.

6. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handlecounterclockwise.

7. Remove the jack and fully tighten the wheellug bolts in the order shown in theillustration under Step 1.

8. Put the tire, jack, retaining tool and wrenchaway.

9. Secure the conventional tire where the sparewas stored with the bolt provided.

10. Unblock the wheels.

If the Engine Cranks but Does

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gNot Start or Starting After a

CollisionIf the engine cranks but does not start or if youhave had a collision, the fuel pump shut-offswitch may have been triggered. The shut-offswitch is a device that stops the fuel pumpwhen your vehicle has been involved in asubstantial jolt.

For information on how to check and reset thefuel pump shut-off switch, see Fuel pump shut-off

switchin the Index.

Towing Your Vehicle

If you need to have your vehicle towed, contacta professional towing service or, if you are amember, your roadside assistance center.Suggested towing options include wheel lifttowing or flat bed towing.

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Towing With the Back Wheels Off theGround

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Rear towing

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Customer Assistance

Roadside AssistanceFord Motor Company has set up a 24-hour,seven-day-a-week hotline with trained operatorswho put you in touch with the help you need ifyou experience a problem with your vehicle.This complimentary service is provided to youthroughout your warranty period of 3 years or36,000 miles (60,000 km), whichever comes first.

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36,000 miles (60,000 km), whichever comes first.To purchase Roadside Assistance coverages

beyond this period (available through Ford AutoClub in the United States or Ford andLincoln-Mercury dealers in Canada), contactyour Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. AdditionalRoadside Assistance coverage is unavailable inPuerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Roadside Assistance will cover the following:

Mount your spare if you have a flat tire.

Jump-start your battery if it is dead.

Unlock your vehicle if you are locked out.

Bring you fuel if you run out.

Tow your vehicle if you are stranded. Evennon-warranty related tows, like accidents orgetting stuck in mud or snow, are covered(some exclusions apply, such as impound

towing and repossession).

How to use Roadside Assistance

Your Roadside Assistance identification card canbe found in the Owner Guide portfolio in yourglove compartment. Complete the card and placeit in your wallet for quick reference.

To receive roadside assistance in the UnitedStates call 1-800-241-FORD (in Canada call1-800-665-2006).

Should you need to arrange for roadsideassistance yourself, Ford Motor Company willreimburse the reasonable cost. To obtaininformation about reimbursement call1-800-241-FORD (in Canada call 1-800-665-2006).

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( )

If You Have a Service ProblemFord Motor Company has authorized Ford andLincoln-Mercury dealerships that can serviceyour vehicle for you. This chapter tells you howto get service or maintenance for your vehicle.

Service/Maintenance Concerns(U.S. or Canada)

Ford recommends taking your vehicle to yourselling dealer who wants to ensure yourcontinued satisfaction. You may, however, takeyour vehicle to any authorized Ford orLincoln-Mercury dealer. In most cases, yourdealer will be able to resolve your concern.

If you are not satisfied with the service youreceived from your dealerships servicedepartment, talk to the service manager at thedealership, or if you still are not satisfied, talk tothe owner or general manager of the dealership.

In most cases, you will have your concernresolved at this level.

If you are away from home when your vehicleneeds to be serviced, or if you need more helpthan the dealer gave you, contact the FordCustomer Assistance Center to find anauthorized dealership that may be able to help.

To process your request, the Ford CustomerAssistance Center needs the followinginformation:

your telephone number (both business andhome)

the name of the dealer and the city where thedealership is located

the year and make of your vehicle

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the year and make of your vehicle

the date purchased the current mileage on your vehicle

your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)listed on your owner card and/or yourvehicle ownership license

If you live in Canada and have any questions orconcerns that the dealership cannot answer,contact the Customer Assistance Centre.

If you still have a service or product complaint,you may wish to contact the Dispute SettlementBoard (U.S. only) or the Canadian Motor VehicleArbitration Plan (CAMVAP) in Canada.

The Dispute Settlement Board(U.S. Only)