1996 FORD CONTOUR service

196
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[SV01275(ALL)03/95]
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids, and service
parts conforming to Ford specifications. Motorcraft parts are
designed and built to provide the best performance in your
vehicle. Using these parts for replacement is your assurance that
Ford-built quality stays in your vehicle.
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[SV01280(ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
standards for disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out about recycling
automotive fluids.
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[SV01600(ALL)03/95]
Precautions When Servicing Your Vehicle
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[SV01700(ALL)01/95]
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
Here are some general precautions for your safety:
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[SV01800(ALL)03/95]
n
Do not work on a hot engine. The engine cooling fan may
come on unexpectedly. Always turn the engine off and let it
cool.
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[SV01850(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
The cooling fan is automatic and may come on at any
time. Always disconnect the negative terminal of the
battery before working near the fan.
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[SV01900(ALL)03/95]
n
If you must work with the engine running, avoid wearing
loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught in moving
parts. Take appropriate precautions with long hair.
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[SV02000(ALL)01/95]
n
Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed space with the
engine running, unless you are sure you have enough
ventilation.
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[SV02100(ALL)01/95]
n
Never get under a vehicle while it is supported by a jack
only. If you must work under a vehicle, use safety stands.
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204
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[SV06625(ALL)05/95]
NOTE: If you spill any fuel on the body of your vehicle,
clean it off immediately. The fuel may dull or soften
the paint if you do not wash it off.
[SV06650(ALL)05/95]3.
Replace the fuel cap completely when you are finished. Turn
it clockwise until it is tight. It will click when it is fully
tightened.
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[SV06675(ALL)05/95]4.
Push the fuel door closed.
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[SV06690(ALL)06/95]
If you lose the fuel cap, replace it with an authorized Motorcraft
or equivalent part.
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[SV06700(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If you do not use the proper fuel cap, the pressure in the
fuel tank can damage the fuel system or cause it to work
improperly in a collision.
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[SV06750(ALL)05/95]
NOTE: If you replace your fuel cap with an aftermarket fuel
filler cap, the customer warranty may be void for any
damage to the fuel tank and/or fuel system.
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[SV07500(ALL)05/95]
Choosing the Right Fuel
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[SV07600(ALL)05/95]
Use only UNLEADED FUEL in your vehicle. Using leaded fuel
is prohibited by federal law. Your warranty may not apply if
your vehicle is damaged because you used the wrong fuel.
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[SV07625(ALL)05/95]
Using a high-quality fuel makes your vehicle more responsive
and maintain its good fuel economy and emissions. It should
not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use a high-quality fuel.
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[SV07700(ALL)05/95]
Octane recommendations
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[SV07750(ALL)05/95]
Your engine is designed to use regular fuel with an octane
rating of 87. In most cases it is not necessary to use a fuel with
an octane rating higher than 87. At service stations, the octane
rating is displayed in a label on the pumps.
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Servicing Your Contour
205
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[SV07800(ALL)06/95]
6 pica art:0040193-A
Typical octane rating label
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[SV07850(ALL)06/95]
Using a fuel with a lower octane rating can cause persistent and
heavy knocking, which can damage the engine.
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[SV07900(ALL)05/95]
Do not be concerned if your vehicle sometimes knocks lightly
when you drive up a hill or when you accelerate. However, see
your dealer or a qualified service technician if persistent heavy
knocking occurs because this can damage the engine.
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[SV09450(ALL)05/95]
If your vehicle has problems with starting, rough idle or
hesitation problems when the engine is cold, it may be caused
by fuel with low volatility. Try a different brand of fuel. If the
condition persists, see your dealer or a qualified service
technician.
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[SV09875(ALL)05/95]
Gasolines for clean air
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[SV09900(ALL)06/95]
Fuels in certain areas of the country are required to contain
oxygenates to improve air quality. Common oxygenates are
ethanol or grain alcohol (blended at no more than 10%),
methanol or wood alcohol (blended at no more than 5% with
cosolvents and additives), and MTBE or methyl tertiary butyl
ether (blended at no more than 15%).
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[SV09950(ALL)05/95]
Reformulated fuel is also required in certain areas of the U.S.
These fuels are designed to further reduce the emissions from
your vehicle.
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Servicing Your Contour
209
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[SV13510(ALL)02/95]
Self-Service Pointers
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[SV13520(ALL)01/95]
If you choose to do your own fueling, you should also perform
a few simple maintenance routines. This extra effort will save
you additional money and contribute to the driving efficiency of
your vehicle.
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[SV13530(ALL)01/95]
The following procedures require only a tire gauge, a rag, an oil
can spout and windshield washer fluid.
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[SV13540(ALL)01/95]
n
Check the engine oil at every refueling stop
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[SV13550(ALL)01/95]
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Clean the windshield, outside mirrors and headlights
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[SV13560(ALL)01/95]
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Check windshield washer fluid
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[SV13570(ALL)02/95]
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Check tires for excessive wear or worn edges
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[SV13580(ALL)01/95]
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Check the tire pressure at least monthly
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[SV13600(ALL)03/95]
Engine Oil Recommendations
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[SV13610(ALL)05/95]
We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an equivalent oil
meeting Ford Specification ESE-M2C153-E and displaying the
American Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on the
front of the container.
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[SV13650(ALL)05/94]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001314-A
The API Certification Mark
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214
%*
[SV17825(ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle's coolant protects your engine from overheating in
the summer and from freezing in the winter. Check the level of
the coolant at least once a month. Simply look at the engine
coolant reservoir located in the engine compartment. To locate
the reservoir, see the diagram of your vehicle's engine under
Engine Type, in this chapter.
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[SV17850(ALL)01/95]
Check the engine coolant level in the engine coolant reservoir at
least once a month using the following guidelines.
[SV17900(ALL)01/95]
When your vehicle's engine is cool, the coolant level in the
engine coolant recovery reservoir should be at or above the
MIN mark. When the engine is hot, the coolant level should be
at the MAX mark. If the level is below the indicator mark in
either condition, coolant may need to be added.
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[SV18000(ALL)05/95]
The coolant additives also protect the entire cooling system from
internal passageway corrosion and these additives lubricate the
water pump. The coolant should be serviced as noted in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
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[SV18100(ALL)01/95]
Adding engine coolant
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[SV18200(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not put engine coolant in the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
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[SV18300(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap while the engine
is running or hot.
[SV18500(ALL)01/95]1.
Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off and let it
cool. Even when the engine is cool, be careful when you
remove the coolant recovery cap.
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Servicing Your Contour
215
[SV18600(ALL)05/95]2.
When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the cap
and turn it slowly counterclockwise to relieve the pressure.
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[SV18700(ALL)03/95]3.
Step back while the pressure releases.
[SV18800(ALL)05/95]4.
When you are sure that all the pressure has been released,
use the cloth to turn and remove cap.
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[SV18900(ALL)02/95]5.
Stand away from the reservoir opening. Hot steam may blow
out or hot engine coolant may even splash out.
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[SV19000(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Failure to follow these instructions could result in serious
personal injury from hot engine coolant or steam
blowout and/or damage to the engine cooling system or
engine.
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[SV19025(ALL)03/95]
To find out how much engine coolant mixture your vehicle's
coolant system can hold, seeRefill capacities for fluidsin the
Index.
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[SV19100(ALL)01/95]
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if
you have to add a quart (liter) of engine coolant more than
once a month.
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[SV19102(ALL)06/95]
Add engine coolant only to the recovery reservoir.If the
coolant level is low, add to the reservoir a 50/50 mixture of
water and the type of engine coolant that Ford specifies. You
may add water by itself only in an emergency, but you should
replace it with a 50/50 mixture as soon as possible. Check the
engine coolant again the next few times you drive your vehicle.
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[SV19104(ALL)02/95]
Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid is an optimized formula
that will protect all metals and rubber elastomers used in Ford
engines for four years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km). It is not
necessary and not recommended to use supplemental coolant
additives in your vehicle. These additives may harm your
engine cooling system. Follow the recommended service interval
for changing your engine coolant.
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Servicing Your Contour
217
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[SV20050(ALL)03/95]
Battery
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[SV20100(ALL)02/95]
Your vehicle may have a Motorcraft maintenance-free battery.
The Motorcraft maintenance-free battery does not require
additional water during its life of service. The vents are part of
the cover and cannot be removed. For longer, trouble-free
operation, keep the top of the battery clean and dry. Also, make
certain the battery cables are tightly fastened to the battery
terminals.
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[SV20150(ALL)02/95]
If you see any corrosion on the battery cables or terminals,
remove the cables from the terminal and clean them both with a
wire brush. You can neutralize the acid with a solution of
baking soda and water. Reinstall the cables when you are done
cleaning them, and apply a small quantity of grease to the top
of each battery terminal to help prevent corrosion.
[SV20200(ALL)02/95]
Battery Replacement
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[SV20250(ALL)02/95]
If your original equipment battery requires replacement (under
warranty), it may in some cases be replaced by a Motorcraft
low-maintenance battery. The low-maintenance battery has
removable vent caps for checking the electrolyte level and for
adding water, if needed.
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[SV20300(ALL)05/95]
Check your battery's electrolyte level, at least every 12 months
or 12,000 miles (20,000 km), in temperatures above90ÊF (32ÊC)
and more often in temperatures above90ÊF (32ÊC).Keep the
electrolyte in each cell up to the ªlevelº indicator. Do not
overfill the battery cell.
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[SV20350(ALL)02/95]
If the electrolyte level in your battery gets low, you can add
plain tap water to the battery, as long as you don't use hard
water, or water with a high mineral or alkali content. If
possible, however, try to only fill the battery cell with distilled
water. If the battery needs water often, have the charging
system checked.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996

Servicing Your Contour
227 performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences
in road characteristics and climate.
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[SV27999(ALL)01/95]
Traction A B C
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[SV28000(ALL)01/95]
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and C,
and they represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance. Warning: The traction grade assigned
to this tire is based on braking (straightahead) traction tests and
does not include cornering (turning) traction.
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[SV28299(ALL)01/95]
Temperature A B C
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[SV28300(ALL)01/95]
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level
of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law. Warning: The
temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996