1996 FORD CONTOUR maintenance schedule

Introductory Information
3
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[IN01700(ALL)05/95]
TheQuick Indexat the end of the book provides a page
number following each item which indicates where detailed
information can be found.
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[IN01900(ALL)04/95]
To use theIndex, turn to the back of the book and search in the
alphabetical listing for the word that best describes the
information you need. If the word you chose is not listed, think
of other related words and look them up. We have designed the
Index so that you can find information under a technical term.
%*
[IN02000(ALL)05/95]
Canadian Owners Ð French Version
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[IN02100(ALL)05/95]
French Owner Guides can be obtained from your dealer or by
writing to Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, Service
Publications, P.O. Box 1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario
L4Y 4G3.
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[IN02400(ALL)04/95]
Your Maintenance Schedule and Record
Booklet
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[IN02500(ALL)03/95]
TheMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet lists the services
that are most important for keeping your vehicle in good
condition. A record log is also provided to help you keep track
of all services performed.
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[IN02600(ALL)01/95]
About the Warranties
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[IN02700(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is covered by three types of warranties:Basic
Vehicle Warranty,Extended Warrantieson certain parts, and
Emissions Warranties.
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[IN03100(ALL)03/95]
Read yourWarranty Information Bookletcarefully to find out
about your vehicle's warranties and your basic rights and
responsibilities.
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[IN03300(ALL)03/95]
If you lose yourWarranty Information Booklet,you can get a new
one free of charge. Contact any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer,
or refer to the addresses and phone numbers on the first page
of this owner guide.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:11:14 1996

Driving Your Contour
161
[DR30100(ALL)11/94]
When you tow up or down steep hills, move the manual
transaxle gearshift to a lower gear. This will increase engine
power on upgrades and engine braking on downgrades.
[DR30175(ALL)04/95]
When you tow in steep hills, move the automatic transaxle to
1 (First) when descending. This will give more engine braking
on downgrades. The automatic transaxle will automatically
downshift to the proper gear on upgrades.
%*
[DR30300(ALL)01/95]
If you use the speed control while you are towing on very long,
steep grades, the speed control may shut off.
[DR30400(ALL)05/95]
Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
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[DR30500(ALL)08/93]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your vehicle will need
to be serviced more frequently than usual. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet for additional
information.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

195
Servicing Your Contour
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[SV00300(ALL)03/95]
Service Made Easy
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[SV00400(ALL)01/95]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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[SV00500(ALL)01/95]1.
When we can, we design parts that do not need to be
serviced.
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[SV00600(ALL)01/95]2.
We want to make servicing your vehicle as easy as possible.
To help you:
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[SV00700(ALL)01/95]
n
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in the engine
compartment so that you can find them easily.
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[SV00800(ALL)01/95]
n
When possible, we design parts Ð such as the headlamp
bulbs Ð that can be replaced without tools.
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[SV00900(ALL)05/94]
n
We give you a Maintenance Schedule that makes tracking
routine service for your vehicle easy. The maintenance
schedule is located in theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet.
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[SV01000(ALL)01/95]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you need to
check and service regularly.
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[SV01150(ALL)02/95]
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your dealership can
provide the parts and service required. Check yourWarranty
Information Bookletto find out which parts and services are
covered. Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this Owner
Guide.
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[SV01250(ALL)03/95]
Ford Motor Company recommends that the Owner Maintenance
Checks listed in theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet be
performed for the proper operation of your vehicle. In addition
to the conditions listed in theOwner Maintenance Checklist,be
alert for any unusual noise, vibration, or other indication that
your vehicle may need service. If you do notice something
unusual, see that your vehicle is serviced promptly.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996

208
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[SV12200(ALL)05/95]4.
Use these equations to calculate your fuel economy:
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[SV12250(ALL)05/95]
n
English: MPGU(total miles driven)V(gallons used)
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[SV12275(ALL)05/95]
n
Metric: L/100kU(liters used)V(100 kilometers)
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[SV12300(ALL)05/95]
Comparisons With EPA Fuel Economy Estimates
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[SV12400(ALL)05/95]
EPA fuel economy figures are obtained from laboratory tests
under simulated road conditions and may not reflect the actual
conditions you experience or your style of driving. The EPA
fuel economy estimate is not a guarantee that you will achieve
the fuel economy shown.
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[SV12610(ALL)05/95]
The following decrease fuel economy:
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[SV12615(ALL)05/95]
n
Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
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[SV12625(ALL)05/95]
n
Rapid acceleration and excessive speed
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[SV12630(ALL)05/95]
n
Driving with your foot on the brake
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[SV12635(ALL)05/95]
n
Sudden stops
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[SV12640(ALL)05/95]
n
Extended engine idling
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[SV12645(ALL)05/95]
n
Using speed control in hilly terrain
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[SV12650(ALL)05/95]
n
Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear window defroster
and other accessories
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[SV12655(ALL)05/95]
n
Underinflated tires
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[SV12660(ALL)05/95]
n
Heavy loads
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[SV12665(ALL)05/95]
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Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or luggage racks, bug
deflectors, etc.
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210
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[SV13670(ALL)01/95]
Neveruse:
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[SV13680(ALL)01/95]
n
ªNon-Detergentº oils
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[SV13690(ALL)04/95]
n
Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
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[SV13700(ALL)01/95]
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Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments or engine
treatments
[SV13710(ALL)04/95]
Engine oils with anSAE 5W-30viscosity arePREFERREDfor
your vehicle. They provide the best engine performance, fuel
economy and engine protection for all climates down to-15ÊF
(-25ÊC).
%*
[SV13770(ALL)03/95]
Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and of the preferred
viscosity may be used in your engine. The engine oil and oil
filter must still be changed according to the maintenance
schedule.
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[SV13775(ALL)01/95]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
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[SV13800(ALL)03/95]
Since the proper amount of engine oil is important for safe
engine operation, check the oil using the dipstick each time you
put fuel in your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off, the
oil must be warm and the vehicle must be parked on level
ground.
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[SV13900(ALL)04/95]
Checking the engine oil level:
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[SV14000(ALL)02/95]1.
Turn the engine off after it has warmed up and allow a few
minutes for the engine oil to drain back into the oil pan.
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[SV14050(ALL)05/94]2.
Set the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift
is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or
1 (First) (manual transaxle).
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[SV14100(ALL)02/95]3.
Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
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[SV14200(ALL)03/95]4.
Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in yellow) and
carefully pull it out of the engine.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996

212
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[SV15000(ALL)03/95]
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap highlighted in yellow.
To add oil, remove the filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil
into the opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine. Recheck
the oil level after you finish adding oil.
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[SV15200(O )05/95]
Nearly all engines will consume engine oil. As a result, it may
be necessary to add some oil between oil changes.
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[SV16300(ALL)06/95]
Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
[SV16400(ALL)03/95]
Change the engine oil and oil filter per the following, whichever
occurs first.
[SV16500(ALL)05/95]
twelve pica
chart:0001472-A*
[SV16600(ALL)04/95]
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule and Record Booklet for
additional information.
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[SV16700(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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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996

214
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[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.
File:cdsvo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996

Servicing Your Contour
221
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[SV23200(ALL)03/95]
Wiper Blades
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[SV23300(ALL)03/95]
Check the windshield wiper blades at least twice a year. Also
check them whenever they seem less effective than usual.
Substances such as tree sap and some hot wax treatments used
by commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper
blades.
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[SV23400(ALL)03/95]
If the blades do not wipe properly, clean both the windshield
and the wiper blades. Use undiluted windshield washer solution
or a mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Do not
use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner, or other solvents to clean your
wiper blades. These will damage your blades.
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[SV23500(ALL)03/95]
To make reaching the wiper blades easy, simply turn the
ignition to the ACC position and turn your wipers on. Wait for
them to reach a vertical position and turn the ignition to the
OFF position. Do not move the wipers manually. Manually
moving the wipers across the windshield may damage them.
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[SV23600(ALL)03/01]
Wiper blade replacement
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[SV23700(OZ)03/95]
If the wiper blades still do not work properly after you clean
them, you may need to replace the wiper blade assembly or the
blade element. When replacing the wiper blade assembly, blade
refill, or wiper arm always use a Motorcraft part or equivalent. To
replace the blades, follow the instructions that come with them.
[SV23716(ALL)11/94]
Passenger Compartment Air Filter Replacement
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[SV23719(ALL)04/95]
In your climate control system, you may have a filter that cleans
the air before it enters the interior of the vehicle. This filter
should be replaced at the intervals in theMaintenance Schedule
and Recordbooklet.
[SV23723(ALL)04/95]
To replace the passenger compartment air filter:
[SV23726(ALL)02/95]1.
Remove both windshield wiper arms. With the wiper arm in
the horizontal position, lift the arm away from the
windshield while pulling the retaining clip at the base
toward the windshield. Release the wiper arm, then lift it off
the base.
File:cdsvo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996