1997 FORD CONTOUR battery

178
%*
[MC01300(ALL)05/96
]
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.
%*
[MC01400(ALL)01/96]
Precautions When Servicing Your Vehicle
*
[MC01500(ALL)01/96]
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
Here are some general precautions for your safety:
%*
[MC01600(ALL)01/96
]
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.
*
[MC01700(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC01800(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC01900(ALL)01/96]
n
Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed space with the
engine running, unless you are sure you have enough
ventilation.
*
[MC02000(ALL)01/96]
n
Never get under a vehicle while it is supported only by a
jack. If you must work under a vehicle, use safety stands.
*
[MC02100(ALL)01/96]
n
Keep all lit cigarettes and other smoking materials away
from the battery and all fuel-related parts.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

Maintenance and Care
179
*
[MC02200(ALL)01/96]
Working with the engine off:
[MC02300(ALL)12/95]1.
Set the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift
is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or 1
(First) gear (manual transaxle).
*
[MC02400(ALL)01/96]2.
Remove the key from the ignition after you turn the engine
off.
*
[MC02500(ALL)01/96]3.
Block the wheels. This will prevent your vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
*
[MC02600(ALL)01/96]
Working with the engine on:
*
[MC02700(ALL)01/96]1.
Set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or Neutral
(manual transaxle).
*
[MC02800(ALL)01/96]2.
Block the wheels. This will prevent your vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
*
[MC02900(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed
and do not remove it while the engine is running.
*
[MC03000(ALL)12/95]
If the battery is disconnected, the computer must relearn its idle
control. SeeBatteryin the Index.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

Maintenance and Care
191
%*
[MC09600(ALL)01/96]
Engine Coolant
%*
[MC09700(ALL)01/96
]
Checking the Engine Coolant
*
[MC09800(ALL)05/96]
NOTE: Be sure to read and understandPrecautions When
Servicing Your Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
*
[MC09900(ALL)01/96]
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.
[MC10000(ALL)12/95]
13-1/2 pica
art:0000336-D
The engine coolant recovery reservoir (2.5L shown Ð 2.0L similar)
%*
[MC10100(ALL)12/95
]
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.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

198
%*
[MC14500(ALL)01/96]
Battery
*
[MC14600(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC14700(ALL)01/96]
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.
[MC14800(ALL)12/95]
Battery Replacement
*
[MC14900(ALL)01/96]
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.
[MC15000(ALL)12/95]
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.
*
[MC15100(ALL)01/96]
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.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

Maintenance and Care
199
*
[MC15200(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Batteries normally produce explosive gases which can
cause personal injury. Do not allow flames, sparks or lit
tobacco to come near the battery. Always cover your face
and protect your eyes and also provide ventilation.
%*
[MC15300(ALL)05/96
]
RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns skin, eyes,
and clothing.
*
[MC15400(ALL)02/96]
If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or clothing,
immediately flush the area with water for at least 15 minutes. If
someone swallows the acid, have him or her drink lots of milk
or water first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or vegetable
oil. Call a doctor immediately.
%*
[MC15500(ALL)02/96
]
RWARNING
Applying too much pressure on the ends when lifting a
battery could cause acid to spill. Lift the battery with a
carrier or with your hands on the opposite corners.
%*
[MC15600(ALL)01/96
]
Help Us Protect Our Environment
*
[MC15700(ALL)01/96]
Ford Motor Company strongly recommends that used lead-acid
batteries be returned to an authorized recycling facility for
disposal.
[MC15800(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0001223-A
Battery recycling symbol
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

200
[MC15900(ALL)12/95]
Disconnecting the Battery
[MC16000(ALL)12/95]
Because your vehicle engine is electronically controlled by a
computer, some control conditions are maintained by power
from the battery. If you ever disconnect the battery or install a
new battery, you must allow the computer to ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive properly. To begin this
process, put the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or
Neutral (manual transaxle), set the emergency brake, turn off all
the accessories, and start the vehicle. Bring the engine to normal
operating temperature. Allow the manual transaxle to idle for
one minute in Neutral. Allow the automatic transaxle engine to
idle for one minute in N (Neutral) and one minute in D (Drive).
Perform the previous procedure with the air conditioning (if
equipped) on and off (conditions permitting). The relearning
process will complete automatically as you drive the vehicle.
*
[MC16100(ALL)01/96]
If you do not let the engine relearn its idle, the idle quality of
your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle is
relearned. Your vehicle will eventually relearn its idle while you
drive it, but it takes much longer than if you use the previous
procedure.
% [MC16200(ALL)04/96]
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Replacement
[MC16300(ALL)04/96]
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.
[MC16400(ALL)12/95]
To replace the passenger compartment air filter:
[MC16500(ALL)12/95]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:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

Maintenance and Care
219
%*
[MC32300(ALL)03/96
]
How to Prepare Your Vehicle for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Testing
*
[MC32400(ALL)05/96]
In some localities it may become a legal requirement to pass an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the On-Board Diagnostic
(OBD) II system. If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery
has just been serviced, the OBD II system is reset to a not ready
for I/M testing condition. To prepare for I/M testing, the law
specifies that additional mixed city and highway driving is
required to complete the check of the OBD II system.
*
[MC32500(ALL)05/96]
OBD II Drive Cycle
*
[MC32601(ALL)05/96]
The driving modes required to reach the ready condition consist
of a minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving as
described below:
*
[MC32701(ALL)05/96]
n
At least twenty minutes driving in stop and go, city type
traffic with at least four idle periods.
*
[MC32801(ALL)05/96]
n
At least ten minutes of driving on an expressway or
highway.
*
[MC32901(ALL)05/96]
Before completing the above driving modes, the engine must be
warmed up and at operating temperature. Once started, the
vehicle must not be turned off during these driving modes.
%*
[MC34300(ALL)03/96]
Lights and Bulb Replacement
*
[MC34400(ALL)01/96]
It is a good idea to check the operation of the following lights
frequently:
*
[MC34500(ALL)01/96]
n
headlamps
*
[MC34600(ALL)01/96]
n
tail lamps
*
[MC34700(ALL)01/96]
n
brakelamps
*
[MC34800(ALL)01/96]
n
high-mount brakelamp
*
[MC34900(ALL)01/96]
n
hazard flasher
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

234
%*
[CS03400(ALL)01/96]
Battery
*
[CS03500(ALL)01/96]
n
Check and recharge as necessary.
*
[CS03600(ALL)01/96]
n
Keep connections clean and covered with a light coat of
grease.
*
[CS03700(ALL)12/95]
n
If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days without
recharging the battery, it may be advisable to disconnect the
battery cables to ensure battery charge is maintained for
quick starting.
%*
[CS03800(ALL)01/96]
Brakes
*
[CS03900(ALL)01/96]
n
Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully released.
%*
[CS04000(ALL)01/96]
Tires
*
[CS04100(ALL)01/96]
n
Maintain recommended air pressure.
*
[CS04200(ALL)01/96]
Miscellaneous
*
[CS04300(ALL)01/96]
n
Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and clevis pins under
vehicle are covered with grease to prevent rust.
*
[CS04400(ALL)01/96]
n
Move vehicles at least 25 feet (10 m) every 15 days to
lubricate working parts to prevent corrosion.
File:12cdcso.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:45 1996