1997 FORD CONTOUR Owners Manual

188
%*
[MC07700(ALL)05/96]
Brake Fluid
*
[MC07800(ALL)01/96]
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle should not use up
brake fluid rapidly. However, expect the level of the brake fluid
to slowly fall as you put more mileage on your vehicle and the
brake lining wears.
[MC07900(ALL)12/95]
You should check the brake fluid at every scheduled engine oil
change, but be sure to check it at least once a year. You can do
this by looking at the fluid level in the plastic reservoir on the
master cylinder. (SeeThe Engine Typesin this chapter to locate
the brake fluid reservoir.) The fluid level should be at or near
the MAX mark.
*
[MC08000(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Brake fluid is toxic.
*
[MC08100(ALL)01/96]
If brake fluid contacts eyes, flush eyes with running water for
15 minutes. Get medical attention if irritation persists. If taken
internally, drink water and induce vomiting. Get medical
attention immediately.
*
[MC08200(ALL)12/95]
If the fluid is low, carefully clean and remove the cap from the
reservoir. Fill the reservoir to the MAX line with Ford High
Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid C6AZ-19542-AB or equivalent
DOT 3 fluid meeting Ford specification ESA-M6C25-A.
*
[MC08300(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, you will
cause permanent damage to your brakes.
*
[MC08400(ALL)01/96]
Do not fill the reservoir above the MAX line.
*
[MC08500(ALL)01/96]
If you find that the fluid level is excessively low Ð below the
seam or ridge on the outside of the plastic reservoir Ð have the
brake system inspected.
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Maintenance and Care
189
*
[MC08600(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not let the reservoir for the master cylinder run dry.
This may cause the brakes to fail.
[MC08700(ALL)12/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0000671-B
The brake fluid reservoir
%*
[MC08800(ALL)02/96]
Windshield Washer Fluid
%*
[MC08900(ALL)03/96
]
Washer Fluid
*
[MC09000(ALL)01/96]
Check the level of the windshield washer fluid every time you
stop for fuel. The reservoir for washer fluid is located on the
passenger's side of the engine compartment. Visual inspection
can determine if the washer fluid is adequate. Do not operate
the washer when the reservoir is empty.
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190
[MC09100(ALL)12/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001222-A
The windshield washer fluid reservoir
*
[MC09200(ALL)01/96]
Adding washer fluid
*
[MC09300(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the container for
the engine coolant.
*
[MC09400(ALL)05/96]
If sprayed to clean the glass, engine coolant or antifreeze could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
%*
[MC09500(ALL)02/96
]
Use specially formulated windshield washer fluid rather than
plain water, because specially formulated washer fluids contain
additives that dissolve road grime. For safety reasons, washer
fluids containing an appropriate antifreeze such as methanol
should be used in freezing weather (temperatures below32ÊF
[0ÊC]). State or local regulations on Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs) may restrict use of the most common antifreeze,
methanol. Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze
agents should be used only if they provide cold weather
protection without damaging the vehicle's paint finish, wiper
blades, and windshield washer system.
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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.
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192
*
[MC10200(ALL)12/95]
Check the engine coolant level in the engine coolant reservoir at
least once a month using the following guidelines.
[MC10300(ALL)12/95]
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.
*
[MC10400(ALL)02/96]
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 Schedulebooklet.
*
[MC10500(ALL)01/96]
Adding Engine Coolant
*
[MC10601(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Do not put engine coolant in the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
*
[MC10611(ALL)05/96]
If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could make it
difficult to see through the windshield.
*
[MC10621(ALL)05/96]
When the engine is cool, add a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and water to the engine coolant recovery reservoir Ð DO NOT
ADD DIRECTLY TO THE RADIATOR. Add straight water only
in an emergency, but you should replace it with a 50/50
mixture of coolant and distilled water as soon as possible.
*
[MC10631(ALL)05/96]
Check the coolant level in the coolant recovery reservoir the
next few times you drive the vehicle. If necessary, add enough
of a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water to bring the liquid
level to the fill line on the reservoir.
*
[MC10641(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap while the engine
is running or hot.
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Maintenance and Care
193
*
[MC10651(ALL)05/96]
If you must remove the coolant recovery cap, follow these steps
to avoid personal injury:
*
[MC10661(ALL)05/96]1.
Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off and let it
cool.
*
[MC10671(ALL)05/96]2.
When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the cap.
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise to the first stop.
*
[MC10681(ALL)05/96]3.
Step back while the pressure releases.
*
[MC10691(ALL)05/96]4.
When you are sure that all the pressure has been released,
use the cloth to press the cap down, turn it counterclockwise,
and remove it.
*
[MC10701(ALL)05/96]
Use Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid E2FZ-19549-AA (in
Canada, Motorcraft CXC-8-B) or an equivalent premium engine
coolant that meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A. Ford
Premium Engine Coolant is an optimized formula that will
protect all metals and rubber elastomers used in Ford cooling
systems for 4 years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km).
*
[MC10711(ALL)05/96]
Do not use alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any engine
coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. Do not use
supplemental coolant additives in your vehicle. These additives
may harm your engine cooling system. The use of an improper
coolant may void the warranty of your vehicle's engine cooling
system.
*
[MC10721(ALL)05/96]
Recycled engine coolant
*
[MC10731(ALL)05/96]
Ford Motor Company recommends that Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealers use recycled engine coolant produced
by Ford-approved processes. Not all coolant recycling processes
produce coolant which meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A,
and use of such coolant may harm engine and cooling system
components.
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194
*
[MC10741(ALL)05/96]
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible
manner. Follow your community's regulations and standards for
recycling and disposing of automotive fluids.
*
[MC10751(ALL)05/96]
Coolant refill capacity
*
[MC10761(ALL)05/96]
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling system can
hold, refer toRefill capacitiesin theCapacities and specifications
chapter.
*
[MC10771(ALL)05/96]
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if
you have to add more than a quart (liter) of engine coolant per
month.
*
[MC10781(ALL)05/96]
Severe winter climate
*
[MC10791(ALL)05/96]
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than-34ÊF [-36ÊC]),
it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration above
50%. Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle is such that the coolant
will not freeze at the temperature level in which you drive
during winter months. Never increase the engine coolant
concentration above 60%. Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine
coolant and water in your vehicle year-round in non-extreme
climates.
%*
[MC12300(ALL)01/96]
Power Steering Fluid
%*
[MC12400(ALL)01/96
]
Checking and Adding Power Steering Fluid
[MC12500(ALL)12/95]
With the power steering system at operating temperature,
switch off the engine. The fluid level should be up to the MAX
marking on the transparent reservoir.
[MC12600(ALL)12/95]
If it drops to or below the MIN mark, top off with the specified
fluid.
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Maintenance and Care
195
[MC12700(ALL)12/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001260-A
The power steering fluid reservoir
[MC12800(ALL)04/96]
Use only MERCONHpower steering fluid that meets Ford's
Specification or an equivalent.
%*
[MC12900(ALL)01/96]
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
*
[MC13000(ALL)02/96]
Under normal circumstances, you do not need to check the fluid
level of the transaxle, since your vehicle does not use up
transaxle fluid. Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for
replacement intervals. However, if the transaxle is not working
properly Ð for instance, the transaxle may slip or shift slowly,
or you may notice some sign of fluid leakage Ð the fluid level
should be checked.
%*
[MC13100(ALL)01/96
]
Checking the Automatic Transaxle Fluid
*
[MC13200(ALL)12/95]
With the vehicle on a level surface and the brake fully applied,
start the engine and move the gear shift selector through all of
the gears allowing sufficient time for each position to engage.
Securely latch the gear shift selector in the P (Park) position.
Fully set the parking brake and leave the engine running.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996