1997 FORD CONTOUR Owners Manual

196
*
[MC13300(ALL)12/95]
Wipe off the dipstick cap and pull the dipstick out. Wipe the
indicator end clean. Put the dipstick back into the filler tube and
make sure it is fully seated. Pull the dipstick out and read the
fluid level.
*
[MC13400(ALL)12/95]
NOTE: Your vehicle should not be driven until some fluid
has been added if the fluid level is below the bottom
dimple on the dipstick and the outside temperature is
above50ÊF (10ÊC). Addonly enough fluid to bring the
level above the bottom hole.
*
[MC13500(ALL)12/95]
If the vehicle has not been driven and the fluid level is above
the bottom dimple on the dipstick, do not add fluid. Recheck
the fluid level after your vehicle has reached normal operating
temperature.
*
[MC13600(ALL)12/95]
Normal operating temperature is reached after driving
approximately 20 miles (30 km). The fluid level should be
within the crosshatched area on the dipstick.
*
[MC13700(ALL)04/96]
NOTE: If the vehicle has been operated for an extended
period at high speeds, driven in city traffic during hot
weather, or has been pulling a trailer, the vehicle
should be turned off for about 30 minutes to allow
the fluid to cool before checking.
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Maintenance and Care
197
[MC13800(ALL)12/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001226-A
Automatic transaxle fluid dipstick
%*
[MC13900(ALL)01/96
]
Adding Automatic Transaxle Fluid
*
[MC14000(ALL)12/95]
Before adding any fluid, be sure that the correct type will be
used. Correct type is shown on the dipstick.
*
[MC14100(ALL)12/95]
Add fluid in 1/2 pint (.25L) increments through the filler tube
to bring the level to the correct area on the dipstick. DO NOT
OVERFILL. If the level is above the top hole on the dipstick,
excess fluid should be removed by a qualified technician.
%*
[MC14200(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.
[MC14300(ALL)12/95]
Manual Transaxle Fluid
[MC14400(ALL)12/95]
The lubricant level and quality should not deteriorate under
normal driving conditions. However, you should have the fluid
level checked occasionally. If lubricant is required, seeLubricant
Specificationsin this chapter.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Maintenance and Care
201
[MC16600(ALL)12/95]
7-1/2 pica art:0001242-A
The screws on the grille
[MC16700(ALL)12/95]2.
Remove the plastic caps from the screws on the grille.
Remove the screws.
[MC16800(ALL)12/95]3.
Open the hood. Pull off the rubber weatherstrip at the back
of the engine compartment. Remove the screws that hold the
grille, separate the two halves and remove the grille.
[MC16900(ALL)12/95]
13-1/2 pica
art:0001243-A
Removing the grille
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202
[MC17000(ALL)12/95]4.
The filter is in a housing at the back of the engine
compartment, on the left side. Pull off the two clips on the
sides of the housing. Slide out the housing and filter.
[MC17100(ALL)12/95]
13-1/2 pica
art:0001244-B
Removing the passenger compartment air filter
[MC17200(ALL)12/95]5.
Slide the filter out of the housing, replace with the new
filter, and slide the housing and passenger compartment air
filter back into place. Reinstall the clips on the housing.
[MC17210(ALL)12/95]6.
Replace the grille and wiper arms.
%*
[MC17300(ALL)02/96]
Wiper Blades
*
[MC17400(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC17500(ALL)01/96]
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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Maintenance and Care
203
*
[MC17600(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC17700(ALL)02/96]
Wiper blade replacement
*
[MC17800(ALL)01/96]
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.
%*
[MC17900(ALL)01/96]
Tires
%*
[MC17901(O )03/96]
Checking Tire Pressure
*
[MC18100(ALL)02/96]
n
Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
*
[MC18200(ALL)02/96]
n
Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle
has been parked for at least one hour or has been driven less
than 3 miles (5 km).
*
[MC18400(ALL)03/96]
n
Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
*
[MC18900(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and
can fail suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle
control.
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