1997 FORD CONTOUR maintenance

Maintenance and Care
187
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[MC07000(ALL)01/96
]
Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
[MC07100(ALL)04/96]
Change the engine oil and oil filter per the following, whichever
occurs first.
[MC07200(ALL)12/95]
twelve pica
chart:0001472-A*
[MC07300(ALL)02/96]
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for additional
information.
%*
[MC07400(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.
*
[MC07500(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil has caused
cancer in laboratory mice.
*
[MC07600(ALL)01/96]
Protect your skin by washing with soap and water.
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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.
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.
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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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Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

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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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.
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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.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996