1997 FORD CONTOUR maintenance

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

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

204
%*
[MC19000(ALL)01/96
]
Tire Rotation
*
[MC19100(ALL)01/96]
Because your vehicle's front and rear tires perform different
jobs, they often wear differently. To make sure your tires wear
evenly and last longer, rotate them as indicated in the following
diagram.
*
[MC19200(ALL)01/96]
Do not include the spare tire as part of your rotation.
[MC19300(ALL)03/96]
For tire rotation intervals, see theMaintenance Schedulebooklet.
If you notice that the tires wear unevenly, have them checked.
[MC19400(ALL)12/95]
13-1/2 pica
art:0001224-A
Rotating the tires
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

Maintenance and Care
205
%*
[MC19500(ALL)01/96
]
Replacing the Tires
*
[MC19600(ALL)01/96]
Replace any tires that show wear bands. When your tire shows
a wear band, it has only 1/16 inch (2 mm) of tread left.
[MC19700(ALL)12/95]
7-1/2 pica art:0001317-A
A worn-out tire
*
[MC19800(ALL)02/96]
Because your vehicle's tires may wear unevenly, you may need
to replace them before a wear band appears across the entire
tread.
*
[MC19900(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial,
bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that
are listed on the tire pressure decal. Make sure that all
tires are the same size, speed rating, and load-carrying
capacity. Use only the tire combinations recommended on
the decal. If you do not follow these precautions, your
vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
*
[MC20000(ALL)01/96]
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires
may also affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

Maintenance and Care
207
*
[MC21750(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
braking (straightahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
*
[MC21800(ALL)01/96]
Temperature A B C
*
[MC21900(ALL)05/96]
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level
of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
*
[MC21925(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a
tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
*
[MC21950(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Driving too fast for conditions creates the possibility of
loss of vehicle control. Driving at very high speeds for
extended periods of time may result in damage to vehicle
components.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

Maintenance and Care
209
*
[MC22900(ALL)01/96]
n
Tire chains may affect vehicle handling. Drive carefully and
avoid hard braking.
*
[MC23000(ALL)01/96]
n
Do not use chains on temporary spare tires. They may
damage the vehicle and the tire.
*
[MC23100(ALL)01/96]
n
Remove tire chains at the first opportunity after using them
on snow and ice. Do not use the chains on dry roads.
%*
[MC23200(ALL)01/96]
Filling the Fuel Tank
*
[MC23900(ALL)12/95]
The fuel door is outside the car on the passenger side near the
back. To fill the fuel tank:
*
[MC24000(ALL)03/96]1.
After opening the fuel filler door, remove the cap carefully
and slowly by turning it counterclockwise 1/2 to 3/4 turn. If
a hissing sound is heard, wait until it stops, then continue
turning until the cap is free.
*
[MC24100(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until
it stops before completely removing the cap.
*
[MC24200(ALL)01/96]2.
Put the nozzle all the way inside the fuel filler pipe before
pumping the fuel.
*
[MC24300(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: If you spill any fuel on the body of your vehicle,
clean it off immediately. The fuel may dull or soften
the paint if you do not wash it off.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996