1997 FORD CONTOUR coolant

Instrumentation
19
%*
[IS06900(ALL)03/96]
Turn Signal Indicator Lights
*
[IS07000(ALL)03/96]
The turn signal arrow will flash to indicate the direction in
which you are going to be turning.
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[IS07100(ALL)02/96]
one inch art:0050190-A
%*
[IS07200(ALL)03/96]
Fuel Gauge
*
[IS07300(ALL)01/96]
The fuel gauge displays approximately how much fuel you have
in the fuel tank.
[IS07400(ALL)12/95]
For proper fuel gauge operation, the ignition must be in the
OFF position before you add fuel to the fuel tank.
*
[IS07500(ALL)01/96]
The fuel gauge indicator may vary slightly while the vehicle is
in motion. This is the result of fuel movement within the tank.
An accurate reading may be obtained with the vehicle on
smooth, level ground.
%*
[IS07600(ALL)03/96]
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
*
[IS07700(ALL)02/96]
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not
the coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level or
mixture, the gauge indication will not be accurate.
[IS07800(ALL)12/95]
The pointer moves from the white mark into the NORMAL
band as the engine coolant warms up. It is acceptable for the
pointer to fluctuate within the NORMAL band under normal
driving conditions. Under certain driving conditions, such as
heavy stop and go traffic or driving up hills in hot weather, the
pointer may indicate at the top of the NORMAL band.
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20
[IS07900(ALL)12/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001097-B
The engine coolant temperature gauge
*
[IS08000(ALL)04/96]
If, under any circumstances, the pointer moves above the
NORMAL band, the engine is overheating and continued
operation may cause engine damage.
*
[IS08100(ALL)03/96]
If your engine overheats:
*
[IS08200(ALL)04/96]1.
Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
*
[IS08300(ALL)01/96]2.
Turn off the engine.
*
[IS08400(ALL)01/96]3.
Let the engine cool.
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[IS08500(ALL)03/96]4.
Check the coolant level following the instructions on
checking and adding coolant to your engine, seeEngine
Coolantin the Index. If you do not follow these instructions,
you or others could be injured.
*
[IS08600(ALL)01/96]
If the coolant continues to overheat, have the coolant system
serviced as soon as possible.
%*
[IS08700(ALL)03/96]
Speedometer
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[IS08800(ALL)03/96]
The speedometer tells you how many miles (kilometers) per
hour your vehicle is moving.
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2225 mph [20 and 40 km/h] for vehicles equipped with the
traction control system). The system turns on the ABS pump
motor for approximately 1/2 second. At this time, a mechanical
noise may be heard and felt. This is a normal part of the
self-check feature. If a malfunction is found during this check
the anti-lock light will come on.
[IS10100(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0001210-A% [IS10200(ALL)12/95]
Low Coolant Light (If equipped)
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[IS10300(ALL)03/96]
This light indicates that the level of the engine coolant is low
inside the coolant recovery bottle and that you should add more
coolant. SeeEngine Coolantin the Index.
[IS10400(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0001214-B[IS10500(ALL)12/95]
This light comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is
turned to the START position, but should turn off when the
engine starts. If this light stays on, check the level of coolant
inside the recovery bottle. The level may be slightly above the
MIN line because the light is an ªearly warning.º
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122
%*
[TO05500(ALL)01/96]
Engine Block Heater (If equipped)
*
[TO05600(ALL)01/96]
Engine block heaters are strongly recommended if you live in a
region where temperatures reach-10ÊF (-23ÊC) orbelow. An
engine block heater warms the engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine faster, and allows the
heater-defrost system to respond quickly.
*
[TO05700(ALL)01/96]
To turn the heater on, simply plug it into a grounded 110-volt
outlet. Ford recommends that you use a 110-volt circuit that is
protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter.
*
[TO05800(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
To prevent electrical shock, do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater)
adapters.
*
[TO05900(ALL)01/96]
For best results, plug the heater in at least three hours before
you start your vehicle. Using the heater for longer than three
hours will not damage the engine, so you can plug it in at night
to start your vehicle the following morning.
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190
[MC09100(ALL)12/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001222-A
The windshield washer fluid reservoir
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[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.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996