1998 FORD CONTOUR engine coolant

Maintenance and care
140
When adding engine coolant
Ford recommends Ford Premium
Cooling System Fluid, which is an
optimized formula that will protect
all metals and rubber elastomers
used in Ford engines for four years
or 80000 km(50000 miles).
It is neither necessary nor
recommended to use supplemental
coolant additives in your gasoline-
powered vehicle. These additives
may harm your engine coolant
system.
When you change or add engine
coolant, it is important to maintain
engine coolant concentration
between 40% (-24°C [-11°F]) and
60% (-52°C [-62°F]), depending on
your local climate conditions.
A coolant concentration below 40%
will result in a loss of freeze
protection. A concentration above
60% may cause the engine to
overheat on a warm day.
Refer to Lubricant specifications
in theCapacities and
specifications chapter. Use only a
premium nationally-recognized
brand name engine coolant or
equivalent.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 140

Maintenance and care
141 Always dispose of used
automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your
community’s standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
Recycled engine coolant
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 specifications ESE-
M97B44-A, and use of such coolant
may harm engine and cooling
system components.
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Maintenance and care
142
MAX
MIN
Adding engine coolant
1. Before removing the engine
coolant recovery cap, turn the
engine off and allow it to cool.
2. When the engine is cool, turn
and remove the cap.
Never remove the coolant
recovery cap while the
engine is running or hot.
•Step back for a moment while the
pressure in the reservoir is
released.
•Stand away from the reservoir
opening. Hot steam or coolant
spray may be released.
3. Add engine coolant until the
fluid level in the reservoir is
between the MAX and MIN lines on
the reservoir.
Follow the recommended service
interval for changing engine
coolant as outlined in the “Service
Guide”. Refer to Capacities and
specifications for more
information on engine coolant
specifications.
Have your dealer or a qualified
service technician check the engine
coolant system for leaks if you have
to add more than a litre (quart) of
engine coolant per month.
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Maintenance and care
143
Checking and adding power
steering fluid
Switch off the engine. With the
steering system at normal
operating temperature, the fluid
level should come up to the MAX
mark.
If the fluid level drops below the
MIN mark, add the specified fluid.
Refer to the Capacities and
specificationschapter.
Severe winter climate
If you drive in extremely cold
climates (less than -36°C [-34°F]),
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 the 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.
MAX
MIN
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Maintenance and care
167
BRAKE
BRAKE
TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
If you notice one or more of the
following, the emission system may
not be functioning properly; have
the vehicle serviced as soon as
possible:
•Fluid leaks.
•The charging system, engine oil
pressure or low coolant warning
lights illuminate in the
instrument cluster and remain lit.
•Strange odors.
•Engine runs for more than five
seconds after shut off or engine
misfires, surges, stalls or
backfires.
•Loss of oil pressure.Alternative design Alternative design
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 167

Capacities and specifications
188
ItemFord part name
or equivalent
High performance
DOT 3 brake fluid
Premium engine
coolant
Motorcraft motor
oil 5W-30 super
premium
MERCON
®
power steering
fluid
Motorcraft
MERCON
®ATF
Ultra-clear
windshield washer
concentrate
Ford
part number
C6AZ-19542-AB
E2FZ-19549-AA
CXC-8-B*
XO-5W30-QSP
E6AZ-19582-AA
XT-2-QDX
C9AZ-19550-AA
or
C9AZ-19550-BA
Ford
specification
ESA-M6C25-A
WSE-97B44-A
American Petroleum
Institute Certification
Mark and
WSS-M2C153-G
MERCON®
MERCON®
ESR-M17P5-A Brake fluid
Engine coolant
Engine oil
Power steering
fluid
Transaxle fluid
automatic/
5-speed manual
Windshield
washer
fluid
Lubricant Specifications
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193
Index
APage
Accessory position on
the ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Additives, engine oil . . . . . . . . .135
Air bag supplemental
restraint system
and child safety seats . . . . . . . .59
description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . .10, 62
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
wearing safety belts . . . . . . . . .58
Air conditioning
(see Climate control system)
Alarm, activating panic . . . . . . . .42
Antenna, radio
(see Audio sytem) . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) . .87
Anti-theft system (see Passive
Anti-Theft System) . . . . . . . . . . .44
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)
Audio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Automatic transaxle
driving with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
fluid, adding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144
fluid, checking . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .187
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .188
B
Backing up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92, 98
Battery
charging system warning light . .7
jumping a disabled battery . . .124
proper disposal, recycling . . . .148
replacement, specifications . .186
servicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146BPage
Brake fluid
checking and adding . . . . . . . .138
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Brake-shift interlock . . . . . . . . . .91
Brakelamps
(see Bulb replacement)
Brakes
anti-lock brake system (ABS) .87
brake warning light . . . . . . . . . .11
fluid, checking and adding . . .138
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .187
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .188
parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Built-in child seat
folding up the seat . . . . . . . . . .73
inspection after a collision . . . .73
interlock safety feature . . . . . . .69
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
retractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Break-in period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Bulbs, replacing
foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
high-mounted brake lamp . . . .174
license plate lamp . . . . . . . . . .173
rear lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
C
Cabin air filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
Capacities for refilling fluids . . .187
Carbon monoxyde in exhaust . .166
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . .168
Chains, tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158
Changing a tire . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Charging system warning light . . .7
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CPage
Child safety restraints
built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .68
child safety seats . . . . . . . . . . . .74
children and safety belts . . .64, 66
Child safety seats
and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
attaching with tether straps . . .77
automatic locking mode . . . . . .52
Childproof safety locks . . . . . . . .38
Chimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Circuit breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment . . . . . . . .182
exterior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . .183
fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .184
plastic exterior parts . . . . . . . .183
safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183
Climate control system
air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
controlling airflow . . . . . . . . . . .23
defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Clutch
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
recommended shift speeds . . . .97
Cold engine starting . . . . . . . . . .85
Controls
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . .17
mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
power seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
steering column . . . . . . . . . . . . .27DPage
Daytime running lights . . . . . . . .18
Defects, reporting . . . . . . . . . . .192
Defrost
rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Dipstick, engine oil . . . . . . . . . .133
Door mounted controls . . . . . . . .37
Driving under special conditions
heavy load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . .103
E
Electrical system
fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Emergencies, roadside
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .110
jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
Emergency brake (see Parking
brake)
Emission control system . . . . . .166
Engine
check engine warning light . . . . .9
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .110
lubricant specifications . . . . . .188
preparing to start . . . . . . . . . . .82
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .187
starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
Engine block heater . . . . . . . . . .86
Engine coolant
checking and adding . . . . . . . .139
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
low coolant warning light . . . . . .8
refilll capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .187
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Engine fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
Index
194
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