1998 FORD CONTOUR light

Maintenance and care
161 Observe the following guidelines
when handling automotive fuel:
•Extinguish all smoking materials
and any open flames before
fueling your vehicle.
•Always turn off the vehicle
before fueling.
•Make sure the fuel cap is
correctly fitted after fueling.
Failure to do so may cause the on
board diagnostic system to
illuminate the CHECK ENGINE
light.
•Automotive fuels can be harmful
or fatal if swallowed. If fuel is
swallowed, call a physician
immediately, even if no
symptoms are immediately
apparent. The toxic effects of
fuel may not be visible for hours.
•Fuels can also be harmful if
absorbed through the skin. If fuel
is splashed on the skin, promptly
remove contaminated clothing
and wash skin thoroughly with
soap and water.
•If fuel is splashed in the eyes,
remove contact lenses (if worn),
flush with water for 15 minutes
and seek medical attention.
•Be particularly careful if you are
taking “Antabuse” or other forms
of disulfiram for the treatment of
alcoholism. Breathing gasoline
vapors or skin contact could
cause an adverse reaction.
Consult a physician immediately.
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Maintenance and care
163 Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
regular gasoline with an (R+M)/2
octane rating of 87. We do not
recommend gasolines labeled as
“regular” in high altitude areas that
are sold with octane ratings of 86
or even less.
Do not be concerned if your vehicle
sometimes knocks lightly. However,
if it knocks heavily under most
driving conditions on the
recommended octane, see your
dealer or a qualified service
technician to prevent any engine
damage.
87
MINIMUM OCTANE RATING
(R+M)/2 Method
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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
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Maintenance and care
172Foglamps (if equipped)
1. Detach the cover (access at
bottom of front bumper).
2. Turn the bulb counterclockwise
and pull it out of the light assembly.
3. Remove the electrical connector.
4. Fit the new bulb in reverse order
(do not touch the glass part of the
bulb).
Front turn signal/side lamps
Pull the socket out. Pull the bulb
out and replace it.
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Maintenance and care
174
High-mounted brake lamp
Enter the rear seat compartment.
Unscrew both screws and remove
the complete lamp assembly. Bend
the housing outwards to unclip the
lamp module. Press the reflector
fitting from the four locking points
and pull it off. Pull out the wedge
base bulb and replace.
To install, fit the new bulb in
reverse sequence.
On vehicles equipped with a rear
spoiler, the high-mounted brake
lamp is included in the spoiler.
Luggage compartment lamp
Pry out the light assembly from the
holder with a flat screwdriver. Turn
the spherical bulb under slight
pressure counterclockwise and
remove.
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Maintenance and care
176Aiming the headlamps
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Vehicle Headlamp Aim Device
(VHAD) on each headlamp body.
Each headlamp may be properly
aimed in the horizontal direction
(left/right) and the vertical position
(up/down).
A non-zero bubble reading does not
necessarily indicate out-of-aim
headlamps. If your vehicle is not
positioned on a level surface, the
slope will be included in the level
indicator. Therefore, vertical
headlamp adjustment should be
performed only when beam
direction appears to be incorrect
and a level surface can be verified. AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
The alignment of your headlamps
should be checked if:
•Oncoming motorists frequently
signal you to deactivate your high
beams, and your high beams are
not activated.
•The headlamps do not seem to
provide enough light for clear
night vision.
•The headlamp beams are pointed
substantially away from a slightly
down and to the right position.
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Maintenance and care
179
Washing your vehicle
Only use car washing areas
that have environmentally
friendly drainage systems.
VEHICLE CARE
Wash your vehicle regularly with
cold or lukewarm water. Never use
strong detergents or soap. If your
vehicle is particularly dirty, use a
quality car wash detergent. Always
use a clean sponge, washing glove
or similar device and plenty of
water for best results. To avoid
spots, avoid washing when the
hood is still warm, immediately
after or during exposure to strong
sunlight.
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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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