1998 FORD CONTOUR lock

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.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 174

Maintenance and care
182Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when
they are clean because grease and
dirt buildup act as insulators and
keep the engine warmer than
normal. Follow these guidelines to
clean your engine:
•Take care when using a power
washer to clean the engine. The
high pressure fluid could
penetrate the sealed parts and
cause damage.
•Do not spray with cold water, to
avoid cracking the engine block.
•Cover the alternator to prevent
water damage when cleaning the
engine.
•Never wash or rinse the engine
while it is running; water in the
running engine may cause
internal damage.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 182

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
CDW_Index_en_C 5/15/97 8:59 PM Page 193

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
CDW_Index_en_C 5/15/97 8:59 PM Page 194

HPage
High-mount brakelamp . . . . . . .174
Hood
latch location . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
I
Identification Number, Vehicle
(VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191
Idle, relearning . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
Idle, speed . . . . . . . . . . . . .149, 189
Ignition
chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
positions on the ignition . . . . . .27
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Instrument panel
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
lighting up the panel . . . . . . . . .19
Integrated child seat (see Built-in
child seat)
Intermittent wipers . . . . . . . . . . .31
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
J
Jack
positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
Jump starting your vehicle
attaching cables . . . . . . . . . . . .125
disconnecting cables . . . . . . . .126
K
Keys
key in ignition warning chime .13
positions of the ignition . . . . . .27
Index
196LPage
Lamps
bulb replacement specification
chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
daytime running light system . .18
flashing the lamps . . . . . . . . . . .30
foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18, 172
hazard flashers . . . . . . . . .29, 110
headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
high beams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
high-mounted brake lamp . . . .174
instrument panel, dimming . . .19
interior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
reading lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . .170
rear lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) . . . . . . .11
brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
charging system . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
check engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
engine oil pressure . . . . . . . . . .11
high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
low coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
low fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
overdrive off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
testing the warning lights . . . . .12
turn signal indicator . . . . . . . . . .6
Load limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
Lubricant specifications . . . . . .188
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . .39
CDW_Index_en_C 5/15/97 8:59 PM Page 196

Index
197 MPage
Maintenance (see Servicing)
Manual transaxle
backing up (reverse) . . . . . . . . .98
clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
fluid, capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . .187
fluid, checking and adding . . .138
shift speeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Mileage, calculating fuel
economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) . . . .20
Motorcraft parts . . . . . . . . . . . .186
N
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
O
Octane rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Oil (see Engine oil)
Oil filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136, 187
On-board diagnostic (OBDII)
system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
Overdrive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9, 93
Overhead controls . . . . . . . . . . . .36
P
Panel dimmer control . . . . . . . . .19
Panic alarm, remote entry sytem42
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) . . .186
Passenger compartment
air filter (see Cabin air filter) . .150
Passive Anti-Theft
System (PATS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44PPage
Power distribution box
(see Fuses)
Power door locks . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Power features
mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding . . .143
fluid, refill capacity . . . . . . . . .187
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .188
R
Radio (see Audio system) . . . . . .21
Rear window defroster . . . . . . . .19
Refill capacities for fluids . . . . .187
Relays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Remote control
luggage compartment . . . . . . . .39
Remote entry system
locking/unlocking doors . . . . . .41
opening the trunk . . . . . . . . . . .42
panic alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
replacing the batteries . . . . . . .42
replacement/additional
transmitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Repairing paint chips . . . . . . . .181
Reporting safety defects . . . . . .192
Restraints, safety . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Rotating the tires . . . . . . . . . . . .155
CDW_Index_en_C 5/15/97 8:59 PM Page 197

SPage
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints)
Safety chains, when towing
a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
Safety Compliance Certification
Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Safety defects, reporting . . . . . .192
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts . .50, 54
automatic locking mode
(retractors) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
cleaning the safety belts . . . . .185
extention assembly . . . . . . . . . .56
for children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
lap and shoulder belts . . . . . . . .51
maintenance . . . . . . . . . . .57, 185
vehicle sensitive locking mode .52
warning light and chime . . . .7, 12
Safety seats for children
and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . . .59, 75
attaching with tether straps . . .77
automatic locking mode
(retractors) . . . . . . . . . . . . .53, 74
built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .68
in front seat . . . . . . . . . . . . .59, 75
tether anchorage hardware . . .78
Seats
adjusting the seats, manual . . .47
adjusting the seats, power . . . .48
folding rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . .49
head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Servicing your vehicle . . . . . . . .128
Shift-lock system . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
Shift positions (see Gearshift)
Snow tires and chains . . . . . . . .158SPage
Spare tire
changing the tire . . . . . . . . . . .119
removing the spare tire . . . . . .121
temporary spare tire . . . . . . . .120
Spark plugs, certifications . . . .186
Specification charts, lubricants188
Speed control
disengaging speed control . . . .35
return to a set speed . . . . . . . . .35
set a speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
set a higher speed . . . . . . . . . . .34
set a lower speed . . . . . . . . . . . .34
turn speed control off . . . . . . . .32
turn speed control on . . . . . . . .32
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start the vehicle . .82
starting the engine . . . . . . . . . .85
Steering column controls . . . . . .27
Steering wheel
horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
speed control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
tilting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Supplemental restraint
system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13, 58
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Tail lamps (see Rear lamps)
Temperature control
(see Climate control)
Testing the warning lights . . . . . .12
Tether anchor installation
(see Child safety restraints)
Tilt steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Index
198
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