1998 FORD CONTOUR brake

Maintenance and care
175 Reading lamps (if equipped)
Open the lamp assembly.
The bulbs can be replaced after the
contact plate has been hinged
back.
Interior lamps
Switch off the interior lamps
(middle switch position). Pry out
the lamp assembly with a flat
screwdriver, release the reflector at
the side and replace the festoon
bulb.
To install, fit the new bulb in
reverse sequence.
FunctionTrade number
3457 NA
9005
9006
893
1157
1156 Front /turn lamp
Headlamp (high)
Headlamp (low)
Foglamp
Rear tail/turn/brake lamp
Backup lamp
Bulb specifications
2723
C5W High-mounted brake lamp
License plate lamp
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 175

Maintenance and care
180Waxing your vehicle
The best way to determine when
the paintwork needs waxing is by
noting when water stops beading
on the surface. This could be every
three or four months depending on
operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-
based waxes. Remove any bugs and
tar before waxing the vehicle. Use
cleaning fluid or alcohol with a
clean cloth to remove bugs. Use tar
remover to remove any tar spots.
During winter months, it is
especially important to wash the
vehicle on a regular basis. Large
quantities of dirt and road salt are
difficult to remove, and they also
cause damage to the vehicle.
Remove or lower any exterior
accessories, such as antennas,
before entering a car wash.
Remove particles such as bird
droppings, tree sap, insect remains,
tar spots, road salt and industrial
fallout immediately.
After washing, apply the brakes
several times to dry them.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 180

Maintenance and care
184Cleaning the interior fabric
Remove dust and loose dirt with a
whisk broom or a vacuum cleaner.
Remove fresh spots immediately.
Follow the directions that come
with the cleaner.
Cleaning leather seats
(if equipped)
For routine cleaning, wipe the
surface with a soft, damp cloth. For
more thorough cleaning, wipe the
surface with a leather and vinyl
cleaner or a mild soap.
Cleaning the instrument panel
HM:
I0 20OFF LOPNL/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
DEF FLR
DEF
MAX
A/C HI/
POWERAUDIOAM/FM
SCAN
SEEK 312645ANSSIDE1-2EJECTVOLUME
000123000010 20 3040506070
80
90
100
110
120
130MPH20 406055
80120 100
140
160
180
200EF 1
/
2UNLEADED FUEL ONLY12
03x 1000
4
5
6
7
8NORMALBRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
MIRRORS
Clean the instrument panel with a
damp cloth, then dry with a dry
cloth.
Any cleaner or polish that
increases the gloss of the upper
portion of the instrument panel
should be avoided. The dull finish
in this area is to help protect the
driver from undesirable windshield
reflection.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 184

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
CDW_VB1-5_Caps_en_C 5/15/97 8:58 PM Page 188

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
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