1998 FORD CONTOUR adding oil

Maintenance and care
1366. If the oil level is below the
minimum line, add engine oil as
necessary. If the oil level is beyond
the maximum line, engine damage
or high oil consumption may occur
and some oil must be removed
from the engine by a service
technician.
7. Put the dipstick back in and
ensure it is fully seated.
Continuous contact with
used motor oil has caused
cancer in laboratory mice.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For
instructions, refer to Checking the
engine oilin this chapter.
2. If the fluid level is not within the
normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the preferred
viscosity. Add engine oil through
the oil filler cap. Remove the filler
cap and use a funnel to pour oil in
the opening.
3. Recheck the oil level.
Make
sure the oil level is not above
the MAX mark on the dipstick.
Change your engine oil and oil filter
according to these mileage and
time requirements, whichever
occurs first.5 000 miles (8 000 km)
or 6 months
Normal schedule
3 000 miles (5 000 km)
or 3 months
Severe duty schedule:
•Extensive idling
•Trailer towing
•Driving in severe dust
•Police, taxi, or delivery service
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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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Index
195 EPage
Engine oil
changing oil and filter . . . . . . .136
checking and adding . . . . . . . .135
dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
engine oil pressure
warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
filter specifications . . . . . . . . .186
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .187
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Exhaust fumes . . . . . . . . . . .81, 166
F
Fan (see Engine fan)
Flasher, hazard . . . . . . . . . .29, 110
Flashing the lights . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Fluid refill capacities . . . . . . . . .187
Foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18, 172
Fuel
calculating fuel economy . . . .165
capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187
choosing the right fuel . . . . . .162
consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
low fuel warning light . . . . . . . . .9
octane rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164
running out of fuel . . . . . . . . .166
safety information relating
to automotive fuels . . . . . . . . .160
Fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .110
Fuse panels
engine compartment . . . . . . . .113
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .115FPage
Fuses
charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114, 117
checking and replacing . . . . . .112
G
Gas mileage (see Fuel economy)
Gauges
engine coolant temperature . . .15
fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) . . .100
Gearshift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90, 96
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) .100
H
Hazard flashers . . . . . . . . . .29, 110
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Headlamps
aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
bulb specifications . . . . . . . . .175
daytime running light . . . . . . . .18
flashing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . .171
turning on and off . . . . . . . . . . .17
warning chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
High beams
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
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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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Index
199 TPage
Tires
changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
checking tire pressure . . . . . .155
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
inspection and maintenance . .155
replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
rotating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
snow tires and chains . . . . . . .158
spare tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
tire grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
treadwear . . . . . . . . . . . . .153, 156
wearbands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
Towing your vehicle . . . . . . . . .127
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
Transaxle
automatic, operation . . . . . . . . .90
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .187
lubricant specifications . . . . . .188
manual, operation . . . . . . . . . . .93
Transmitter (see Remote entry)
Trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Trunk (see Luggage compartment)
remote release lever . . . . . . . . .39
using the remote entry system .42
Turn signal
indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
U
Used engine oil, disposal . . . . . .137VPage
Variable interval wipers . . . . . . . .31
Vehicle care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191
Vehicle Emission Control
Information(VECI) . . . . . . . . . .166
Vehicle loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Ventilating your vehicle . . . . . . .80
Viscosity (see Engne oil)
W
Warning chimes
headlamps on . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
key in ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Warning lights (seeLights)
Washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . .133
Weight limits (GAWR, GVWR) . .90
Wheels
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
inspection and maintenance . .155
Windows
one-touch down . . . . . . . . . . . .37
power windows, operating . . . .37
rear, defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Windshield washer fluid and wipers
checking and adding fluid . . . .138
checking and replacing
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .188
variable interval wipers . . . . . . .31
Wrecker towing . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
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