1998 FORD CONTOUR mileage

Instrumentation
15
NORMALEngine coolant temperature
gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal
operating temperature, the needle
remains within the NORMAL area.
If it enters the red section, the
engine is overheating. Switch off
the ignition and determine the
source of the problem. Refer to
Checking and adding engine
coolant in the Maintenance and
care chapter.
Speedometer
Indicates the current vehicle
speed.
Odometer
Registers the total mileage of the
vehicle.
Trip odometer
The trip odometer can register the
mileage of individual journeys. To
reset, depress the button.
000123
0000
10 20 3040506070
80
90
110
120
130
MPH
20 4060
55
80120 100
140
160
180
200100
Speedometer
Odometer
Trip odometerReset button
CDW IIA2Instrum_en C 5/15/97 8:42 PM Page 15

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
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 136

Maintenance and care
165 Calculating fuel economy
To accurately calculate your
vehicle’s fuel economy:
1. Fill the tank completely and
record the initial odometer reading.
2. Each time you fill the tank,
record the amount of fuel added
(in litres or gallons).
3. After at least three to five fill-
ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current mileage reading.
4. Use one of the following
equations to calculate fuel
economy.
Litres used x 100 / Total kilometres
traveled
Total miles traveled / Total gallons
used
Keep a record for at least one
month. This will provide an
accurate estimate of the vehicle’s
fuel economy.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 165

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
CDW_Index_en_C 5/15/97 8:59 PM Page 195

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