1998 FORD CONTOUR octane

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
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 163

Capacities and specifications
189 Engine data
* Mechanical valve adjuster
2.0 litre
Engine2.5 litre
Engine
19882544
96 (125)
5500125 (170)
6250
176 (130)
4000220 (162)
4250
61506700
63756925
800±50
(880±50)725±50
(725±50)
1-3-4-21-4-2-5-3-6
1.3
Electronically controlled Idle speed
(manual transaxle)Engine
cm
3Capacity
kW(HP)
at rpm Power output
Nm (lb-ft)
at rpm Max. torque
Fuel required87 Octane
rpm Continuous engine
speed
rpm Max. intermittent
engine speed
rpm
Mixture preparation
Injection system
Firing order
mm
Spark plug gap
Ignition system
0.14 mm
0.30 mm Valve Inlet
clearancesExhaustHydraulic valve
adjusters 0.11-0.18*
0.27-0.34*
CDW_VB1-5_Caps_en_C 5/15/97 8:58 PM Page 189

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

Filling station information
UNLEADEDFUELONLY
Octane 87
61.5 litres (16.3 gallons)
Use Motorcraft 5W-30 Formula E
Fuel Economy Motor Oil, Ford
specification WSS-M2C153-G.
Refer to Safety Compliance
Certification label on driver’s door
pillar
Pull handle under the left side of
the instrument panel
Left rear of vehicle FuelFuel tank capacity
Engine oil
Tire size and pressure
Hood release location
Fuel filler location
CDW_Info_Fill_en_C 5/15/97 9:00 PM Page 2