1998 FORD CONTOUR washer fluid

Maintenance and care
133 For ease of identification, all filler caps and the engine oil dipstick are
marked yellow/black. 2.0 litre EFI-engine compartment
Power
steering
reservoirEngine
coolant
reservoirAutomatic
transaxle
dipstick
(if equipped)Brake fluid
reservoir
BatteryWindshield
washer fluid
reservoirEngine oil
dipstickPower
distribution
box
Air
cleaner
Engine oil
filler cap
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Maintenance and care
134
Power
steering
reservoirEngine
coolant
reservoir 2.5 litre EFI-engine compartment
For ease of identification, all filler caps and the engine oil dipstick are
marked yellow/black.Air
cleanerBrake fluid
reservoirAutomatic
transaxle
dipstick
(if equipped)
BatteryWindshield
washer fluid
reservoirEngine oil
dipstickPower
distribution
boxEngine oil
filler cap
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 134

Maintenance and care
138Brake/clutch fluid reservoir
Brake and clutch fluid systems are
supplied from the same reservoir.
The level of the fluid must lie
between the MIN and MAX marks
on the side of the reservoir. If the
level falls below the MIN mark, the
brake fluid level warning light on
the instrument panel will
illuminate. Add only brake fluid
that meets the Ford specification
(see the chapter Capacities and
specifications).
MAX
MIN
Brake fluid is toxic.
BRAKE
BRAKE
If you use a brake fluid that
is not DOT 3, you will cause
permanent damage to your brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for
the master cylinder run dry.
This may cause the brakes to fail.
Windshield washer system
If necessary, add enough washer
fluid to fill the reservoir. Follow the
instructions on the washer fluid
label.
Alternative design
Do not put engine coolant in
the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
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Maintenance and care
139 Engine coolant maintenance
MAX
MIN
Checking and adding engine
coolant
Check the level of the coolant in
the reservoir at least once a month.
Be sure to read and understand
Precautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been
checked for a long period of time,
the engine coolant reservoir may
eventually empty. If this occurs,
add engine coolant to the coolant
reservoir. For more information
refer to Adding engine coolant in
this chapter.
Automotive fluids are not
interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield
washer fluid outside its specified
function and vehicle location.
Do not put windshield
washer fluid in the container
for engine coolant.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 139

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

Capacities and specifications
187
* Total capacity
** with automatic transaxle
Engine oil
- with filter
- without
Manual transaxle2.6 l (2.7 qts)
Automatic transaxle
with oil cooler
Power steering
Cooling system with heating
Windshield washer fluid
Fuel tank
Braking system4.25 l (4.5 qts)
3.75 l (4.0 qts)
8.5 l (9.0 qts.)
6.6 l (7.0 qts)*
7.1 l (7.5 qts)**
Fill to MAX mark
Fill to top of reservoir
61.5 l (16.2 gallons)
Fill to MAX mark5.5 l (5.8 qts)
5.0 l (5.3 qts)
9.6 l (10.2 qts)
9.5 l (10.0 qts)*
9.7 l (10.2 qts)**
Capacities2.0 litre
engine2.5 litre
engine
CDW_VB1-5_Caps_en_C 5/15/97 8:58 PM Page 187

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

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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