Page 8 of 196
Instrumentation
8Check engine
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned on and the engine is off.
Also illuminates when the engine’s
emission control system requires
service or if the fuel filler cap is
not fitted correctly.
CHECK
ENGINE
CHECK
ENGINEAir bag readiness
Briefly illuminates when the
ignition is turned on. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to
flash or remains on, have the
system serviced immediately.
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
110
120
130
MPH
20 4060
55
80120 100
140
160
180
200100
EF 1
/
2
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
12
03
x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
NORMAL
BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
Low fuel
Illuminates when the fuel level is
low.CHECK
ENGINE
CDW IIA2Instrum_en MM 5/15/97 7:43 PM Page 8
Page 157 of 196
Maintenance and care
157 IMPORTANT FUEL
INFORMATON
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank.
The pressure in an overfilled
tank may cause leakage and lead
to fuel spray and fire.
If you do not use the proper
fuel cap, the pressure in the
fuel tank can damage the fuel
system or cause it to work
improperly in a collision.
The fuel system may be
under pressure. If the fuel
cap is venting vapor or if you hear
a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the
cap.
Automotive fuels can cause
serious injury or death if
misused or mishandled.
CDW VA1-19Maint en MM 5/15/97 7:56 PM Page 157
Page 158 of 196

Maintenance and care
158Observe the following guidelines
when handling automotive fuel:
•Extinguish all smoking materials
and any open flames before
fueling your vehicle.
•Always turn off the vehicle
before fueling.
•Make sure the fuel cap is
correctly fitted after fueling.
Failure to do so may cause the on
board diagnostic system to
illuminate the CHECK ENGINE
light.
•Automotive fuels can be harmful
or fatal if swallowed. If fuel is
swallowed, call a physician
immediately, even if no
symptoms are immediately
apparent. The toxic effects of
fuel may not be visible for hours.
•Fuels can also be harmful if
absorbed through the skin. If fuel
is splashed on the skin, promptly
remove contaminated clothing
and wash skin thoroughly with
soap and water.
•If fuel is splashed in the eyes,
remove contact lenses (if worn),
flush with water for 15 minutes
and seek medical attention.
•Be particularly careful if you are
taking “Antabuse” or other forms
of disulfiram for the treatment of
alcoholism. Breathing gasoline
vapors or skin contact could
cause an adverse reaction.
Consult a physician immediately.
CDW VA1-19Maint en MM 5/15/97 7:56 PM Page 158
Page 183 of 196
Capacities and specifications
183
*Refer to Vehicle Emission Control Information (VECI) decal for spark plug
and gap specifications.
**If a spark plug is removed for examination, it must be reinstalled in the same
cylinder. If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use only spark plugs with the
service part number suffix letter “FE” as shown on the engine decal.
Motorcraft parts
Component
Spark plug*
Air filter
Passenger compartment
air filter
Fuel filter
Oil filter
Battery
PCVvalve
Crankcase ventilation
filter2.0 litre engine
AZFS-22F # 1+2**
AZFS-22FE# 3+4
FA-1612
FP4
FG-800A
FL-2005
BXT-40R
EV-224
FA-1621
2.5 litre engine
AWSF-32F
FA-1613
FP4
FG-800A
FL-820
BXT-40R
EV-152
—
Part number
CDW_VB1-5_ Caps_en_MM 5/15/97 7:59 PM Page 183
Page 184 of 196
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)**
* Total capacity
** with automatic transaxle
Capacities2.0 litre
engine2.5 litre
engine
Capacities and specifications
184
CDW_VB1-5_ Caps_en_MM 5/15/97 7:59 PM Page 184
Page 186 of 196
Capacities and specifications
186
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*
Engine data
* Mechanical valve adjuster
CDW_VB1-5_ Caps_en_MM 5/15/97 7:59 PM Page 186
Page 191 of 196

Index
191 CPage
Child safety restraints
built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .65
child safety seats . . . . . . . . . . . .71
children and safety belts . . .61, 63
Child safety seats
and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
attaching with tether straps . . .74
automatic locking mode . . . . . .49
Childproof safety locks . . . . . . . .35
Chimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Circuit breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment . . . . . . . .179
exterior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .181
plastic exterior parts . . . . . . . .180
safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
Climate control system
air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
controlling airflow . . . . . . . . . . .20
defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Clutch
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
recommended shift speeds . . . .94
Cold engine starting . . . . . . . . . .82
Controls
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . .14
mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
power seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
steering column . . . . . . . . . . . . .24DPage
Daytime running lights . . . . . . . .15
Defects, reporting . . . . . . . . . . .189
Defrost
rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Dipstick, engine oil . . . . . . . . . .130
Door mounted controls . . . . . . . .34
Driving under special conditions
heavy load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . .100
E
Electrical system
fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Emergencies, roadside
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .107
jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
Emergency brake (see Parking
brake)
Emission control system . . . . . .163
Engine
check engine warning light . . . . .8
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .107
lubricant specifications . . . . . .185
preparing to start . . . . . . . . . . .79
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .184
starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Engine block heater . . . . . . . . . .83
Engine coolant
checking and adding . . . . . . . .136
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
low coolant warning light . . . . . .7
refilll capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .184
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Engine fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
CDW_Index_en _MM 5/15/97 8:00 PM Page 191
Page 192 of 196

Index
192EPage
Engine oil
changing oil and filter . . . . . . .133
checking and adding . . . . . . . .132
dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
engine oil pressure
warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
filter specifications . . . . . . . . .183
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .184
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Exhaust fumes . . . . . . . . . . .78, 163
F
Fan (see Engine fan)
Flasher, hazard . . . . . . . . . .26, 107
Flashing the lights . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Fluid refill capacities . . . . . . . . .184
Foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15, 169
Fuel
calculating fuel economy . . . .162
capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
choosing the right fuel . . . . . .159
consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
low fuel warning light . . . . . . . . .8
octane rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
running out of fuel . . . . . . . . .163
safety information relating
to automotive fuels . . . . . . . . .157
Fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .107
Fuse panels
engine compartment . . . . . . . .110
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .113FPage
Fuses
charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111, 114
checking and replacing . . . . . .109
G
Gas mileage (see Fuel economy)
Gauges
engine coolant temperature . . .12
fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) . . . .97
Gearshift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87, 93
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) . .97
H
Hazard flashers . . . . . . . . . .26, 107
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Headlamps
aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
bulb specifications . . . . . . . . .172
daytime running light . . . . . . . .15
flashing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . .167
turning on and off . . . . . . . . . . .14
warning chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
High beams
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
CDW_Index_en _MM 5/15/97 8:00 PM Page 192