1999 FORD CONTOUR octane

Maintenance and care
193
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
ÒregularÓ 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
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting,
rough idle or hesitation problems
try a different brand of fuel. If the
condition persists, see your dealer
or qualified service technician.
The American Automobile
Manufacturers Association
(AAMA) issued a gasoline
specification to provide information
on high quality fuels that optimize
the performance of your vehicle.
We recommend the use of gasolines
that meet the AAMA specification
if they are available.
It should not be necessary to add
any aftermarket products to your
fuel tank if you continue to use a
high-quality fuel.
31CMCen 3/25/99 3:45 PM Page 193

Capacities and specifications
220Engine data
* Mechanical valve adjuster
2.0 litre
Engine2.5 litre
Engine
1988 2544
96 (125)
5500125 (170)
6250
176 (130)
4000220 (162)
4250
61506700
6375 6925
800±50
(880±50)725±50
(725±50)
1-3-4-2 1-4-2-5-3-6
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
clearances ExhaustHydraulic valve
adjusters 0.11-0.18*
0.27-0.34*
32CCSen 3/25/99 3:50 PM Page 220

Index
238
EPage
Engine oil
changing oil and filter . . . . . . .165
checking and adding . . . . . . . .165
dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167
engine oil pressure
warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
filter specifications . . . . . . . . .217
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .218
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Exhaust fumes . . . . . . . . . .106, 197
F
Fan (see Engine fan)
Flasher, hazard . . . . . . . . . .54, 137
Flashing the lights . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Fluid refill capacities . . . . . . . . .218
Foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21, 202
Fuel
calculating fuel economy . . . .195
capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
choosing the right fuel . . . . . .192
consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136
fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
low fuel warning light . . . . . . . .13
octane rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
running out of fuel . . . . . . . . .196
safety information relating
to automotive fuels . . . . . . . . .190
Fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .137
Fuse panels
engine compartment . . . . . . . .140
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .142
FPage
Fuses
charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141, 144
checking and replacing . . . . . .139
G
Gas mileage (see Fuel)
Gauges
engine coolant temperature . . .18
fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) . . .127
Gearshift . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117, 123
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) .127
H
Hazard flashers . . . . . . . . . .54, 137
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Headlamps
aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
bulb specifications . . . . . . . . .206
daytime running light . . . . . . . .21
flashing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . .200
turning on and off . . . . . . . . . . .20
warning chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
High beams
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
4CInden 3/25/99 3:55 PM Page 238

Index
240
MPage
Maintenance (see Servicing)
Manual transaxle
backing up (reverse) . . . . . . . .125
clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
fluid, capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
shift speeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
Mileage, calculating fuel
economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) . . . .23
Motorcraft parts . . . . . . . . . . . .217
N
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235
O
Octane rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Oil (see Engine oil)
Oil filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165, 217
On-board diagnostic (OBD II)
system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
Overdrive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9, 120
Overhead controls . . . . . . . . . . . .61
P
Panel dimmer control . . . . . . . . .22
Panic alarm, remote entry sytem 67
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) . . .217
Passenger compartment
air filter (see Cabin air filter) . .181
Passive Anti-Theft
System (PATS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
PPage
Power distribution box
(see Fuses)
Power door locks . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Power features
mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding . . .173
fluid, refill capacity . . . . . . . . .218
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .219
R
Radio (see Audio system) . . . . . .32
Rear window defroster . . . . . . . .22
Refill capacities for fluids . . . . .218
Relays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Remote control
luggage compartment . . . . . . . .64
Remote entry system
locking/unlocking doors . . . . . .66
opening the trunk . . . . . . . . . . .67
panic alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
replacing the batteries . . . . . . .67
replacement/additional
transmitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Repairing paint chips . . . . . . . .212
Reporting safety defects . . . . . .235
Restraints, safety . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Rotating the tires . . . . . . . . . . . .185
4CInden 3/25/99 3:55 PM Page 240

244
Filling station information
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
Octane 87
58.5 litres (15.4 gallons)
Use Motorcraft 5W-30 Formula E
Fuel Economy Motor Oil, Ford
specification WSS-M2C153-G.
Refer to Safety Compliance
Certification label on driverÕs door
pillar
Pull handle under the left side of
the instrument panel
Right rear of vehicle
Fuel
Fuel tank capacity
Engine oil
Tire size and pressure
Hood release location
Fuel filler location
4CInden 3/25/99 3:55 PM Page 244