Page 163 of 244
Maintenance and care
163
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
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:17 PM Page 163
Page 164 of 244
Maintenance and care
164
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
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:17 PM Page 164
Page 168 of 244
Maintenance and care
168
Brake/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 cluster will
illuminate. Add only DOT 3, DOT 4
or Super DOT 4 brake fluid that
meets the Ford specification (see
the chapter
Capacities and
specifications
).
If you use brake fluid that is not
DOT 3, DOT 4 or Super DOT 4 you
will cause permanent damage to
your brakes.
MAX
MIN
Brake fluid is toxic.
BRAKE
BRAKE
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.
Do not put engine coolant in
the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
Alternative design
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:17 PM Page 168
Page 169 of 244
Maintenance and care
169
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
vehicle
in 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.
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:17 PM Page 169
Page 213 of 244
Maintenance and care
213
Cleaning 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.
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:18 PM Page 213
Page 218 of 244
Capacities and specifications
218
Engine oil
- with filter
- without
Manual transaxle1.9 l (2.0 qts)
Automatic transaxle
with oil cooler
Power steering
Cooling system with heating
Windshield washer fluid
Fuel tank
Braking system
4.25 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
58.5 l (15.4 gallons)
Fill to MAX mark
5.5 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
32MCSen 4/13/99 2:21 PM Page 218
Page 219 of 244
Capacities and specifications
219
Lubricant Specifications
ItemFord part name
or equivalent
High performance
DOT 3 brake fluid,
DOT 4 brake fluid
or Super DOT 4
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
for DOT 3
E2FZ-19549-AA
CXC-8-B
XO-5W30-QSP
E6AZ-19582 AA
XT-2-QDX
C9AZ-19550-AC
or
C9AZ-19550-BC
Ford
specification
ESA-M6C25-A
(DOT 3)
ESD-M6C57-A
(Super DOT 4)
ESE-M97B44-A
American Petroleum
Institute Certification
Mark and
WSS-M2C153-G
ESW-M2C33-F
MERCON¨
ESR-M17P5-A
Brake fluid
Engine coolant
Engine oil
Power steering
fluid
Transaxle fluid
automatic/
5-speed manual
Windshield
washer
fluid
* Use only MERCON¨
approved transmission/transaxle fluid. Use of any fluid approved and/or labeled
for MERCON¨
V may cause internal transaxle damage.
32MCSen 4/13/99 2:21 PM Page 219
Page 242 of 244

Index
242
TPage
Tires
changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146
checking tire pressure . . . . . .185
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
inspection and maintenance . .185
replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
rotating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
snow tires and chains . . . . . . .188
spare tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
tire grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
treadwear . . . . . . . . . . . . .183, 186
wearbands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186
Towing your vehicle . . . . . . . . .156
Traction control . . . . . . . . . .22, 115
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Transaxle
automatic, operation . . . . . . . .117
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .218
lubricant specifications . . . . . .219
manual, operation . . . . . . . . . .123
Transmitter (see Remote entry)
Trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Trunk (see Luggage compartment)
remote release lever . . . . . . . . .64
using the remote entry system .66
Turn signal
indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
U
Used engine oil, disposal . . . . . .167
VPage
Variable interval wipers . . . . . . . .56
Vehicle care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Vehicle Emission Control
Information(VECI) . . . . . . . . . .198
Vehicle loading . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
Ventilating your vehicle . . . . . .105
Viscosity (see Engne oil)
W
Warning chimes
headlamps on . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
key in ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Warning lights (see Lights)
Washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . .163
Weight limits (GAWR, GVWR) .127
Wheels
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
inspection and maintenance . .185
Windows
one-touch down . . . . . . . . . . . .62
power windows, operating . . . .62
rear, defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Windshield washer fluid and wipers
checking and adding fluid . . . .168
checking and replacing
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .219
variable interval wipers . . . . . . .56
Wrecker towing . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
4MInden 04/14/1999 9:51 AM Page 242