2000 FORD CONTOUR oil

Customer assistance
239 Protection and appearance
equipment
Air bag anti-theft locks
Bed mat/bedliner tailgate covers
Bed mats
Bedliners
Car/truck covers
Cargo liners, interior
Carpet floor mats
Cleaners, waxes and polishes
Flat splash guards
Frond end covers (full and mini)
Hood deflectors
Locking gas cap
Lubricants and oils
Molded splash guards
Molded vinyl floor mats
Rallye bars
Rear air deflectors
Rear decklid spoilers
Side window air deflectors
Spare tire lock
Step bumpers
Step/sill plates
Tailgate covers
Tailgate lock
Tailgate protection
Tonneau covers
Touch-up paint
Universal floor matsFor maximum vehicle performance,
keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or
equipment to your vehicle:
• When adding accessories,
equipment, passengers and luggage
to your vehicle, do not exceed the
total weight capacity of the vehicle
or of the front or rear axle (GVWR
or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
compliance certification label).
Consult your dealer for specific
weight information.
• The Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and Canadian
Radio Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC) regulate the
use of mobile communications
systems - such as two-way radios,
telephones and theft alarms - that
are equipped with radio
transmitters. Any such equipment
installed in your vehicle should
comply with FCC or CRTC
regulations and should be installed
only by a qualified service
technician.
33CCAen 17.6.99 11:32 Uhr Seite 239

Index
242APage
Accessory position on
the ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Additives, engine oil . . . . . . . . .169
Air bag supplemental
restraint system
and child safety seats . . . . . . . .87
description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . .15, 91
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
wearing safety belts . . . . . . . . .87
Air conditioning
(see Climate control system)
Alarm, activating panic . . . . . . . .69
Antenna, radio
(see Audio system) . . . . . . . . . . .53
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .116
Anti-theft system (see Passive
Anti-Theft System)
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)
Audio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Automatic transaxle
driving with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
fluid, adding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
fluid, checking . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .224
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .225
B
Backing up . . . . . . . . . . . . .123, 129
Battery
charging system warning light . .9
jumping a disabled battery . . .154
proper disposal, recycling . . . .184
replacement, specifications . .223
servicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
Brake fluid
checking and adding . . . . . . . .172
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225
Brake-shift interlock . . . . . . . . .121
Brakelamps
(see Bulb replacement)BPage
Brakes
anti-lock brake system (ABS) 116
brake warning light . . . . . . . . . .14
fluid, checking and adding . . .172
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .224
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .225
parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Built-in child seat
folding up the seat . . . . . . . . .102
inspection after a collision . . .102
interlock safety feature . . . . . . .98
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
retractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Break-in period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Bulbs, replacing
foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208
headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
high-mounted brake lamp . . . .210
license plate lamp . . . . . . . . . .209
rear lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
C
Cabin air filter . . . . . . . . . . .33, 186
Capacities for refilling fluids . . .224
Carbon monoxyde in exhaust . .110
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . .202
Chains, tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
Changing a tire . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
Charging system warning light . . .9
Child safety restraints
built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .97
child safety seats . . . . . . . . . . .103
children and safety belts . . .93, 95
Child safety seats
and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
attaching with tether straps . .104
automatic locking mode . . . . . .79
Childproof safety locks . . . . . . . .65
Chimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Circuit breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
4CInden 17.6.99 11:32 Uhr Seite 242

243
Index
CPage
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment . . . . . . . .219
exterior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . .220
fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .221
plastic exterior parts . . . . . . . .220
safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220
Climate control system
air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
controlling airflow . . . . . . . . . . .26
defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Clutch
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
recommended shift speeds . . .128
Cold engine starting . . . . . . . . .114
Controls
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . .20
power seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
steering column . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Customer assistance . . . . . . . . .229
D
Daytime running lights . . . . . . . .23
Defects, reporting . . . . . . . . . . .241
Defrost
rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Dipstick, engine oil . . . . . . . . . .167
Door mounted controls . . . . . . . .64
Driving under special conditions
heavy load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . .134
E
Electrical system
fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143EPage
Emergencies, roadside
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .141
jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Emergency brake (see Parking
brake)
Emission control system . . . . . .202
Engine
check engine warning light . . . .12
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .141
lubricant specifications . . . . . .225
preparing to start . . . . . . . . . .111
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .224
starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Engine block heater . . . . . . . . .115
Engine coolant
checking and adding . . . . . . . .174
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
low coolant warning light . . . . .11
refilll capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .224
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225
Engine fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
Engine oil
changing oil and filter . . . . . . .170
checking and adding . . . . . . . .169
dipstick . . . . . . . . . .167, 168, 169
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
engine oil pressure
warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
filter specifications . . . . . . . . .223
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .224
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225
Exhaust fumes . . . . . . . . . .110, 202
F
Fan (see Engine fan)
Flasher, hazard . . . . . . . . . .56, 141
Flashing the lights . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Fluid refill capacities . . . . . . . . .224
Foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23, 208
4CInden 17.6.99 11:32 Uhr Seite 243

Index
245 LPage
Lamps
bulb replacement specification
chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
daytime running light system . .23
flashing the lamps . . . . . . . . . . .57
foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23, 208
hazard flashers . . . . . . . . .56, 141
headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
high beams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
high-mounted brake lamp . . . .210
instrument panel, dimming . . .25
interior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
reading lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . .206
rear lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
anti-lock brakes (ABS) . . . . . . .17
brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
charging system . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
check engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
engine oil pressure . . . . . . . . . .18
high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
low coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
low fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
overdrive off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
testing the warning lights . . . . .19
turn signal indicator . . . . . . . . . .8
Load limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Lubricant specifications . . . . . .225
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . .66
M
Maintenance (see Servicing)
Manual transaxle
backing up (reverse) . . . . . . . .129
clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
fluid, capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . .224
shift speeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128MPage
Mileage, calculating fuel
economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) . . . .25
Motorcraft parts . . . . . . . . . . . .223
N
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
O
Octane rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Oil (see Engine oil)
Oil filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170, 223
On-board diagnostic
(OBD II) system . . . . . . . . . . . .205
Overdrive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11, 124
Overhead controls . . . . . . . . . . . .62
P
Panel dimmer control . . . . . . . . .25
Panic alarm, remote entry sytem 69
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) . . .223
Passenger compartment
air filter (see Cabin air filter)
Passive Anti-Theft
System (PATS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Power distribution box
(see Fuses)
Power door locks . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Power features
mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding . . .178
fluid, refill capacity . . . . . . . . .224
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .225
4CInden 17.6.99 11:32 Uhr Seite 245

Index
247 TPage
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Tail lamps (see Lamps)
Temperature control
(see Climate control)
Testing the warning lights . . . . . .19
Tether anchor installation
(see Child safety restraints)
Tilt steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Tires
changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
checking tire pressure . . . . . .191
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
inspection and maintenance . .191
replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
rotating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191
snow tires and chains . . . . . . .194
spare tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
tire grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
treadwear . . . . . . . . . . . . .189, 192
wearbands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
Towing your vehicle . . . . . . . . .161
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
Transaxle
automatic, operation . . . . . . . .121
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .224
lubricant specifications . . . . . .225
manual, operation . . . . . . . . . .127
Transmitter (see Remote entry)
Trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Trunk (see Luggage compartment)
remote release lever . . . . . . . . .66
using the remote entry system .69
Turn signal
indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
U
Used engine oil, disposal . . . . . .171VPage
Variable interval wipers . . . . . . . .58
Vehicle care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228
Vehicle Emission Control
Information(VECI) . . . . . . . . . .204
Vehicle loading . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Ventilating your vehicle . . . . . .109
Viscosity (see Engine oil)
W
Warning chimes
headlamps on . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
key in ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Warning lights (see Lights)
Washer fluid reservoir . . . .167, 168
Weight limits (GAWR, GVWR) .130
Wheels
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
inspection and maintenance . .191
Windows
one-touch down . . . . . . . . . . . .64
power windows, operating . . . .64
rear, defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Windshield washer fluid and wipers
checking and adding fluid . . . .172
checking and replacing
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .225
variable interval wipers . . . . . . .58
Wrecker towing . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
4CInden 17.6.99 11:32 Uhr Seite 247

248
Filling station information
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
Octane 87
58.5 litres (15.4 gallons)
Use Super Premium SAE 5W-30
Motor Oil or equivalent meeting-
Ford specification WSS-M2C153-G.
Refer to Safety Compliance Certifi-
cation label on driver’s door pillar
Pull handle under the left side of
the instrument panel
Right rear of vehicle FuelFuel tank capacity
Engine oil
Tire size and pressure
Hood release location
Fuel filler location
4CInden 17.6.99 11:32 Uhr Seite 248