FORD CONTOUR 1996 2.G Owners Manual

214
%*
[SV17825(ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle's coolant protects your engine from overheating in
the summer and from freezing in the winter. Check the level of
the coolant at least once a month. Simply look at the engine
coolant reservoir located in the engine compartment. To locate
the reservoir, see the diagram of your vehicle's engine under
Engine Type, in this chapter.
*
[SV17850(ALL)01/95]
Check the engine coolant level in the engine coolant reservoir at
least once a month using the following guidelines.
[SV17900(ALL)01/95]
When your vehicle's engine is cool, the coolant level in the
engine coolant recovery reservoir should be at or above the
MIN mark. When the engine is hot, the coolant level should be
at the MAX mark. If the level is below the indicator mark in
either condition, coolant may need to be added.
*
[SV18000(ALL)05/95]
The coolant additives also protect the entire cooling system from
internal passageway corrosion and these additives lubricate the
water pump. The coolant should be serviced as noted in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
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[SV18100(ALL)01/95]
Adding engine coolant
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[SV18200(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not put engine coolant in the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
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[SV18300(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap while the engine
is running or hot.
[SV18500(ALL)01/95]1.
Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off and let it
cool. Even when the engine is cool, be careful when you
remove the coolant recovery cap.
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215
[SV18600(ALL)05/95]2.
When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the cap
and turn it slowly counterclockwise to relieve the pressure.
*
[SV18700(ALL)03/95]3.
Step back while the pressure releases.
[SV18800(ALL)05/95]4.
When you are sure that all the pressure has been released,
use the cloth to turn and remove cap.
*
[SV18900(ALL)02/95]5.
Stand away from the reservoir opening. Hot steam may blow
out or hot engine coolant may even splash out.
*
[SV19000(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Failure to follow these instructions could result in serious
personal injury from hot engine coolant or steam
blowout and/or damage to the engine cooling system or
engine.
*
[SV19025(ALL)03/95]
To find out how much engine coolant mixture your vehicle's
coolant system can hold, seeRefill capacities for fluidsin the
Index.
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[SV19100(ALL)01/95]
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if
you have to add a quart (liter) of engine coolant more than
once a month.
*
[SV19102(ALL)06/95]
Add engine coolant only to the recovery reservoir.If the
coolant level is low, add to the reservoir a 50/50 mixture of
water and the type of engine coolant that Ford specifies. You
may add water by itself only in an emergency, but you should
replace it with a 50/50 mixture as soon as possible. Check the
engine coolant again the next few times you drive your vehicle.
*
[SV19104(ALL)02/95]
Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid is an optimized formula
that will protect all metals and rubber elastomers used in Ford
engines for four years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km). It is not
necessary and not recommended to use supplemental coolant
additives in your vehicle. These additives may harm your
engine cooling system. Follow the recommended service interval
for changing your engine coolant.
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216
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[SV19106(ALL)04/94]
NOTE: When you change or add engine coolant, it is
important to maintain your engine coolant
concentration between 40%(-11ÊF [-24ÊC]) and 60%
(-62ÊF [-52ÊC]),depending on your local climate
conditions. Below 40% you will lose freeze protection
and above 60% your engine may overheat on a warm
day.
*
[SV19108(ALL)03/95]
NOTE: The use of an improper coolant may void your
warranty for the engine cooling system. Use only a
premium, nationally recognized brand name engine
coolant. Do not use alcohol, methanol antifreeze or
engine coolant mixed with alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. If you do not use the proper coolant, the
aluminum engine on your vehicle will corrode.
*
[SV19110(ALL)05/95]
Ford Motor Company expressly authorizes the Ford Rotunda
engine coolant recycling process and chemicals. Use only Ford
Rotunda recycled engine coolant or an equivalent recycled
engine coolant that is certified by the supplier to meet Ford
specification ESE-M97B44-A.
%*
[SV19112(ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
standards for disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out about recycling
automotive fluids.
[SV19115(ALL)02/95]
Use Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid or an equivalent
engine coolant that meets Ford Specification ESE-M97B44-A.
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Servicing Your Contour
217
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[SV20050(ALL)03/95]
Battery
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[SV20100(ALL)02/95]
Your vehicle may have a Motorcraft maintenance-free battery.
The Motorcraft maintenance-free battery does not require
additional water during its life of service. The vents are part of
the cover and cannot be removed. For longer, trouble-free
operation, keep the top of the battery clean and dry. Also, make
certain the battery cables are tightly fastened to the battery
terminals.
*
[SV20150(ALL)02/95]
If you see any corrosion on the battery cables or terminals,
remove the cables from the terminal and clean them both with a
wire brush. You can neutralize the acid with a solution of
baking soda and water. Reinstall the cables when you are done
cleaning them, and apply a small quantity of grease to the top
of each battery terminal to help prevent corrosion.
[SV20200(ALL)02/95]
Battery Replacement
*
[SV20250(ALL)02/95]
If your original equipment battery requires replacement (under
warranty), it may in some cases be replaced by a Motorcraft
low-maintenance battery. The low-maintenance battery has
removable vent caps for checking the electrolyte level and for
adding water, if needed.
*
[SV20300(ALL)05/95]
Check your battery's electrolyte level, at least every 12 months
or 12,000 miles (20,000 km), in temperatures above90ÊF (32ÊC)
and more often in temperatures above90ÊF (32ÊC).Keep the
electrolyte in each cell up to the ªlevelº indicator. Do not
overfill the battery cell.
*
[SV20350(ALL)02/95]
If the electrolyte level in your battery gets low, you can add
plain tap water to the battery, as long as you don't use hard
water, or water with a high mineral or alkali content. If
possible, however, try to only fill the battery cell with distilled
water. If the battery needs water often, have the charging
system checked.
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218
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[SV20400(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Batteries normally produce explosive gases which can
cause personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames,
sparks or lit tobacco to come near the battery. When
charging or working near a battery, always cover your
face and protect your eyes, and also provide ventilation.
%*
[SV20450(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns skin, eyes,
and clothing.
*
[SV20475(ALL)06/95]
If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or clothing,
immediately flush the area with water for at least 15 minutes. If
someone swallows the acid, have him or her drink lots of milk
or water first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or vegetable
oil. Call a doctor immediately.
%*
[SV20500(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Applying too much pressure on the ends when lifting a
battery could cause acid to spill. Lift the battery with a
carrier or with your hands on the opposite corners.
*
[SV20550(ALL)03/95]
Help Us Protect Our Environment
*
[SV20600(ALL)04/95]
Ford Motor Company strongly recommends that used lead-acid
batteries be returned to an authorized recycling facility for
disposal.
[SV20650(ALL)01/95]
6 pica art:0001223-A
Battery recycling symbol
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Servicing Your Contour
219
[SV20660(ALL)06/95]
Disconnecting the Battery
[SV20675(ALL)02/95]
Because your vehicle engine is electronically controlled by a
computer, some control conditions are maintained by power
from the battery. If you ever disconnect the battery or install a
new battery, you must allow the computer to ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive properly. To begin this
process, put the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or
Neutral (manual transaxle), set the emergency brake, turn off all
the accessories, and start the vehicle. Bring the engine to normal
operating temperature. Allow the manual transaxle to idle for
one minute in Neutral. Allow the automatic transaxle engine to
idle for one minute in N (Neutral) and one minute in D (Drive).
Perform the previous procedure with the air conditioning (if
equipped) on and off (conditions permitting). The relearning
process will complete automatically as you drive the vehicle.
*
[SV20700(ALL)03/95]
If you do not let the engine relearn its idle, the idle quality of
your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle is
relearned. Your vehicle will eventually relearn its idle while you
drive it, but it takes much longer than if you use the previous
procedure.
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[SV21700(ALL)03/95]
Windshield Washer Fluid and Wipers
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[SV21800(ALL)03/95]
Washer Fluid
*
[SV22100(ALL)01/95]
Check the level of the windshield washer fluid every time you
stop for fuel. The reservoir for washer fluid is located on the
passenger's side of the engine compartment. Visual inspection
can determine if the washer fluid is adequate. Do not operate
the washer when the reservoir is empty.
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[SV22200(ALL)02/94]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001222-A
The windshield washer fluid reservoir
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[SV22300(ALL)03/95]
Adding washer fluid
*
[SV22400(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the container for
the engine coolant.
[SV22450(ALL)05/95]
If sprayed to clean the glass, engine coolant or antifreeze could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
%*
[SV22500(ALL)01/95]
Use specially formulated windshield washer fluid rather than
plain water, because specially formulated washer fluids contain
additives that dissolve road grime. For safety reasons, washer
fluids containing an appropriate antifreeze such as methanol
should be used in freezing weather (temperatures below32ÊF
[0ÊC]). State or local regulations on Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOC's) may restrict use of the most common antifreeze,
methanol. Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze
agents should be used only if they provide cold weather
protection without damaging the vehicle's paint finish, wiper
blades, and windshield washer system.
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221
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[SV23200(ALL)03/95]
Wiper Blades
*
[SV23300(ALL)03/95]
Check the windshield wiper blades at least twice a year. Also
check them whenever they seem less effective than usual.
Substances such as tree sap and some hot wax treatments used
by commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper
blades.
*
[SV23400(ALL)03/95]
If the blades do not wipe properly, clean both the windshield
and the wiper blades. Use undiluted windshield washer solution
or a mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Do not
use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner, or other solvents to clean your
wiper blades. These will damage your blades.
*
[SV23500(ALL)03/95]
To make reaching the wiper blades easy, simply turn the
ignition to the ACC position and turn your wipers on. Wait for
them to reach a vertical position and turn the ignition to the
OFF position. Do not move the wipers manually. Manually
moving the wipers across the windshield may damage them.
*
[SV23600(ALL)03/01]
Wiper blade replacement
*
[SV23700(OZ)03/95]
If the wiper blades still do not work properly after you clean
them, you may need to replace the wiper blade assembly or the
blade element. When replacing the wiper blade assembly, blade
refill, or wiper arm always use a Motorcraft part or equivalent. To
replace the blades, follow the instructions that come with them.
[SV23716(ALL)11/94]
Passenger Compartment Air Filter Replacement
*
[SV23719(ALL)04/95]
In your climate control system, you may have a filter that cleans
the air before it enters the interior of the vehicle. This filter
should be replaced at the intervals in theMaintenance Schedule
and Recordbooklet.
[SV23723(ALL)04/95]
To replace the passenger compartment air filter:
[SV23726(ALL)02/95]1.
Remove both windshield wiper arms. With the wiper arm in
the horizontal position, lift the arm away from the
windshield while pulling the retaining clip at the base
toward the windshield. Release the wiper arm, then lift it off
the base.
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222
[SV23730(ALL)07/94]
7-1/2 pica art:0001242-A
The screws on the grille
[SV23736(ALL)02/95]2.
Remove the plastic caps from the screws on the grille.
Remove the screws.
[SV23741(ALL)02/95]3.
Open the hood. Pull off the rubber weatherstrip at the back
of the engine compartment. Remove the screws that hold the
grille, separate the two halves and remove the grille.
[SV23746(ALL)11/93]
13-1/2 pica
art:0001243-A
Removing the grille
[SV23751(ALL)07/94]4.
The filter is in a housing at the back of the engine
compartment, on the left side. Pull off the two clips on the
sides of the housing. Slide out the housing and filter.
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223
[SV23756(ALL)07/94]
13-1/2 pica
art:0001244-B
Removing the passenger compartment air filter
[SV23761(ALL)07/94]5.
Slide the filter out of the housing, replace with the new
filter, and slide the housing and passenger compartment air
filter back into place. Reinstall the clips on the housing.
[SV23766(ALL)11/93]6.
Replace the grille and wiper arms.
*
[SV23800(ALL)03/95]
Tires
*
[SV23900(ALL)03/95]
Look at your tires each time you fill your fuel tank. If one tire
looks lower than the others, check the pressure in all of them.
Always follow these precautions:
*
[SV24200(ALL)03/95]
n
Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressures.
*
[SV24300(ALL)02/95]
n
Stay within the recommended load limits (seeLoad limitsin
the Index).
*
[SV24500(ALL)02/95]
n
Make sure the weight of your load is evenly distributed.
*
[SV24550(ALL)10/89]
n
Drive at safe speeds.
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