maintenance FORD CONTOUR 1997 2.G User Guide

177
Maintenance and Care
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Service Made Easy
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[MC00300(ALL)01/96]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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[MC00400(ALL)01/96]1.
When we can, we design parts that do not need to be
serviced.
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[MC00500(ALL)01/96]2.
We want to make servicing your vehicle as easy as possible.
To help you:
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[MC00600(ALL)01/96]
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We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in the engine
compartment so that you can find them easily.
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[MC00700(ALL)03/96]
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When possible, we design parts that can be replaced without
tools.
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[MC00800(ALL)02/96]
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We give you a Maintenance Schedule that makes tracking
routine service for your vehicle easy. The maintenance
schedule is located in theMaintenance Schedulebooklet.
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[MC00900(ALL)01/96]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you need to
check and service regularly.
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[MC01000(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your dealership can
provide the parts and service required. Check yourWarranty
Information Bookletto find out which parts and services are
covered. Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this Owner
Guide.
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[MC01100(ALL)02/96]
Ford Motor Company recommends that the Owner Maintenance
Checks listed in theMaintenance Schedulebooklet be performed
for the proper operation of your vehicle. In addition to the
conditions listed in theOwner Maintenance Checklist, be alert for
any unusual noise, vibration, or other indication that your
vehicle may need service. If you do notice something unusual,
see that your vehicle is serviced promptly.
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[MC01200(ALL)01/96]
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids, and service
parts conforming to Ford specifications. Motorcraft parts are
designed and built to provide the best performance in your
vehicle. Using these parts for replacement is your assurance that
Ford-built quality stays in your vehicle.
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Maintenance and Care
179
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Working with the engine off:
[MC02300(ALL)12/95]1.
Set the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift
is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or 1
(First) gear (manual transaxle).
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[MC02400(ALL)01/96]2.
Remove the key from the ignition after you turn the engine
off.
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[MC02500(ALL)01/96]3.
Block the wheels. This will prevent your vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
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[MC02600(ALL)01/96]
Working with the engine on:
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[MC02700(ALL)01/96]1.
Set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or Neutral
(manual transaxle).
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[MC02800(ALL)01/96]2.
Block the wheels. This will prevent your vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
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[MC02900(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed
and do not remove it while the engine is running.
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[MC03000(ALL)12/95]
If the battery is disconnected, the computer must relearn its idle
control. SeeBatteryin the Index.
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Maintenance and Care
181
[MC03700(ALL)12/95]3.
Lift the hood and secure it in the open position with the
prop rod. Make sure only the hole in the hood marked in
yellow is used.
[MC03800(ALL)12/95]
When you close the hood, make sure the prop rod is in its
retainer and that the hood latches securely.
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[MC03900(ALL)12/95]
NOTE: Apply lubricant to the hood latch at six-month
intervals to maintain smooth and trouble-free
operation.
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[MC04000(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: Read and understandPrecautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter before
opening the hood.
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Engine Compartment
[MC04200(ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle has a 4-cylinder 2.0L EFI or 6-cylinder 2.5L EFI
engine.
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Maintenance and Care
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[MC04400(ALL)12/95]
33-1/2 pica
art:0001163-D
The 2.5L EFI engine
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184
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Engine Oil Recommendations
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We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an equivalent oil
meeting Ford Specification WSS-M2C153-F and displaying the
American Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on the
front of the container.
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[MC04700(ALL)01/96]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001314-A
The API Certification Mark
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[MC04800(ALL)01/96]
Neveruse:
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[MC04900(ALL)01/96]
n
ªNon-Detergentº oils
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[MC05000(ALL)02/96]
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Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
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]
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Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments or engine
treatments
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[MC05200(ALL)03/96
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Engine oils with anSAE 5W-30viscosity arePREFERREDfor
your vehicle. They provide the best engine performance, fuel
economy and engine protection for all climates down to-15ÊF
(-25ÊC).
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[MC05300(ALL)03/96
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Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and of the preferred
viscosity may be used in your engine. The engine oil and oil
filter must still be changed according to the maintenance
schedule.
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Maintenance and Care
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Checking and Adding Engine Oil
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[MC05500(ALL)01/96]
Since the proper amount of engine oil is important for safe
engine operation, check the oil using the dipstick each time you
put fuel in your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off, the
oil must be warm and the vehicle must be parked on level
ground.
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Checking the engine oil level:
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[MC05700(ALL)01/96]1.
Turn the engine off after it has warmed up and allow a few
minutes for the engine oil to drain back into the oil pan.
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[MC05800(ALL)01/96]2.
Set the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift
is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or 1
(First) (manual transaxle).
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[MC05900(ALL)01/96]3.
Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
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[MC06000(ALL)01/96]4.
Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in yellow) and
carefully pull it out of the engine.
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[MC06100(ALL)01/96]5.
Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into position, making
sure it is fully seated.
[MC06200(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0001305-A
Engine oil dipstick (2.0L engine)
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Maintenance and Care
187
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Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
[MC07100(ALL)04/96]
Change the engine oil and oil filter per the following, whichever
occurs first.
[MC07200(ALL)12/95]
twelve pica
chart:0001472-A*
[MC07300(ALL)02/96]
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for additional
information.
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[MC07400(ALL)05/96
]
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.
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[MC07500(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil has caused
cancer in laboratory mice.
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[MC07600(ALL)01/96]
Protect your skin by washing with soap and water.
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Maintenance and Care
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RWARNING
Do not let the reservoir for the master cylinder run dry.
This may cause the brakes to fail.
[MC08700(ALL)12/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0000671-B
The brake fluid reservoir
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Windshield Washer Fluid
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Washer Fluid
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[MC09000(ALL)01/96]
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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Maintenance and Care
191
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Engine Coolant
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Checking the Engine Coolant
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NOTE: Be sure to read and understandPrecautions When
Servicing Your Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
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[MC09900(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
The cooling fan is automatic and may come on at any
time. Always disconnect the negative terminal of the
battery before working near the fan.
[MC10000(ALL)12/95]
13-1/2 pica
art:0000336-D
The engine coolant recovery reservoir (2.5L shown Ð 2.0L similar)
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[MC10100(ALL)12/95
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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.
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192
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Check the engine coolant level in the engine coolant reservoir at
least once a month using the following guidelines.
[MC10300(ALL)12/95]
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.
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[MC10400(ALL)02/96]
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 Schedulebooklet.
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[MC10500(ALL)01/96]
Adding Engine Coolant
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[MC10601(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Do not put engine coolant in the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
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[MC10611(ALL)05/96]
If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could make it
difficult to see through the windshield.
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[MC10621(ALL)05/96]
When the engine is cool, add a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and water to the engine coolant recovery reservoir Ð DO NOT
ADD DIRECTLY TO THE RADIATOR. Add straight water only
in an emergency, but you should replace it with a 50/50
mixture of coolant and distilled water as soon as possible.
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[MC10631(ALL)05/96]
Check the coolant level in the coolant recovery reservoir the
next few times you drive the vehicle. If necessary, add enough
of a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water to bring the liquid
level to the fill line on the reservoir.
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[MC10641(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap while the engine
is running or hot.
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