FORD CONTOUR 1998 2.G Owners Manual

Maintenance and care
171 Reinstalling the headlamp
assembly
The gasket lining must be seated
properly around the lamp assembly
when reinstalling.
All bulb connectors must be
correctly connected.
Install in the reverse order.
Headlamps – low beam
Disconnect the electrical connector
and replace the bulb.
Do not touch the glass part of the
bulb and pay attention to the tab
guides when replacing.
Headlamp alignment
Check the headlamp alignment
after each replacement of a bulb.
Refer to Aiming the headlamps. Headlamps – high beam
Replacement instructions are the
same as for the low beam
headlamp.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 171

Maintenance and care
172Foglamps (if equipped)
1. Detach the cover (access at
bottom of front bumper).
2. Turn the bulb counterclockwise
and pull it out of the light assembly.
3. Remove the electrical connector.
4. Fit the new bulb in reverse order
(do not touch the glass part of the
bulb).
Front turn signal/side lamps
Pull the socket out. Pull the bulb
out and replace it.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 172

Maintenance and care
173 License plate lamp
Unscrew the bulb holder with a
screwdriver. Remove the bulb from
the clip holder.
Replace with the new bulb in
reverse sequence.
Brake/turn signal/tail lamps
1. Disconnect the electrical
conector.
2. Turn the socket
counterclockwise and pull it out.
3. Turn the bulb counterclockwise
and pull it out.
4. To install, fit the new bulb in
reverse order.
Backup lamps
The backup lamps are located in
the trunk lid. Replacement
instructions are the same as for the
brake/turn signal/tail lamps.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 173

Maintenance and care
174
High-mounted brake lamp
Enter the rear seat compartment.
Unscrew both screws and remove
the complete lamp assembly. Bend
the housing outwards to unclip the
lamp module. Press the reflector
fitting from the four locking points
and pull it off. Pull out the wedge
base bulb and replace.
To install, fit the new bulb in
reverse sequence.
On vehicles equipped with a rear
spoiler, the high-mounted brake
lamp is included in the spoiler.
Luggage compartment lamp
Pry out the light assembly from the
holder with a flat screwdriver. Turn
the spherical bulb under slight
pressure counterclockwise and
remove.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 174

Maintenance and care
175 Reading lamps (if equipped)
Open the lamp assembly.
The bulbs can be replaced after the
contact plate has been hinged
back.
Interior lamps
Switch off the interior lamps
(middle switch position). Pry out
the lamp assembly with a flat
screwdriver, release the reflector at
the side and replace the festoon
bulb.
To install, fit the new bulb in
reverse sequence.
FunctionTrade number
3457 NA
9005
9006
893
1157
1156 Front /turn lamp
Headlamp (high)
Headlamp (low)
Foglamp
Rear tail/turn/brake lamp
Backup lamp
Bulb specifications
2723
C5W High-mounted brake lamp
License plate lamp
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 175

Maintenance and care
176Aiming the headlamps
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Vehicle Headlamp Aim Device
(VHAD) on each headlamp body.
Each headlamp may be properly
aimed in the horizontal direction
(left/right) and the vertical position
(up/down).
A non-zero bubble reading does not
necessarily indicate out-of-aim
headlamps. If your vehicle is not
positioned on a level surface, the
slope will be included in the level
indicator. Therefore, vertical
headlamp adjustment should be
performed only when beam
direction appears to be incorrect
and a level surface can be verified. AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
The alignment of your headlamps
should be checked if:
•Oncoming motorists frequently
signal you to deactivate your high
beams, and your high beams are
not activated.
•The headlamps do not seem to
provide enough light for clear
night vision.
•The headlamp beams are pointed
substantially away from a slightly
down and to the right position.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 176

Maintenance and care
177
Adjusting the horizontal aim
1. Make sure the vehicle is on a
level surface.
2.With the hood open, locate the
horizontal indicator and adjusting
screw.
3. Turn the horizontal adjusting
screw until the reference mark on
the reflector extension aligns with
the “0” reference mark on the
horizontal indicator when viewed
directly from above.
4. When the horizontal aim has
been adjusted, close the headlamp
access panel. The horizontal aim must be
adjusted first. You will need one 7
mm box wrench, open end wrench
or T-15 Torx drive.
The following procedures assumes
that the vehicle’s front structure is
properly aligned. If the vehicle has
been in an accident requiring the
front end of the vehicle to be
repaired, the horizontal indicator
should be recalibrated by your
dealer or a qualified service
technician.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 177

Maintenance and care
178
Adjusting the vertical aim
The numbers shown on the vial
indicate beam direction in degrees
up or down.
1. Do not adjust the vertical aim
until after adjusting the horizontal
aim.
2. With the hood open, locate the
bubble level vertical aim indicator.
It is visible when viewed from the
above rear of the headlamp.
3. Turn the vertical adjusting screw
until the reference mark on the
reflector extension aligns with the
“0” reference mark on the vertical
indicator when viewed from
directly above.
4. Close the hood.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 178

Maintenance and care
179
Washing your vehicle
Only use car washing areas
that have environmentally
friendly drainage systems.
VEHICLE CARE
Wash your vehicle regularly with
cold or lukewarm water. Never use
strong detergents or soap. If your
vehicle is particularly dirty, use a
quality car wash detergent. Always
use a clean sponge, washing glove
or similar device and plenty of
water for best results. To avoid
spots, avoid washing when the
hood is still warm, immediately
after or during exposure to strong
sunlight.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 179

Maintenance and care
180Waxing your vehicle
The best way to determine when
the paintwork needs waxing is by
noting when water stops beading
on the surface. This could be every
three or four months depending on
operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-
based waxes. Remove any bugs and
tar before waxing the vehicle. Use
cleaning fluid or alcohol with a
clean cloth to remove bugs. Use tar
remover to remove any tar spots.
During winter months, it is
especially important to wash the
vehicle on a regular basis. Large
quantities of dirt and road salt are
difficult to remove, and they also
cause damage to the vehicle.
Remove or lower any exterior
accessories, such as antennas,
before entering a car wash.
Remove particles such as bird
droppings, tree sap, insect remains,
tar spots, road salt and industrial
fallout immediately.
After washing, apply the brakes
several times to dry them.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 180