maintenance FORD CONTOUR 1998 2.G User Guide

Maintenance and care
129 Precautions when servicing
your vehicle
Be especially careful when
inspecting or servicing your
vehicle. Here are some general
precautions for your safety:
•Do not work on a hot engine.
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.
•If you must work with the engine
running, avoid wearing loose
clothing or jewelry that could get
caught in moving parts. Take
precautions with long hair.
•Do not work on a vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you
have enough ventilation.
•Keep all lit cigarettes, open
flames and other lit material
away from the battery and all fuel
related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the
engine must “relearn” its idle
conditions before your vehicle will
drive properly, as explained under
Battery in this chapter.
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Maintenance and care
130Working with engine off
(automatic transaxle)
1. Set the parking brake fully and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove
the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Working with engine off
(manual transaxle)
1. Set the parking brake, depress
the clutch and place the gearshift
in 1 (first) or R (Reverse).
2. Turn off the engine and remove
the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
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Maintenance and care
131 Working with engine on
(automatic transaxle)
1. Set the parking brake fully and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Do not start your engine
with the air cleaner removed
and do not remove it while the
engine is running.
Working with engine on
(manual transaxle)
1. Set the parking brake, depress
the clutch and place the gearshift
in neutral.
2. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
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Maintenance and care
132Opening the hood
•Pull the handle (1) located under
the instrument panel.
000123000010 20 3040506070
80
90
100
110
120
130MPH20 406055
80120 100
140
160
180
200EF 1
/
2UNLEADED FUEL ONLY12
03x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
NORMALBRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
MIRRORS
1
•Release the safety catch by
reaching under the hood (2)
(adjacent to the Ford emblem)
and pushing it up.
2
3
•Raise the hood and support it
with the strut (3) in the yellow
colored retainer, ensuring it is
secure. Hold the support at the
yellow colored insulation section.
To close, replace the support strut
in its retaining clip, lower the hood
and allow it to drop into the catch
for the last 20 – 30 cm
(8 – 12 inches).
Always check to ensure that the
hood lock is fully engaged.
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Maintenance and care
133 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
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Maintenance and care
134
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
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Maintenance and care
135
Engine oil
Use SAE 5W-30 motor oil
CERTIFIED FOR GASOLINE
ENGINES by the American
Petroleum Institute.
Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives, oil treatments or engine
treatments. They are unnecessary
and could, under certain
conditions, lead to engine damage
which is not covered by Ford
Warranty.
Checking the engine oil
Check the engine oil each time you
fuel your vehicle.
To check the oil:
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level
ground. If the engine is warm, turn
the engine off and wait a few
minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
2. Set the parking brake and ensure
the gearshift is securely latched in
P (Park).
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself
from engine heat.
4. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil dipstick.
5. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert
the dipstick fully, then remove it
again. The oil level should be in the
range shown on the dipstick.2.0 l DOHC
2.5 l DOHC
AMERICANPETROLEUMINSTITUTE
CERTIFIED
FOR
GASOLINE
ENGINES
AMERICANPETROLEUMINSTITUTECERTIFIEDFOR
GASOLINE
ENGINES
Motorcraft
Do not exceed MAX!
Do not exceed MAX!
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Maintenance and care
1366. If the oil level is below the
minimum line, add engine oil as
necessary. If the oil level is beyond
the maximum line, engine damage
or high oil consumption may occur
and some oil must be removed
from the engine by a service
technician.
7. Put the dipstick back in and
ensure it is fully seated.
Continuous contact with
used motor oil has caused
cancer in laboratory mice.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For
instructions, refer to Checking the
engine oilin this chapter.
2. If the fluid level is not within the
normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the preferred
viscosity. Add engine oil through
the oil filler cap. Remove the filler
cap and use a funnel to pour oil in
the opening.
3. Recheck the oil level.
Make
sure the oil level is not above
the MAX mark on the dipstick.
Change your engine oil and oil filter
according to these mileage and
time requirements, whichever
occurs first.5 000 miles (8 000 km)
or 6 months
Normal schedule
3 000 miles (5 000 km)
or 3 months
Severe duty schedule:
•Extensive idling
•Trailer towing
•Driving in severe dust
•Police, taxi, or delivery service
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Maintenance and care
137 Refer to the ”Maintenance
Schedule” booklet for additional
information.
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 more about recycling
automotive fluids.
It is recommended you use the
appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford
specifications) for your engine
application.
Empty and used oil
containers must be disposed
of at an authorized waste disposal
facility.
Engine oil filler cap
The design of the filler cap varies
by engine. To open, turn in the
direction of the arrow and pull. Do
not open the cap while the engine
is running.
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Maintenance and care
138Brake/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 panel will
illuminate. Add only brake fluid
that meets the Ford specification
(see the chapter Capacities and
specifications).
MAX
MIN
Brake fluid is toxic.
BRAKE
BRAKE
If you use a brake fluid that
is not DOT 3, you will cause
permanent damage to your brakes.
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.
Alternative design
Do not put engine coolant in
the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
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