coolant temperature FORD CONTOUR 1999 2.G Owners Manual

Instrumentation
18
CH
Engine coolant temperature
gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. If it enters the red
section, the engine is overheating.
Switch off the ignition and
determine the source of the
problem. Refer to Checking and
adding engine coolant in the
Maintenance and care chapter.
EF
BRAKE
TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
110
120
13 0
MPH
20 4060
55
80120 10 0
14 0
160
18 0
20010 0
CHECK
ENGINETRACTION
CONTROL
CH
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
110
120
13 0
MPH
20 4060
55
80120 10 0
14 0
160
18 0
20010 0
EF12
03
x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
O/D
OFFCHECK
ENGINE
BRAKE
TRACTION
CONTROL
CH
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
GAUGES
12CInen 3/25/99 1:24 PM Page 18

Starting
111 USING THE ENGINE BLOCK
HEATER (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the
engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine
faster and allows the heater-
defroster system to respond
quickly. It is strongly recommended
if you live in a region where
temperatures reach Ð23¡C (Ð10¡F)
or below.
For best results, plug the heater in
at least three hours before starting
the vehicle. Using the heater for
more than three hours will not
harm the engine, so the heater can
be plugged in the night before
starting the vehicle.
To prevent electrical shock,
do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or
two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
21CSten 3/25/99 3:27 PM Page 111

Maintenance and care
173
Checking and adding power
steering fluid
Switch off the engine. With the
steering system at normal
operating temperature, the fluid
level should come up to the MAX
mark.
If the fluid level drops below the
MIN mark, add the specified fluid.
Refer to the Capacities and
specificationschapter.
Severe winter climate
If you drive in extremely cold
climates (less than -36¡C [-34¡F]),
it may be necessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.
Refer to the chart on the coolant
container to ensure the coolant
concentration in your vehicle is
such that the coolant will not
freeze at the temperature level in
which you drive during the winter
months. Never increase the engine
coolant concentration above 60%.
Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine
coolant and water in your vehicle
year-round in non-extreme
climates.
MAX
MIN
31CMCen 3/25/99 3:45 PM Page 173

237
Index
CPage
Child safety restraints
built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .93
child safety seats . . . . . . . . . . . .99
children and safety belts . . .89, 91
Child safety seats
and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
attaching with tether straps . .102
automatic locking mode . . . . . .77
Childproof safety locks . . . . . . . .63
Chimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Circuit breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment . . . . . . . .213
exterior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . .214
fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .215
plastic exterior parts . . . . . . . .214
safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214
Climate control system
air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
controlling airflow . . . . . . . . . . .24
defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Clutch
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
recommended shift speeds . . .124
Cold engine starting . . . . . . . . .110
Controls
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . .18
power seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
steering column . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Customer assistance . . . . . . . . .223DPage
Daytime running lights . . . . . . . .21
Defects, reporting . . . . . . . . . . .235
Defrost
rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Dipstick, engine oil . . . . . . . . . .163
Door mounted controls . . . . . . . .62
Driving under special conditions
heavy load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . .130
E
Electrical system
fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Emergencies, roadside
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .137
jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
Emergency brake (see Parking
brake)
Emission control system . . . . . .196
Engine
check engine warning light . . . .10
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .137
lubricant specifications . . . . . .219
preparing to start . . . . . . . . . .107
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .218
starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Engine block heater . . . . . . . . .111
Engine coolant
checking and adding . . . . . . . .167
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
low coolant warning light . . . . . .9
refilll capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .218
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Engine fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
4CInden 3/25/99 3:55 PM Page 237

Index
238
EPage
Engine oil
changing oil and filter . . . . . . .165
checking and adding . . . . . . . .165
dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167
engine oil pressure
warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
filter specifications . . . . . . . . .217
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .218
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Exhaust fumes . . . . . . . . . .106, 197
F
Fan (see Engine fan)
Flasher, hazard . . . . . . . . . .54, 137
Flashing the lights . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Fluid refill capacities . . . . . . . . .218
Foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21, 202
Fuel
calculating fuel economy . . . .195
capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
choosing the right fuel . . . . . .192
consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136
fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
low fuel warning light . . . . . . . .13
octane rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
running out of fuel . . . . . . . . .196
safety information relating
to automotive fuels . . . . . . . . .190
Fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .137
Fuse panels
engine compartment . . . . . . . .140
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .142
FPage
Fuses
charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141, 144
checking and replacing . . . . . .139
G
Gas mileage (see Fuel)
Gauges
engine coolant temperature . . .18
fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) . . .127
Gearshift . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117, 123
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) .127
H
Hazard flashers . . . . . . . . . .54, 137
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Headlamps
aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
bulb specifications . . . . . . . . .206
daytime running light . . . . . . . .21
flashing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . .200
turning on and off . . . . . . . . . . .20
warning chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
High beams
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
4CInden 3/25/99 3:55 PM Page 238