engine coolant FORD CONTOUR 1999 2.G Owners Manual

Instrumentation
9 O/D Off indicator
(Automatic transaxle only)
Illuminates and remains
illuminated when the transaxle
control switch (TCS) on the side of
the gearshift lever is pressed and
overdrive is turned off. For details,
refer to the Driving chapter.
Indicates the status of the
transaxle and will flash steadily if a
malfunction is detected. If the
flashing persists, have your
transaxle serviced by your dealer
or a qualified service technician as
soon as possible.
If the condition persists, your
transaxle may be damaged.
O/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL
O/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL
If the light stays on for more than
three (3) seconds after the
ignition is turned to the ON
position or stays on continuously
while you are driving, have the
traction control system checked
by a qualified technician as soon
as possible.
For more information, refer to
Traction Controlin the Driving
chapter.
Low coolant (if equipped)
Briefly illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the engine
is off. Illuminates when the engine
coolant level is low. Refer to the
Maintenance and care chapter to
check the engine coolant level.
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Instrumentation
17 Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps are
on, the ignition is off (and the key
is not in the ignition) and the
driverÕs door is open. Testing the warning and
indicator lights and chimes
Turn the ignition key to the on
position without starting the
engine. The following warning and
indicator lights will illuminate
briefly: charging system, safety belt
(does not illuminate, if the driverÕs
safety belt is fastened), traction
control, ABS, brake, low coolant,
low fuel, engine oil pressure, check
engine and air bag readiness.
If any of these lights do not
illuminate, see your dealer or
qualified service technician.
Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the
off/lock or accessory position and
the driverÕs door is open.
Safety belt warning chime
For information on the safety belt
warning chime, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
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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
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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.
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Maintenance and care
163
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
164
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
168
Brake/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 cluster will
illuminate. Add only DOT 3, DOT 4
or Super DOT 4 brake fluid that
meets the Ford specification (see
the chapter Capacities and
specifications).
If you use brake fluid that is not
DOT 3, DOT 4 or Super DOT 4 you
will cause permanent damage to
your brakes.
MAX
MIN
Brake fluid is toxic.
BRAKE
BRAKE
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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Maintenance and care
169
Engine coolant maintenance
MAX
MIN
Checking and adding engine
coolant
Check the level of the coolant in
the reservoir at least once a month.
Be sure to read and understand
Precautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been
checked for a long period of time,
the engine coolant reservoir may
eventually empty. If this occurs,
add engine coolant to the coolant
reservoir. For more information
refer to Adding engine coolant in
this chapter.
Automotive fluids are not
interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield
washer fluid outside its specified
function and vehicle location.
Do not put windshield
washer fluid in the container
for engine coolant.
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Maintenance and care
170
When adding engine coolant
Ford recommends Ford Premium
Cooling System Fluid, which is an
optimized formula that will protect
all metals and rubber elastomers
used in Ford engines for four years
or 80 000 km (50 000 miles).
It is neither necessary nor
recommended to use supplemental
coolant additives in your gasoline-
powered vehicle. These additives
may harm your engine coolant
system.
When you change or add engine
coolant, it is important to maintain
engine coolant concentration
between 40% (-24¡C [-11¡F]) and
60% (-52¡C [-62¡F]), depending on
your local climate conditions.
A coolant concentration below 40%
will result in a loss of freeze
protection. A concentration above
60% may cause the engine to
overheat on a warm day.
Refer to Lubricant specifications
in theCapacities and
specifications chapter. Use only a
premium nationally-recognized
brand name engine coolant or
equivalent.
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Maintenance and care
171
Always dispose of used
automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your
communityÕs standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends
that Ford and Lincoln-Mercury
dealers use recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved
processes. Not all coolant recycling
processes produce coolant which
meets Ford specifications ESE-
M97B44-A, and use of such coolant
may harm engine and cooling
system components.
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