brake fluid FORD CONTOUR 2000 2.G Owners Manual

Introduction
4Vehicle symbol glossary
These are some of the symbols you
may have on your vehicle.
Safety Alert
Fasten Safety Belt
Airbag - Side
Child Seat Installation
Warning
Brake System
Brake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum Based
Master Lighting Switch
Fog Lamps - Front
Fuel Pump Reset
Windshield Defrost/Demist
Power Windows
Front/Rear
See Owner’s Guide
Airbag - Front
Child Seat
Child Seat Tether
Anchorage
Anti-Lock Brake System
Traction Control
Hazard Warning Flasher
Fuse Compartment
Windshield Wash/Wipe
Rear Window
Defrost/Demist
Power Window Lockout
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Instrumentation
16Brake system warning
Extinguishes when the parking
brake is released. Illuminates after
releasing the parking brake to
indicate low brake fluid level.
Illumination while driving may
indicate that one of the braking
circuits has failed. The second
braking circuit will remain intact.
However, you will need to brake
harder and allow for increased
stopping distances.
BRAKE
BRAKE
Alternative design
EF
BRAKE
O/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
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Maintenance and care
167 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
168
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
172Brake/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
179 Checking and adding automatic
transaxle fluid
Follow the scheduled service
intervals outlined in the
“Scheduled Maintenance Guide“.
Your transaxle does not consume
fluid. However, it is recommended
that you refer to your “Scheduled
Maintenance Guide“ for scheduled
intervals for fluid checks and
changes. The fluid level should be
checked or changed by a qualified
technician at the appropriate
intervals or if the transaxle is not
working properly, i.e., if the
transaxle slips or shifts slowly or if
you notice some sign of fluid
leakage.
Note: Automatic transaxle fluid
expands when warmed. To obtain
an accurate fluid level check drive
the vehicle until warmed,
approximately 30 km (20 miles). If
your vehicle has been operated for
an extended period at high speeds,
in city traffic during hot weather or
pulling a trailer, the vehicle should
be turned off for about 30 minutes
to allow fluid to cool before
checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20
miles) or until the vehicle reaches
normal operating temperatures.
2. Park the vehicle on a level
surface and engage the parking
brake.
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Maintenance and care
180
3. With the parking brake engaged
and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the
gear ranges. Allow sufficient time
for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P
(Park) and leave the engine
running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it
with a clean, dry lint free rag.
6. Install the dipstick making sure
it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect
the fluid level. The fluid level
should be in the designated areas
for normal and room temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is below the hole at the
bottom of the dipstick.
Correct fluid level
The transaxle fluid level should be
checked at normal operating
temperatures 66°C - 77°C (150°F -
170°F) on a level surface. The
normal operating temperature can
be reached after approximately
30 km (20 miles) of driving.
The transaxle fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature of 66°C - 77°C
(150°F - 170°F).Normal operating temperature
66°C - 77°C (150°F - 170°F)Do not drive if below this area
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Maintenance and care
203
BRAKE
O/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL
Alternative design Alternative design
Watch for fluid leaks, strange
odors, smoke, loss of oil pressure,
engine overheating, illumination of
the
charging systemwarning light
or the check enginewarning light.
These events could indicate that
the emission control system is not
working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in
entry of harmful and
potentially lethal fumes into the
passenger compartment.
Do not park, idle or drive
your vehicle in dry grass or
other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust
system, which can start a fire.
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Maintenance and care
217 Waxing 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.
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ItemFord part name
or equivalent
High Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
Fluid, (North
America)
DOT 4 Brake
Fluid or Super
DOT 4 (Europe)
Premium engine
coolant
Super Premium
SAE 5W-30 Motor
Oil
Motorcraft
MERCON
®AT F
Motorcraft*
MERCON
®AT F
Ultra-Clear
Windshield Washer
Concentrate
Ford
part number
C6AZ-19542-AB
for DOT 3
E2FZ-19549-AA
CXC-8-B (Canada)
F5FZ-19549-CC
(Oregon)
XO-5W30-QSP
XT-2-QDX
XT-2-QDX
C9AZ-19550-AC
or
C9AZ-19550-BC
Ford
specification
ESA-M6C25-A
(DOT 3) (North
America
ESD-M6C57-A
(Super DOT 4)
(Europe)
ESE-M97B44-A
API Certification
Mark and
WSS-M2C153-G
MERCON®
MERCON®
ESR-M17P5-A Brake fluid
Engine coolant
Engine oil
Power steering
fluid
Transaxle fluid
automatic/
5-speed manual
Windshield
washer
fluid
* Use only MERCON®
approved transmission/transaxle fluid. Use of any fluid approved and/or labeled
for MERCON®
V may cause internal transaxle damage.
Capacities and specifications
225
Lubricant Specifications
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