Ford Contour (1999 year). Manual — part 43

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 the Capacities 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
community’s 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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Maintenance and care

172

MAX

MIN

Adding engine coolant

1. Before removing the engine
coolant recovery cap, turn the
engine off and allow it to cool.

2. When the engine is cool, turn
and remove the cap.

Never remove the coolant
recovery cap while the

engine is running or hot.

• Step back for a moment while
the pressure in the reservoir is
released.

• Stand away from the reservoir
opening. Hot steam or coolant
spray may be released.

3. Add engine coolant until the
fluid level in the reservoir is
between the MAX and MIN lines on
the reservoir.

Follow the recommended service
interval for changing engine
coolant as outlined in the
maintenance guide and or service
guide. Refer to Capacities and
specifications for more
information on engine coolant
specifications.

Have your dealer or a qualified
service technician check the engine
coolant system for leaks if you have
to add more than a litre (quart) of
engine coolant per month.

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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
specifications chapter.

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

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