Ford Contour (2000 year). Manual - part 44

Maintenance and care

174

Checking engine coolant

The concentration and level of
engine coolant should be checked
at the mileage intervals listed in the
“Scheduled Maintenance Guide“.
The coolant concentration should
be maintained at 50/50 coolant and
water, which equates to a freeze
point of -34°F (-36°C). Coolant
concentration testing is possible
with a hydrometer or antifreeze
tester (such as the Rotunda
Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014-
R1060). The level of coolant should
be maintained at the “cold full“ or
“cold fill range“ level in the coolant
reservoir. If the level falls below,
add coolant per the instructions in
the Adding engine coolant
section.

Adding engine coolant 

When adding engine coolant, make
sure it is a 50/50 mixture of engine
coolant and distilled water. Add the
mixture to the coolant reservoir
when the engine is cool until the
appropriate fill level is obtained.

Do not put engine coolant in
the windshield washer fluid

container. If sprayed on the
windshield, engine coolant could
make it difficult to see through the
windshield.

Do not add engine coolant
when the engine is hot.

Steam and scalding liquids
released from a hot cooling system
can burn you badly. Also, you can
be burned if you spill coolant on
hot engine parts.

The coolant system in your vehicle
is filled with Ford Premium Engine
Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA
(Motorcraft CXC-8-B in Canada) or
equivalent meeting Ford
specification ESE-M97B44-A.

To maintain the integrity of the
coolant and the cooling system
and maintain the warranty on
the cooling system:

• Add the type of coolant
originally equipped in your
vehicle. If you are unsure which
type of coolant your vehicle
requires, contact your local dealer.

• Do not mix the factory-filled
coolant with an orange-colored
EXTENDED LIFE COOLANT
such as F6AZ-19544-A, meeting
WSS-M97B44-D. Mixing of Ford
Premium Engine Coolant with an
extended life product can result in
degraded corrosion protection.

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Maintenance and care

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• A large amount of water without
engine coolant may be added, in
case of emergency, to reach a
vehicle service location. In this
instance, the cooling system must
be drained and refilled with a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and
distilled water as soon as possible.
Water alone (without engine
coolant) can cause engine damage
from corrosion, overheating or
freezing. 

• Do not use alcohol or
methanol or any engine
coolants mixed with alcohol or
methanol antifreeze (coolant).
Alcohol and other liquids can cause
engine damage from overheating or
freezing.

• Do not add extra inhibitors
or additives to the coolant.
These can be harmful and
compromise the corrosion
protection of the engine coolant.

• Do not mix with recycled
coolant unless the bottle label
states compliance with Ford
specification ESE-M97B44-A.

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1. Before you begin, turn the
engine off and let it cool.

2. When the engine is cool, wrap a
thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant
reservoir (an opaque plastic
bottle). Slowly turn the cap
counterclockwise (left) until the
pressure begins to release.

3. Step back while the pressure
releases (you may hear a hissing
sound).

4. When you are sure that all the
pressure has been released from
the cooling system, use the cloth to
turn the cap counterclockwise and
remove it.

5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly
with the proper coolant mixture
(see above) to within the “cold full“
or the “cold fill range“ level on the
reservoir. 

6. Replace the cap. Turn until
tightly installed. (Cap must be
tightly installed to prevent coolant
loss.)

To avoid personal injury,
make sure the engine is cool

before unscrewing the coolant
pressure relief cap. The cooling
system is under pressure; steam
and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is
loosened slightly.

MAX

MIN

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After any coolant has been added,
check the coolant concentration
(see Checking engine coolant
section). If the concentration is not
50/50 (protection to -34°F /-36°C),
drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several
drains and additions to obtain a
50/50 coolant concentration.

Whenever coolant has been added,
the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the
next few times you drive the
vehicle. If necessary,  add enough
50/50 concentration of engine
coolant and distilled water to bring
the liquid level to the proper level.

If you have to add more than
1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine
coolant per month, have your
dealer check the engine cooling
system. Your cooling system may
have a leak. Operating an engine
with a low level of coolant can
result in engine overheating and
possible engine damage.

Changing engine coolant

Change your engine coolant
according to the appropriate
schedule listed in the “Scheduled
Maintenance Guide“. It is important
that the engine coolant be changed
at the specified intervals. The
corrosion protection of engine
coolant is depleted with time and
usage. Use of engine coolant with
depleted corrosion protection may
result in damage to the coolant
system. Color, specific gravity and
freeze point of the coolant are not 

indicators of depletion.

To find out how much fluid your
vehicle’s cooling system can hold,
refer to the Refill capacities in the
Capacities and Specifications
chapter. Fill your coolant reservoir
following the directions given in
the Adding engine coolant
section.

Coolant usage in severe winter
climate

If you drive in extremely cold
climates less than -34°F (-36°C), 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 will
provide adequate freeze protection.
Never increase the engine
coolant concentration above
60 % (protection to -60°F). At a
level over 60 %, your engine could
overheat and become damaged.

Coolant usage in hot climate

If you drive in hot climates, it is still
necessary to maintain the coolant
concentration at 50/50 coolant and
water. Do not allow the
concentration to fall below
40 % coolant. At a concentration
less than 40 %, the corrosion
protection to your engine and
cooling components may be
compromised and permanent
damage may result.

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