Ford Contour (2000 year). Manual - part 50

Maintenance and care

198

Choosing the right fuel

Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The
use of leaded fuel is prohibited by
law and could damage your vehicle.
The damage may not be covered by
your warranty.

Your vehicle was not designed to
use fuel containing manganese-
based additives such as MMT.
Additionally, vehicles certified to
California emission standards
(indicated on the underhood
Vehicle Emission Control
Information label) are designed to
operate on California reformulated
gasolines. If California reformulated
gasoline is not available when you
refuel, your vehicle can be
operated on non-California fuels.
However, even though your engine
will perform adequately on other
gasolines, the performance of the
emission control devices and
systems may be adversely affected.
Repair of damage caused by a fuel
that your vehicle was not designed
for may not be covered by your
warranty.

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Maintenance and care

199

Octane recommendations

Your vehicle is designed to use
regular gasoline with an (R+M)/2
octane rating of 87. We do not
recommend gasolines labeled as
“regular” in high altitude areas that
are sold with octane ratings of 86
or even less.

Do not be concerned if your vehicle
sometimes knocks lightly. However,
if it knocks heavily under most
driving conditions on the
recommended octane, see your
dealer or a qualified service
technician to prevent any engine
damage.

87

MINIMUM OCTANE RATING

(R+M)/2 Method

Fuel quality

If you are experiencing starting,
rough idle or hesitation problems
try a different brand of fuel. If the
condition persists, see your dealer
or qualified service technician.

The American Automobile
Manufacturers Association
(AAMA) issued a gasoline
specification to provide information
on high quality fuels that optimize
the performance of your vehicle.
We recommend the use of gasolines
that meet the AAMA specification
if they are available.

It should not be necessary to add
any aftermarket products to your
fuel tank if you continue to use a
high-quality fuel.

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Maintenance and care

200

The fuel system may be
under pressure. If the fuel

filler cap is venting vapor or if you
hear a hissing sound, wait until it
stops before completely removing
the fuel filler cap. Otherwise fuel
may spray out and injure you or
others.

Fuel filler cap

If the check engine indicator
comes on and stays on when you
start the engine, the fuel filler cap
may not be properly installed. Turn
off the engine, remove the fuel
filler cap and reinstall it being
careful to align the cap properly.

If you must replace the fuel
filler cap, replace it with an
authorized Motorcraft part.
The customer warranty may be
void for any damage to the fuel
tank or fuel system if an
authorized Motorcraft fuel
filler cap is not used.

Cleaner air

Ford approves the use of gasolines
to improve air quality, including
reformulated gasolines that contain
oxygenates such as a maximum of
10% ethanol or 15% MTBE. There
should be no more than 5%
methanol with cosolvents and
additives to protect the fuel
system.

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Maintenance and care

201

Calculating fuel economy

To accurately calculate your
vehicle’s fuel economy:

1. Fill the tank completely and
record the initial odometer reading.

2. Each time you fill the tank,
record the amount of fuel added
(in litres or gallons).

3. After at least three to five fill-
ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current mileage reading.

4. Use one of the following
equations to calculate fuel
economy.

Litres used x 100 / Total kilometres
traveled.

Total miles traveled / Total gallons
used.

Keep a record for at least one
month. This will provide an
accurate estimate of the vehicle’s
fuel economy.

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