Ford Contour (1999 year). Manual - part 54

Maintenance and care

214

Cleaning plastic exterior parts

Use a vinyl cleaner for routine
cleaning of plastic. Clean with a tar
remover if necessary. Do not clean
plastic parts with thinners, solvents
or petroleum-based cleaners.

Cleaning the exterior lamps

Wash the exterior lamps with the
same detergent you use to wash
the exterior of your vehicle. Use
glass cleaner or tar remover if
necessary.

To avoid scratching the lamps, do
not use a dry paper towel, chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners to
clean the lamps.

Cleaning the wiper blades

If the wiper blades do not wipe
properly, clean both the windshield
and wiper blades using undiluted
windshield wiper solution or a mild
detergent. Rinse thoroughly with
clean water. To avoid damaging the
blades, do not use fuel, kerosene,
paint thinner or other solvents.

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Maintenance and care

215

Cleaning the interior fabric

Remove dust and loose dirt with a
whisk broom or a vacuum cleaner.
Remove fresh spots immediately.
Follow the directions that come
with the cleaner.

Cleaning leather seats 
(if equipped)

For routine cleaning, wipe the
surface with a soft, damp cloth. For
more thorough cleaning, wipe the
surface with a leather and vinyl
cleaner or a mild soap.

Cleaning the instrument panel

OFF

LO

PNL/FLR

PANEL

A/C

FLOOR

DEF

FLR 

       DEF

MAX

A/C

HI

/

POWER

AUDIO

AM/FM

SCAN

SEEK

3

1

2

4

5

ANS

SIDE

1-2

EJECT

VOLUME

0 0 0 1 2 3

0 0 0 0

10

20

30

40

50

60 70 80

90

100

110

120

130

MPH

20

40

60

55

80

120

100

140

160

180

200

E

F

1

2

0

3

x 1000

4

5

6

7

8

CHECK
ENGINE

TRACTION
CONTROL

O/D
OFF

MIRRORS

CLOCK

H

C

Clean the instrument panel with a
damp cloth, then dry with a dry
cloth.

Any cleaner or polish that
increases the gloss of the upper
portion of the instrument panel
should be avoided. The dull finish
in this area is to help protect the
driver from undesirable windshield
reflection.

31CMCen  3/25/99  3:45 PM  Page 215

Maintenance and care

216

Cleaning and maintaining the
safety belts

Clean the safety belts with a mild
soap solution recommended for
cleaning upholstery or carpets and
warm water. Do not bleach or dye
the belts, because these actions
may weaken the belt webbing.

Check the safety belt system
periodically to make sure there are
no nicks, wear or cuts.

Cleaning and caring for your
vehicle

Refer to the Customer assistance
chapter for a list of Ford-approved
cleaners, polishes and waxes.

Ford recommends that all
safety belt assemblies and

attaching hardware should be
inspected by a qualified technician
after any collision. Safety belt
assemblies not in use during a
collision should also be inspected
and replaced if either damage or
improper operation is noted.

32CCSen  3/25/99  3:50 PM  Page 216

217

Capacities and specifications

*

Refer to Vehicle Emission Control Information (VECI) decal for spark plug and gap specifications.

** If a spark plug is removed for examination, it must be reinstalled in the same cylinder. 

If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use only spark plugs with the service part number suffix 
letter “FE” as shown on the engine decal.

Motorcraft parts

Component

Spark plug*

Air filter

Passenger compartment
air filter 

Fuel filter

Oil filter

Battery

PCV valve

Crankcase ventilation 
filter

2.0 litre engine

AZFS-22F # 1+2**

AZFS-22FE# 3+4

FA-1612

FP4

FG-800A

FL-2005

BXT-40R

EV-224

FA-1621

2.5 litre engine

AWSF-32F

FA-1613

FP4

FG-800A

FL-820

BXT-40R

EV-152

—

Part number

32CCSen  3/25/99  3:50 PM  Page 217