The engine coolant system capacity is : for the 4.0 liter V6 - with air conditioning - (8.6 quarts / 8.1 liters ) for the 5.0 liter V8 ( 13.5 quarts / 12.8 liters )
14.1 quarts, 13.3 liters
With engine oil filter change : for the 3.8 liter V6 engine ( 5 quarts / 4.7 liters ) for the 4.6 liter V8 engine ( 6 quarts / 5.7 liters )
6 quarts ( 5.7 liters ) with filter change
Fill the radiator to the top with coolant. Start the car and keep checking the coolant level. The coolant level will drop when the thermostat opens up, so refill it.
your water pump is bad Coolant leak? Fan inop? Rad plugged?
According to the 1996 Ford Contour Owner Guide : With engine oil filter change : The 2.0 liter four cylinder engine takes ( 4.5 U.S. quarts / 4.25 liters of 5W-30 ) The 2.5 liter V6 engine takes ( 5.5 U.S. quarts / 5.2 liters of 5W-30 )
Two wire sensor near the thermostat housing.
The 1997 model was made one year after the 1996.
According to the owners manual - 5.3 U.S. quarts ( 5.0 liters ) with filter change
According to the 1996 Ford Explorer Owner Guide : For the 4.0 liter V6 engine , with air conditioning , the engine coolant system capacity is 8.6 U.S. quarts / 8.1 liters So , a 50 / 50 mix of preferably distilled water and GREEN color antifreeze , meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A , would take *** 4.3 U.S. quarts / 4.05 liters *** Ford states not to exceed 60 % antifreeze in the mix
3.6 quarts ( 3.4 liters ) with engine oil filter change , according to the 1996 Ford Aspire Owner Guide for your 1.3 liter engine