FORD CONTOUR 1998 2.G Owners Manual

Driving
101 Payload = GVWRminus Base
curb weight
To obtain the correct weight for
your vehicle, try taking your
vehicle to a shipping company or
an inspection station for trucks.
Do not use replacement tires with
lower weight capacities than the
originals because they might lower
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR.
(Replacement tires with a higher
weight limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR
limitations.)
In high altitudes, engines will lose
power at a rate of 3% power per
300 m (1000 ft) increase in
elevation. A reduction in GVW and
GCW is recommended for
maximum vehicle performance.
-9%
-6%
-3% 900 m
(3000 ft)
600 m
(2000 ft)
300 m
(1000 ft)
0
Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label.
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Driving
102
It is extremly dangerous to
ride in a cargo area, inside or
outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are
more likely to be seriously injured
or killed. Do not allow people to
ride in any area of your vehicle
that is not equipped with seats
and safety belts. Be sure everyone
in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a safety belt properly.
Driving with a heavy load
The total weight of the vehicle plus
the total weight of passengers and
cargo should never exceed the
GVWR.
The weight that the vehicle carries
over the front and rear axles
should never exceed the GAWR for
the respective axle.
The weight limits of your vehicle’s
tires affect the GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Using tires with higher
weight limits than the original tires
will not increase the GVWR or
GAWR of your vehicle; using tires
with lower weight limits may lower
the GVWR or GAWR of your
vehicle
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Driving
103 TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is capable of towing a
trailer of up to a maximum of
454kg (1000 lbs) gross trailer
weight with a maximum tongue
load of 45kg (100 lbs). It should
also have 2.3sq. meters (25sq.
feet) or less frontal area. Do not
drive faster than 72km/h (45mph)
while towing a 454kg (1000lb)
trailer.
Your vehicle does not come from
the factory fully equipped to tow.
No towing packages are available
through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury
dealers.
Trailer towing puts additional loads
on your vehicle’s engine, transaxle,
axle, brakes, tires, and suspension.
For your safety and to maximize
vehicle performance, be sure to use
the proper equipment while
towing.
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Driving
104Follow these guidelines to ensure
safe towing procedure:
•Stay within your vehicle’s load
limits.
•Thoroughly prepare your vehicle
for towing. Refer to Preparing to
towin this chapter.
•Use extra caution when driving
while trailer towing. Refer to
Driving while towing a trailer
in this chapter.
•Service your vehicle more
frequently if you tow a trailer.
Refer to the severe duty schedule
in the ”Service Guide”.
•Do not tow a trailer until your
vehicle has been driven at least
800km (500miles).
•Refer to the instructions included
with towing accessories for the
proper installation and
adjustment specifications.
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Driving
105 Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for
towing a trailer and make sure that
it is properly attached to your
vehicle. See your dealer or a
reliable trailer retailer if you
require assistance.
Auxiliary coolers are recommended
for the power steering system and
automatic transaxle system if you
are planning on:
•Traveling farther than 80 km
(50miles).
•Towing in hilly terrain.
•Towing frequently.
Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transaxle
damage, structural damage, loss of
control, and personal injury.
Do not exceed the maximum loads
listed on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label. For load
specification terms found on the
label, refer to Loading your
vehiclein this chapter. Remember
to figure in the tongue load of your
loaded vehicle when figuring the
total weight.
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Driving
106Using a hitch
Do not use hitches that:
•Clamp onto the vehicle bumper.
•Attach to the axle.
Distribute the load so that only 10
to 15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue. Tie down
the load so that it does not shift
and change weight on the hitch.
Follow the instructions of a
reputable rental agency.
Using trailer lamps
See your local trailer retailer or
rental agency for proper
instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.
Do not hook the trailer lamps
directly into the vehicle’s wiring
system. If the trailer lamps are not
working properly, the warning
lights in the instrument cluster may
not work properly.
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Driving
107 Using trailer brakes
Use electric brakes or manual,
automatic or surge type hydraulic
brakes that meet Federal and local
regulations. Install and adjust
brakes according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
Using safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety
chains to the vehicle. To connect
the chains, cross the chains under
the trailer tongue and attach to the
vehicle frame or hook retainers
(not the bumper). Make sure there
is enough slack to allow the vehicle
to turn corners.
Do not connect a trailer’s
hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle’s brake
system. Your vehicle may not have
enough braking power and your
chances of having a collision
greatly increase.
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Driving
108Driving while towing a trailer
Do not drive faster than 72km/h
(45mph) while towing a 454 kg
(1000lb) trailer. Do not drive
faster than 72km/h (45mph) with
any weight trailer while towing in
hilly terrain or on hot days.
Speed control (if equipped) may
not work properly while towing on
long, steep grades.
If driving with an automatic
transaxle:
•Use D (Drive) or a low gear
rather than D (Overdrive) while
towing up or down steep inclines.
•Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
If driving with a manual transaxle:
•Select a gear that avoids jerking
or excessive engine speed.
•Avoid driving excessively in first
or second gear. If you need to
drive excessively in first or
second gear, the trailer may be
too big or too heavily loaded for
the vehicle drivetrain.
•Shift to a lower gear while towing
up or down steep hills.
•Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
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Driving
109 FUELCONSUMPTION
Fuel economy can be improved by
avoiding:
•lack of regular, scheduled
maintenance,
•excessive speed,
•rapid acceleration,
•driving with the brake pedal
depressed,
•sudden stops,
•extended engine idling,
•use of speed control in hilly
terrain,
•extended use of the air
conditioner, defroster, rear
window defroster and other
accessories,
•underinflated tires,
•heavy loads,
•aftermarked add-ons such as
bike, ski or luggage racks, bug
deflectors, etc.
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110
FUELPUMPSHUT-OFF SWITCH
If the engine cranks, but does not
start or does not start after a
collision, the fuel pump shut-off
switch may have been activated.
The shut-off switch is a device
intended to stop the electric fuel
pump when your vehicle has been
involved in a substantial jolt.
Once the shut-off switch is
activated, you must reset the
switch by hand before you can start
your vehicle. The switch is located
on the side panel in front of the
driver’s side door.
Roadside emergencies
HAZARD FLASHER CONTROL
Use only in an emergency to warn
traffic of vehicle breakdown or
approaching danger. Depress to
activate. Depress again to switch
off. The hazard lights can be
operated when the ignition is off.
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