engine FORD CONTOUR 1996 2.G Owner's Manual

Warning Lights and Gauges
67
[LG22700(ALL)01/95]
6 pica art:0001210-A% [LG22800(ALL)03/95]
Low Coolant Light (If equipped)
[LG22900(ALL)02/95]
This light indicates that the level of the engine coolant is low
inside the coolant recovery bottle and that you should add more
coolant. SeeEngine Coolantin the Index.
[LG23000(ALL)01/95]
6 pica art:0001214-B[LG23100(ALL)03/95]
This light comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is
turned to the START position, but should turn off when the
engine starts. If this light stays on, check the level of coolant
inside the recovery bottle. The level may be slightly above the
MIN line because the light is an ªearly warning.º
File:cdlgo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

Instrument Panel Controls
75
*
[IP02225(ALL)03/95]
MAX A/C
[IP02251(ALL)05/95]
The MAX A/C position produces cool air more rapidly to
provide faster cooling of your vehicle. Thhis is possible because
cooler air is drawn from inside the passenger area and
refrigerated again instead of using warmer outside air. Using
inside air will also make the fan sound louder, which is normal
when using MAX A/C. The air flow will be from the
instrument panel registers.
[IP02475(ALL)03/95]
Comfort tips
[IP02501(ALL)03/95]
The following tips will help you to get the most satisfaction
from your climate control system.
[IP02525(ALL)05/95]
n
In humid weather, selectVDEF before starting your
engine. This will help to prevent windshield fogging. After a
few minutes of operation, you may select another function.
[IP02550(ALL)03/95]
n
To prevent humidity buildup inside your vehicle, always
drive with the climate control system turned on.
*
[IP02575(ALL)03/95]
n
Do not put objects under the front seats that interfere with
the flow of air to the back seat area.
[IP02600(ALL)05/94]
n
Remove any snow, ice, or leaves from the air intake area of
your heater and air conditioner system which could block
the air intake. The intake area is located at the bottom of the
windshield.
[IP03025(ALL)04/95]
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
*
[IP03050(ALL)02/95]
Your vehicle may have an air filter that removes pollen and
road dust from outside air before it is directed to the interior of
the vehicle. For maintenance of this filter, seeServicing Your
Contour.
File:cdipo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:18:07 1996

76
% [IP03500(ALL)05/95]
Rear Window Defroster and Heated Side View
Mirrors (If equipped)
[IP03551(ALL)02/95]
The defroster for the rear window clears frost, fog, or thin ice
from both the inside and outside of the rear window and
activates the heated side view mirrors.
[IP03600(ALL)01/95]
The button for the rear window defroster and heated side view
mirrors is on the instrument panel, to the right of the steering
wheel.
[IP03700(ALL)02/94]
6 pica art:0001180-B
The rear window defroster and heated side view mirrors
[IP03900(ALL)05/95]
Clear away any snow that is on the rear window and side view
mirrors before using the defroster. With the engine running,
push the defroster button.
*
[IP04000(ALL)04/95]
After approximately 10 minutes, the defroster will turn off. If
the window or mirrors are still not clear, turn the defroster on
again.
*
[IP04100(ALL)04/95]
The defroster will turn off when the ignition key is turned to
the OFF or START position.
*
[IP23000(ALL)03/94]
NOTE: Never use sharp instruments or window cleaners with
abrasives to clean the inside of your rear window. If
you do, you may damage the heating elements that
are bonded to the inside of the rear window and
cause damage to the rear window defroster.
File:cdipo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:18:07 1996

Steering Column Controls
87
*
[SC07400(ALL)03/91]
Speed Control (If equipped)
*
[SC07500(ALL)06/95]
If your vehicle has speed control, you can automatically
maintain a constant speed at or above 30 mph (50 km/h).
*
[SC07550(ALL)05/95]
Use of radio transmitting equipment that is not Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) or in Canada the Canadian
Radio and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved
may cause the speed control to malfunction. Therefore, use only
properly installed FCC (CRTC in Canada) approved radio
transmitting equipment in your vehicle.
*
[SC07650(ALL)03/95]
NOTE: Do not shift to N (Neutral) when using the speed
control. This will cause the engine to overspeed.
*
[SC07675(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not use the speed control in heavy traffic or on roads
that are winding, slippery, or unpaved.
File:cdsco.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:03 1996

139
Driving Your Contour
*
[DR00200(ALL)09/93]
Procedures for driving your vehicle will vary depending on
which type oftransaxleyour vehicle has. You may be familiar
with the term ªtransmission.º We usetransaxlebecause it is a
more accurate term for vehicles that have front-wheel drive.
*
[DR00300(ALL)11/94]
Your vehicle will have one of the following types of transaxles:
[DR00410(ALL)02/94]
n
an automatic overdrive transaxle with transaxle control
switch, or
*
[DR00600(ALL)11/94]
n
a manual transaxle.
*
[DR00700(ALL)11/94]
If you are not sure which transaxle your vehicle has, talk to
your dealer.
*
[DR00750(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic Powertrain Control
Module that limits engine and/or vehicle speeds with a cut-out
mode to promote durability.
*
[DR00800(ALL)01/95]
Driving with an Automatic Overdrive
Transaxle
[DR00850(ALL)05/95]
Your automatic overdrive transaxle provides fully automatic
operation in either D (Overdrive) or with the transaxle control
switch depressed. Driving with the shift selector in D
(Overdrive) gives the best fuel economy for normal driving
conditions. For manual control, start in 1 (First) and then shift
manually.
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

140
*
[DR00900(ALL)01/95]
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
[DR00915(ALL)05/95]
You must push in the thumb button to move the gearshift to
the position you choose.
*
[DR00917(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift
lever from position to position. If you do not hold the
brake pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly
and injure someone.
*
[DR00918(ALL)03/95]
To operate:
*
[DR00919(ALL)01/95]1.
Start the engine.
*
[DR00920(ALL)01/95]2.
Depress and hold the brake pedal.
*
[DR00921(ALL)01/95]3.
Move the gearshift lever out of P (Park).
%*
[DR00923(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a Brake Shift Interlock safety
feature. This feature prevents the gearshift from being moved
from the P (Park) position until the brake pedal is depressed.
This feature is active when the ignition is in the ON position. If
the gearshift lever CANNOT be moved from P (Park) with the
brake pedal depressed:
*
[DR00924(ALL)01/95]1.
Turn the engine off and remove the ignition key.
[DR00925(ALL)05/94]2.
With the parking brake applied and the brake pedal
depressed, insert a screwdriver about 2" (5 cm) into the
square opening to the right of the gearshift at the base of the
console.
[DR00926(ALL)05/94]3.
Rotate the screwdriver point rearward.
[DR00927(ALL)02/94]4.
Push and hold the thumb button and move the gearshift.
[DR00928(ALL)02/94]5.
Remove the screwdriver when the gearshift moves from the
P (Park) position.
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

Driving Your Contour
143 transaxle control indicator light will illuminate (OD OFF) on the
instrument panel. When this OD OFF is illuminated the
transaxle will upshift and downshift from first through third
gears and provide coast braking in second and third gears.
[DR01875(ALL)02/94]
To return the transaxle to normal operation (first through fourth
gears) depress the TCS again. This switch may be used to cancel
overdrive any time the vehicle is being driven. Each time your
vehicle is started, the overdrive system will automatically be in
the normal overdrive mode and the light will not be
illuminated.
[DR01900(ALL)05/94]
When to use D (Overdrive Ð without Transaxle Control
Switch activated)
[DR01925(ALL)05/94]
D (Overdrive) is the usual driving position for an automatic
overdrive transaxle. It automatically upshifts or downshifts as
the vehicle speeds or slows.
[DR01950(ALL)05/94]
However, D (Overdrive) also shifts into a fourth gear Ð an
overdrive gear Ð when your vehicle cruises at a consistent
speed for any length of time. This fourth gear will increase your
fuel economy when you travel at cruising speeds.
[DR02000(ALL)05/94]
When to use D (Drive Ð with Transaxle Control Switch
activated)
[DR02025(ALL)05/94]
D (Overdrive) may not be appropriate for certain terrain. If the
transaxle shifts back and forth between third and fourth gears
while you are driving on hilly roads or if your vehicle requires
additional power for climbing hills, depress the TCS. D (Drive)
also gives more engine braking to slow your vehicle on
downgrades than D (Overdrive).
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

144
*
[DR02100(ALL)01/95]
When to use 2 (Second)
[DR02200(ALL)05/94]
When your vehicle is in 2 (Second), it automatically starts off in
second gear. Use 2 (Second) to help drive up moderately steep
hills or restart from a standstill on slippery roads. It prevents
the transaxle from frequently shifting up and down. It also
gives more engine braking than D (Drive) (with Transaxle
Control Switch activated) when going down hills.
[DR02300(ALL)05/95]
Do not go faster than 55 mph (90 km/h) in this gear. You can
upshift from 2 (Second) into D (Overdrive) at any speed.
*
[DR02500(ALL)04/95]
When to use 1 (First)
[DR02700(ALL)05/94]
This position limits the transaxle to first gear. It helps brake the
vehicle when going down hills where 2 (Second) is not
sufficient.
[DR02800(ALL)05/95]
Do not go faster than 38 mph (60 km/h) in this gear. You can
upshift from 1 (First) to 2 (Second) or from 1 (First) to
D (Overdrive) at any speed.
*
[DR02900(ALL)01/95]
P (Park)
*
[DR03000(ALL)11/94]
Always come to a complete stop before you shift into P (Park).
Make sure that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park). This
locks the transaxle and prevents the front wheels from rotating.
*
[DR03100(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that
the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
*
[DR03200(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Never leave your vehicle unattended while it is running.
[DR03400(ALL)01/89]
You can tell the gearshift is securely latched when the push
button has popped out. In this position the gear shift selector
lever cannot be moved unless the button is pushed in.
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

Driving Your Contour
145
*
[DR06900(ALL)01/89]
Driving with a Manual Transaxle
*
[DR07000(ALL)03/95]
Using the Clutch
*
[DR07100(ALL)11/94]
In order to start the vehicle, the clutch pedal must be fully
depressed to the floor. Before starting the engine, make sure the
vehicle is in Neutral and the parking brake is set.
[DR07200(ALL)11/94]
After the engine starts, allow it to idle for a few seconds. Then,
hold your right foot on the brake pedal and release the parking
brake. With the clutch pedal depressed to the floor with your
left foot, move the gearshift into 1 (First) or R (Reverse).
[DR07300(ALL)11/94]
To move the vehicle, take your right foot off the brake pedal
and then slowly release the clutch pedal. (You may need to
press down slowly on the accelerator at the same time that you
release the clutch pedal.)
*
[DR07400(ALL)03/95]
Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal and do
not use the clutch to hold your vehicle at a standstill while
waiting on a hill. These actions will seriously reduce clutch life.
[DR07500(ALL)05/95]
Idling the Vehicle
[DR07550(ALL)05/95]
When the vehicle is stopped and the engine is running, DO
NOT rest your hand on or apply any pressure to gearshift lever
when the clutch pedal is not depressed. This may result in
erratic engine operation.
*
[DR07600(ALL)03/95]
Shifting the Gears
*
[DR07700(ALL)11/94]
The gearshift for a manual transaxle is mounted on the floor.
The gearshift can be in one of seven possible positions, as
shown.
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

148
[DR09700(ALL)05/95]
Downshifting
*
[DR09800(ALL)03/95]
When you slow down or climb a steep hill, always downshift
before the engine starts to lose power. Downshifting reduces the
chance of stalling and gives your vehicle better acceleration to
increase speed again.
*
[DR09900(ALL)03/95]
When you drive down steep hills, downshifting helps you keep
a safe speed and helps prevent unnecessary wear on the brakes.
*
[DR10000(ALL)03/95]
When you come to a stop, do not downshift through each gear.
Disengage the clutch and use the brake as necessary.
Downshifting through the gears decreases your vehicle's fuel
economy.
[DR10201(ALL)05/95]
Do not attempt to shift into 1 (First) gear with the clutch pedal
depressed at speeds higher than 20 mph (30 km/h). If you do,
it could cause a complete clutch failure, making your vehicle
inoperative.
[DR10301(ALL)01/95]
Traction Control (If equipped)
[DR10405(ALL)05/95]
The traction control system prevents the wheels from spinning
on slippery roads.
[DR10505(ALL)05/95]
Working with the anti-lock brake system, the traction control
system monitors the speed of the wheels as they roll over the
road surface. When a wheel starts to spin because of slippery
conditions, the traction control system slows the engine by
closing the throttle. At speeds below 35 mph (55 km/h) the
traction control system also applies the brake to the spinning
wheel.
[DR10605(ALL)05/95]
When the traction control system becomes active, the driver
may notice a very slight kick and then a hard resistance in the
accelerator pedal, and a mechanical noise. The traction control
system light on the instrument panel comes on or flashes on
and off during activation.
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996