steering FORD CONTOUR 1996 2.G Owner's Manual

Driving Your Contour
153
*
[DR19000(ALL)01/95]
The parking brake is not designed to stop a moving vehicle, but
you can use the parking brake to stop your vehicle in an
emergency if the normal brakes fail. However, since the parking
brake applies only the rear brakes, the stopping distance will
increase greatly and the handling of your vehicle will be
adversely affected.
*
[DR19050(ALL)03/95]
Always check the Brake Warning Light each time you start your
engine. Driving with the parking brake on will cause the brakes
to wear out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
%*
[DR19100(ALL)01/95]
Driving Under Special Conditions
*
[DR19200(ALL)01/95]
Tips for Safe Driving
*
[DR19300(ALL)05/95]
As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and handle
differently from your previous vehicle. Use care until you
become accustomed to its various features and driving
characteristics.
*
[DR19400(ALL)03/95]
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits. Sudden
acceleration, deceleration, turning, or combinations of these
maneuvers can cause a vehicle to behave differently than
anticipated.
%*
[DR19750(ALL)01/95]
Driving in Bad Weather
%*
[DR19800(ALL)01/95]
Slippery roads
*
[DR19900(ALL)03/95]
On some slippery road surfaces, front-wheel drive may provide
better acceleration than rear-wheel drive. However, this does not
mean that your vehicle can stop any faster or any better than a
vehicle with rear-wheel drive. Exercise the same caution while
driving on slippery roads with your front-wheel drive vehicle as
you would with a rear-wheel drive vehicle.
*
[DR20100(ALL)03/95]
n
Do not quickly move the steering wheel unless necessary.
*
[DR20200(ALL)01/95]
n
Drive slower than you normally would.
*
[DR20400(ALL)01/95]
n
Give your vehicle more distance to stop.
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

168
*
[RE04500(ALL)03/95]
Changing a Tire
*
[RE04600(ALL)01/95]
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do not apply the
brake heavily. Instead, gradually decrease the speed. Hold the
steering wheel firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the
side of the road. Park on a level spot, turn off the ignition, set
the parking brake, and turn on the hazard flashers.
*
[RE04700(ALL)03/95]
The Temporary Spare Tire
*
[RE04800(ALL)03/95]
You may have a high pressure temporary spare tire. This spare
tire is smaller than a regular tire and is designed for emergency
use only. Use it only when you get a flat tire and replace it as
soon as you can. This spare tire is marked with the words
ªTEMPORARY USE ONLYº so that you can easily identify it.
*
[RE04900(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or do
not follow these precautions, the tire could fail, causing
you to lose control of the vehicle, possibly injuring
yourself or others.
*
[RE05000(ALL)01/95]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire, DO NOT:
*
[RE05100(ALL)01/95]
n
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any circumstances.
*
[RE05200(ALL)01/95]
n
load your vehicle so that it is heavier than the maximum
vehicle load rating listed on the tire decal.
*
[RE05300(ALL)01/95]
n
tow a trailer.
*
[RE05400(ALL)01/95]
n
use tire chains on this tire.
*
[RE05500(ALL)01/95]
n
try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its
wheel.
*
[RE05600(ALL)01/95]
n
use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
File:cdreo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:24:30 1996

Roadside Emergencies
177
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[RE18000(ALL)03/95]
Towing Your Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
*
[RE18100(ALL)03/95]
At times, you may want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle, a car, or a truck.
*
[RE18200(ALL)03/95]
Before you have your vehicle towed:
*
[RE18300(ALL)03/95]
n
Release the parking brake.
*
[RE18400(ALL)03/95]
n
Move the gearshift to N (Neutral).
[RE18500(ALL)03/95]
n
Turn the ignition to the OFF position.
*
[RE18600(ALL)03/95]
n
Unlock the steering wheel.
[RE18700(ALL)05/95]
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed faster than 35 mph
(55 km/h) or for a distance greater than 50 miles (80 km)
unless the drive wheels are placed on dollies.
[RE18900(ALL)05/95]
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed faster than 55 mph
(90 km/h) if you have a manual transaxle. Your maximum
towing distance is unlimited.
*
[RE19000(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Never use a tow bar that attaches to the bumper when
you tow your vehicle. This could damage the bumper
and cause an accident.
File:cdreo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:24:30 1996

234
*
[SV31200(ALL)03/95]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[SV31225(ALL)03/95]
Checking and Adding Power Steering Fluid
[SV31250(ALL)05/94]
With the power steering system at operating temperature,
switch off the engine. The fluid level should be up to the MAX
marking on the transparent reservoir.
[SV31275(ALL)05/94]
If it drops to or below the MIN mark, top off with the specified
fluid.
[SV31350(ALL)05/94]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001260-A
The power steering fluid reservoir
[SV32000(ALL)05/95]
Use only power steering fluid that meets Ford's Specification
ESW-M2C33-F or is an equivalent Type F Automatic
Transmission Fluid with a Ford registration number (an 8-digit
number beginning with ª2Pº printed on the fluid container).
File:cdsvo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996

276 Circuit breakers, checking and replacing......... 243
Cleaning your vehicle
CD player and discs................. 125
chrome and aluminum parts.............. 6
exterior....................... 5
exterior lamps.................... 79
fabric....................... 106
headlamps...................... 79
instrument panel................... 69
mirrors....................... 108
plastic parts..................... 6
polishing....................... 5
rear windows..................... 76
rustproofing..................... 6
safety belts...................... 16
tail lamps...................... 79
upholstery and interior trim............. 106
washing....................... 5
wheels....................... 229
windows....................... 76
Clutch
operation while driving............... 145
shifting the gears.................. 145
specifications.................... 254
Cold engine starting................... 46
Combination lap and shoulder belts............ 9
Compact disc player (see Electronic sound system).... 121
Compact disc radio (see Electronic sound system).... 116
Console, description.................. 110
Controls
instrument panel................... 69
mirrors....................... 107
steering column.................... 83
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
checking and adding................ 213
preparing for storage................ 256
refill capacities................... 252
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:47 1996

277
Coolant (see Engine coolant) (continued)
specifications.................... 254
temperature gauge.................. 64
Cooling fan...................... 196
Crankcase emission filter................ 253
Cruise control (see Speed control)............. 88
Customer Assistance Centre, Ford of Canada....... 186
D
Dashboard (see Instrument panel)............. 69
Daytime running light system.............. 79
Defects, reporting................... 185
Defrost, rear window and side view mirrors........ 76
Dipstick
automatic transaxle fluid............... 229
engine oil..................... 210
power steering fluid................. 234
Disabled vehicle (see Towing).............. 175
Dispute Settlement Board................ 182
Doors......................... 93
lubricant specifications................ 254
Driving under special conditions
bad weather.................... 153
heavy load..................... 155
high water..................... 155
slippery roads................... 153
tips for safe driving................. 153
towing a trailer................... 157
E
Electrical system
circuit breakers................... 243
fuses......................235, 242
relays....................... 235
Electronic sound system
radio reception................... 136
tuning the radio.................117, 131
warranty and service information........... 137
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:47 1996

285
Power features (continued)
moon roof...................... 99
seats........................ 104
windows....................... 98
Power steering
dipstick...................... 234
driving with power steering............. 149
fluid, checking and adding.............. 234
fluid, refill capacity................. 252
fluid, specifications................. 254
servicing...................... 149
Prop rod, hood.................... 198
R
Radio (see Electronic sound systems).......... 115
Rear axle, refill capacity................ 252
Rear window...................... 98
Refill capacities for fluids................ 252
Remote entry system
locking/unlocking doors................ 95
opening the trunk................... 95
panic alarm...................... 96
replacement/additional transmitters........... 97
replacing the batteries................. 96
Reporting safety defects................ 185
Restraints, safety (see Safety restraints)
adult......................... 7
child......................... 25
head........................ 101
infant........................ 25
Roadside assistance.................. 179
Roadside emergencies................. 163
Rotating the tires................... 224
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:47 1996

287
Servicing your vehicle
precautions when servicing.............. 196
servicing when you tow............... 161
Shift-lock system................... 140
Shift positions (see Gearshift)............140, 145
Shoulder and lap belts (see Safety restraints)........ 9
Side mirrors, adjusting................. 107
Sliding moon roof (see Moon roof)............ 99
Snow tires and chains................. 228
Spare tire
changing the tire.................. 168
finding the spare.................. 169
removing the spare tire............... 169
temporary spare................... 168
Spark plugs, specifications............... 253
Special driving conditions............... 153
Specification chart, lubricants.............. 254
Speed control
accelerating...................... 90
canceling a set speed................. 91
resetting....................... 90
resuming a set speed................. 91
tap up/tap down................... 90
turning off...................... 91
when towing a trailer................ 161
Speedometer...................... 65
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle............. 44
starting a cold engine................. 46
starting after a collision................ 50
starting a warm engine................ 47
starting your vehicle if the battery is disabled..... 163
Steering, power.................... 149
Steering wheel
horn......................... 86
locking........................ 41
speed controls.................... 88
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:47 1996