wheel FORD CONTOUR 1996 2.G Owner's Manual

154
*
[DR20505(ALL)01/92]
n
Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly to avoid locking
your wheels.
*
[DR20600(ALL)02/93]
n
Consider using one of the lower gears.
*
[DR20700(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid losing control on slippery roads, do not
downshift into 1 (First) with the automatic transaxle
when moving faster than 20 mph (32 km/h). Do not
downshift into 1 (First) with the manual transaxle when
moving faster than 10 mph (16 km/h).
*
[DR20750(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
If your vehicle has speed control, do not use it on
slippery roads. You could lose control of your vehicle
and could injure someone.
*
[DR20800(ALL)01/95]
If you have an automatic transaxle and your vehicle gets stuck
(for example, in mud or snow), you may try to ªrockº it out of
the spot. Shift, in a steady rhythm, between forward and reverse
gears. While in each gear, press lightly on the accelerator and
release.
*
[DR20900(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (55 km/h). The
tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
*
[DR21000(ALL)03/95]
By moving the vehicle backward and forward, you may gain
enough momentum to move out of the spot. Do not rock the
vehicle for more than a few minutes. This may overheat the
engine, damage the transaxle, or damage the tires. If you are
still stuck after a minute or two of rocking, call for a tow truck.
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

Driving Your Contour
155
%*
[DR21200(ALL)01/95]
High water
*
[DR21300(ALL)01/95]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you are sure that the
water is below the bottom of the wheel rims.
*
[DR21400(ALL)04/94]
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. You may
have limited traction or wet brakes, so allow extra stopping
distance because your vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.
*
[DR21500(ALL)01/95]
After you drive through the standing water, apply your brakes
gently several times as your vehicle moves slowly. This helps to
dry the brakes.
%*
[DR21600(ALL)03/95]
Driving With a Heavy Load
*
[DR21700(ALL)01/95]
There are limits to the amount of weight your vehicle can carry
or tow. The total weight of your vehicle, plus the weight of the
passengers and cargo, should never be more than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight that your
vehicle carries over the front axle and rear axle should never be
more than the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the
respective axle.
%*
[DR21800(ALL)01/95]
You can find your vehicle's GVWR and GAWR on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label on the left front door lock facing
or on the door latch post pillar.
*
[DR21900(ALL)01/95]
The weight limits of your vehicle's tires affect the GVWR or
GAWR limitations. Usage of replacement tires with higher
weight limit than originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Usage of lower capacity replacement tires may lower GVWR
and GAWR limitations.
*
[DR22000(ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
If the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label is exceeded, your vehicle
may be damaged or you may lose control and injure
someone.
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

Driving Your Contour
159
%*
[DR28750(ALL)01/95]
Using the hitch
*
[DR28800(ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle uses a load carrying hitch. Because this type of
hitch places the tongue load of a trailer on the rear wheels of
your vehicle, you must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10 to 15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
*
[DR28900(ALL)01/95]
Tie down the load so that it does not shift and change the
weight on the hitch. This will prevent damage to your vehicle
and make your vehicle easier to handle.
%*
[DR28950(ALL)01/95]
Connecting the safety chains
*
[DR29000(ALL)01/95]
Always attach the trailer's safety chains to your vehicle. They
help protect your trailer if the hitch breaks.
*
[DR29100(ALL)01/95]
To connect the trailer's safety chains:
*
[DR29200(ALL)01/95]1.
Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and attach them to
your vehicle's frame or hook retainers. Never attach the
safety chains to your vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not
designed to bear the weight of a trailer.
*
[DR29300(ALL)01/95]2.
Make sure that you leave enough slack in the chains to
allow you to turn corners.
*
[DR29400(ALL)01/95]
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental
agency gives you.
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
169
*
[RE05700(ALL)01/95]
n
drive through an automatic car wash with this tire. Because
the temporary spare tire is smaller than a conventional tire,
it reduces the ground clearance. Your vehicle may get caught
in the rails and it could be damaged.
*
[RE06000(ALL)03/95]
Spare Tire Location
*
[RE06120(ALL)01/95]
The spare tire is stored under the carpet on the floor of the
trunk.
[RE06150(ALL)04/94]
You will find additional instructions for the spare tire on the
wheel decal (located on the temporary spare wheel).
[RE06550(ALL)02/94]
17-1/2 pica
art:0000531-B
The temporary spare tire
File:cdreo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:24:30 1996

170
*
[RE07400(ALL)03/95]
Preparing to Change the Tire
[RE07650(ALL)05/94]1.
Make sure that your vehicle will not move or roll. If you
have an automatic transaxle, put the gearshift in P (Park). If
you have a manual transaxle, put the gearshift in 1 (First).
Set the parking brake and block the wheel that is diagonally
opposite the tire that you are changing.
[RE08500(ALL)05/95]
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transaxle
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off
the jack, even if the vehicle is in P (automatic) or 1 (manual). To
prevent the vehicle from moving when you change one of the
front tires, put a block behind the wheel that is diagonally
opposite to the tire.
*
[RE08600(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else
could be seriously injured.
*
[RE08800(ALL)05/95]2.
Get out the spare tire and jack.
*
[RE08825(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine with one wheel off
the ground, such as when changing a tire.
[RE08850(ALL)01/95]3.
Remove the wheel cover from the wheel with the tapered
end of the wheel lug wrench. Insert and twist the handle,
then pry against the inner wheel cover flange. For
information about removing optional wheel center ornaments
seeStyled Polycast Wheel Ornamentslater in this section.
[RE09200(ALL)01/95]4.
Loosen the wheel lug nuts by pulling up on the handle of
the wrench one-half turn counterclockwise. Do not remove
the wheel lug nuts until you raise the tire off the ground.
For information about removing anti-theft lug nuts, see
Anti-Theft Wheel Lug Nutslater in this section.
File:cdreo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:24:30 1996

Roadside Emergencies
171
*
[RE09250(ALL)05/95]
Removing and Replacing the Tire
[RE09300(ALL)01/95]1.
Place the scissors-type jack under the side of the vehicle and
adjust the jack height with the jack handle. The jack should
fit in the notch in the vertical rocker panel flange which is
nearest to the wheel to be changed. The front and rear
jacking notches on each side of the vehicle are marked by
arrows in the rocker panel.
[RE09401(O )05/94]
On sport models with ªskirts,º you must remove a portion
of the skirt before placing the jack under the vehicle.
Squeeze the removeable portion of the skirt and pull down.
A tether connects it to the rocker panel.
[RE09500(O )05/94]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001300-A
Sports models with skirts
*
[RE09800(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To lessen the risk of personal injury, do not put any part
of your body under the vehicle while changing a tire. Do
not start the engine when your vehicle is on the jack.
The jack is only meant for changing the tire.
File:cdreo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:24:30 1996

172
[RE10030(ALL)04/94]
17-1/2 pica art:0000528-E
The notches for the jack
*
[RE10200(ALL)01/95]2.
Turn the jack handle clockwise until the wheel clears the
ground. Remove the wheel lug nuts.
*
[RE12100(ALL)01/95]3.
Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure that the
air valve stem is facing outward.
*
[RE12200(ALL)03/95]4.
Reinstall the lug nuts, tightening until the wheel is snug
against the hub. The beveled edges on the lug nuts face
inward. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until you lower the
vehicle. If you do, you could force the vehicle off the jack.
*
[RE12300(ALL)02/95]5.
Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise.
File:cdreo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:24:30 1996

Roadside Emergencies
173
*
[RE12400(ALL)01/95]6.
Remove the jack and fully tighten the lug nuts in the order
shown in the following illustration. As soon as possible, have
your dealer or a qualified service technician check the lug
nuts for proper torque specifications.
[RE12550(ALL)04/94]
13-1/2 pica
art:0000498-D
The lug nuts on the wheel
*
[RE12600(ALL)11/94]7.
Place any wheel covers and ornaments in the trunk.
*
[RE12700(ALL)03/95]8.
Put the tire, jack, and wrench away. Make sure the jack is
securely fastened so it does not rattle when you drive.
*
[RE12750(ALL)01/95]9.
Unblock the wheels.
[RE12900(ALL)05/95]
Removing and Replacing Styled Polycast Wheel
Ornaments
[RE13000(ALL)05/95]
To remove a wheel ornament, insert the tapered end of the jack
handle between the ornament and wheel and pry the ornament
from the wheel.
[RE13005(ALL)05/95]
To install the polycast wheel center ornament, you should insert
one side of the ornament into the center of the wheel opening
and strike the opposite side with the palm of your hand until
the ornament is seated in the opening.
File:cdreo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:24:30 1996

174
%*
[RE14100(ALL)03/95]
Anti-Theft Wheel Lug Nuts (If equipped)
[RE14200(ALL)01/95]
If your vehicle has this option, one of the lug nuts on each
wheel locks and must be unlocked with a special key. If you
lose the key, send the registration card to the manufacturer (not
to the dealer) to get a replacement key.
[RE14250(ALL)05/94]
NOTE: If you lose your lug wrench/lug nut key assembly, see
your nearest Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer who has
access to a master set of keys.
*
[RE14300(ALL)03/95]
DO NOT USE A POWER IMPACT WRENCH ON THE LUG
NUT KEY.
[RE14325(ALL)02/94]
10-1/2 pica
art:0000529-B
The anti-theft lug nut and key
*
[RE14400(ALL)03/95]
Removing the anti-theft lug nut
*
[RE14600(ALL)03/95]
Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Make sure that you
hold the key square to the lug nut. If you hold the key on an
angle, you may damage the key and the lug nut.
*
[RE14700(ALL)03/95]
Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and apply
pressure on the key with the wrench. Turn the wrench in a
counterclockwise direction to remove the lug nut.
File:cdreo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:24:30 1996