FORD CONTOUR 1997 2.G Owners Manual

142
*
[GF14200(ALL)01/96]
n
Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer.
(SeeServicing your vehicle if you towin this chapter.)
*
[GF14300(ALL)12/95]
Ten to 15% of the loaded trailer's weight should be on the
tongue. However, the tongue load should never exceed 10% of
the maximum weight that your vehicle can safely tow.
*
[GF14400(ALL)12/95]
New vehicles should be driven 2,000 miles (3,200 km) before
towing a trailer.
*
[GF14500(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
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.
*
[GF14600(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not tow a trailer when using a temporary spare tire.
*
[GF14700(ALL)12/95]
You should also limit your trailer's load when you tow in high
altitudes.
*
[GF14800(ALL)03/96]
Preparing to Tow
*
[GF14900(ALL)01/96]
For your safety and for the good of your vehicle, use the right
equipment for the type of trailer you tow. Also, make sure that
all towing equipment is properly attached to your vehicle. If
you are not certain that you are using the right equipment in
the proper manner, see your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
*
[GF15000(ALL)12/95]
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your vehicle's bumper. The
bumper is not designed to bear the load.
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

Driving
143
%*
[GF15100(ALL)12/95]
Using the hitch
*
[GF15200(ALL)12/95]
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.
*
[GF15300(ALL)12/95]
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.
%*
[GF15400(ALL)12/95]
Connecting the safety chains
*
[GF15500(ALL)12/95]
Always attach the trailer's safety chains to your vehicle. They
help protect your trailer if the hitch breaks.
*
[GF15600(ALL)12/95]
To connect the trailer's safety chains:
*
[GF15700(ALL)12/95]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.
*
[GF15800(ALL)12/95]2.
Make sure that you leave enough slack in the chains to
allow you to turn corners.
*
[GF15900(ALL)12/95]
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental
agency gives you.
%*
[GF16000(ALL)12/95]
Connecting the trailer's brakes
*
[GF16100(ALL)12/95]
Electric brakes and manual, automatic, or surge-type hydraulic
brakes are safe if you install them properly and adjust them
according to the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure that your
trailer's brakes meet local and federal regulations.
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

144
*
[GF16200(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
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.
%*
[GF16300(ALL)12/95]
Connecting the trailer's lights
*
[GF16400(ALL)12/95]
Do not connect a trailer's lighting system wiring directly to
your vehicle's lighting system wiring.To get the proper
equipment for hooking up your trailer's lights, see your local
trailer dealer and your Ford dealer. Be sure to follow their
instructions carefully.
*
[GF16500(ALL)12/95]
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you may cause
damage to the vehicle's lighting system.
%*
[GF16600(ALL)01/96]
Driving While You Tow
*
[GF16700(ALL)01/96]
Be especially careful when driving while you tow a trailer.
Never drive faster than 45 mph (70 km/h) when you tow in
hilly country on hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can
brake gradually.
[GF16800(ALL)12/95]
If your vehicle has a manual transaxle and you are towing a
trailer, you should select gear positions which will avoid jerking
or excessive engine speed. If you need to drive excessively in 1
(First) or 2 (Second), it may indicate that the trailer is too big or
heavily loaded for your vehicle's drivetrain. Continuous driving
in these two gears while towing a trailer is not recommended.
[GF16900(ALL)12/95]
When you tow up or down steep hills, move the manual
transaxle gearshift to a lower gear. This will increase engine
power on upgrades and engine braking on downgrades.
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

Driving
145
[GF17000(ALL)12/95]
When you tow in steep hills, move the automatic transaxle to 1
(First) when descending. This will give more engine braking on
downgrades. The automatic transaxle will automatically
downshift to the proper gear on upgrades.
%*
[GF17100(ALL)01/96]
If you use the speed control while you are towing on very long,
steep grades, the speed control may shut off.
*
[GF17200(ALL)12/95]
Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
*
[GF17300(ALL)03/96]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your vehicle will need
to be serviced more frequently than usual. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedulebooklet for additional information.
%*
[GF17400(ALL)01/96]
Driving Under Special Conditions
%*
[GF17500(ALL)01/96]
Tips for Safe Driving
*
[GF17600(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF17700(ALL)01/96]
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits. Sudden
acceleration, deceleration, turning, or combinations of these
maneuvers can cause a vehicle to behave differently than
anticipated.
%*
[GF17800(ALL)01/96]
Driving in Bad Weather
%*
[GF17900(ALL)01/96]
Slippery roads
*
[GF18000(ALL)12/95]
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.
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

146
*
[GF18100(ALL)01/96]
n
Do not quickly move the steering wheel unless necessary.
*
[GF18200(ALL)01/96]
n
Drive slower than you normally would.
*
[GF18300(ALL)01/96]
n
Give your vehicle more distance to stop.
*
[GF18400(ALL)12/95]
n
Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly to avoid locking
your wheels.
*
[GF18500(ALL)01/96]
n
Consider using one of the lower gears.
*
[GF18600(ALL)01/96]
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).
*
[GF18700(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Do not use the speed control in heavy traffic or on roads
that are winding, slippery, or unpaved.
*
[GF18800(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF18900(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (55 km/h). The
tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

Driving
147
*
[GF19000(ALL)12/95]
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.
%*
[GF19100(ALL)01/96]
High water
*
[GF19200(ALL)01/96]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you are sure that the
water is below the bottom of the wheel rims.
*
[GF19300(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF19400(ALL)01/96]
After you drive through the standing water, apply your brakes
gently several times as your vehicle moves slowly. This helps to
dry the brakes.
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

149
Roadside Emergencies
%*
[ER00195(ALL)03/96]
Hazard Flasher
*
[ER00200(ALL)01/96]
The flashers work whether your vehicle is running or not. The
flashers work for up to two hours when the battery is fully
charged and in good condition without draining the battery
excessively. If the flashers run for longer than two hours or if
the battery is not fully charged, the battery power can be
drained.
%*
[ER00300(ALL)01/96]
If the Engine Cranks but Does Not Start or
Does Not Start After a Collision
%*
[ER00400(ALL)01/96]
Fuel Pump Shut-Off Switch
*
[ER00500(ALL)03/96]
If the engine cranks but does not start or does not start even
after a small collision, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have
been activated. The shut-off switch is a device intended to stop
the fuel pump when your vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
[ER00600(ALL)04/96]
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 left-hand trim panel in the driver's footwell.
File:10cdero.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996

150
[ER00700(ALL)04/96]
13-1/2 pica
art:0000530-D
The left-hand trim panel in the driver's footwell
*
[ER00800(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
If you see or smell fuel, do not reset the switch or try to
start your vehicle. Have all the passengers get out of the
vehicle and call the local fire department or a towing
service.
*
[ER00900(ALL)03/96]
If your engine cranks but does not start after a collision or
substantial jolt:
*
[ER01000(ALL)01/96]1.
Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
*
[ER01100(ALL)03/96]2.
Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
*
[ER01200(ALL)01/96]3.
If you do not see or smell fuel, push the red reset button
down. If the button is already set, you may have a different
mechanical problem.
File:10cdero.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996

Roadside Emergencies
151
*
[ER01300(ALL)01/96]4.
Turn the ignition key to the ON position for a few seconds,
then turn it to the OFF position.
*
[ER01400(ALL)03/96]5.
Check under the vehicle again for leaking fuel.If you see or
smell fuel, do not start your vehicle again.If you do not
see or smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle again.
% [ER01900(ALL)12/95]
Fuses, Circuit Breakers and Relays
[ER02000(ALL)12/95]
Fuses, circuit breakers, and relays protect your vehicle's
electrical system from overloading. If electrical parts in your
vehicle are not working, the system may have been overloaded
and blown a fuse or relay, or tripped a circuit breaker. Before
you replace or repair any electrical parts, check the appropriate
circuit protector.
[ER02100(ALL)12/95]
The following charts tell you which circuit protector protects
each electrical part of your vehicle. If a fuse blows or a circuit
breaker opens a circuit, all the parts of your vehicle that use the
circuit will not work.
*
[ER02200(ALL)01/96]
Once you have determined which fuses or circuit breakers to
check, follow the procedures underChecking and replacing fuses
orChecking and replacing circuit breakerslater in this chapter.
*
[ER02300(ALL)12/95]
RWARNING
Always remove the key from the ignition before working
on or replacing fuses.
File:10cdero.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996

152
% [ER02400(ALL)12/95]
The Power Distribution Box Fuses and Relays
[ER02500(ALL)12/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001227-A
The power distribution box location
File:10cdero.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996