tow FORD CONTOUR 1997 2.G User Guide

142
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[GF14200(ALL)01/96]
n
Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer.
(SeeServicing your vehicle if you towin this chapter.)
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[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.
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[GF14600(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not tow a trailer when using a temporary spare tire.
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[GF14700(ALL)12/95]
You should also limit your trailer's load when you tow in high
altitudes.
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[GF14800(ALL)03/96]
Preparing to Tow
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[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.
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[GF15000(ALL)12/95]
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your vehicle's bumper. The
bumper is not designed to bear the load.
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144
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[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
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[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.
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[GF16500(ALL)12/95]
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you may cause
damage to the vehicle's lighting system.
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[GF16600(ALL)01/96]
Driving While You Tow
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[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.
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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.
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[GF17200(ALL)12/95]
Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
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[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.
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[GF17400(ALL)01/96]
Driving Under Special Conditions
%*
[GF17500(ALL)01/96]
Tips for Safe Driving
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[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.
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[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.
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[GF17800(ALL)01/96]
Driving in Bad Weather
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[GF17900(ALL)01/96]
Slippery roads
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[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.
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Driving
147
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[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
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[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.
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[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.
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[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.
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150
[ER00700(ALL)04/96]
13-1/2 pica
art:0000530-D
The left-hand trim panel in the driver's footwell
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[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.
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[ER00900(ALL)03/96]
If your engine cranks but does not start after a collision or
substantial jolt:
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[ER01000(ALL)01/96]1.
Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
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[ER01100(ALL)03/96]2.
Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
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[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.
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162
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[ER05600(ALL)02/96]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire, DO NOT:
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[ER05700(ALL)02/96]
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exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any circumstances.
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[ER05800(ALL)02/96]
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load your vehicle so that it is heavier than the maximum
vehicle load rating listed on the tire decal.
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[ER05900(ALL)02/96]
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tow a trailer.
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[ER06000(ALL)02/96]
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use tire chains on this tire.
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[ER06100(ALL)02/96]
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try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its
wheel.
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[ER06200(ALL)02/96]
n
use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
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[ER06300(ALL)02/96]
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.
%*
[ER06400(ALL)02/96]
Spare Tire Location
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[ER06500(ALL)12/95]
The spare tire is stored under the carpet on the floor of the
trunk.
[ER06600(ALL)12/95]
You will find additional instructions for the spare tire on the
wheel decal (located on the temporary spare wheel).
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174
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Towing Your Vehicle
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[ER13700(ALL)01/96]
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional
towing service or, if you are a member, your roadside assistance
center.
[ER13800(ALL)12/95]
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Roadside Emergencies
175
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[ER13900(ALL)01/96]
When calling for a tow truck, tell the operator what kind of
vehicle you have. A towing manual is available from Ford
Motor Company for all authorized tow truck operators. Have
your tow truck driver refer to this manual for the proper
hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
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[ER14000(ALL)12/95]
Towing Your Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
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[ER14100(ALL)12/95]
At times, you may want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle, a car, or a truck.
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[ER14200(ALL)12/95]
Before you have your vehicle towed:
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[ER14300(ALL)01/96]
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Release the parking brake.
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[ER14400(ALL)12/95]
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Move the gearshift to N (Neutral).
[ER14500(ALL)12/95]
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Turn the ignition to the OFF position.
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[ER14600(ALL)12/95]
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Unlock the steering wheel.
[ER14700(ALL)12/95]
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.
[ER14800(ALL)12/95]
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.
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[ER14900(ALL)01/96]
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.
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[MC15900(ALL)12/95]
Disconnecting the Battery
[MC16000(ALL)12/95]
Because your vehicle engine is electronically controlled by a
computer, some control conditions are maintained by power
from the battery. If you ever disconnect the battery or install a
new battery, you must allow the computer to ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive properly. To begin this
process, put the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or
Neutral (manual transaxle), set the emergency brake, turn off all
the accessories, and start the vehicle. Bring the engine to normal
operating temperature. Allow the manual transaxle to idle for
one minute in Neutral. Allow the automatic transaxle engine to
idle for one minute in N (Neutral) and one minute in D (Drive).
Perform the previous procedure with the air conditioning (if
equipped) on and off (conditions permitting). The relearning
process will complete automatically as you drive the vehicle.
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[MC16100(ALL)01/96]
If you do not let the engine relearn its idle, the idle quality of
your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle is
relearned. Your vehicle will eventually relearn its idle while you
drive it, but it takes much longer than if you use the previous
procedure.
% [MC16200(ALL)04/96]
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Replacement
[MC16300(ALL)04/96]
In your climate control system, you may have a filter that cleans
the air before it enters the interior of the vehicle. This filter
should be replaced at the intervals in theMaintenance Schedule
and Recordbooklet.
[MC16400(ALL)12/95]
To replace the passenger compartment air filter:
[MC16500(ALL)12/95]1.
Remove both windshield wiper arms. With the wiper arm in
the horizontal position, lift the arm away from the
windshield while pulling the retaining clip at the base
toward the windshield. Release the wiper arm, then lift it off
the base.
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Maintenance and Care
221
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[MC36100(ALL)03/96]
Removing the headlamp bulb
*
[MC36200(ALL)01/96]1.
Make sure that the headlamp knob is in the OFF position.
*
[MC36300(ALL)01/96]2.
Lift the hood and find the bulb in the headlamp socket.
[MC36400(ALL)12/95]3.
Remove the bulb assembly by turning it clockwise and
pulling it out of the headlamp socket.
[MC36500(ALL)12/95]4.
Remove the L-shaped bulb by pressing the retaining clip at
the base of the electrical connector and sliding the bulb out.
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[MC36600(ALL)03/96]
Installing the headlamp bulb
[MC36700(ALL)12/95]1.
Without touching the glass on the bulb, insert the new bulb.
You may want to protect the bulb by holding it with a piece
of cloth or paper towel. Make sure the retaining clip at the
base of the electrical connector locks.
[MC36800(ALL)12/95]2.
Insert the bulb assembly in the headlamp socket. Turn it
counterclockwise to lock it in place.
[MC36900(ALL)12/95]3.
Turn the headlamps on and make sure that they work
properly. If the headlamp was correctly aligned before you
changed the bulb, you should not need to align it again.
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Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996