warning light FORD CONTOUR 1997 2.G Owner's Manual

216
*
[MC29700(ALL)01/96]
n
Underinflated tires
*
[MC29800(ALL)01/96]
n
Heavy loads
*
[MC29900(ALL)01/96]
n
Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or luggage racks, bug
deflectors, etc.
*
[MC30000(ALL)12/95]
Self-Service Pointers
*
[MC30100(ALL)12/95]
If you choose to do your own fueling, you should also perform
a few simple maintenance routines. This extra effort will save
you additional money and contribute to the driving efficiency of
your vehicle.
*
[MC30200(ALL)12/95]
The following procedures require only a tire gauge, a rag, an oil
can spout and windshield washer fluid.
*
[MC30300(ALL)12/95]
n
Check the engine oil at every refueling stop
*
[MC30400(ALL)12/95]
n
Clean the windshield, outside mirrors and headlights
*
[MC30500(ALL)12/95]
n
Check windshield washer fluid
*
[MC30600(ALL)12/95]
n
Check tires for excessive wear or worn edges
*
[MC30700(ALL)12/95]
n
Check the tire pressure at least monthly
%*
[MC30800(ALL)01/96]
Emission Control System
*
[MC30900(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter which
enables your vehicle to comply with applicable exhaust emission
requirements.
*
[MC31000(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Exhaust leaks may result in the entry of harmful and
potentially lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Under extreme conditions excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the fuel system, the interior floor covering,
or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

218
*
[MC31700(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or
other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up
the engine compartment and exhaust system, which can
start a fire.
*
[MC31800(ALL)01/96]
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss of oil pressure,
the charge warning light, the check engine light, or the
temperature warning light. These sometimes indicate that the
emission system is not working properly.
*
[MC31900(ALL)01/96]
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or
engine. Changes that cause more unburned fuel to reach the
exhaust system can increase the temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
*
[MC32000(ALL)01/96]
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases,
trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles is not permitted
to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent it
from working. In some of the United States and in Canada,
vehicle owners may be liable if their emission control device is
removed or is prevented from working.
*
[MC32100(ALL)01/96]
Do not drive your vehicle if it does not operate properly. See
your dealer if the engine runs on for more than five seconds
after you shut it off or if it misfires, surges, stalls, or backfires.
%*
[MC32200(ALL)01/96
]
Information about your vehicle's emission control system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information decal located on or
near the engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and
gives some tune-up specifications.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

220
*
[MC35000(ALL)01/96]
n
turn signals
*
[MC35100(ALL)01/96]
n
side markers
*
[MC35200(ALL)05/96]
n
license plate lamps
%*
[MC35300(ALL)01/96
]
The alignment of your headlamps should be checked if:
*
[MC35400(ALL)01/96]
n
oncoming motorists frequently signal you to turn off your
vehicle's high beams when you do not have the high beams
on
*
[MC35500(ALL)01/96]
n
the headlamps do not seem to give you enough light to see
clearly at night
[MC35600(ALL)04/96]
n
the headlamps are not aligned so that they point slightly
down and to the right.
%*
[MC35700(ALL)01/96
]
Headlamp Bulb
[MC35800(ALL)12/95]
The headlamps on your vehicle use replaceable bulbs, one for
high beam and one for low beam on each side. When the lamp
burns out, simply replace the bulb, rather than the whole lamp.
*
[MC35900(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep out
of children's reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic
base and do not touch the glass. The oil from your hand
could cause the bulb to break the next time the
headlamps are operated.
*
[MC36000(ALL)01/96]
Do not remove the burned-out bulb unless you can immediately
replace it with a new one. If a bulb is removed for an extended
period of time, contaminants may enter the headlamp housing
and affect its performance.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

Index
271
A
ABS warning light (see Anti-lock brake system)...... 21
Accessory position on the ignition............. 56
Additives, engine oil.................. 184
Air bag supplemental restraint system........... 96
and child safety seats................ 102
description.................... 96,98
driver air bag................... 96,98
indicator light..................... 16
operation....................... 98
passenger air bag................... 98
service and information labels............. 98
tone generator................... 100
Air cleaner filter
location...................... 181
specifications.................... 229
Alarm, activating remote personal............. 81
Antenna, radio (see Electronic sound system)........ 44
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)............. 191
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description..................... 126
see also Brakes................... 125
warning light..................... 21
Anti-theft lug nuts and key............... 168
Appeals (see Dispute settlement board)......... 240
Assistance (see Customer assistance)........... 237
Audio system (see Electronic sound system)........ 23
Automatic transaxle
driving with.................... 130
fluid, adding.................... 197
fluid, checking................... 195
fluid, refill capacities................ 230
fluid, specification.................. 231
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996

272
B
Backing up...................... 137
Basic vehicle warranty.................. 3
Battery........................ 198
acid, treating emergencies............169, 199
charging system warning light............. 14
disconnecting.................... 173
how to service................... 198
jumping a disabled battery.............. 169
maintenance-free.................. 198
proper disposal, recycling.............. 199
replacement, specifications.............. 229
servicing...................... 198
when storing your vehicle.............. 234
Brake fluid...................... 188
brake warning light.................. 13
checking and adding................ 188
description..................... 188
specifications.................... 231
Brakelamp...................... 222
bulb replacement.................. 222
high-mount brakelamp............... 222
Brakes........................ 125
adjustment..................... 125
anti-lock...................... 126
anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning light....... 21
applying the brakes................. 125
brake warning light.................. 13
fluid, checking and adding.............. 188
fluid, refill capacities..............188, 230
fluid, specifications................. 231
front disc...................... 125
if brakes do not grip well.............. 125
master cylinder................... 188
new brake linings................... 5
noise......................125±126
parking...................... 128
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996

273
Index
Brakes (continued)
power braking................... 125
servicing...................... 188
stopping distances.................. 145
trailer....................... 143
when storing your vehicle.............. 234
Brake-shift interlock.................. 131
Break-in period..................... 5
Brights (high beams)................... 15
Bulbs, replacing.................... 219
halogen...................... 220
headlamps..................... 220
high-mount brakelamp................ 222
specifications.................... 223
C
Canada, customer assistance.............. 244
Canada, warranty information.............. 3
Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP) . . . 245
Capacities for refilling fluids.............. 230
Carbon monoxide in exhaust.............. 123
Car seats for children (see Child safety seats)...... 102
Cassette tape player (see Electronic sound system) . . . 38, 42
Catalytic converter................... 216
Chains, tires...................... 208
Changing a tire.................... 161
Charging system warning light.............. 14
Childproof locks..................... 71
Child safety restraints................. 100
child safety belts.................. 114
child safety seats.................. 102
Child safety seats................... 102
and air bags.................... 102
attaching with tether straps............. 113
automatic locking mode (retractor).........91,102
in front seat..................102, 104
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996

275
Index
Cold engine starting.................. 118
Combination lap and shoulder belts............ 89
Compact disc player (see Electronic sound system)..... 24
Compact disc radio (see Electronic sound system)..... 24
Console, description................... 76
Controls, mirrors.................... 74
Convenience kit in cargo area.............. 162
Coolant (see Engine coolant).............. 191
checking and adding................ 191
preparing for storage................ 233
refill capacities................... 230
specifications.................... 231
temperature gauge.................. 19
warnings...................... 191
Cooling fan...................... 178
Crankcase ventilation filter............... 229
Customer Assistance Centre, Ford of Canada....... 244
D
Daytime running light system.............. 53
Defects, reporting................... 235
Defrost, rear window.................. 51
Dipstick....................... 185
automatic transaxle fluid............... 195
engine oil..................... 185
power steering fluid................. 194
Disabled vehicle (see Towing).............. 174
Doors......................... 71
lubricant specifications................ 231
Driving under special conditions............ 145
bad weather.................... 145
heavy load..................... 139
high water..................... 147
slippery roads................... 145
tips for safe driving................. 145
towing a trailer................... 141
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996

276
E
Electrical system
circuit breakers................... 160
fuses......................151, 159
relays....................... 151
Electronic radio with cassette (see Electronic
sound system).................. 38
Electronic sound system
antenna....................... 44
tuning the radio................. 25,39
warranty and service information............ 45
Electronic stereo cassette radio (see Electronic
sound system).................. 38
Electronic stereo radio (see Electronic sound system).... 38
Emergencies, roadside
assistance..................... 237
battery acid spills................169, 199
fuel........................ 213
jump-starting.................... 169
towing....................... 174
Emergency brake (parking brake)............ 128
Emission control system................ 216
catalytic converter.................. 216
emissions warranty................ 3,216
Engine
check engine warning light.............. 18
does not start..................120, 149
fuel injected engine, starting...........117±118
fuel pump shut-off switch.............. 149
preparing to start.................. 117
refill capacities................... 230
service points.................... 181
starting...................... 118
starting after a collision............... 149
storing your vehicle................. 233
Engine block heater.................. 122
Engine coolant.................... 191
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996

277
Index
Engine coolant (continued)
checking and adding................ 191
disposal...................... 178
low coolant warning light............... 22
preparing for storage................ 233
proper solution................... 178
recovery reservoir.................. 191
refill capacities................... 230
specifications.................... 231
temperature gauge.................. 19
Engine coolant temperature gauge............. 19
description...................... 19
Engine fan...................... 178
Engine:
idle speed control.................. 121
Engine knocking.................... 212
Engine oil....................... 184
changing oil and oil filter.............. 187
checking and adding................ 185
dipstick...................... 185
disposal...................... 178
engine oil pressure warning light............ 14
filter, specifications................. 229
refill capacities................... 230
specifications..................184, 231
synthetic oil.................... 184
ªbreak-inº oils.................... 5
viscosity...................... 184
Entry system
remote........................ 79
Exhaust fumes..................... 123
Extended Service Plan, Ford............... 4
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996

280
Gearshift
automatic operation................. 130
column-mounted.................. 130
floor-mounted................... 136
locking the gearshift.................. 56
positions....................130, 136
shifting the gears................130, 136
shift-lock...................... 131
Gearshift:
shifting the gears................130, 136
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating).......... 139
calculating..................... 140
definition...................... 139
driving with a heavy load.............. 139
location...................... 139
H
Hazard flashers................... 62,149
Headlamps
bulb specification.................. 223
checking alignment................. 220
cleaning...................... 226
daytime running lights................ 53
replacing bulbs.................219±220
turning on and off.................. 52
warning chime.................... 16
Head restraints..................... 83
High beams
indicator light.................... 15
operation....................... 60
High-mount brakelamp................ 222
description..................... 222
replacing the bulb.................. 222
Hitch......................... 143
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996