tow FORD CONTOUR 1997 2.G Owners Manual

4
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[II03100(ALL)03/96]
Ford Extended Service Plan
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[II03150(ALL)04/96]
More Protection for Your Vehicle
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[II03175(ALL)04/96]
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing a Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP). Ford ESP
is the only extended service program with the Ford name on it
and the only service contract backed by Ford Motor Company.
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[II03200(ALL)04/96]
Ford ESP is an optional service contract, backed and
administered by Ford. It provides:
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[II03225(ALL)04/96]
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protection against repair costs after your Bumper to Bumper
Warranty expires;
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[II03250(ALL)04/96]
and
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[II03275(ALL)04/96]
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other benefits during the warranty period (such as:
reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain maintenance
and wear items).
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[II03300(ALL)04/96]
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford Motor
Company dealer. There are several Ford ESP plans available in
various time-and-mileage combinations. Each plan can be
tailored to fit your own driving needs, including reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental. (In Hawaii, rules vary. See your
dealer for details.)
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[II03325(ALL)04/96]
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive peace-of-mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a
network of more than 5,100 participating Ford Motor Company
dealers.
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[II03350(ALL)04/96]
NOTE: Repairs performed outside the United States and
Canada are not eligible for ESP coverage.
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[II03375(ALL)04/96]
This information is subject to change, ask your dealer for
complete details about Ford ESP coverage.
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60
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[CF12800(ALL)08/95]
High Beams and Flashing the Lamps
[CF12900(ALL)12/95]
To turn on the high beams, turn the headlamp control knob to
the headlamp ON position and push the turn signal lever away
from you until it latches. When the high beams are on, the high
beam indicator light on the instrument cluster comes on.
[CF13000(ALL)12/95]
To turn off the high beams, pull the lever back to the off
position.
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[CF13100(ALL)01/96]
To flash the headlamps, pull the lever toward you for a moment
and then release it. The headlamps will flash whether the
headlamp knob is in the on or off position.
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[CF13200(ALL)01/96]
Windshield Wipers and Washer
[CF13300(ALL)04/96]
To turn on the windshield wipers, the ignition key must be
turned to the ON position.
[CF13400(ALL)12/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001189-D
Using the windshield wiper
[CF13500(ALL)12/95]
The windshield wipers can be set on high, low speed or interval
wipe. Turn the ring on the lever to set a longer or shorter pause
between wiping cycles.
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Update:Fri Sep 13 08:48:17 1996

Controls and Features
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Tilt Steering (If equipped)
[CF14800(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Never adjust the steering column/wheel when the vehicle
is moving. You could lose control of the vehicle and
injure someone.
[CF14900(ALL)05/96]
17-1/2 pica
art:0000269-D
The lever to tilt the steering wheel
[CF15000(ALL)05/96]
To change the position of the steering wheel, pull down the
knob on the bottom left-hand side of the column to extend the
lever. Pull the lever toward you, unlocking the column.
[CF15100(ALL)05/96]
Move the steering wheel up or down until you find the position
you prefer. Push the lever away from you, locking the column
in position. When you release the knob, the lever will retract.
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Update:Fri Sep 13 08:48:17 1996

Controls and Features
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7-1/2 pica art:0001188-A
The moon roof
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RWARNING
Do not let children play with the moon roof. They may
seriously hurt themselves.
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Sliding Shade
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The moon roof has a sliding shade that you can manually open
or close to block the sun when the glass panel is shut.
[CF21300(ALL)04/96]
To close the sliding shade, pull the shade toward the front of
the vehicle. The shade automatically opens when the moon roof
is opened.
File:05cdcfo.ex
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Controls and Features
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Doors
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Childproof Locks for the Rear Doors
[CF22000(ALL)12/95]
In addition to standard or power locks, your vehicle has
childproof locks for the rear doors. If you set these locks, the
rear doors cannot be opened from the inside of the vehicle. The
doors can still be opened from the outside if the doors are
unlocked.
[CF22100(ALL)12/95]
17-1/2 pica
art:0001247-A
The childproof locks for the rear door
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To set the childproof lock on each rear door, open the rear
door.
[CF22300(ALL)12/95]
Find the lever at the black label with word LOCKED in white
letters. Move the lever toward the inside of the door.
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[CF22400(ALL)04/96]
To release the childproof lock, open the rear door from the
outside.
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Move the lever toward the outside of the door.
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Power Door Locks (If equipped)
[CF22700(ALL)12/95]
If your vehicle has power door locks, the controls to lock the
doors are on the trim panel of the front door. When you close
the doors after you set the door locks, the doors remain locked.
If the power mechanism fails, the manual door lock will
automatically override the power controls.
[CF22800(ALL)12/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001250-B
The power door lock on the driver's door
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Controls and Features
81
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NOTE: The operating range of the remote entry system can
also be affected by weather conditions (such as very
cold temperatures) or structures around the vehicle
(buildings, other vehicles, radio towers, etc.). Typical
operating range will allow you to be up to 33 feet (10
meters) away from your vehicle.
[CF29100(ALL)12/95]
7-1/2 pica art:0001315-A
Replacing the batteries
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The transmitter can be snapped apart to replace the batteries by
twisting a thin coin between the two halves of the transmitter.
DO NOT TAKE THE FRONT PART OF THE TRANSMITTER
APART. When installing the new batteries, be sure to place the
positive (+) side down as marked. Snap the two halves back
together.
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[CF29300(ALL)02/96]
Replacement/additional transmitters
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In the event a transmitter is lost, return the remaining
transmitters to your dealer for reprogramming of your remote
entry system. This is necessary to prevent further unauthorized
use of the lost transmitter.
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[CF29500(ALL)01/96]
Additional transmitters may be purchased from your dealer
(remote entry system will work with up to four transmitters).
Return your existing transmitters to your dealer so the remote
entry system can be reprogrammed with your new and existing
transmitters.
File:05cdcfo.ex
Update:Fri Sep 13 08:48:17 1996

Driving
129
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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.
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[GF03200(ALL)02/96]
Traction Control (If equipped)
[GF03300(ALL)12/95]
The traction control system prevents the wheels from spinning
on slippery roads.
[GF03400(ALL)12/95]
Working with the anti-lock brake system, the traction control
system monitors the speed of the wheels as they roll over the
road surface. When a wheel starts to spin because of slippery
conditions, the traction control system slows the engine by
closing the throttle. At speeds below 35 mph (55 km/h) the
traction control system also applies the brake to the spinning
wheel.
[GF03500(ALL)12/95]
When the traction control system becomes active, the driver
may notice a very slight kick and then a hard resistance in the
accelerator pedal, and a mechanical noise. The traction control
system light on the instrument panel comes on or flashes on
and off during activation.
[GF03600(ALL)12/95]
The traction control system can be turned off manually by
pushing the T/C OFF button on the instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel. The traction control system light will
remain on as a reminder that the system is turned off.
[GF03700(ALL)12/95]
Each time the vehicle is started, the traction control system will
automatically be on. When the ignition is turned to the ON
position, the traction control system light comes on for
approximately three (3) seconds.
[GF03800(ALL)12/95]
If the light does not come on when the ignition is turned to the
ON position or if it does not come on when the T/C OFF
button is pressed, have the system serviced by your dealer or a
qualified service technician as soon as possible to restore the
benefits of the traction control feature. You do not need to have
the vehicle towed in.
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Driving
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Downshifting
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When you slow down or climb a steep hill, always downshift
before the engine starts to lose power. Downshifting reduces the
chance of stalling and gives your vehicle better acceleration to
increase speed again.
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[GF11200(ALL)01/96]
When you drive down steep hills, downshifting helps you keep
a safe speed and helps prevent unnecessary wear on the brakes.
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[GF11300(ALL)01/96]
When you come to a stop, do not downshift through each gear.
Disengage the clutch and use the brake as necessary.
Downshifting through the gears decreases your vehicle's fuel
economy.
[GF11400(ALL)12/95]
Do not attempt to shift into 1 (First) gear with the clutch pedal
depressed at speeds higher than 20 mph (30 km/h). If you do,
it could cause a complete clutch failure, making your vehicle
inoperative.
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Driving With a Heavy Load
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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.
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[GF11700(ALL)12/95]
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.
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[GF11800(ALL)01/96]
The weight limits of your vehicle's tires affect the GVWR or
GAWR limitations. Usage of replacement tires with higher
weight limits than originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Usage of lower capacity replacement tires may lower GVWR
and GAWR limitations.
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Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

Driving
141
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[GF13200(ALL)12/95]
You can find the GVWR and GAWR on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label on the left front door lock facing or the door
latch post pillar.
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[GF13300(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle exceeds the GVWR, remove cargo from your
vehicle accordingly. If your vehicle exceeds the GAWR for
either axle, shift the load or remove cargo accordingly.
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[GF13400(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Improper distribution of your vehicle's load or carrying
weight in excess of the amount shown on the tire decal
can cause rapid tire wear or loss of vehicle control.
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[GF13500(ALL)01/96]
Trailer Towing
[GF13600(ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle is capable of towing a trailer of up to a maximum
of 1,000 lbs. (454 kg) gross trailer weight with a maximum
tongue load of 100 lbs (45 kg). It should also have 25 sq. ft. (2.3
sq. meters) or less frontal area. Do not drive faster than 55 mph
(90 km/h) while towing a 1,000 lb. (454 kg) trailer.
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[GF13700(ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle does not come from the factory fully equipped to
tow. No towing packages are available through Ford or
Lincoln/Mercury dealers.
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[GF13800(ALL)12/95]
Because towing a trailer puts extra strain on your vehicle, you
must follow certain precautions for your safety and the good of
your vehicle:
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[GF13900(ALL)12/95]
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Stay within the load limits when you tow. (SeeKnowing Your
Vehicle's Load Limits.)
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[GF14000(ALL)01/96]
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Carefully and thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing,
making sure to use the right equipment and to attach it
properly. (SeePreparing to Towin this chapter.)
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Use extra caution when driving your vehicle while you tow.
(SeeDriving while you towin this chapter.)
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996