towing FORD CONTOUR 1997 2.G Owners Manual

4
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Ford Extended Service Plan
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More Protection for Your Vehicle
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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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Ford ESP is an optional service contract, backed and
administered by Ford. It provides:
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protection against repair costs after your Bumper to Bumper
Warranty expires;
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and
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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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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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Update:Thu Sep 12 10:57:06 1996

Driving
141
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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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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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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.
%*
[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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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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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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Stay within the load limits when you tow. (SeeKnowing Your
Vehicle's Load Limits.)
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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.)
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142
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Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer.
(SeeServicing your vehicle if you towin this chapter.)
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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.
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New vehicles should be driven 2,000 miles (3,200 km) before
towing a trailer.
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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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RWARNING
Do not tow a trailer when using a temporary spare tire.
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You should also limit your trailer's load when you tow in high
altitudes.
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Preparing to Tow
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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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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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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.
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Connecting the trailer's lights
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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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If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you may cause
damage to the vehicle's lighting system.
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Driving While You Tow
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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.
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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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Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
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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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Driving Under Special Conditions
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Tips for Safe Driving
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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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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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Driving in Bad Weather
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Slippery roads
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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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13-1/2 pica
art:0000530-D
The left-hand trim panel in the driver's footwell
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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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If your engine cranks but does not start after a collision or
substantial jolt:
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Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
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Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
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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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Towing Your Vehicle
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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
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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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Towing Your Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
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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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Before you have your vehicle towed:
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Release the parking brake.
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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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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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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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Customer Assistance
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Roadside Assistance
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Ford Motor Company has set up a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week
hotline with trained operators who put you in touch with the
help you need if you experience a problem with your vehicle.
This complimentary service is provided to you throughout your
warranty period of 3 years or 36,000 miles (60,000 km),
whichever comes first. To purchase Roadside Assistance
coverages beyond this period (available through Ford Auto Club
in the United States or Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealers in
Canada), contact your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
Additional Roadside Assistance coverage is unavailable in
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
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Roadside Assistance will cover the following:
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Mount your spare if you have a flat tire.
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Jump-start your battery if it is dead.
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Unlock your vehicle if you are locked out.
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Bring you fuel if you run out.
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Tow your vehicle if you are stranded. Even non-warranty
related tows, like accidents or getting stuck in mud or snow,
are covered (some exclusions apply, such as impound towing
and repossession).
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How to use Roadside Assistance
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Your Roadside Assistance identification card can be found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in your glove compartment. Complete
the card and place it in your wallet for quick reference.
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To receive roadside assistance in the United States call
1-800-241-FORD (in Canada call 1-800-665-2006).
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Should you need to arrange for roadside assistance yourself,
Ford Motor Company will reimburse the reasonable cost. To
obtain information about reimbursement call 1-800-241-FORD (in
Canada call 1-800-665-2006).
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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