traction control FORD CONTOUR 1997 2.G Owners Manual

Instrumentation
17
[IS05300(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0001212-A[IS05320(ALL)02/96]
Traction Control System Light (If equipped)
[IS05340(ALL)02/96]
This light comes on when the traction control system has been
disengaged. It may come on or flash on and off while traction
control is operating.
[IS05360(ALL)02/96]
If the light stays on for more than three (3) seconds after the
ignition is turned to the ON position or does not come on when
the T/C OFF button is pressed, have the traction control system
checked by a qualified technician as soon as possible.
[IS05380(ALL)02/96]
6 pica art:0001213-AFile:03cdiso.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 10:58:17 1996

2225 mph [20 and 40 km/h] for vehicles equipped with the
traction control system). The system turns on the ABS pump
motor for approximately 1/2 second. At this time, a mechanical
noise may be heard and felt. This is a normal part of the
self-check feature. If a malfunction is found during this check
the anti-lock light will come on.
[IS10100(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0001210-A% [IS10200(ALL)12/95]
Low Coolant Light (If equipped)
*
[IS10300(ALL)03/96]
This light indicates that the level of the engine coolant is low
inside the coolant recovery bottle and that you should add more
coolant. SeeEngine Coolantin the Index.
[IS10400(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0001214-B[IS10500(ALL)12/95]
This light comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is
turned to the START position, but should turn off when the
engine starts. If this light stays on, check the level of coolant
inside the recovery bottle. The level may be slightly above the
MIN line because the light is an ªearly warning.º
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Update:Thu Sep 12 10:58:17 1996

54
*
[CF07200(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system will not
illuminate the tail lamps and parking lamps. Turn on
your headlamps at dusk. Failure to do so may result in a
collision.
%*
[CF07300(ALL)01/96]
Lighting Up the Interior and Instrument Panel
[CF07400(ALL)12/95]
When either front door is opened, the footwell lights and the
door courtesy lights come on.
[CF07500(ALL)12/95]
The instrument panel lights, window control lights and door
handle lights come on whenever the headlamp switch is turned
from the OFF position. To dim the instrument panel lights, use
the thumbwheel on the instrument panel to the right of the
steering wheel.
[CF07600(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0001177-B
Dimming the instrument panel lights
% [CF07700(ALL)12/95]
Traction Control System (If equipped)
[CF07800(ALL)02/96]
This button turns the traction control system off and on. See the
Driving Chapterfor more information.
[CF07900(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0001179-C
The button for the traction control system
File:05cdcfo.ex
Update:Fri Sep 13 08:48:17 1996

Driving
127
[GF02000(ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle may have an Anti-lock Brake System feature. If it
does, check the Anti-lock Brake System light each time you start
the engine. If it stays on longer than three (3) seconds, shut off
the engine and restart. If it stays on, that means the Anti-lock
Brake feature is not working and should be serviced
immediately to restore the benefits of the Anti-lock feature.
Normal braking is not affected unless the brake warning light is
also lit.
[GF02100(ALL)12/95]
The Anti-lock Brake System has self-check capabilities. As
described above, the system turns on the anti-lock light each
time you start your engine. After the engine is started and the
anti-lock light turns off, the system performs another test the
first time the vehicle reaches 5 mph (8 km/h) (12 mph
[20 km/h] for vehicles equipped with the traction control
system). The system turns on the ABS pump motor for
approximately 1/2 second. At this time, a mechanical noise may
be heard and felt. This is a normal part of the self-check feature.
If a malfunction is found during this check the anti-lock light
will come on.
*
[GF02200(ALL)01/96]
Ford Motor Company has not found any negative effects of
mobile radio transmitting equipment installed on vehicles with
the ABS system providing that the radio is installed according
to the radio manufacturer's instructions. However, if you have
had a mobile radio transmitter installed and the ABS light
comes on (at any time other than immediately after turning the
key to the ON position) have your mobile radio dealer inspect
the radio installation. Also, if the ABS system is activated other
than during maximum braking, have your mobile radio
installation checked.
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

Driving
129
*
[GF03100(ALL)01/96]
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.
%*
[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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206
%*
[MC21000(ALL)01/96
]
Information About Tire Quality Grades
*
[MC21100(ALL)01/96]
New vehicles are fitted with tires that have their Tire Quality
Grade (described below) molded into the tire's sidewall. These
Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the
United States Department of Transportation has set.
*
[MC21200(ALL)01/96]
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on
passenger cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production
tires as defined in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part
575.104(c)(2).
*
[MC21300(ALL)01/96]
U.S. Department of Transportation Ð Tire quality grades:The
U.S. Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire grades exactly as the
government has written it.
%*
[MC21400(ALL)01/96
]
Treadwear
*
[MC21500(ALL)01/96]
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences
in road characteristics and climate.
*
[MC21600(ALL)01/96]
Traction A B C
*
[MC21700(ALL)05/96]
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and C,
and they represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
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Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

Maintenance and Care
207
*
[MC21750(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
braking (straightahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
*
[MC21800(ALL)01/96]
Temperature A B C
*
[MC21900(ALL)05/96]
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level
of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
*
[MC21925(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a
tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
*
[MC21950(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Driving too fast for conditions creates the possibility of
loss of vehicle control. Driving at very high speeds for
extended periods of time may result in damage to vehicle
components.
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Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

288
T
Tachometer....................... 21
Tail lamps
bulb replacement................219, 223
cleaning...................... 226
Temperature control (see Climate control)......... 47
Tether anchor installation (see Child restraints)...... 113
Tilt steering wheel.................... 63
Tires......................... 203
changing...................... 161
checking the pressure................ 203
cleaning...................... 227
inspection and maintenance............. 205
replacing...................... 205
rotating...................... 204
snow tires and chains................ 208
spare tire...................... 162
storing your vehicle................. 234
tire grades..................... 206
treadwear..................... 206
wear bands..................... 205
Towing a trailer (see Trailer towing).......... 141
Towing your vehicle.................. 174
using wheel dollies................. 174
with a tow truck.................. 174
Traction control.................... 129
Trailer towing..................... 141
calculating maximum trailer weight.......... 141
safety chains.................... 143
tips........................ 144
trailer brakes.................... 143
trailer lamps.................... 144
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996