engine FORD CONTOUR 1998 2.G Owner's Manual

Seating and safety restraints
62Determining if the system is
operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in
the instrument cluster or a chime
to indicate the condition of the
system. Refer to the Air bag
readinesssection in the
Instrumentationchapter. Routine
maintenance of the air bag is not
required.
A difficulty with the system is
indicated by one or more of the
following:
•The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not
illuminate after ignition is turned
on.
•A group of five beeps will be
heard. The tone pattern will
repeat periodically until the
problem and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even
intermittently, have the SRS
serviced at your dealership or by a
qualified technician immediately.
Unless serviced, the system may
not function properly in the event
of a collision.
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
110
120
130
MPH
20 4060
55
80120 100
140
160
180
200100
EF 1
/
2
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
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79
Starting
Extended idling at high
engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other
damage.
IMPORTANT SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS
A computer system controls the
engine’s idle revolutions per minute
(rpm). When the engine starts, the
idle rpm runs faster to warm the
engine. If the engine idle speed
does not slow down automatically,
have the vehicle checked by your
dealer or a qualified service
technician. Do not allow the vehicle
to idle for more than ten minutes.
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.
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Starting
80IMPORTANT VENTILATION
INFORMATION
If the engine is idling while the
vehicle is stopped in an open area
for long periods of time, open the
windows at least 2.5 cm (1 inch).
AUTO
OFFPNL/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
DEF FLR
DEF
MAX
A/C/
Adjust the heating or air
conditioning to bring in fresh air.
Do not start your vehicle in a
closed garage or in other
enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes
can be toxic. Always open the
garage door before you start the
engine. See
Guarding against
exhaust fumesin this chapter for
more instructions.
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Starting
82
PREPARING TO START THE
VEHICLE
Engine starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system. This system
meets all Canadian Interference-
Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field strength of
radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected
engine, avoid pressing the
accelerator pedal before or during
starting. Only use the accelerator
pedal when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more
information on starting the vehicle,
refer to Starting the enginein this
chapter.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants
have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts
and their proper usage, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and
vehicle accessories are off.
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Starting
83 If starting a vehicle with an
automatic transaxle:
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
•Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
If starting a vehicle with a manual
transaxle:
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
•Push the clutch pedal to the floor
otherwise the engine will not
crank (turn over).
•Put the gearshift into neutral.
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Starting
843. Turn the key to the onposition
(without turning the key to start).
Make sure the following lights
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer or a
qualified service technician.
BRAKE
BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
•If the driver’s safety belt is
fastened the warning light does
not illuminate.Alternative design
Alternative design
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Starting
85 STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Turn the key to the start
position (4) without pressing the
accelerator pedal and release as
soon as the engine starts. The key
will return to the on (3) position.
3
4
21
2. If the engine does not start
within five seconds, wait ten
seconds and try again.
3. If the engine does not start in
two attempts OR the temperature
is below -12°C (10°F), depress the
accelerator pedal and start the
engine while holding the
accelerator pedal down. Release
accelerator pedal when the engine
starts.
Vehicles equipped with the 2.0 l
engine: If the engine fails to start,
continue to crank with the
accelerator depressed about 1/4 of
the way down and hold that
position until the engine starts.
DONOT crank for more than
30secondsor you could damage
the starter.
4. After idling for a few seconds,
apply the brake and release the
parking brake
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Starting
86USING THE ENGINE BLOCK
HEATER(if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the
engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine
faster and allows the heater-
defroster system to respond
quickly. It is strongly recommended
if you live in a region where
temperatures reach –23°C (–10°F)
or below.
For best results, plug the heater in
at least three hours before starting
the vehicle. Using the heater for
more than three hours will not
harm the engine, so the heater can
be plugged in the night before
starting the vehicle.
To prevent electrical shock,
do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or
two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
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Driving
90Automatic transaxle
(if equipped)
Vehicles equipped with an
automatic transaxle are equipped
with a brake-shift interlock feature
that prevents the gearshift lever
from being moved from the P
(Park) position unless the brake
pedal is depressed.
TRANSAXLE OPERATION
Putting your vehicle in gear
You must push the thumb button to
move the gearshift to the position
you choose.
To operate:
1. Start the engine.
2. Depress and hold the brake
pedal.
3. Move the gearshift lever out of P
(Park).
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Driving
94
•D (Drive)
D (Drive) provides more engine
braking than overdrive and is
useful when driving through hilly
terrain or if your vehicle requires
additional power for climbing hills.
Activate by pressing the transaxle
control switch (TCS) located on
the gearshift handle. The O/DOFF
indicator light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster. Transaxle
operates in gears one through
three.
To return to overdrive mode, press
the transaxle control switch.The
O/DOFF indicator light will
extinguish.
When starting your vehicle, the
transaxle will automatically return
to normal overdrive mode when the
D (Drive) gearshift position is
selected.
TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
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