maintenance reset FORD CONTOUR 1999 2.G Owners Manual

Maintenance and care
179
Relearning the idle function
Because your vehicleÕs engine is
electronically controlled, some
control conditions are maintained
by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a
new battery is installed, the
computer must ÒrelearnÓ its idle
conditions before your vehicle can
drive properly. To begin this
process:
1. Put the automatic transaxle
gearshift in P (Park). Put the
manual transaxle gearshift in
neutral.
2. Turn off all accessories and start
the vehicle.
3. Let the engine idle for at least
one minute.
4. The ÒrelearningÓ process will
automatically complete as you
drive the vehicle.
¥ If you do not allow the engine to
ÒrelearnÓ its idle, the idle quality of
your vehicle may be adversely
affected until the idle is eventually
ÒrelearnedÓ.
¥ If the battery has been
disconnected or if a new battery
has been installed, the clock and
preset radio stations must be reset
once the battery is reconnected.
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Maintenance and care
199
If the vehicleÕs powertrain system
or its battery has just been
serviced, the OBD-II system is
reset to a Ònot ready for I/M testÒ
condition. To ready the OBD-II
system for I/M testing, a minimum
of 30 minutes of city and highway
driving is necessary as described
below:
¥ First, at least 10 minutes of
driving on an expressway or
highway.
¥ Next, at least 20 minutes of
driving in stop and go, city-type
traffic with at least four idle
periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least
eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and
complete the above driving cycle.
The engine must warm up to its
normal operating temperature.
Once started, do not turn off the
engine until the above driving cycle
is complete.
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