1996 FORD CONTOUR steering

*[PI00560(ALL)05/95]
Table of Contents
Introductory Information............... 1
Safety Restraints ................... 7
Starting Your Contour ................. 41
Warning Lights and Gauges .............. 53
Instrument Panel Controls ............... 69
Steering Column Controls ............... 83
Features ....................... 93
Electronic Sound Systems .............. 115
Driving Your Contour ................ 139
Roadside Emergencies ................ 163
Customer Assistance ................ 179
Reporting Safety Defects ............. 185
Accessories ..................... 189
Servicing Your Contour ............... 195
Quick Index .................... 261
Index ........................ 273
Service Station Information ............. 292
File:cdpio.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:11:09 1996

Safety Restraints
19
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[SR16300(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the
air bag cover on the steering wheel or in front seat areas
that may come in contact with a deploying air bag.
Failure to follow this instruction may increase the risk of
personal injury in the event of a collision.
*
[SR16325(ALL)05/95]
For further information about the proper mounting of
equipment in the front seat of this vehicle, please refer to Ford's
brochure entitledSome Important Information About Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint Systemwhich can be obtained by calling
Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356. Ask for brochure FPS-8602.
*
[SR16400(ALL)05/95]
For additional important safety information on the proper use of
seat belts, child seats, and infant seats, please read the other
sections of this part of the Owner Guide, especially sections
entitledSafety Belts for ChildrenandSafety Seats for Children.
File:cdsro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:11 1996

20
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[SR16500(ALL)01/95]
How the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
Operates
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[SR16750(ALL)05/95]
The driver air bag is in the center of the steering wheel. The
front passenger seat air bag is located in the center of the
instrument panel ledge above the glove compartment. Both air
bags are designed to stay out of sight until they are activated.
[SR16775(O )05/95]
13-1/2 pica
art:0001474-A
The location of air bags and warning labels
File:cdsro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:11 1996

41
Starting Your Contour
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[ST03300(ALL)03/95]
Ignition
*
[ST03400(ALL)01/95]
Understanding the Positions of the Ignition
[ST03725(ALL)02/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001185-D
The positions of the key in the ignition
[ST04100(ALL)02/95]
LOCK and ACCESSORY lock the gearshift for all vehicles with
an automatic transaxle.
*
[ST04150(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
LOCK position does not lock the gearshift on
floor-mounted manual transaxle gearshifts. If the parking
brake is not set and the gearshift is moved out of gear,
your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
*
[ST04180(ALL)06/95]
The automatic transaxle gearshift must be in P (Park) to move
the key to the LOCK position.
*
[ST04200(ALL)01/95]
LOCK is the only position that allows you to remove the key.
The LOCK feature helps to protect your vehicle from theft.
*
[ST04300(ALL)05/95]
If your key is stuck in the LOCK position and will not turn,
move your steering wheel left or right until the key turns freely.
File:cdsto.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:36 1996

Starting Your Contour
43
[ST07325(ALL)04/94]
The steering wheel locks when the key is removed.
%*
[ST07400(ALL)05/95]
If the driver's door is open while the key is still in the ignition,
a warning chime sounds.
*
[ST07500(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that
the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transaxle) or in 1 (First) (manual transaxle).
*
[ST07575(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
Do not leave children, unreliable adults, or pets alone in
your vehicle. They could accidentally injure themselves
or others through inadvertent operation of the vehicle.
Further, on hot, sunny days, temperatures in a closed
vehicle could quickly become high enough to cause
severe and possibly fatal injuries to people as well as
animals.
%*
[ST07700(ALL)03/95]
Fuel-Injected Engines
*
[ST07850(ALL)03/95]
When starting a fuel-injected engine,the most important thing
to remember is to avoid pressing down on the accelerator
before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you
have problems getting your vehicle started. SeeStarting Your
Enginein this chapter for details about when to use the
accelerator while you start your vehicle.
File:cdsto.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:36 1996

Starting Your Contour
45
*
[ST09100(ALL)03/95]
Before you start your vehicle, you should test the warning lights
on the instrument panel to make sure that they work. Refer to
theWarning Lights and Gaugeschapter.
*
[ST09310(ALL)02/95]
Starting Your Engine
*
[ST09320(ALL)02/95]
To start your engine:
*
[ST09330(ALL)05/95]1.
Follow the steps underPreparing to Start Your Vehicleat the
beginning of this section.
*
[ST09340(ALL)03/95]2.
Keep your foot on the brake pedal and turn the ignition key
to the ON position.
*
[ST09350(ALL)03/95]3.
DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when starting your
engine. DO NOT use the accelerator while the vehicle is
parked.
*
[ST09360(ALL)02/95]4.
Turn the key to the START position (cranking) until the
engine starts. Allow the key to return to the ON position
after the engine has started.
*
[ST09370(ALL)02/95]
If you have difficulty in turning the key, rotate the steering
wheel slightly because it may be binding.
File:cdsto.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:36 1996

76
% [IP03500(ALL)05/95]
Rear Window Defroster and Heated Side View
Mirrors (If equipped)
[IP03551(ALL)02/95]
The defroster for the rear window clears frost, fog, or thin ice
from both the inside and outside of the rear window and
activates the heated side view mirrors.
[IP03600(ALL)01/95]
The button for the rear window defroster and heated side view
mirrors is on the instrument panel, to the right of the steering
wheel.
[IP03700(ALL)02/94]
6 pica art:0001180-B
The rear window defroster and heated side view mirrors
[IP03900(ALL)05/95]
Clear away any snow that is on the rear window and side view
mirrors before using the defroster. With the engine running,
push the defroster button.
*
[IP04000(ALL)04/95]
After approximately 10 minutes, the defroster will turn off. If
the window or mirrors are still not clear, turn the defroster on
again.
*
[IP04100(ALL)04/95]
The defroster will turn off when the ignition key is turned to
the OFF or START position.
*
[IP23000(ALL)03/94]
NOTE: Never use sharp instruments or window cleaners with
abrasives to clean the inside of your rear window. If
you do, you may damage the heating elements that
are bonded to the inside of the rear window and
cause damage to the rear window defroster.
File:cdipo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:18:07 1996

Instrument Panel Controls
77
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[IP23600(ALL)01/95]
The Interior and Exterior Lights
*
[IP23700(ALL)01/95]
Turning On the Exterior Lights
[IP23800(ALL)05/95]
To turn on your headlamps, parking lamps, and tail lamps, use
the knob that is on the instrument panel, to the left of the
steering wheel.
[IP24000(O )05/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001178-D
The knob for the exterior lights
[IP24300(ALL)05/95]
To turn on the parking lamps and tail lamps, turn the knob
clockwise to the first position.
[IP24400(ALL)05/95]
To turn on the headlamps, parking lamps and tail lamps, turn
the knob clockwise to the second position.
File:cdipo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:18:07 1996