1996 FORD CONTOUR tow

Features
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7-1/2 pica art:0001188-A
The moon roof
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RWARNING
Do not let children play with the moon roof. They may
seriously hurt themselves.
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Sliding Shade
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The moon roof has a sliding shade that you can manually open
or close to block the sun when the glass panel is shut.
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To close the sliding shade, pull the shade toward the front of
the vehicle. The shade automatically opens when the moon roof
is opened.
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Seats
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Head Restraints
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If you use them properly, head restraints will help protect your
head and neck in a collision.
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A head restraint helps protect you best if you position it behind
your head and not behind your neck.
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If your vehicle has the four-way head restraint, you can adjust it
in four directions. You can raise it two (2) inches (50 mm) from
its normal position, or you can move it forward up to 60Ê until
you reach the desired position.
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Driving Your Contour
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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.
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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.
[DR10905(ALL)05/95]
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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Steering Your Vehicle
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Your vehicle comes with power steering. Power steering uses
energy from the engine to help steer your vehicle.
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If the amount of effort needed to steer your vehicle changes at a
constant vehicle speed, have the power steering system checked.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is
turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually but it takes more
effort.
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Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or left for
more than five seconds if the engine is running. This can
damage the power steering pump.
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Brakes
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Applying the Brakes
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Your vehicle may have four-wheel power anti-lock disc brakes
or power front disc and rear drum anti-lock brakes which adjust
automatically through everyday use.
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154
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Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly to avoid locking
your wheels.
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Consider using one of the lower gears.
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RWARNING
To avoid losing control on slippery roads, do not
downshift into 1 (First) with the automatic transaxle
when moving faster than 20 mph (32 km/h). Do not
downshift into 1 (First) with the manual transaxle when
moving faster than 10 mph (16 km/h).
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RWARNING
If your vehicle has speed control, do not use it on
slippery roads. You could lose control of your vehicle
and could injure someone.
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If you have an automatic transaxle and your vehicle gets stuck
(for example, in mud or snow), you may try to ªrockº it out of
the spot. Shift, in a steady rhythm, between forward and reverse
gears. While in each gear, press lightly on the accelerator and
release.
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RWARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (55 km/h). The
tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
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By moving the vehicle backward and forward, you may gain
enough momentum to move out of the spot. Do not rock the
vehicle for more than a few minutes. This may overheat the
engine, damage the transaxle, or damage the tires. If you are
still stuck after a minute or two of rocking, call for a tow truck.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

Driving Your Contour
155
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High water
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Do not drive through flooded areas unless you are sure that the
water is below the bottom of the wheel rims.
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If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. You may
have limited traction or wet brakes, so allow extra stopping
distance because your vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.
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After you drive through the standing water, apply your brakes
gently several times as your vehicle moves slowly. This helps to
dry the brakes.
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Driving With a Heavy Load
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There are limits to the amount of weight your vehicle can carry
or tow. The total weight of your vehicle, plus the weight of the
passengers and cargo, should never be more than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight that your
vehicle carries over the front axle and rear axle should never be
more than the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the
respective axle.
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You can find your vehicle's GVWR and GAWR on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label on the left front door lock facing
or on the door latch post pillar.
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The weight limits of your vehicle's tires affect the GVWR or
GAWR limitations. Usage of replacement tires with higher
weight limit than originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Usage of lower capacity replacement tires may lower GVWR
and GAWR limitations.
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RWARNING
If the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label is exceeded, your vehicle
may be damaged or you may lose control and injure
someone.
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Driving Your Contour
157
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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.
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Trailer Towing
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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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Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer.
(SeeServicing your vehicle if you towin this chapter.)
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158
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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 limits of the vehicle and
could result in engine damage, transaxle/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and personal injury.
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RWARNING
Do not tow a trailer when the temporary spare tire is
being used.
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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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Connecting the trailer's brakes
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Electric brakes and manual, automatic, or surge-type hydraulic
brakes are safe if you install them properly and adjust them
according to the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure that your
trailer's brakes meet local and federal regulations.
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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.
[DR30050(ALL)01/95]
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.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

Driving Your Contour
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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.
[DR30175(ALL)04/95]
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 Schedule and Recordbooklet for additional
information.
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996