1996 FORD CONTOUR towing

179
Customer Assistance
*
[HS00205(ALL)06/94]
Roadside Assistance
*
[HS00210(ALL)05/95]
Ford Motor Company has set up a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week
hotline with trained operators that put you in touch with the
help you need if you experience a problem with your vehicle.
This complimentary service is provided to you throughout your
warranty period of 3 years or 36,000 miles (3 years or
60,000 km), whichever comes first. To purchase Roadside
Assistance coverages beyond this period, through Ford Auto
Club, contact your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer (not
available in Canada).
*
[HS00215(ALL)06/94]
Roadside Assistance will cover the following:
*
[HS00220(ALL)06/94]
n
Mount your spare if you have a flat tire.
*
[HS00225(ALL)06/94]
n
Jump-start your battery if it is dead.
*
[HS00230(ALL)06/94]
n
Unlock your vehicle if you are locked out.
*
[HS00235(ALL)06/94]
n
Bring you fuel if you run out.
*
[HS00240(ALL)06/94]
n
Tow your vehicle if you are stranded. Even non-warranty
related tows, like accidents or getting stuck in mud or snow,
are covered (some exclusions apply, such as impound towing
and repossession).
*
[HS00245(ALL)06/94]
How to use Roadside Assistance
*
[HS00250(ALL)06/94]
Your Roadside Assistance identification card can be found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in your glove compartment. Complete
the card and place it in your wallet for quick reference.
*
[HS00255(ALL)04/95]
To receive roadside assistance in the United States call
1-800-241-FORD (in Canada call 1-800-665-2006).
*
[HS00260(ALL)04/95]
Should you need to arrange for roadside assistance yourself,
Ford Motor Company will reimburse the reasonable cost. To
obtain information about reimbursement call 1-800-241-FORD (in
Canada call 1-800-665-2006).
File:cdhso.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:28:07 1996

277
Coolant (see Engine coolant) (continued)
specifications.................... 254
temperature gauge.................. 64
Cooling fan...................... 196
Crankcase emission filter................ 253
Cruise control (see Speed control)............. 88
Customer Assistance Centre, Ford of Canada....... 186
D
Dashboard (see Instrument panel)............. 69
Daytime running light system.............. 79
Defects, reporting................... 185
Defrost, rear window and side view mirrors........ 76
Dipstick
automatic transaxle fluid............... 229
engine oil..................... 210
power steering fluid................. 234
Disabled vehicle (see Towing).............. 175
Dispute Settlement Board................ 182
Doors......................... 93
lubricant specifications................ 254
Driving under special conditions
bad weather.................... 153
heavy load..................... 155
high water..................... 155
slippery roads................... 153
tips for safe driving................. 153
towing a trailer................... 157
E
Electrical system
circuit breakers................... 243
fuses......................235, 242
relays....................... 235
Electronic sound system
radio reception................... 136
tuning the radio.................117, 131
warranty and service information........... 137
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:47 1996

278 Electronic stereo cassette radio
(see Electronic sound system).......... 130
Electronic stereo radio (see Electronic sound system) . . . 130
Emergencies, roadside
assistance..................... 179
battery acid spills.................. 163
jump-starting.................... 163
towing....................... 175
Emergency brake (parking brake)............ 152
Emission control system
catalytic converter.................. 248
emissions warranty................ 3,248
Engine
check engine warning light.............. 61
does not start..................... 47
fuel injected engine, starting............ 43,45
fuel pump shut-off switch............... 50
preparing to start................... 44
refill capacities................... 252
service points.................... 199
starting....................... 45
starting after a collision................ 50
storing your vehicle................. 256
Engine block heater................... 49
Engine coolant
checking and adding................ 213
disposal...................... 216
low coolant warning light............... 67
preparing for storage................ 256
recovery reservoir................199, 214
refill capacities................... 252
specifications.................... 254
temperature gauge.................. 64
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:47 1996

283
Lamps (continued)
high-mount brakelamp................ 246
illuminated entry system................ 94
instrument panel, dimming............... 80
interior lamps..................... 80
replacing bulbs................... 245
trailer....................... 160
Lane change indicator (see Turn signal).......... 83
Lap belts........................ 13
Lights, warning and indicator
airbag........................ 60
anti-lock brakes (ABS)................. 66
brake........................ 57
charging system.................... 58
check engine..................... 61
engine oil pressure.................. 58
high beam...................... 59
low coolant...................... 67
oil pressure...................... 58
safety belt...................... 56
turn signal indicator................ 63,83
Load limits
GAWR....................... 155
GVWR....................... 155
trailer towing.................... 157
Lubricant specifications................. 254
Luggage compartment................. 111
Lug nuts
anti-theft...................... 174
standard...................... 171
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:47 1996

286
S
Safe driving tips.................... 153
Safety belts (see Safety restraints)............. 7
Safety chains, when towing a trailer........... 159
Safety Compliance Certification Label.......... 155
Safety defects, reporting................ 185
Safety information relating to automotive fuels...... 206
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts............. 12,14
cleaning the safety belts................ 16
dual locking mode retractors.............. 11
extension assembly.................. 14
for adults...................... 7
for children...................... 25
for infants...................... 25
head........................ 101
lap and shoulder belts................. 9
lap belt....................... 13
maintenance..................... 15
proper use...................... 7
replacement..................... 15
warning light and chime................ 56
Safety seats for children
and air bags................... 18,26
attaching with tether straps.............. 37
in front seat..................... 26
in rear outboard................... 29
in rear seat...................... 37
tether anchorage hardware............... 37
Seat belts (see Safety restraints).............. 7
Seats
adjusting the seat, manual.............. 102
adjusting the seats, power.............. 104
child safety seats................... 26
head restraints................... 101
Serial number (VIN)................181, 186
Service concerns.................... 180
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:47 1996

287
Servicing your vehicle
precautions when servicing.............. 196
servicing when you tow............... 161
Shift-lock system................... 140
Shift positions (see Gearshift)............140, 145
Shoulder and lap belts (see Safety restraints)........ 9
Side mirrors, adjusting................. 107
Sliding moon roof (see Moon roof)............ 99
Snow tires and chains................. 228
Spare tire
changing the tire.................. 168
finding the spare.................. 169
removing the spare tire............... 169
temporary spare................... 168
Spark plugs, specifications............... 253
Special driving conditions............... 153
Specification chart, lubricants.............. 254
Speed control
accelerating...................... 90
canceling a set speed................. 91
resetting....................... 90
resuming a set speed................. 91
tap up/tap down................... 90
turning off...................... 91
when towing a trailer................ 161
Speedometer...................... 65
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle............. 44
starting a cold engine................. 46
starting after a collision................ 50
starting a warm engine................ 47
starting your vehicle if the battery is disabled..... 163
Steering, power.................... 149
Steering wheel
horn......................... 86
locking........................ 41
speed controls.................... 88
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:47 1996

288 Storage compartments
center console................... 110
map pockets.................... 111
Storing your vehicle.................. 255
Sunroof (moon roof)................... 99
Sun visor....................... 109
Supplemental air bag readiness light........... 60
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)........... 16
T
Tachometer....................... 66
Tail lamps, cleaning................... 79
Temperature control (see Climate control)......... 71
Tether anchor installation (see Child restraints)....... 37
Tires
changing...................... 168
checking the pressure................ 223
cleaning...................... 229
replacing...................... 225
rotating...................... 224
snow tires and chains................ 228
spare tire...................... 169
storing your vehicle................. 257
tire grades..................... 226
treadwear..................... 226
wear bands..................... 225
Towing a trailer (see Trailer towing).......... 157
Towing your vehicle.................. 175
with a tow truck.................. 175
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:47 1996

289
Trailer towing..................... 157
calculating maximum trailer weight.......... 157
safety chains.................... 159
tips........................ 160
trailer brakes.................... 160
trailer lamps.................... 160
Transaxle
automatic operation................. 139
fluid, checking and adding (automatic)........ 229
fluid, refill capacities................ 252
lubricant specifications................ 254
Transaxle control switch................ 142
Trip odometer...................... 65
Trunk, using the remote entry system to open....... 95
Tune-up specifications (VECI).............. 249
Turn signal
indicator lights.................... 63
lever......................... 83
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:47 1996