1996 FORD CONTOUR engine

62
*
[LG08001(ALL)05/95]
If the light turns on and off on rare occasions while you are
driving, it means that a malfunction occurred and the condition
corrected itself.
*
[LG08050(ALL)05/95]
An example of a condition which corrects itself occurs when an
engine running out of fuel begins to misfire. In this case, the
Check Engine Warning Light may turn on and will then set a
Diagnostic Trouble Code indicating that the engine was
misfiring while the last of the fuel was being consumed. After
refueling, the Check Engine Warning Light will turn off after
the vehicle has completed three consecutive warm up cycles
without a misfire condition occurring. A warm up cycle consists
of engine start from a cold condition (engine at ambient
temperature) and running until the engine reaches normal
operating temperature.
*
[LG08100(ALL)05/95]
On the fourth engine start up, the Check Engine Warning Light
will turn off as soon as the engine begins to crank. It is not
necessary to have the engine serviced.
*
[LG08150(ALL)05/95]
Under certain conditions, the Check Engine Warning Light may
come on if the fuel cap is not properly installed. If the Check
Engine Warning Light comes on and you suspect that the fuel
cap is not properly installed, pull off the road as soon as it is
safely possible and turn off the engine. Remove and replace the
fuel cap, making sure it is properly seated.
*
[LG08201(ALL)05/95]
After completing the three consecutive warm up cycles and on
the fourth engine start up, the Check Engine Warning Light
should turn off. If the light does not go off after the fourth
engine restart, have your vehicle serviced by your dealer or a
qualified technician.
File:cdlgo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

64
*
[LG08400(ALL)01/95]
Fuel Gauge
*
[LG08500(ALL)01/95]
The fuel gauge displays approximately how much fuel you have
in the fuel tank.
[LG08550(ALL)01/95]
For proper fuel gauge operation, the ignition must be in the
OFF position before you add fuel to the fuel tank.
*
[LG08600(ALL)01/95]
The fuel gauge indicator may vary slightly while the vehicle is
in motion. This is the result of fuel movement within the tank.
An accurate reading may be obtained with the vehicle on
smooth, level ground.
*
[LG08800(ALL)01/95]
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
*
[LG08900(ALL)03/95]
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not
the coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level or
mixture, the gauge indication will not be accurate.
[LG09000(ALL)05/94]
The pointer moves from the white mark into the NORMAL
band as the engine coolant warms up. It is acceptable for the
pointer to fluctuate within the NORMAL band under normal
driving conditions. Under certain driving conditions, such as
heavy stop and go traffic or driving up hills in hot weather, the
pointer may indicate at the top of the NORMAL band.
[LG09015(ALL)02/94]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001097-B
The engine coolant temperature gauge
File:cdlgo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

Warning Lights and Gauges
65
*
[LG09100(ALL)05/95]
If, under any circumstances, the pointer moves above the
NORMAL band, the engine coolant is overheating and
continued operation may cause engine damage.
*
[LG09150(ALL)01/95]
If your engine coolant overheats:
*
[LG09200(ALL)03/95]1.
Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
*
[LG09300(ALL)01/95]2.
Turn off the engine.
*
[LG09400(ALL)05/95]3.
Let the engine cool.
*
[LG09410(ALL)04/95]4.
Check the coolant level following the instructions on
checking and adding coolant to your engine, seeEngine
Coolantin the Index. If you do not follow these instructions,
you or others could be injured.
*
[LG09415(ALL)01/95]
If the coolant continues to overheat, have the coolant system
serviced as soon as possible.
*
[LG09800(ALL)01/95]
Speedometer
*
[LG09900(ALL)01/95]
The speedometer tells you how many miles (kilometers) per
hour your vehicle is moving.
*
[LG10000(ALL)01/95]
Odometer
*
[LG10100(ALL)01/95]
The odometer tells you the total number of miles (kilometers)
your vehicle has been driven.
%*
[LG10109(ALL)11/94]
Trip Odometer
*
[LG10116(ALL)11/94]
The trip odometer tells you how many miles (kilometers) your
vehicle has been driven since the last reset. Press the reset
button to return the trip odometer to zero.
File:cdlgo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

66
[LG22025(O )03/95]
Sport Cluster
*
[LG22050(O )04/94]
The sport cluster has basically the same standard warning lights
and gauges as the standard cluster, with the following
additional features:
*
[LG22100(ALL)02/95]
Tachometer
*
[LG22200(ALL)01/95]
The tachometer displays the approximate engine revolutions per
minute (rpm), or how fast the engine is running.
*
[LG22300(ALL)01/95]
If you drive with the tachometer in the red zone, you may
damage the engine.
%*
[LG22400(ALL)02/95]
Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light (If equipped)
[LG22500(ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle may have an Anti-lock Brake System feature. If it
does, check the Anti-lock Brake System light each time you start
the engine. If it stays on longer than three (3) seconds, shut off
the engine and restart. If it stays on, that means the Anti-lock
Brake feature is not working and should be serviced
immediately to restore the benefits of the Anti-lock feature.
Normal braking is not affected unless the brake warning light is
also lit.
[LG22600(ALL)04/95]
The Anti-Lock Brake System has self-check capabilities. As
described above, the system turns on the anti-lock light each
time you start your engine. After the engine is started and the
anti-lock light turns off, the system performs another test the
first time the vehicle reaches 5 mph (8 km/h) (between 12 and
25 mph [20 and 40 km/h] for vehicles equipped with the
traction control system). The system turns on the ABS pump
motor for approximately 1/2 second. At this time, a mechanical
noise may be heard and felt. This is a normal part of the
self-check feature. If a malfunction is found during this check
the anti-lock light will come on.
File:cdlgo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

Warning Lights and Gauges
67
[LG22700(ALL)01/95]
6 pica art:0001210-A% [LG22800(ALL)03/95]
Low Coolant Light (If equipped)
[LG22900(ALL)02/95]
This light indicates that the level of the engine coolant is low
inside the coolant recovery bottle and that you should add more
coolant. SeeEngine Coolantin the Index.
[LG23000(ALL)01/95]
6 pica art:0001214-B[LG23100(ALL)03/95]
This light comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is
turned to the START position, but should turn off when the
engine starts. If this light stays on, check the level of coolant
inside the recovery bottle. The level may be slightly above the
MIN line because the light is an ªearly warning.º
File:cdlgo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

Instrument Panel Controls
75
*
[IP02225(ALL)03/95]
MAX A/C
[IP02251(ALL)05/95]
The MAX A/C position produces cool air more rapidly to
provide faster cooling of your vehicle. Thhis is possible because
cooler air is drawn from inside the passenger area and
refrigerated again instead of using warmer outside air. Using
inside air will also make the fan sound louder, which is normal
when using MAX A/C. The air flow will be from the
instrument panel registers.
[IP02475(ALL)03/95]
Comfort tips
[IP02501(ALL)03/95]
The following tips will help you to get the most satisfaction
from your climate control system.
[IP02525(ALL)05/95]
n
In humid weather, selectVDEF before starting your
engine. This will help to prevent windshield fogging. After a
few minutes of operation, you may select another function.
[IP02550(ALL)03/95]
n
To prevent humidity buildup inside your vehicle, always
drive with the climate control system turned on.
*
[IP02575(ALL)03/95]
n
Do not put objects under the front seats that interfere with
the flow of air to the back seat area.
[IP02600(ALL)05/94]
n
Remove any snow, ice, or leaves from the air intake area of
your heater and air conditioner system which could block
the air intake. The intake area is located at the bottom of the
windshield.
[IP03025(ALL)04/95]
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
*
[IP03050(ALL)02/95]
Your vehicle may have an air filter that removes pollen and
road dust from outside air before it is directed to the interior of
the vehicle. For maintenance of this filter, seeServicing Your
Contour.
File:cdipo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:18:07 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

Steering Column Controls
87
*
[SC07400(ALL)03/91]
Speed Control (If equipped)
*
[SC07500(ALL)06/95]
If your vehicle has speed control, you can automatically
maintain a constant speed at or above 30 mph (50 km/h).
*
[SC07550(ALL)05/95]
Use of radio transmitting equipment that is not Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) or in Canada the Canadian
Radio and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved
may cause the speed control to malfunction. Therefore, use only
properly installed FCC (CRTC in Canada) approved radio
transmitting equipment in your vehicle.
*
[SC07650(ALL)03/95]
NOTE: Do not shift to N (Neutral) when using the speed
control. This will cause the engine to overspeed.
*
[SC07675(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not use the speed control in heavy traffic or on roads
that are winding, slippery, or unpaved.
File:cdsco.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:03 1996