1996 FORD CONTOUR instrument panel

Instrument Panel Controls
79
*
[IP25605(ALL)01/95]
Daytime Running Light System
*
[IP25610(ALL)03/95]
(Canadian vehicles only)
*
[IP25615(ALL)03/95]
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system is designed to turn
the high beam headlamps on, with a reduced light output and
without illuminating the high beam indicator lamp in the
instrument panel. The DRL system operates when all of the
following conditions are met:
*
[IP25620(ALL)03/95]
n
The vehicle is ªrunning.º
*
[IP25630(ALL)03/95]
n
The headlamp system is in the OFF position.
*
[IP25632(ALL)05/95]
The high beam indicator light on the instrument cluster will not
be on.
[IP25633(ALL)05/94]
A flashing high beam light in the instrument cluster indicates a
failure in the DRL system circuit, like a burnt bulb or fuse.
*
[IP25638(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system will not
illuminate the tail lamps and parking lamps. Turn on
your headlamps at dusk. Failure to do so may result in a
collision.
%*
[IP25700(O )05/95]
Cleaning the Exterior Lamps
*
[IP25800(ALL)05/95]
Do not use dry paper towel, chemical solvents or abrasive
cleaners to clean the lamps, as these may cause scratches or
crack the lamps.
File:cdipo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:18:07 1996

80
*
[IP29800(ALL)01/95]
Lighting Up the Interior and Instrument Panel
[IP29850(ALL)05/94]
When either front door is opened, the footwell lights and the
door courtesy lights come on.
[IP29900(ALL)05/94]
The instrument panel lights, window control lights and door
handle lights come on whenever the headlamp switch is turned
from the OFF position. To dim the instrument panel lights, use
the thumbwheel on the instrument panel to the right of the
steering wheel.
[IP30001(ALL)03/95]
6 pica art:0001177-B
Dimming the instrument panel lights
[IP32600(ALL)02/94]
Dome Lamp
[IP32625(O )02/94]
Your vehicle has a dome lamp above the front seat. The switch
on the dome lamp turns it on and off.
[IP32650(O )02/94]
7-1/2 pica art:0001219-A
The switch on the dome lamp
File:cdipo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:18:07 1996

Instrument Panel Controls
81
[IP32900(ALL)11/93]
Dome lamp delay
[IP33000(ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle may have a dome lamp delay. If you set the
switch on the dome lamp to the 12-second delay position, the
dome lamp will turn on when either front door is opened.
[IP33100(ALL)11/93]
The dome lamp will turn off after 12 seconds or when the
ignition key is turned to the ON or ACC position. It will not
turn off if either front door is open or if you move the dome
lamp switch to the ON position.
*
[IP33125(ALL)04/95]
Your interior dome lamps and map lamps are plastic and
should be cleaned with a mild detergent diluted in water. Rinse
them with clear water.
[IP33150(ALL)01/95]
Turning On the Map Lamps (If equipped)
*
[IP33200(ALL)01/94]
Your vehicle may have a map lamp for the passenger and one
for the driver.
[IP33250(ALL)11/93]
7-1/2 pica art:0001218-A
Turning on the map lamps
File:cdipo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:18:07 1996

Features
107
*
[FV14000(ALL)01/95]
Mirrors
*
[FV14600(ALL)01/93]
Side View Mirrors
[FV14700(ALL)04/94]
The standard side view mirrors are manually adjusted by using
the remote knobs. The knob on each door adjusts the mirror on
that side of the vehicle. Move the control knob in the direction
you want to move the mirror.
[FV14800(ALL)02/94]
10-1/2 pica
art:0000463-B
The left side mirror control (right side similar)
[FV14850(ALL)05/94]
Dual electric remote control mirrors (if equipped)
[FV14900(ALL)05/94]
The control for adjusting the electric side view mirrors is on the
instrument panel, to the left of the steering wheel.
File:cdfvo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:20:30 1996

Features
111
*
[FV17000(ALL)01/95]
Storage Compartments
[FV17100(ALL)01/95]
Your vehicle may have several storage compartments:
[FV17201(ALL)01/95]
n
two map pockets on the panels of the front doors. The back
of the front seats may also have map pockets.
[FV17301(ALL)01/95]
n
a coin holder on the instrument panel
[FV17501(ALL)01/95]
n
a small storage pocket on the outside of the front seat base
*
[FV17800(ALL)01/95]
Trunk
[FV17900(ALL)11/93]
To open the trunk manually, use the oval key.
[FV18000(ALL)01/95]
Remote Trunk Release (If equipped)
[FV18100(ALL)05/94]
The remote trunk release is on the floor to the left of the
driver's seat.
[FV18200(ALL)05/94]
7-1/2 pica art:0000984-E
The remote trunk release
[FV18300(ALL)05/94]
You can disable the remote trunk release. If you depress the
lever on the trunk latch that is marked in orange before closing
the trunk, the trunk can only be opened with the key.
File:cdfvo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:20:30 1996

142
[DR01100(ALL)05/94]
13-1/2 pica
art:0000492-D
Console-mounted automatic transaxle shift control lever
%*
[DR01600(ALL)01/95]
R (Reverse)
*
[DR01700(ALL)02/95]
With the gearshift in the R (Reverse) position, the vehicle will
move backward. You should always come to a complete stop
before shifting into or out of R (Reverse).
*
[DR01725(ALL)01/95]
N (Neutral)
[DR01750(ALL)11/94]
In N (Neutral), the wheels of the transaxle are not locked. Your
vehicle will roll freely, even on the slightest incline, unless the
parking brake or brakes are on.
*
[DR01800(ALL)01/95]
Driving
[DR01825(ALL)02/94]
Your vehicle's gearshift is console-mounted on the floor. The
Transaxle Control Switch (TCS) is located on the gearshift
handle. The transaxle control indicator light (OD OFF) is located
on the instrument panel. You can put the gearshift lever in any
of the several positions.
[DR01850(ALL)05/94]
The OD OFF light is off (not illuminated) during normal vehicle
operation. This allows the transaxle to upshift and downshift
from first through fourth gears. When the TCS is pressed, the
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

Driving Your Contour
143 transaxle control indicator light will illuminate (OD OFF) on the
instrument panel. When this OD OFF is illuminated the
transaxle will upshift and downshift from first through third
gears and provide coast braking in second and third gears.
[DR01875(ALL)02/94]
To return the transaxle to normal operation (first through fourth
gears) depress the TCS again. This switch may be used to cancel
overdrive any time the vehicle is being driven. Each time your
vehicle is started, the overdrive system will automatically be in
the normal overdrive mode and the light will not be
illuminated.
[DR01900(ALL)05/94]
When to use D (Overdrive Ð without Transaxle Control
Switch activated)
[DR01925(ALL)05/94]
D (Overdrive) is the usual driving position for an automatic
overdrive transaxle. It automatically upshifts or downshifts as
the vehicle speeds or slows.
[DR01950(ALL)05/94]
However, D (Overdrive) also shifts into a fourth gear Ð an
overdrive gear Ð when your vehicle cruises at a consistent
speed for any length of time. This fourth gear will increase your
fuel economy when you travel at cruising speeds.
[DR02000(ALL)05/94]
When to use D (Drive Ð with Transaxle Control Switch
activated)
[DR02025(ALL)05/94]
D (Overdrive) may not be appropriate for certain terrain. If the
transaxle shifts back and forth between third and fourth gears
while you are driving on hilly roads or if your vehicle requires
additional power for climbing hills, depress the TCS. D (Drive)
also gives more engine braking to slow your vehicle on
downgrades than D (Overdrive).
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

148
[DR09700(ALL)05/95]
Downshifting
*
[DR09800(ALL)03/95]
When you slow down or climb a steep hill, always downshift
before the engine starts to lose power. Downshifting reduces the
chance of stalling and gives your vehicle better acceleration to
increase speed again.
*
[DR09900(ALL)03/95]
When you drive down steep hills, downshifting helps you keep
a safe speed and helps prevent unnecessary wear on the brakes.
*
[DR10000(ALL)03/95]
When you come to a stop, do not downshift through each gear.
Disengage the clutch and use the brake as necessary.
Downshifting through the gears decreases your vehicle's fuel
economy.
[DR10201(ALL)05/95]
Do not attempt to shift into 1 (First) gear with the clutch pedal
depressed at speeds higher than 20 mph (30 km/h). If you do,
it could cause a complete clutch failure, making your vehicle
inoperative.
[DR10301(ALL)01/95]
Traction Control (If equipped)
[DR10405(ALL)05/95]
The traction control system prevents the wheels from spinning
on slippery roads.
[DR10505(ALL)05/95]
Working with the anti-lock brake system, the traction control
system monitors the speed of the wheels as they roll over the
road surface. When a wheel starts to spin because of slippery
conditions, the traction control system slows the engine by
closing the throttle. At speeds below 35 mph (55 km/h) the
traction control system also applies the brake to the spinning
wheel.
[DR10605(ALL)05/95]
When the traction control system becomes active, the driver
may notice a very slight kick and then a hard resistance in the
accelerator pedal, and a mechanical noise. The traction control
system light on the instrument panel comes on or flashes on
and off during activation.
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996