1996 FORD CONTOUR brake

154
*
[DR20505(ALL)01/92]
n
Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly to avoid locking
your wheels.
*
[DR20600(ALL)02/93]
n
Consider using one of the lower gears.
*
[DR20700(ALL)05/95]
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).
*
[DR20750(ALL)03/95]
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.
*
[DR20800(ALL)01/95]
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.
*
[DR20900(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (55 km/h). The
tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
*
[DR21000(ALL)03/95]
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.
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

Driving Your Contour
155
%*
[DR21200(ALL)01/95]
High water
*
[DR21300(ALL)01/95]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you are sure that the
water is below the bottom of the wheel rims.
*
[DR21400(ALL)04/94]
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.
*
[DR21500(ALL)01/95]
After you drive through the standing water, apply your brakes
gently several times as your vehicle moves slowly. This helps to
dry the brakes.
%*
[DR21600(ALL)03/95]
Driving With a Heavy Load
*
[DR21700(ALL)01/95]
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.
%*
[DR21800(ALL)01/95]
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.
*
[DR21900(ALL)01/95]
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.
*
[DR22000(ALL)02/95]
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.
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

160
%*
[DR29450(ALL)01/95]
Connecting the trailer's brakes
*
[DR29500(ALL)01/95]
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.
*
[DR29600(ALL)05/95]
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.
%*
[DR29650(ALL)01/95]
Connecting the trailer's lights
*
[DR29700(ALL)01/95]
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.
*
[DR29800(ALL)01/95]
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you may cause
damage to the vehicle's lighting system.
%*
[DR29900(ALL)01/95]
Driving While You Tow
*
[DR30000(ALL)05/95]
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.
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

164
*
[RE00900(ALL)03/95]
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery, and to avoid
injury to yourself, follow these directions for preparing your
vehicle to jump-start and connecting the jumper cables in the
order they are given. If in doubt, call for road service.
*
[RE01000(ALL)03/95]
Preparing Your Vehicle
*
[RE01100(ALL)03/95]1.
Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so you need to
use a 12-volt jumper system. You will damage your starting
motor, ignition system, and other electrical parts if you
connect them to a 24-volt power supply (either two 12-volt
batteries in series or a 24-volt generator set).
*
[RE01200(ALL)03/95]2.
Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle. You
could damage the vehicle's electrical system.
*
[RE01300(ALL)04/95]3.
Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled
vehicle.Make sure the vehicles do not touch each other.Set
the parking brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
*
[RE01400(ALL)03/95]4.
Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive
corrosion before you attach the jumper cables.
*
[RE01600(ALL)03/95]5.
Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles. Press the DEFROST
button. Turn off all other switches and gauges.
%*
[RE01700(ALL)05/95]
Connecting the jumper cables
*
[RE02500(ALL)03/95]1.
Connect one end of the first jumper cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the discharged battery. (You can connect either
jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal, as long as you use
the same cable for both positive terminals.) Most jumper
cables have a red cable and a black cable. The red cable is
generally used for the positive terminals and the black for
the negative ones.
*
[RE02600(ALL)04/95]2.
Connect the other end of the first cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the booster battery.
File:cdreo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:24:30 1996

168
*
[RE04500(ALL)03/95]
Changing a Tire
*
[RE04600(ALL)01/95]
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do not apply the
brake heavily. Instead, gradually decrease the speed. Hold the
steering wheel firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the
side of the road. Park on a level spot, turn off the ignition, set
the parking brake, and turn on the hazard flashers.
*
[RE04700(ALL)03/95]
The Temporary Spare Tire
*
[RE04800(ALL)03/95]
You may have a high pressure temporary spare tire. This spare
tire is smaller than a regular tire and is designed for emergency
use only. Use it only when you get a flat tire and replace it as
soon as you can. This spare tire is marked with the words
ªTEMPORARY USE ONLYº so that you can easily identify it.
*
[RE04900(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or do
not follow these precautions, the tire could fail, causing
you to lose control of the vehicle, possibly injuring
yourself or others.
*
[RE05000(ALL)01/95]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire, DO NOT:
*
[RE05100(ALL)01/95]
n
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any circumstances.
*
[RE05200(ALL)01/95]
n
load your vehicle so that it is heavier than the maximum
vehicle load rating listed on the tire decal.
*
[RE05300(ALL)01/95]
n
tow a trailer.
*
[RE05400(ALL)01/95]
n
use tire chains on this tire.
*
[RE05500(ALL)01/95]
n
try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its
wheel.
*
[RE05600(ALL)01/95]
n
use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
File:cdreo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:24:30 1996

170
*
[RE07400(ALL)03/95]
Preparing to Change the Tire
[RE07650(ALL)05/94]1.
Make sure that your vehicle will not move or roll. If you
have an automatic transaxle, put the gearshift in P (Park). If
you have a manual transaxle, put the gearshift in 1 (First).
Set the parking brake and block the wheel that is diagonally
opposite the tire that you are changing.
[RE08500(ALL)05/95]
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transaxle
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off
the jack, even if the vehicle is in P (automatic) or 1 (manual). To
prevent the vehicle from moving when you change one of the
front tires, put a block behind the wheel that is diagonally
opposite to the tire.
*
[RE08600(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else
could be seriously injured.
*
[RE08800(ALL)05/95]2.
Get out the spare tire and jack.
*
[RE08825(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine with one wheel off
the ground, such as when changing a tire.
[RE08850(ALL)01/95]3.
Remove the wheel cover from the wheel with the tapered
end of the wheel lug wrench. Insert and twist the handle,
then pry against the inner wheel cover flange. For
information about removing optional wheel center ornaments
seeStyled Polycast Wheel Ornamentslater in this section.
[RE09200(ALL)01/95]4.
Loosen the wheel lug nuts by pulling up on the handle of
the wrench one-half turn counterclockwise. Do not remove
the wheel lug nuts until you raise the tire off the ground.
For information about removing anti-theft lug nuts, see
Anti-Theft Wheel Lug Nutslater in this section.
File:cdreo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:24:30 1996

Roadside Emergencies
177
*
[RE18000(ALL)03/95]
Towing Your Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
*
[RE18100(ALL)03/95]
At times, you may want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle, a car, or a truck.
*
[RE18200(ALL)03/95]
Before you have your vehicle towed:
*
[RE18300(ALL)03/95]
n
Release the parking brake.
*
[RE18400(ALL)03/95]
n
Move the gearshift to N (Neutral).
[RE18500(ALL)03/95]
n
Turn the ignition to the OFF position.
*
[RE18600(ALL)03/95]
n
Unlock the steering wheel.
[RE18700(ALL)05/95]
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed faster than 35 mph
(55 km/h) or for a distance greater than 50 miles (80 km)
unless the drive wheels are placed on dollies.
[RE18900(ALL)05/95]
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed faster than 55 mph
(90 km/h) if you have a manual transaxle. Your maximum
towing distance is unlimited.
*
[RE19000(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Never use a tow bar that attaches to the bumper when
you tow your vehicle. This could damage the bumper
and cause an accident.
File:cdreo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:24:30 1996

Servicing Your Contour
197
*
[SV02200(ALL)01/95]
n
Keep all lit cigarettes and other smoking materials away
from the battery and all fuel-related parts.
*
[SV02575(ALL)03/95]
Working with the engine off:
[SV02625(ALL)02/95]1.
Set the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift
is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or
1 (First) gear (manual transaxle).
*
[SV02650(ALL)03/95]2.
Remove the key from the ignition after you turn the engine
off.
*
[SV02675(ALL)03/95]3.
Block the wheels. This will prevent your vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
*
[SV02700(ALL)03/95]
Working with the engine on:
*
[SV02825(ALL)04/95]1.
Set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or
Neutral (manual transaxle).
*
[SV02850(ALL)03/95]2.
Block the wheels. This will prevent your vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
*
[SV03000(ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed
and do not remove it while the engine is running.
*
[SV03050(ALL)03/95]
If the battery is disconnected, the computer must relearn its idle
control. SeeBatteryin the Index.
File:cdsvo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996