1996 FORD CONTOUR Owners Manual

38
[SR25900(ALL)03/95]
Tether anchorage hardware (USA vehicles only)
[SR26000(ALL)05/95]
All vehicles built for sale in the USA do not include a tether
anchor hardware kit for use with child safety seats. However,
attachment holes (at each rear seating position) have been
provided in your vehicle to attach the tether anchor hardware.
If tether anchorage hardware is required for the child safety
seat, use only the tether anchor kit available at no charge from
any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer (Base part number 613D74).
%*
[SR27700(ALL)05/95]
Safety Belts for Children
*
[SR27800(ALL)05/95]
Children who are too large for child safety seats should always
wear safety belts. (See instructions with your child seat, or
contact its manufacturer, to determine maximum size of child
that will safely fit in the seat.)
*
[SR27900(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If safety belts are not properly worn and adjusted as
described, the risk of serious injury to the child in a
collision will be much greater.
*
[SR28000(ALL)05/95]
If the shoulder belt portion of one of the lap and shoulder belts
can be positioned so that it does not cross or rest in front of the
child's face or neck, the child should wear the lap and shoulder
belt. Moving the child closer to the center of the vehicle may
help provide a good shoulder belt fit.
File:cdsro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:11 1996

Safety Restraints
39
*
[SR28100(ALL)05/95]
To improve the fit of lap and shoulder belts on children who
have outgrown child safety seats, Ford recommends use of a
belt-positioning booster seat that is labelled as conforming to all
Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Belt-positioning booster
seats raise the child and provide a shorter, firmer seating
cushion that encourages safer seating posture and better fit of
lap and shoulder belts on the child. A belt-positioning booster
should be used if the shoulder belt rests in front of the child's
face or neck, or if the lap belt does not fit snugly on both
thighs, or if the thighs are too short to let the child sit all the
way back on the seat cushion when the lower legs hang over
the edge of the seat cushion. You may wish to discuss the
specific needs of your child with your pediatrician.
*
[SR28150(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not use a belt-positioning booster with a lap-only
belt.
*
[SR28200(ALL)05/95]
Lap belts and the lap belt portion of lap and shoulder belts
should always be worn snugly and below the hips, touching the
child's thighs.
*
[SR28300(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To reduce the risk of serious injury in a collision,
children should always ride with the seatback upright.
File:cdsro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:11 1996

41
Starting Your Contour
*
[ST03300(ALL)03/95]
Ignition
*
[ST03400(ALL)01/95]
Understanding the Positions of the Ignition
[ST03725(ALL)02/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001185-D
The positions of the key in the ignition
[ST04100(ALL)02/95]
LOCK and ACCESSORY lock the gearshift for all vehicles with
an automatic transaxle.
*
[ST04150(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
LOCK position does not lock the gearshift on
floor-mounted manual transaxle gearshifts. If the parking
brake is not set and the gearshift is moved out of gear,
your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
*
[ST04180(ALL)06/95]
The automatic transaxle gearshift must be in P (Park) to move
the key to the LOCK position.
*
[ST04200(ALL)01/95]
LOCK is the only position that allows you to remove the key.
The LOCK feature helps to protect your vehicle from theft.
*
[ST04300(ALL)05/95]
If your key is stuck in the LOCK position and will not turn,
move your steering wheel left or right until the key turns freely.
File:cdsto.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:36 1996

42
[ST04400(ALL)05/94]
ACCESSORY allows some of your vehicle's electrical accessories
to operate while the engine is not running. For example, you
can use ACCESSORY to turn on the radio without starting the
engine.
*
[ST04425(ALL)05/95]
ON allows you to test your vehicle's warning lights (except the
brake system warning light) to make sure they work before you
start the engine. The key returns to the ON position once the
engine is started and remains in this position while the engine
runs.
*
[ST04450(ALL)03/95]
START cranks the engine. Release the key once the engine starts
so that you do not damage the starter. The key should return to
ON when you release it. The START position also allows you to
test the brake warning light.
%*
[ST04500(ALL)02/95]
Removing the Key From the Ignition
*
[ST04600(ALL)05/94]
Procedures for removing your key from the ignition vary,
depending on whether your vehicle has an automatic or manual
transaxle.
*
[ST04700(ALL)04/94]
If your vehicle has an automatic transaxle:
*
[ST04800(ALL)06/92]1.
Put the gearshift lever in P (Park).
*
[ST04900(ALL)01/95]2.
Set the parking brake fully.
[ST05000(ALL)05/94]3.
Rotate the ignition key to the LOCK position.
[ST05100(ALL)02/95]4.
Remove the key from the ignition.
*
[ST05200(ALL)04/94]
If your vehicle has a manual transaxle:
*
[ST05300(ALL)06/92]1.
Put the gearshift lever in 1 (First).
*
[ST05400(ALL)01/95]2.
Set the parking brake fully.
[ST05701(ALL)05/94]3.
Rotate the ignition key to the LOCK position.
[ST05801(ALL)02/95]4.
Remove the key from the ignition.
File:cdsto.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:36 1996

Starting Your Contour
43
[ST07325(ALL)04/94]
The steering wheel locks when the key is removed.
%*
[ST07400(ALL)05/95]
If the driver's door is open while the key is still in the ignition,
a warning chime sounds.
*
[ST07500(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that
the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transaxle) or in 1 (First) (manual transaxle).
*
[ST07575(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
Do not leave children, unreliable adults, or pets alone in
your vehicle. They could accidentally injure themselves
or others through inadvertent operation of the vehicle.
Further, on hot, sunny days, temperatures in a closed
vehicle could quickly become high enough to cause
severe and possibly fatal injuries to people as well as
animals.
%*
[ST07700(ALL)03/95]
Fuel-Injected Engines
*
[ST07850(ALL)03/95]
When starting a fuel-injected engine,the most important thing
to remember is to avoid pressing down on the accelerator
before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you
have problems getting your vehicle started. SeeStarting Your
Enginein this chapter for details about when to use the
accelerator while you start your vehicle.
File:cdsto.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:36 1996

44
*
[ST08200(ALL)03/95]
Starting Your Vehicle
%*
[ST08300(ALL)05/94]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
*
[ST08350(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or other
enclosed area. Never sit in a stopped vehicle for more
than a short period of time with the engine running.
Exhaust fumes are toxic. SeeGuarding Against Exhaust
Fumesin this chapter for more instructions.
*
[ST08400(ALL)01/95]
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
*
[ST08500(ALL)01/95]1.
Make sure you and all your passengers buckle your safety
belts. SeeSafety Restraintsin the Index for more details.
*
[ST08600(ALL)03/95]2.
Make sure your headlamps and other accessories are turned
off and the parking brake is set.
[ST08800(ALL)05/94]3.
If you have a manual transaxle,make sure that the parking
brake is fully set, push the clutch pedal to the floor, and put
the gearshift into Neutral before you turn the key.
(Remember, the starter will operate only if the clutch pedal
is pushed all the way to the floor.)
[ST08900(ALL)12/94]
If you have an automatic transaxle,make sure that the
gearshift is in P (Park) and the parking brake is set before
you turn the key.
File:cdsto.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:36 1996

Starting Your Contour
45
*
[ST09100(ALL)03/95]
Before you start your vehicle, you should test the warning lights
on the instrument panel to make sure that they work. Refer to
theWarning Lights and Gaugeschapter.
*
[ST09310(ALL)02/95]
Starting Your Engine
*
[ST09320(ALL)02/95]
To start your engine:
*
[ST09330(ALL)05/95]1.
Follow the steps underPreparing to Start Your Vehicleat the
beginning of this section.
*
[ST09340(ALL)03/95]2.
Keep your foot on the brake pedal and turn the ignition key
to the ON position.
*
[ST09350(ALL)03/95]3.
DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when starting your
engine. DO NOT use the accelerator while the vehicle is
parked.
*
[ST09360(ALL)02/95]4.
Turn the key to the START position (cranking) until the
engine starts. Allow the key to return to the ON position
after the engine has started.
*
[ST09370(ALL)02/95]
If you have difficulty in turning the key, rotate the steering
wheel slightly because it may be binding.
File:cdsto.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:36 1996

46
%*
[ST09372(ALL)04/95]
For a cold engine:
[ST09375(ALL)05/95]
2.0L engine:
[ST09380(ALL)06/95]
n
At temperaturesbelow-10ÊF (-23ÊC):Turn the key to ON,
crank the engine and depress the accelerator about 1/4 of
the way down and hold that position forfive (5) seconds.If
the engine fails to start, continue to crank with the
accelerator depressed about 1/4 of the way down and hold
that position until the engine starts.DO NOT crank for
more than 30 seconds,or you could damage the starter. If
the engine fails to start on the first try, turn the key to OFF
and wait two (2) minutes before trying again. Allow engine
to warm up for a few minutes before putting transaxle into
gear.
[ST09385(ALL)05/95]
n
At temperaturesbetween-10ÊF (-23ÊC) and 10ÊF(-12ÊC):
Turn the key to ON, and crank the engine forfive (5)
seconds.If the engine fails to start, continue to crank and
depress the accelerator about 1/4 of the way down and hold
that position until the engine starts.DO NOT crank for
more than 30 seconds,or you could damage the starter. If
the engine fails to start on the first try, turn the key to OFF
and wait two (2) minutes before trying again.
[ST09391(ALL)05/95]
n
At temperaturesbetween10ÊF (-12ÊC) and 32ÊF (0ÊC):If the
engine does not start infifteen (15) secondson first try, turn
the key to OFF, then try again.
[ST09395(ALL)05/95]
n
At temperaturesabove32ÊF (0ÊC):If the engine does not
start infive (5) secondson the first try, turn the key to OFF,
then try again.
[ST09401(ALL)05/95]
If you have the 4-cylinder 2.0L engine and are not using an
engine block heater, warm up the engine for a minute or two
before putting the transaxle in gear. Depressing the accelerator
slightly will also help with cold starts.
File:cdsto.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:36 1996