1996 FORD CONTOUR light

256
%*
[SV45350(ALL)01/95]
Engine
*
[SV45400(ALL)01/95]
n
Start engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle until it reaches
normal operating temperature.
*
[SV45500(ALL)01/95]
n
With your foot on the brake, shift through all the gears
while the engine is running.
%*
[SV45600(ALL)01/95]
Fuel system
%*
[SV45700(ALL)07/94]
n
Fill fuel tank with high-quality unleaded fuel until the first
automatic shutoff of the fuel pump nozzle.
*
[SV45900(ALL)03/95]
NOTE: During extended periods of vehicle storage (60 days or
more), fuel may deteriorate due to oxidation. This can
damage rubber and other polymers in the fuel system
and may also clog small orifices.
*
[SV46000(ALL)01/95]
Ford Gas Stabilizer should be added whenever actual or
expected storage periods exceed 60 days. Follow the instructions
on the label. The vehicle should then be operated at idle speed
to circulate the additive throughout the fuel system.
*
[SV46100(ALL)01/95]
A volatile corrosion inhibitor added to the fuel system will
protect the fuel system's inner surfaces from corrosion. Follow
the instructions packaged with the product.
%*
[SV46200(ALL)01/95]
Cooling system
*
[SV46300(ALL)01/95]
n
Protect against freezing temperatures.
%*
[SV46400(ALL)01/95]
Battery
*
[SV46500(ALL)01/95]
n
Check and recharge as necessary.
*
[SV46600(ALL)01/95]
n
Keep connections clean and covered with a light coat of
grease.
*
[SV46650(ALL)03/95]
n
If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days without
recharging the battery, it may be advisable to disconnect the
battery cables to ensure battery charge is maintained for
quick starting.
File:cdsvo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996

275
Brake-shift interlock.................. 140
Break-in period..................... 4
Brights (high beams)................. 59,84
Bulbs, replacing
halogen...................... 245
headlamps..................... 245
high-mount brakelamp................ 246
C
Canada, customer assistance.............. 186
Canada, warranty information.............. 3
Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP) . . . 187
Capacities for refilling fluids.............. 252
Carbon monoxide in exhaust............... 51
Car seats for children (see Child safety seats)....... 26
Cassette tape player (see Electronic sound system).... 134
Catalytic converter................... 248
Chains, tires...................... 228
Changing a tire.................... 168
Charging system warning light.............. 58
Childproof locks..................... 93
Child safety restraints
child safety belts................... 38
child safety seats................... 26
Child safety seats
and air bags................... 18,26
attaching with tether straps.............. 37
automatic locking mode (retractor)........... 26
in front seat..................... 29
in rear outboard seat................. 29
tether anchorage hardware............... 37
Chime
headlamps on..................... 60
key in ignition.................... 43
safety belt...................... 56
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:47 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

279
Engine coolant temperature gauge............. 64
Engine fan...................... 196
Engine oil
ªbreak-inº oils.................... 4
changing oil and oil filter.............. 212
checking and adding................ 210
dipstick...................... 210
disposal...................... 212
engine oil pressure warning light............ 58
filter, specifications................. 253
refill capacities................... 252
specifications.................... 254
synthetic oil.................... 210
viscosity...................... 209
Entry system, illuminated................ 94
Exhaust fumes...................... 51
Extended Service Plan, Ford............... 4
F
Flashers, hazard..................... 86
Flashing the lamps.................... 84
Flat tire........................ 168
Fluid refill capacities.................. 252
Foglamps........................ 78
Ford Dispute Settlement Board............. 182
Ford Extended Service Plan................ 4
Ford of Canada Customer Assistance Centre....... 186
Foreign registration.................. 187
French owner guides, how to obtain............ 3
Fuel
calculating fuel economy............... 207
capacity...................... 252
choosing the right fuel................ 204
comparisons with EPA fuel economy estimates..... 208
filling your vehicle with fuel............. 202
filter, specifications................. 253
fuel gauge...................... 64
running out of fuel................. 207
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:47 1996

281
Gearshift
automatic operation................. 139
locking the gearshift.................. 41
positions...................... 140
shifting the gears.................. 145
shift-lock...................... 140
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
calculating..................... 156
definition...................... 155
driving with a heavy load.............. 155
location...................... 155
H
Hazard flashers..................... 86
Headlamps
aiming....................... 244
checking alignment................. 244
cleaning....................... 79
daytime running lights................. 79
flashing....................... 84
high beam...................... 84
replacing bulbs................... 245
turning on and off.................. 77
warning chime.................... 60
Head restraints.................... 101
High beams
indicator light..................... 59
operation....................... 84
High-mount brakelamp
description..................... 246
replacing the bulb.................. 246
Hitch......................... 159
Hood
latch location.................... 198
lubrication specifications............... 254
release lever.................... 198
working under the hood............... 196
Horn.......................... 86
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:47 1996

282
I
Identification Number, Vehicle (VIN)........181, 186
Idle
relearning..................... 167
speed........................ 48
Ignition
chime........................ 43
positions of the ignition................ 41
removing the key................... 42
Infant seats (see Safety seats)............... 26
Instrument cluster.................... 53
Instrument panel
lighting up panel and interior............. 80
location of components................ 69
J
Jack, operation.................... 171
Jump-starting your vehicle
attaching cables................... 164
disconnecting cables................. 167
K
Keys
key in ignition chime................. 43
positions of the ignition................ 41
removing from the ignition.............. 42
stuck in lock position................. 41
L
Lamps
checking...................... 244
daytime running light system............. 79
dome lamps..................... 80
flashing the lamps.................. 84
fog lamps...................... 78
hazard flashers.................... 86
headlamps...................... 77
high beams...................... 84
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