1996 FORD CONTOUR ESP

1
Introductory Information
*[IN00300(ALL)04/95]Ford's Commitment to You
*[IN00400(ALL)04/95]At Ford Motor Company, excellence is the continuous
commitment to achieve the best result possible. It is dedication
to learning what you want, determination to develop the right
concept, and execution of that concept with care, precision, and
attention to detail. In short, excellence means being the standard
by which others are judged.
*[IN00500(ALL)04/95]Our Guiding Principles
*[IN00600(ALL)04/95]nQuality comes first.For your satisfaction, the quality of our
products and services must be our number one priority.
*[IN00700(ALL)04/95]nYou are the focus of everything we do. Our work must be
done with you in mind, providing better products and
services than our competition.
*[IN00750(ALL)04/95]nContinuous improvement is essential to our success. We
must strive for excellence in everything we do: in our
products Ð in their safety and value Ð and in our services,
our human relations, our competitiveness, and our
profitability.
*[IN00800(ALL)04/95]nEmployee involvement is our way of life . We are a team.
We must treat one another with trust and respect.
*[IN00900(ALL)04/95]nDealers and suppliers are our partners. We must maintain
mutually beneficial relationships with dealers, suppliers, and
our other business associates.
*[IN01000(ALL)04/95]nIntegrity is never compromised. Our conduct worldwide
must be pursued in a manner that is socially responsible and
commands respect for its integrity and for its positive
contributions to society.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:11:14 1996

2
*
[IN01100(ALL)05/95]
Things to Know About Using This Guide
*
[IN01200(ALL)05/95]
Congratulations on the purchase of your new vehicle. This
guide has information about the equipment and the options for
your new vehicle. You may not have bought all of the options
available to you. If you do not know which information applies
to your vehicle, talk to your dealer.
*
[IN01300(ALL)05/95]
This guide describes equipment and gives specifications for
equipment that was in effect when this guide was approved for
printing. Ford may discontinue models or change specifications
or design without any notice and without incurring obligation.
[IN01350(ALL)05/95]
As you read through your owner guide, carefully read all
Warningsbecause they tell you how toavoid endangering
yourself, your passengers, and other people.
*
[IN01400(ALL)05/95]
NOTES and WARNINGS
*
[IN01420(ALL)05/95]
NOTESgive you additional information about the subject
matter you are referencing.
*
[IN01440(ALL)05/95]
WARNINGSremind you to be especially careful in those areas
where carelessness can cause damage to your vehicle or
personal injury to yourself, your passengers or other people.
Please read allWARNINGScarefully.
*
[IN01460(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
*
[IN01500(ALL)05/95]
Finding Information in This Guide
*
[IN01600(ALL)04/95]
After you have read this guide once, you will probably return
to it when you have a specific question or need additional
information. To help you find specific information quickly, you
can use the Quick Index or the Index.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:11:14 1996

Introductory Information
3
*
[IN01700(ALL)05/95]
TheQuick Indexat the end of the book provides a page
number following each item which indicates where detailed
information can be found.
*
[IN01900(ALL)04/95]
To use theIndex, turn to the back of the book and search in the
alphabetical listing for the word that best describes the
information you need. If the word you chose is not listed, think
of other related words and look them up. We have designed the
Index so that you can find information under a technical term.
%*
[IN02000(ALL)05/95]
Canadian Owners Ð French Version
*
[IN02100(ALL)05/95]
French Owner Guides can be obtained from your dealer or by
writing to Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, Service
Publications, P.O. Box 1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario
L4Y 4G3.
*
[IN02400(ALL)04/95]
Your Maintenance Schedule and Record
Booklet
*
[IN02500(ALL)03/95]
TheMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet lists the services
that are most important for keeping your vehicle in good
condition. A record log is also provided to help you keep track
of all services performed.
*
[IN02600(ALL)01/95]
About the Warranties
*
[IN02700(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is covered by three types of warranties:Basic
Vehicle Warranty,Extended Warrantieson certain parts, and
Emissions Warranties.
%*
[IN03100(ALL)03/95]
Read yourWarranty Information Bookletcarefully to find out
about your vehicle's warranties and your basic rights and
responsibilities.
*
[IN03300(ALL)03/95]
If you lose yourWarranty Information Booklet,you can get a new
one free of charge. Contact any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer,
or refer to the addresses and phone numbers on the first page
of this owner guide.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:11:14 1996

Introductory Information
5
%*
[IN06900(ALL)04/95]
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
*
[IN06920(ALL)05/95]
Pollen, bird droppings and tree sap can damage the paint,
especially in hot weather. Wash your vehicle as often as
necessary to keep it clean.
*
[IN06940(ALL)05/95]
Take similar precautions if your vehicle is exposed to chemical
industrial fallout.
*
[IN06960(ALL)06/95]
Paint damage resulting from fallout is not related to a defect in
paint materials or workmanship and therefore is not covered by
warranty. Ford, however, believes that continual improvement
in customer satisfaction is a high priority. For this reason, Ford
has authorized its dealers to repair, at no charge to the owner,
the surfaces of new vehicles damaged by environmental fallout
within 12 months or 12,000 miles (20,000 km) of purchase,
whichever comes first. Customers may be required to bring their
vehicle in for inspection by a Ford representative.
%*
[IN07001(ALL)04/95]
Washing and Polishing Your Vehicle
*
[IN07101(ALL)04/95]
Wash the outside of your vehicle, including the underside, with
a mild detergent.
*
[IN07201(ALL)04/95]
DO NOT:
*
[IN07301(ALL)04/95]
n
Wash your vehicle with hot water
*
[IN07401(ALL)04/95]
n
Wash your vehicle while it sits in direct sunlight
*
[IN07501(ALL)04/95]
n
Wash your vehicle while the body is hot
*
[IN07901(ALL)04/95]
Polish your vehicle to remove harmful deposits and protect the
finish.
File:cdino.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:11:14 1996

18
*
[SR16050(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Rear-facing infant seats should never be placed in the
front seat.
*
[SR16100(ALL)06/95]
In rear-facing infant seats, the infant's head is closer to the air
bag. The force of the rapidly inflating air bag could push the
top of the rear-facing seat against the vehicle seatback or center
armrests (if so equipped), or center console (if so equipped).
REAR-FACING INFANT CARRIERS MUST ALWAYS BE
SECURED IN THE REAR SEAT, and other child safety seats
and infant seats should be secured in the rear seat whenever
possible.
*
[SR16250(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
When using forward-facing child seats move the
passenger seat as far back from the instrument panel as
possible. NEVER SECURE REAR-FACING INFANT
SEATS IN THE FRONT SEAT.
*
[SR16275(ALL)05/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a right front passenger air bag.
Air bags deploy with great force, faster than the blink of an eye.
Front passengers, especially children and small adults, must
never sit on the front edge of the seat, stand near the glove
compartment of the instrument panel, or lean over near the air
bag cover when the vehicle is moving. All occupants should sit
with their backs against the seatback, move the seat to the most
rearward position if possible and use the safety belts. Children
weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg) always should use child or
infant seats.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:11 1996

Safety Restraints
19
*
[SR16300(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the
air bag cover on the steering wheel or in front seat areas
that may come in contact with a deploying air bag.
Failure to follow this instruction may increase the risk of
personal injury in the event of a collision.
*
[SR16325(ALL)05/95]
For further information about the proper mounting of
equipment in the front seat of this vehicle, please refer to Ford's
brochure entitledSome Important Information About Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint Systemwhich can be obtained by calling
Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356. Ask for brochure FPS-8602.
*
[SR16400(ALL)05/95]
For additional important safety information on the proper use of
seat belts, child seats, and infant seats, please read the other
sections of this part of the Owner Guide, especially sections
entitledSafety Belts for ChildrenandSafety Seats for Children.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:11 1996

26
*
[SR20750(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Safety belts and seats can become hot in a vehicle that
has been closed up in sunny weather; they could burn a
small child. Check seat covers and buckles before you
place a child anywhere near them.
*
[SR20800(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Never leave a child unattended in your vehicle.
%*
[SR22000(ALL)01/95]
Safety Seats for Children
*
[SR22100(ALL)05/95]
Use a safety seat that is recommended for the size and weight
of the child. Always follow the safety seat manufacturer's
instructions when installing and using the safety seat.
*
[SR22125(ALL)02/95]
Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat having a top
tether strap. Install the child safety seat in a seating position
which is capable of providing a tether anchorage. For more
information on top tether straps seeAttaching Safety Seats With
Tether Strapsin this chapter.
*
[SR22300(ALL)05/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a right front passenger air bag.
Air bags deploy with great force, faster than the blink of an eye.
Front passengers, especially children and small adults, must
never sit on the front edge of the seat, stand near the glove
compartment of the instrument panel, or lean over near the air
bag cover when the vehicle is moving. All occupants should sit
with their backs against the seatback, move the seat to the most
rearward position if possible and use the safety belts. Children
weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg) always should use child or
infant seats.
File:cdsro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:11 1996

Starting Your Contour
49
%*
[ST10600(ALL)06/95]
Engine Block Heater (If equipped)
*
[ST10700(ALL)03/95]
Engine block heaters are strongly recommended if you live in a
region where temperatures reach-10ÊF (-23ÊC) orbelow. An
engine block heater warms the engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine faster, and allows the
heater-defrost system to respond quickly.
*
[ST10900(ALL)01/95]
To turn the heater on, simply plug it into a grounded 110-volt
outlet. Ford recommends that you use a 110-volt circuit that is
protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter.
*
[ST11100(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To prevent electrical shock, do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater)
adapters.
*
[ST11150(ALL)03/95]
For best results, plug the heater in at least three hours before
you start your vehicle. Using the heater for longer than three
hours will not damage the engine, so you can plug it in at night
to start your vehicle the following morning.
File:cdsto.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:36 1996