1996 FORD CONTOUR clutch

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

Steering Column Controls
89
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[SC09000(ALL)06/95]
If you drive up or down a steep hill, your vehicle may
momentarily slow down or speed up, even though the speed
control is on. This is normal.
[SC09010(ALL)05/95]
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transaxle, and if your speed increases above your set
speed while driving in Overdrive on a downhill
grade, you may want to turn the Overdrive off and
use Drive. You may turn the Overdrive off by
pressing the Transaxle Control Switch on the left side
of the gearshift lever. This will reduce vehicle speed
if it goes above your set speed on a downhill grade.
For the best fuel economy during normal driving
conditions, leave the vehicle in Overdrive, or resume
as soon as possible.
[SC09020(ALL)05/95]
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with a 5-speed manual
transaxle, and if your speed increases above your set
speed while driving in 5 (Fifth) gear on a downhill
grade, you may want to shift to 4 (Fourth) gear to
reduce vehicle speed. Depressing the clutch pedal
cancels speed control, therefore speed control must be
reset by pressing the SET/ACC or RES buttons. Speed
control cannot reduce the vehicle speed if it goes
above your set speed on a downhill grade.
[SC09150(ALL)05/94]
Speed control is cancelled when Traction Control (if equipped)
becomes active.
File:cdsco.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:03 1996

Features
113
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[FV19000(ALL)01/93]
Floor Mats
[FV19100(ALL)01/95]
Positive retention floor mat (If equipped)
(Standard in Canada)
*
[FV19200(ALL)01/95]
Position the floor mat in the footwell. Place the mat eyelet over
the pointed end of the retention post from the rear and rotate
forward to install. Adjust the floor mat position to allow proper
operation of accelerator pedal, brake pedal and clutch pedal.
[FV19300(ALL)01/95]
17-1/2 pica
art:0001344-A
The positive retention floor mat
[FV19400(ALL)01/95]
To remove, lift the floor mat just forward of the retention post
and rotate it rearward to disengage it from the retention post.
File:cdfvo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:20:30 1996

Driving Your Contour
145
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[DR06900(ALL)01/89]
Driving with a Manual Transaxle
*
[DR07000(ALL)03/95]
Using the Clutch
*
[DR07100(ALL)11/94]
In order to start the vehicle, the clutch pedal must be fully
depressed to the floor. Before starting the engine, make sure the
vehicle is in Neutral and the parking brake is set.
[DR07200(ALL)11/94]
After the engine starts, allow it to idle for a few seconds. Then,
hold your right foot on the brake pedal and release the parking
brake. With the clutch pedal depressed to the floor with your
left foot, move the gearshift into 1 (First) or R (Reverse).
[DR07300(ALL)11/94]
To move the vehicle, take your right foot off the brake pedal
and then slowly release the clutch pedal. (You may need to
press down slowly on the accelerator at the same time that you
release the clutch pedal.)
*
[DR07400(ALL)03/95]
Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal and do
not use the clutch to hold your vehicle at a standstill while
waiting on a hill. These actions will seriously reduce clutch life.
[DR07500(ALL)05/95]
Idling the Vehicle
[DR07550(ALL)05/95]
When the vehicle is stopped and the engine is running, DO
NOT rest your hand on or apply any pressure to gearshift lever
when the clutch pedal is not depressed. This may result in
erratic engine operation.
*
[DR07600(ALL)03/95]
Shifting the Gears
*
[DR07700(ALL)11/94]
The gearshift for a manual transaxle is mounted on the floor.
The gearshift can be in one of seven possible positions, as
shown.
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

146
[DR07810(ALL)02/94]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001265-A
The positions of the floor-mounted gearshift
[DR07900(ALL)11/94]
Always push the clutch pedal all the way to the floor when you
shift. You should upshift according to the speeds given in the
shift speed chart.
*
[DR08000(ALL)03/95]
Backing up
*
[DR08100(ALL)03/95]
To shift into R (Reverse):
*
[DR08201(ALL)11/94]1.
Completely stop your vehicle.
[DR08301(ALL)11/94]2.
Depress the clutch pedal to the floor and place the gearshift
lever in the Neutral position. Do not release the clutch pedal.
[DR08401(ALL)11/94]
NOTE: If the following step is not followed, a grinding noise
may occur.
[DR08501(ALL)11/94]3.
Wait a minimum of three seconds before attempting to shift
into R (Reverse) gear.
[DR08601(ALL)02/94]4.
Push the gearshift lever completely to the right, pull up the
ring on the stalk of the gearshift lever, and then pull
rearward on the gearshift lever to engage the R (Reverse)
gear.
[DR08701(ALL)11/94]5.
If the R (Reverse) gear is engaged, slowly release the clutch
pedal from the floor.
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

276 Circuit breakers, checking and replacing......... 243
Cleaning your vehicle
CD player and discs................. 125
chrome and aluminum parts.............. 6
exterior....................... 5
exterior lamps.................... 79
fabric....................... 106
headlamps...................... 79
instrument panel................... 69
mirrors....................... 108
plastic parts..................... 6
polishing....................... 5
rear windows..................... 76
rustproofing..................... 6
safety belts...................... 16
tail lamps...................... 79
upholstery and interior trim............. 106
washing....................... 5
wheels....................... 229
windows....................... 76
Clutch
operation while driving............... 145
shifting the gears.................. 145
specifications.................... 254
Cold engine starting................... 46
Combination lap and shoulder belts............ 9
Compact disc player (see Electronic sound system).... 121
Compact disc radio (see Electronic sound system).... 116
Console, description.................. 110
Controls
instrument panel................... 69
mirrors....................... 107
steering column.................... 83
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
checking and adding................ 213
preparing for storage................ 256
refill capacities................... 252
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:47 1996

284
M
Maintenance (see Servicing).............. 195
Manual transaxle
backing up (reverse)................. 146
clutch....................... 145
shifting gears.................... 145
Map pockets..................... 111
Master cylinder, brakes................ 232
Mileage, calculating fuel economy............ 207
Mirrors
side view mirrors (manual)............. 107
Moon roof....................... 99
Motorcraft parts.................... 253
N
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration..... 185
New vehicle break-in.................. 4
O
Odometer
trip odometer..................... 65
Oil filter....................... 253
Oil (see Engine oil).................. 209
Oil viscosity..................... 209
On-board diagnostic (OBD II) system.......... 250
Overseas offices.................... 187
P
Panic alarm feature, remote entry system......... 96
Parking brake
operation...................... 152
warning light..................... 57
Parts (see Motorcraft Parts)............... 253
PCV valve, specifications................ 253
Power door locks.................... 94
Power features
door locks...................... 94
mirrors....................... 107
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:47 1996