1996 FORD CONTOUR fuel

6
*
[IN08101(ALL)04/95]
Cleaning Chrome and Aluminum Parts
*
[IN08201(ALL)04/95]
Wash chrome and aluminum parts with a mild detergent. Do
not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, fuel or strong detergents.
%*
[IN08301(ALL)04/95]
Cleaning Plastic Parts
*
[IN08401(ALL)04/95]
Some of your vehicle's exterior trim parts are plastic. Clean with
a tar and road oil remover if necessary. Use a vinyl cleaner for
routine cleaning.
*
[IN08501(ALL)04/95]
Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or
petroleum-based cleaners.
%*
[IN08701(ALL)04/95]
If you have your vehicle rustproofed, remove oversprayed
rustproofing with a tar and road oil remover. If rustproofing is
not removed from plastic and rubber parts, it can cause
deterioration.
File:cdino.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:11:14 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

48
[ST09498(ALL)01/95]4.
Release the accelerator gradually as the engine speeds up.
Then drive away in the normal manner.
*
[ST09500(ALL)04/95]
If the engine still does not start, the fuel pump shut-off switch
may have been triggered. For directions on how to reset the
switch seeFuel Pump Shut-Off Switchlater in this chapter.
%*
[ST10200(ALL)05/95]
A computer system controls the engine's idle speed. When you
start your vehicle, the engine's idle speed normally runs high.
These faster engine speeds will make your vehicle move slightly
faster than its normal idle speed. It should, however, slow down
after a short time. If it does not, have the idle speed checked.
*
[ST10250(ALL)05/95]
If the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, do
not allow your vehicle to idle for more than 10 minutes. Have
the vehicle checked.
*
[ST10325(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very
high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other damage.
*
[ST10350(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or
other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up
the engine compartment and exhaust system, which can
start a fire.
*
[ST10500(ALL)03/95]
If you consistently start your vehicle in subzero temperatures,
use an engine block heater (if your vehicle has this option).
File:cdsto.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:36 1996

50
*
[ST11200(ALL)03/95]
If the Engine Cranks but Does Not Start or
Does Not Start After a Collision
%*
[ST11300(ALL)04/95]
Fuel Pump Shut-off Switch
*
[ST11400(ALL)03/95]
If the engine cranks but does not start or does not start after a
collision, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have been
triggered. The shut-off switch is a device intended to stop the
fuel pump when your vehicle has been involved in a substantial
jolt.
[ST11500(ALL)01/95]
Once the shut-off switch is triggered, you must reset the switch
by hand before you can start your vehicle. The switch is located
on the left hand kick panel in the driver's footwell.
[ST11600(ALL)01/95]
13-1/2 pica
art:0000530-D
The left-hand kick panel in the driver's footwell
*
[ST11700(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If you see or smell fuel, do not reset the switch or try to
start your vehicle. Have all the passengers get out of the
vehicle and call the local fire department or a towing
service.
File:cdsto.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:36 1996

Starting Your Contour
51
*
[ST11800(ALL)03/95]
If your engine cranks but does not start after a collision or
substantial jolt:
*
[ST11900(ALL)04/95]1.
Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
*
[ST12000(ALL)03/95]2.
Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
*
[ST12050(ALL)03/95]3.
If you do not see or smell fuel, push the red reset button
down. If the button is already set, you may have a different
mechanical problem.
*
[ST12100(ALL)03/95]4.
Turn the ignition key to the ON position for a few seconds,
then turn it to the OFF position.
*
[ST12150(ALL)03/95]5.
Check under the vehicle again for leaking fuel.If you see or
smell fuel, do not start your vehicle again.If you do not
see or smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle again.
*
[ST12175(ALL)03/95]6.
Check all vehicle warning lights before driving the vehicle.
%*
[ST12300(ALL)05/95]
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes
*
[ST12400(ALL)02/95]
Carbon monoxide, although colorless and odorless, is present in
exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.
*
[ST12500(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.
*
[ST12600(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not
drive if you smell exhaust fumes.
File:cdsto.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:36 1996

62
*
[LG08001(ALL)05/95]
If the light turns on and off on rare occasions while you are
driving, it means that a malfunction occurred and the condition
corrected itself.
*
[LG08050(ALL)05/95]
An example of a condition which corrects itself occurs when an
engine running out of fuel begins to misfire. In this case, the
Check Engine Warning Light may turn on and will then set a
Diagnostic Trouble Code indicating that the engine was
misfiring while the last of the fuel was being consumed. After
refueling, the Check Engine Warning Light will turn off after
the vehicle has completed three consecutive warm up cycles
without a misfire condition occurring. A warm up cycle consists
of engine start from a cold condition (engine at ambient
temperature) and running until the engine reaches normal
operating temperature.
*
[LG08100(ALL)05/95]
On the fourth engine start up, the Check Engine Warning Light
will turn off as soon as the engine begins to crank. It is not
necessary to have the engine serviced.
*
[LG08150(ALL)05/95]
Under certain conditions, the Check Engine Warning Light may
come on if the fuel cap is not properly installed. If the Check
Engine Warning Light comes on and you suspect that the fuel
cap is not properly installed, pull off the road as soon as it is
safely possible and turn off the engine. Remove and replace the
fuel cap, making sure it is properly seated.
*
[LG08201(ALL)05/95]
After completing the three consecutive warm up cycles and on
the fourth engine start up, the Check Engine Warning Light
should turn off. If the light does not go off after the fourth
engine restart, have your vehicle serviced by your dealer or a
qualified technician.
File:cdlgo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

64
*
[LG08400(ALL)01/95]
Fuel Gauge
*
[LG08500(ALL)01/95]
The fuel gauge displays approximately how much fuel you have
in the fuel tank.
[LG08550(ALL)01/95]
For proper fuel gauge operation, the ignition must be in the
OFF position before you add fuel to the fuel tank.
*
[LG08600(ALL)01/95]
The fuel gauge indicator may vary slightly while the vehicle is
in motion. This is the result of fuel movement within the tank.
An accurate reading may be obtained with the vehicle on
smooth, level ground.
*
[LG08800(ALL)01/95]
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
*
[LG08900(ALL)03/95]
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not
the coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level or
mixture, the gauge indication will not be accurate.
[LG09000(ALL)05/94]
The pointer moves from the white mark into the NORMAL
band as the engine coolant warms up. It is acceptable for the
pointer to fluctuate within the NORMAL band under normal
driving conditions. Under certain driving conditions, such as
heavy stop and go traffic or driving up hills in hot weather, the
pointer may indicate at the top of the NORMAL band.
[LG09015(ALL)02/94]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001097-B
The engine coolant temperature gauge
File:cdlgo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

Steering Column Controls
89
*
[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