1996 FORD CONTOUR maintenance

Introductory Information
3
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[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.
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[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.
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[IN02000(ALL)05/95]
Canadian Owners Ð French Version
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[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.
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[IN02400(ALL)04/95]
Your Maintenance Schedule and Record
Booklet
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[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.
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[IN02600(ALL)01/95]
About the Warranties
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[IN02700(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is covered by three types of warranties:Basic
Vehicle Warranty,Extended Warrantieson certain parts, and
Emissions Warranties.
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[IN03100(ALL)03/95]
Read yourWarranty Information Bookletcarefully to find out
about your vehicle's warranties and your basic rights and
responsibilities.
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[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.
File:cdino.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:11:14 1996

Safety Restraints
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[SR07550(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Failure to follow these instructions will affect the
performance of the safety belts and increase the risk of
personal injury.
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[SR07600(ALL)05/95]
Safety Belt Maintenance
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[SR07650(ALL)05/95]
Check the safety belt systems periodically to make sure that
they work properly and are not damaged.
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[SR07700(ALL)05/95]
All safety belt assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front
seat belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar) (if equipped),
child safety seat tether bracket assemblies (if equipped), and
attaching hardware, should be inspected after any collision. Ford
recommends that all safety belt assemblies used in vehicles
involved in a collision be replaced. However, if the collision was
minor and a qualified technician finds that the belts do not
show damage and continue to operate properly, they do not
need to be replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a
collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage
or improper operation is noted.
[SR07725(ALL)05/95]
Safety Belt Warning Label
[SR07750(ALL)05/95]
A warning label has been placed on the buckle of each of your
vehicle's front seat safety belts.
[SR07760(ALL)05/95]
In a collision of sufficient severity while the safety belt is in use,
the safety belt buckle will pull out of the sleeve so that all or
part of the orange portion of the label is visible.
[SR07775(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Whenever the orange portion of the label is visible, the
safety belt must be replaced.
File:cdsro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:11 1996

24
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[SR18450(ALL)05/95]
The air bag system uses a readiness light on the instrument
cluster and a tone to indicate the condition of the system. When
you turn the ignition key to the ON position, this light will
illuminate for approximately six (6) seconds and then turn off.
This indicates that the system is operating normally. NOTE:
Maintenance of the air bag system is not required.
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[SR18475(ALL)05/95]
A problem with the system is indicated by one or more of the
following:
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[SR18501(ALL)05/95]
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the readiness light will either flash or stay lit,
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[SR18525(ALL)05/95]
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or it will not light immediately after ignition is turned on,
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[SR18550(ALL)05/95]
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or a group of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will
repeat periodically until the problem and light are repaired.
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[SR18575(ALL)05/95]
If any of these things happen, have the air bag system serviced
at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately. Unless
serviced, the air bag supplemental restraint system may not
function properly in the event of a collision.
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[SR18601(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint System or its fuses. See your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
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[SR19000(ALL)05/95]
Disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles
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[SR19500(ALL)05/95]
For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles, see your
local Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. Air bagsMUSTbe
disposed of by qualified personnel.
File:cdsro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:11 1996

60
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[LG07000(ALL)05/95]
Chime for Headlamps On
[LG07100(ALL)05/94]
This chime sounds if the driver's door is open when the parking
lamps or headlamps are on. The chime sounds until you close
the door or turn off the lamps.
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[LG07200(ALL)01/95]
Air Bag Readiness Light
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[LG07300(ALL)05/95]
The air bag system uses a readiness light and a tone to indicate
the condition of the system. The readiness light is in the
instrument cluster. When you turn the ignition to the ON
position, this light will illuminate for approximately six (6)
seconds and then turn off. This indicates that the system is
operating normally.NOTE:Maintenance of the air bag system is
not required.
[LG07400(ALL)05/95]
A problem with the system is indicated by one or more of the
following: the readiness light will either flash or stay lit, or it
will not light or a group of five beeps will be heard.
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[LG07500(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have
the air bag system serviced at your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately.
[LG07600(ALL)03/95]
6 pica art:0001212-AFile:cdlgo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

Instrument Panel Controls
75
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[IP02225(ALL)03/95]
MAX A/C
[IP02251(ALL)05/95]
The MAX A/C position produces cool air more rapidly to
provide faster cooling of your vehicle. Thhis is possible because
cooler air is drawn from inside the passenger area and
refrigerated again instead of using warmer outside air. Using
inside air will also make the fan sound louder, which is normal
when using MAX A/C. The air flow will be from the
instrument panel registers.
[IP02475(ALL)03/95]
Comfort tips
[IP02501(ALL)03/95]
The following tips will help you to get the most satisfaction
from your climate control system.
[IP02525(ALL)05/95]
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In humid weather, selectVDEF before starting your
engine. This will help to prevent windshield fogging. After a
few minutes of operation, you may select another function.
[IP02550(ALL)03/95]
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To prevent humidity buildup inside your vehicle, always
drive with the climate control system turned on.
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[IP02575(ALL)03/95]
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Do not put objects under the front seats that interfere with
the flow of air to the back seat area.
[IP02600(ALL)05/94]
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Remove any snow, ice, or leaves from the air intake area of
your heater and air conditioner system which could block
the air intake. The intake area is located at the bottom of the
windshield.
[IP03025(ALL)04/95]
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
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[IP03050(ALL)02/95]
Your vehicle may have an air filter that removes pollen and
road dust from outside air before it is directed to the interior of
the vehicle. For maintenance of this filter, seeServicing Your
Contour.
File:cdipo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:18:07 1996

Driving Your Contour
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[DR30100(ALL)11/94]
When you tow up or down steep hills, move the manual
transaxle gearshift to a lower gear. This will increase engine
power on upgrades and engine braking on downgrades.
[DR30175(ALL)04/95]
When you tow in steep hills, move the automatic transaxle to
1 (First) when descending. This will give more engine braking
on downgrades. The automatic transaxle will automatically
downshift to the proper gear on upgrades.
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[DR30300(ALL)01/95]
If you use the speed control while you are towing on very long,
steep grades, the speed control may shut off.
[DR30400(ALL)05/95]
Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
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[DR30500(ALL)08/93]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your vehicle will need
to be serviced more frequently than usual. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet for additional
information.
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

180
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[HS00300(ALL)01/95]
If You Have a Service Problem
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[HS00400(ALL)01/95]
Ford Motor Company has authorized Ford and Lincoln-Mercury
dealerships that can service your vehicle for you. This chapter
tells you how to get service or maintenance for your vehicle.
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[HS00500(ALL)03/95]
Service/Maintenance Concerns (U.S. or Canada)
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[HS00600(ALL)04/95]
Ford recommends taking your vehicle to your selling dealer
who wants to ensure your continued satisfaction. You may,
however, take your vehicle to any authorized Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer. In most cases, your dealer will be able
to resolve your concern.
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[HS00700(ALL)04/95]
If you are not satisfied with the service you received from your
dealership's service department, talk to the service manager at
the dealership, or if you still are not satisfied, talk to the owner
or general manager of the dealership. In most cases, you will
have your concern resolved at this level.
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[HS01000(ALL)04/95]
If you are away from home when your vehicle needs to be
serviced, or if you need more help than the dealer gave you,
contact the Ford Customer Assistance Center to find an
authorized dealership that may be able to help you.
[HS01125(ALL)01/95]
6 pica art:0001312-A*
[HS01150(ALL)03/95]
If you live in Canada and have any questions or concerns that
the dealership cannot answer, contact the Customer Assistance
Centre.
File:cdhso.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:28:07 1996

184
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[HS04500(ALL)04/95]
After your case has been reviewed, the Board will mail you its
decision in writing. It will also provide you with a form to
indicate your acceptance or rejection of an award decision. The
decisions of the Board are binding on the dealer and Ford, but
customers may have other options available to them under state
or federal law.
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[HS04600(ALL)04/95]
The decisions of the Board, however, may be introduced into
evidence by any party in subsequent legal proceedings that may
be initiated.
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[HS04700(ALL)01/95]
How Do You Contact the Board?
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[HS04800(ALL)04/95]
Write to the Board at the following address to request a
brochure/application. You will be sent a brochure and a
one-page customer application form. The form should be
completed and mailed to the same address.
[HS04900(ALL)05/94]
6 pica art:0001306-A*
[HS05100(ALL)04/95]
What is the Review Process?
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[HS05200(ALL)04/95]
Your application will be reviewed and if it is determined to be
eligible, you will receive an acknowledgment indicating the file
number assigned to your application and the local Board
address. At the same time, your dealer and Ford Motor
Company representative are asked to submit statements.
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[HS05300(ALL)04/95]
To review your case properly, the Board needs the following
information:
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[HS05400(ALL)04/95]
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legible copies of all documents and maintenance or repair
orders that relate to the case
File:cdhso.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:28:07 1996