1996 FORD CONTOUR service

*[PI00560(ALL)05/95]
Table of Contents
Introductory Information............... 1
Safety Restraints ................... 7
Starting Your Contour ................. 41
Warning Lights and Gauges .............. 53
Instrument Panel Controls ............... 69
Steering Column Controls ............... 83
Features ....................... 93
Electronic Sound Systems .............. 115
Driving Your Contour ................ 139
Roadside Emergencies ................ 163
Customer Assistance ................ 179
Reporting Safety Defects ............. 185
Accessories ..................... 189
Servicing Your Contour ............... 195
Quick Index .................... 261
Index ........................ 273
Service Station Information ............. 292
File:cdpio.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:11:09 1996

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.
File:cdino.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:11:14 1996

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

4
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Buying a Ford Extended Service Plan
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[IN04100(ALL)01/94]
If you bought your vehicle in the U.S., you can buy a Ford
Extended Service Plan for your vehicle. This optional contract
provides service protection for a longer period of time than the
basic warranty that comes with your vehicle.
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[IN04200(ALL)01/95]
You do not have to buy this option when you buy your vehicle.
However, your option to purchase the Ford Extended Service
Plan runs out after 18 months or 18,000 miles. See your dealer
for more details about the Ford Extended Service Plan.
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[IN04250(ALL)01/95]
If you purchased a Canadian vehicle and did not take
advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the time of
purchase, you may still be eligible. See your dealer for the
details.
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[IN06000(ALL)01/95]
Breaking Your Vehicle In
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[IN06100(ALL)03/95]
Your new vehicle goes through an adjustment or break-in
period during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) that you drive it.
During the break-in period, you need to pay careful attention to
how you drive your vehicle.
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[IN06300(ALL)01/95]
n
Avoid sudden stops.Because your vehicle has new brake
linings, you should take these steps:
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[IN06400(ALL)01/95]
Ð Watch traffic carefully so that you can anticipate when to
stop.
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Ð Begin braking well in advance.
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Ð Apply the brakes gradually.
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[IN06700(ALL)01/95]
The break-in period for new brake linings lasts for 100 miles
(160 km) of city driving or 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
highway driving.
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[IN06800(ALL)01/95]
n
Use only the type of engine oil that Ford recommends.See
Engine oil recommendationsin the Index. Do not use special
ªbreak-inº oils.
File:cdino.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:11:14 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]
n
the readiness light will either flash or stay lit,
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[SR18525(ALL)05/95]
n
or it will not light immediately after ignition is turned on,
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[SR18550(ALL)05/95]
n
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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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

50
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[ST11200(ALL)03/95]
If the Engine Cranks but Does Not Start or
Does Not Start After a Collision
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Fuel Pump Shut-off Switch
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[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
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[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

52
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[ST12700(ALL)01/95]
Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems checked
whenever:
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[ST12800(ALL)02/95]
n
your vehicle is raised for service
*
[ST12900(ALL)02/95]
n
the sound of the exhaust system changes
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[ST13000(ALL)01/95]
n
your vehicle has been damaged in a collision
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[ST13200(ALL)01/95]
Improve your ventilation by keeping all air inlet vents clear of
snow, leaves, and other debris.
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[ST13300(ALL)03/95]
If the engine is idling while you are stopped in an open area
for long periods of time, open the windows at least one inch
(2.5 cm). Also, adjust the heating or air conditioning to bring in
outside air.
[ST13500(ALL)11/93]
If you use the heater, set the fan speed on medium or high with
the function control knob turned to FLR, PNL/FLR or PANEL.
[ST13800(ALL)12/88]
If you use the air conditioner, set the fan speed on medium or
high with the A/C button pressed. (Do not use MAX A/C.)
File:cdsto.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:36 1996

Warning Lights and Gauges
57
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Brake System Warning Light
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The warning light for the brakes can show two things Ð that
the parking brake is not fully released, or that the brake fluid
level is low in the master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid level is
low, the brake system should be checked by a qualified service
technician.
[LG03400(ALL)01/95]
6 pica art:0000971-D*
[LG03500(ALL)01/95]
This light comes on when the parking brake is set, or if it is not
set, it comes on briefly when you turn the ignition to the
START position. It normally goes off shortly after the engine
starts and you release the parking brake. If the light stays on
after you have fully released the parking brake, have the
hydraulic brake system serviced by your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
*
[LG03700(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes may not be
working properly. Have the brakes checked immediately.
File:cdlgo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996