1996 FORD CONTOUR tires

154
*
[DR20505(ALL)01/92]
n
Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly to avoid locking
your wheels.
*
[DR20600(ALL)02/93]
n
Consider using one of the lower gears.
*
[DR20700(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid losing control on slippery roads, do not
downshift into 1 (First) with the automatic transaxle
when moving faster than 20 mph (32 km/h). Do not
downshift into 1 (First) with the manual transaxle when
moving faster than 10 mph (16 km/h).
*
[DR20750(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
If your vehicle has speed control, do not use it on
slippery roads. You could lose control of your vehicle
and could injure someone.
*
[DR20800(ALL)01/95]
If you have an automatic transaxle and your vehicle gets stuck
(for example, in mud or snow), you may try to ªrockº it out of
the spot. Shift, in a steady rhythm, between forward and reverse
gears. While in each gear, press lightly on the accelerator and
release.
*
[DR20900(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (55 km/h). The
tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
*
[DR21000(ALL)03/95]
By moving the vehicle backward and forward, you may gain
enough momentum to move out of the spot. Do not rock the
vehicle for more than a few minutes. This may overheat the
engine, damage the transaxle, or damage the tires. If you are
still stuck after a minute or two of rocking, call for a tow truck.
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

Driving Your Contour
155
%*
[DR21200(ALL)01/95]
High water
*
[DR21300(ALL)01/95]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you are sure that the
water is below the bottom of the wheel rims.
*
[DR21400(ALL)04/94]
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. You may
have limited traction or wet brakes, so allow extra stopping
distance because your vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.
*
[DR21500(ALL)01/95]
After you drive through the standing water, apply your brakes
gently several times as your vehicle moves slowly. This helps to
dry the brakes.
%*
[DR21600(ALL)03/95]
Driving With a Heavy Load
*
[DR21700(ALL)01/95]
There are limits to the amount of weight your vehicle can carry
or tow. The total weight of your vehicle, plus the weight of the
passengers and cargo, should never be more than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight that your
vehicle carries over the front axle and rear axle should never be
more than the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the
respective axle.
%*
[DR21800(ALL)01/95]
You can find your vehicle's GVWR and GAWR on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label on the left front door lock facing
or on the door latch post pillar.
*
[DR21900(ALL)01/95]
The weight limits of your vehicle's tires affect the GVWR or
GAWR limitations. Usage of replacement tires with higher
weight limit than originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Usage of lower capacity replacement tires may lower GVWR
and GAWR limitations.
*
[DR22000(ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
If the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label is exceeded, your vehicle
may be damaged or you may lose control and injure
someone.
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

170
*
[RE07400(ALL)03/95]
Preparing to Change the Tire
[RE07650(ALL)05/94]1.
Make sure that your vehicle will not move or roll. If you
have an automatic transaxle, put the gearshift in P (Park). If
you have a manual transaxle, put the gearshift in 1 (First).
Set the parking brake and block the wheel that is diagonally
opposite the tire that you are changing.
[RE08500(ALL)05/95]
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transaxle
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off
the jack, even if the vehicle is in P (automatic) or 1 (manual). To
prevent the vehicle from moving when you change one of the
front tires, put a block behind the wheel that is diagonally
opposite to the tire.
*
[RE08600(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else
could be seriously injured.
*
[RE08800(ALL)05/95]2.
Get out the spare tire and jack.
*
[RE08825(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine with one wheel off
the ground, such as when changing a tire.
[RE08850(ALL)01/95]3.
Remove the wheel cover from the wheel with the tapered
end of the wheel lug wrench. Insert and twist the handle,
then pry against the inner wheel cover flange. For
information about removing optional wheel center ornaments
seeStyled Polycast Wheel Ornamentslater in this section.
[RE09200(ALL)01/95]4.
Loosen the wheel lug nuts by pulling up on the handle of
the wrench one-half turn counterclockwise. Do not remove
the wheel lug nuts until you raise the tire off the ground.
For information about removing anti-theft lug nuts, see
Anti-Theft Wheel Lug Nutslater in this section.
File:cdreo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:24:30 1996

208
*
[SV12200(ALL)05/95]4.
Use these equations to calculate your fuel economy:
*
[SV12250(ALL)05/95]
n
English: MPGU(total miles driven)V(gallons used)
*
[SV12275(ALL)05/95]
n
Metric: L/100kU(liters used)V(100 kilometers)
%*
[SV12300(ALL)05/95]
Comparisons With EPA Fuel Economy Estimates
*
[SV12400(ALL)05/95]
EPA fuel economy figures are obtained from laboratory tests
under simulated road conditions and may not reflect the actual
conditions you experience or your style of driving. The EPA
fuel economy estimate is not a guarantee that you will achieve
the fuel economy shown.
*
[SV12610(ALL)05/95]
The following decrease fuel economy:
*
[SV12615(ALL)05/95]
n
Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
*
[SV12625(ALL)05/95]
n
Rapid acceleration and excessive speed
*
[SV12630(ALL)05/95]
n
Driving with your foot on the brake
*
[SV12635(ALL)05/95]
n
Sudden stops
*
[SV12640(ALL)05/95]
n
Extended engine idling
*
[SV12645(ALL)05/95]
n
Using speed control in hilly terrain
*
[SV12650(ALL)05/95]
n
Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear window defroster
and other accessories
*
[SV12655(ALL)05/95]
n
Underinflated tires
*
[SV12660(ALL)05/95]
n
Heavy loads
*
[SV12665(ALL)05/95]
n
Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or luggage racks, bug
deflectors, etc.
File:cdsvo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996

Servicing Your Contour
209
*
[SV13510(ALL)02/95]
Self-Service Pointers
*
[SV13520(ALL)01/95]
If you choose to do your own fueling, you should also perform
a few simple maintenance routines. This extra effort will save
you additional money and contribute to the driving efficiency of
your vehicle.
*
[SV13530(ALL)01/95]
The following procedures require only a tire gauge, a rag, an oil
can spout and windshield washer fluid.
*
[SV13540(ALL)01/95]
n
Check the engine oil at every refueling stop
*
[SV13550(ALL)01/95]
n
Clean the windshield, outside mirrors and headlights
*
[SV13560(ALL)01/95]
n
Check windshield washer fluid
*
[SV13570(ALL)02/95]
n
Check tires for excessive wear or worn edges
*
[SV13580(ALL)01/95]
n
Check the tire pressure at least monthly
*
[SV13600(ALL)03/95]
Engine Oil Recommendations
*
[SV13610(ALL)05/95]
We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an equivalent oil
meeting Ford Specification ESE-M2C153-E and displaying the
American Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on the
front of the container.
*
[SV13650(ALL)05/94]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001314-A
The API Certification Mark
File:cdsvo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996

Servicing Your Contour
223
[SV23756(ALL)07/94]
13-1/2 pica
art:0001244-B
Removing the passenger compartment air filter
[SV23761(ALL)07/94]5.
Slide the filter out of the housing, replace with the new
filter, and slide the housing and passenger compartment air
filter back into place. Reinstall the clips on the housing.
[SV23766(ALL)11/93]6.
Replace the grille and wiper arms.
*
[SV23800(ALL)03/95]
Tires
*
[SV23900(ALL)03/95]
Look at your tires each time you fill your fuel tank. If one tire
looks lower than the others, check the pressure in all of them.
Always follow these precautions:
*
[SV24200(ALL)03/95]
n
Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressures.
*
[SV24300(ALL)02/95]
n
Stay within the recommended load limits (seeLoad limitsin
the Index).
*
[SV24500(ALL)02/95]
n
Make sure the weight of your load is evenly distributed.
*
[SV24550(ALL)10/89]
n
Drive at safe speeds.
File:cdsvo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996

224
*
[SV24700(ALL)01/95]
If you do not take these precautions, your tires may fail or go
flat.
*
[SV24750(ALL)06/95]
Ford Motor Company recommends obeying posted speed limits.
*
[SV24800(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Driving too fast for conditions creates the possibility of
loss of vehicle control. Driving at very high speeds for
extended periods of time may result in damage to vehicle
components.
[SV25000(ALL)02/95]
At least once a month, check the pressure in all your vehicle's
tires, including the spare. Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
Check the tire pressure when tires are cold (after the vehicle has
been parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than
3 miles [5 km]). You can find the proper cold pressure and load
limits of recommended size tires on the Tire Pressure Decal on
the left front door lock facing.
*
[SV25075(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and
can fail suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle
control.
%*
[SV25100(ALL)02/95]
Tire Rotation
*
[SV25200(ALL)04/95]
Because your vehicle's front and rear tires perform different
jobs, they often wear differently. To make sure your tires wear
evenly and last longer, rotate them as indicated in the following
diagram.
*
[SV25300(ALL)04/95]
Do not include the spare tire as part of your rotation.
[SV25350(ALL)02/95]
If you notice that the tires wear unevely, have them checked.
File:cdsvo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996

Servicing Your Contour
225
[SV25400(ALL)02/94]
13-1/2 pica
art:0001224-A
Rotating the tires
*
[SV25700(ALL)04/95]
Replacing the Tires
*
[SV25900(ALL)05/95]
Replace any tires that show wear bands. When your tire shows
a wear band, it has only 1/16 inch (2 mm) of tread left.
[SV26150(ALL)05/94]
7-1/2 pica art:0001317-A
A worn-out tire
*
[SV26175(ALL)01/95]
Because your vehicle's tires may wear unevenly, you may need
to replace them before a wear band appears across the entire
tread. Some spots wear more heavily than others.
File:cdsvo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996