1997 FORD CONTOUR ESP

Controls and Features
59
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[CF11950(ALL)02/96]
The Turn Signal Lever
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[CF11975(ALL)02/96]
You can use the turn signal lever on the left side of the steering
column to:
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[CF12000(ALL)02/96]
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operate the turn signals and cornering lamps
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[CF12100(ALL)03/96]
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turn the high beams on/off
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[CF12200(ALL)03/96]
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flash the lamps
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[CF12300(ALL)01/96]
Turn Signals
[CF12400(ALL)12/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001186-D
The turn signal lever
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[CF12500(ALL)01/96]
Move the lever up to signal a right turn. Move it down to
signal a left turn. The corresponding indicator light in the
instrument cluster will flash.
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[CF12600(ALL)01/96]
If the turn signal stays on after you turn, move the lever back
to the center (off) position.
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[CF12700(ALL)01/96]
For lane changes, move the lever far enough to signal but not to
latch. The lever will return to the off position when you release
it.
File:05cdcfo.ex
Update:Fri Sep 13 08:48:17 1996

102
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[SS14200(ALL)01/96]
Safety Seats for Children
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[SS14300(ALL)01/96]
Use a safety seat that is recommended for the size and weight
of the child. Always follow the safety seat manufacturer's
instructions when installing and using the safety seat.
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[SS14400(ALL)01/96]
Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat having a top
tether strap. Install the child safety seat in a seating position
which is capable of providing a tether anchorage. For more
information on top tether straps seeAttaching Safety Seats With
Tether Strapsin this chapter.
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[SS14500(ALL)03/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a right front passenger air bag.
Air bags deploy with great force, faster than the blink of an eye.
Front passengers, especially children and small adults, must
never sit on the front edge of the seat, stand near the glove
compartment of the instrument panel, or lean over near the air
bag cover when the vehicle is moving. All occupants should sit
with their backs against the seatback, move the seat to the most
rearward position if possible and use the safety belts. Children
weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg) always should use child or
infant seats.
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[SS14600(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
When using forward-facing child seats move the
passenger seat as far back from the instrument panel as
possible. Never secure rear-facing infant seats in the front
seat.
[SS14700(ALL)12/95]
THE FORCE OF THE RAPIDLY INFLATING PASSENGER AIR
BAG COULD PUSH THE TOP OF THE REAR-FACING SEAT
AGAINST THE VEHICLE SEATBACK, ARMRESTS OR
CONSOLE. REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS MUST ALWAYS
BE SECURED IN THE REAR SEAT. Failure to follow these
instructions could result in serious injury.
File:06cdsso.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:03:20 1996

122
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[TO05500(ALL)01/96]
Engine Block Heater (If equipped)
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[TO05600(ALL)01/96]
Engine block heaters are strongly recommended if you live in a
region where temperatures reach-10ÊF (-23ÊC) orbelow. An
engine block heater warms the engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine faster, and allows the
heater-defrost system to respond quickly.
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[TO05700(ALL)01/96]
To turn the heater on, simply plug it into a grounded 110-volt
outlet. Ford recommends that you use a 110-volt circuit that is
protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter.
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[TO05800(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
To prevent electrical shock, do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater)
adapters.
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[TO05900(ALL)01/96]
For best results, plug the heater in at least three hours before
you start your vehicle. Using the heater for longer than three
hours will not damage the engine, so you can plug it in at night
to start your vehicle the following morning.
File:08cdtoo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:03:39 1996

126
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[GF01400(ALL)01/96]
Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake pedal; you
will wear out the linings and increase your vehicle's stopping
distance. Brake rotor damage may also eventually occur.
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[GF01500(ALL)02/96]
NOTE: If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a
lower gear and do not apply your brakes
continuously. If you apply your brakes continuously,
they may overheat and become less effective.
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[GF01600(ALL)01/96]
Occasional brake squeal during light to moderate stops does not
affect the function of the brake system and is normal. However,
if the squeal becomes louder or more frequent, have your
brakes inspected by your dealer or a qualified service technician.
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[GF01700(ALL)01/96]
Anti-lock Brake System (If equipped)
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[GF01800(ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle may come with the optional anti-lock brake
system. Whenever your wheels start to lock (which could result
in a skid) the anti-lock brake system prevents the lock-up by
automatically releasing and re-applying the brakes. The brake
pedal will pulsate as a result of the automatic releasing and
re-applying of the brakes. In spite of this improvement in
braking performance, you should continue to be cautious in all
hazardous driving situations, especially when driving on
hazardous road surfaces. Even with your anti-lock brake system,
you may not have total control of your vehicle when braking on
roads with loose surfaces such as snow or gravel, holes in the
pavement, or alternating patches of slippery and dry surfaces.
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[GF01900(ALL)01/96]
If the brake pedal is applied while the vehicle is driven over
uneven road surfaces, the ABS may cycle and the driver may
sense a pulsation in the brake pedal, accompanied by a slight
up and down movement of the pedal height and a clicking
sound. This may also happen when driving on an inclined
surface such as a driveway while making a sharp turn. This is a
normal condition.
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

Driving
139
[GF11000(ALL)12/95]
Downshifting
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[GF11100(ALL)03/96]
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.
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[GF11200(ALL)01/96]
When you drive down steep hills, downshifting helps you keep
a safe speed and helps prevent unnecessary wear on the brakes.
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[GF11300(ALL)01/96]
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.
[GF11400(ALL)12/95]
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.
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[GF11500(ALL)01/96]
Driving With a Heavy Load
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[GF11600(ALL)01/96]
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.
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[GF11700(ALL)12/95]
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.
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[GF11800(ALL)01/96]
The weight limits of your vehicle's tires affect the GVWR or
GAWR limitations. Usage of replacement tires with higher
weight limits than originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Usage of lower capacity replacement tires may lower GVWR
and GAWR limitations.
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

140
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[GF11900(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
Safety Compliance Certification Label.
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[GF12000(ALL)01/96]
Limiting Your Vehicle's Load
[GF12100(ALL)12/95]
The load that you add to your vehicle must not exceed the
maximum load stated on the Safety Compliance Certification
Label attached to the left front door pillar or the left front door
lock facing.
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[GF12200(ALL)01/96]
To figure the weight of your vehicle's load, add the weights of:
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[GF12300(ALL)01/96]
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the driver and passengers
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[GF12400(ALL)01/96]
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luggage and any other items that you put in your vehicle
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[GF12500(ALL)12/95]
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the tongue load of the loaded trailer
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[GF12600(ALL)01/96]
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the weight of any equipment that has been added to your
vehicle since it was delivered to your dealer
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[GF12700(ALL)01/96]
If you do not know the actual weights of these items, use the
following procedure to figure the weight of a load:
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[GF12800(ALL)01/96]1.
Weigh your vehicle without the driver, passengers and
luggage. You might take your vehicle to a shipping company
or an inspection station for trucks.
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[GF12900(ALL)01/96]2.
Then weigh your vehicle with the driver, passengers and
luggage.
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[GF13000(ALL)01/96]3.
Subtract the first reading from the second to figure the total
weight of the load.
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[GF13100(ALL)11/92]
After determining this load, you must also make sure that the
total weight of your vehicle, plus the load it carries, is less than
its GVWR. Also, make sure that the weight your vehicle carries
over each axle is less than the GAWR for the respective axle.
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

144
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[GF16200(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly
to your vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not
have enough braking power and your chances of having
a collision greatly increase.
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[GF16300(ALL)12/95]
Connecting the trailer's lights
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[GF16400(ALL)12/95]
Do not connect a trailer's lighting system wiring directly to
your vehicle's lighting system wiring.To get the proper
equipment for hooking up your trailer's lights, see your local
trailer dealer and your Ford dealer. Be sure to follow their
instructions carefully.
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[GF16500(ALL)12/95]
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you may cause
damage to the vehicle's lighting system.
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[GF16600(ALL)01/96]
Driving While You Tow
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[GF16700(ALL)01/96]
Be especially careful when driving while you tow a trailer.
Never drive faster than 45 mph (70 km/h) when you tow in
hilly country on hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can
brake gradually.
[GF16800(ALL)12/95]
If your vehicle has a manual transaxle and you are towing a
trailer, you should select gear positions which will avoid jerking
or excessive engine speed. If you need to drive excessively in 1
(First) or 2 (Second), it may indicate that the trailer is too big or
heavily loaded for your vehicle's drivetrain. Continuous driving
in these two gears while towing a trailer is not recommended.
[GF16900(ALL)12/95]
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.
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

Roadside Emergencies
159
[ER03500(ALL)12/95]
Relays Outside the Fuse Boxes
[ER03600(ALL)12/95]
sixteen pica
chart:0001229-A%*
[ER03700(ALL)01/96]
Checking and Replacing Fuses
[ER03800(ALL)12/95]1.
Use the charts to decide which fuse you should check.
[ER03900(ALL)12/95]2.
On the fuse panel decal located on the cover of the power
distribution box or on the end of the instrument panel fuse
panel, find the number of the fuse you want to check.
[ER04000(ALL)12/95]3.
Find the corresponding fuse and remove it with the fuse
pulling tool that is provided.
[ER04100(ALL)12/95]4.
Check the fuse to see if it is blown. Look through the clear
side of the fuse to see if the metal wire inside is separated. If
it is, the fuse should be replaced.
[ER04200(ALL)12/95]5.
Replace the fuse with one that has the right amperage rating.
See the following chart.
File:10cdero.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996