1997 FORD CONTOUR brake

Controls and Features
77
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[CF25930(ALL)12/95]
Floor Mats
[CF25940(ALL)02/96]
Positive retention floor mat (If equipped)
(Standard in Canada)
[CF25950(ALL)04/96]
Position the floor mat in the footwell. Place the mat eyelet over
the pointed end of the retention post from the rear and rotate
forward to install. Adjust the floor mat position to allow proper
operation of accelerator pedal, brake pedal and clutch pedal.
[CF26200(ALL)01/96]
17-1/2 pica
art:0001344-A
The positive retention floor mat
[CF26300(ALL)01/96]
To remove, lift the floor mat just forward of the retention post
and rotate it rearward to disengage it from the retention post.
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Update:Fri Sep 13 08:48:17 1996

Seating and Safety Restraints
89
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[SS04300(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap
while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot
protect the child from injury in a collision.
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[SS04400(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Lock the doors of your vehicle before driving to lessen
the risk of the door coming open in a collision.
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[SS04500(ALL)02/96]
Combination Lap and Shoulder Belts
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[SS04600(ALL)02/96]
While your vehicle is in motion, the combination lap and
shoulder belt adjusts to your movement. However, if you brake
hard, turn hard, or if your vehicle receives an impact of 5 mph
(8 km/h) or more, the lap/shoulder belt locks and helps reduce
your forward movement.
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[SS04700(ALL)01/96]
After you get into your vehicle, close the door and lock it. Then
adjust the seat to the position that suits you best.
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[SS04800(ALL)02/96]
Pull the combination lap/shoulder belt from the retractor so
that the shoulder portion of the belt crosses your shoulder and
chest. Be sure the belt is not twisted. If it is, remove the twist.
Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle until you hear a
snap and feel it latch. Make sure the tongue is securely fastened
to the buckle by pulling on tongue.
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Update:Thu Sep 12 11:03:20 1996

117
Starting
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[TO00200(ALL)01/96]
Fuel-Injected Engines
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[TO00300(ALL)01/96]
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.
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[TO00400(ALL)01/96]
Starting Your Vehicle
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[TO00500(ALL)01/96]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
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[TO00600(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other
enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the engine.
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[TO00700(ALL)01/96]
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
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[TO00800(ALL)01/96]1.
Make sure all occupants in the vehicle buckle their safety
belts. SeeSafety Restraintsin the Index for more details.
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[TO00900(ALL)12/95]2.
Make sure your headlamps and other accessories are turned
off and the parking brake is set.
[TO01000(ALL)12/95]3.
If you have a manual transaxle,make sure that the parking
brake is fully set, push the clutch pedal to the floor, and put
the gearshift into Neutral before you turn the key.
(Remember, the starter will operate only if the clutch pedal
is pushed all the way to the floor.)
[TO02000(ALL)12/95]
If you have an automatic transaxle,make sure that the
gearshift is in P (Park) and the parking brake is set before
you turn the key.
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[TO02100(ALL)02/96]
Before you start your vehicle, you should test the warning lights
on the instrument panel to make sure that they work. Refer to
theInstrumentationchapter.
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118
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[TO02200(ALL)01/96]
Starting Your Engine
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[TO02300(ALL)01/96]
To start your engine:
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[TO02400(ALL)01/96]1.
Follow the steps underPreparing to Start Your Vehicleat the
beginning of this section.
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[TO02500(ALL)01/96]2.
Keep your foot on the brake pedal and turn the ignition key
to the ON position.
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[TO02600(ALL)01/96]3.
DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when starting your
engine. DO NOT use the accelerator while the vehicle is
parked.
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[TO02700(ALL)01/96]4.
Turn the key to the START position (cranking) until the
engine starts. Allow the key to return to the ON position
after the engine has started.
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[TO02800(ALL)01/96]
If you have difficulty in turning the key, rotate the steering
wheel slightly because it may be binding.
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[TO02900(ALL)01/96]
For a cold engine:
[TO03000(ALL)12/95]
2.0L engine:
[TO03100(ALL)12/95]
n
At temperaturesbelow-10ÊF (-23ÊC):Turn the key to ON,
crank the engine and depress the accelerator about 1/4 of
the way down and hold that position forfive (5) seconds.If
the engine fails to start, continue to crank with the
accelerator depressed about 1/4 of the way down and hold
that position until the engine starts.DO NOT crank for
more than 30 seconds,or you could damage the starter. If
the engine fails to start on the first try, turn the key to OFF
and wait two (2) minutes before trying again. Allow engine
to warm up for a few minutes before putting transaxle into
gear.
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120
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[TO03900(ALL)01/96]
For a warm engine:
[TO04000(ALL)12/95]
n
Do not hold the key in the START position for more than
five (5) secondsat a time. If the engine does not start within
five (5) seconds on the first try, wait a few seconds after the
starter stops, then try again.
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[TO04100(ALL)01/96]
Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key as soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking could damage the starter.
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[TO04200(ALL)01/96]
After you start the engine, let it idle for a few seconds. Keep
your foot on the brake pedal and put the gearshift lever in gear.
Release the parking brake. Slowly release the brake pedal and
drive away in the normal manner.
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[TO04300(ALL)12/95]
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transaxle, your vehicle has an interlock that prevents
you from shifting out of P (Park) unless your foot is
on the brake pedal.
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[TO04400(ALL)01/96]
If the engine does not start after two attempts:
[TO04500(ALL)12/95]1.
Press the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold
it.
[TO04600(ALL)12/95]2.
Turn the ignition key to the START position.
[TO04700(ALL)12/95]3.
Release the ignition key when the engine starts.
[TO04800(ALL)12/95]4.
Release the accelerator gradually as the engine speeds up.
Then drive away in the normal manner.
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[TO04900(ALL)03/96]
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 Switchin the index.
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Update:Thu Sep 12 11:03:39 1996

125
Driving
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[GF00200(ALL)01/96]
Procedures for driving your vehicle will vary depending on
which type oftransaxleyour vehicle has. You may be familiar
with the term ªtransmission.º We usetransaxlebecause it is a
more accurate term for vehicles that have front-wheel drive.
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[GF00300(ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle will have one of the following types of transaxles:
[GF00400(ALL)12/95]
n
an automatic overdrive transaxle with transaxle control
switch, or
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[GF00500(ALL)12/95]
n
a manual transaxle.
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[GF00600(ALL)12/95]
If you are not sure which transaxle your vehicle has, talk to
your dealer.
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[GF00700(ALL)03/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic Powertrain Control
Module that limits engine and/or vehicle speeds with a cut-out
mode to promote durability.
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[GF00800(ALL)01/96]
Brakes
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[GF00900(ALL)01/96]
Applying the Brakes
[GF01000(ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle may have four-wheel power anti-lock disc brakes
or power front disc and rear drum anti-lock brakes which adjust
automatically through everyday use.
[GF01100(ALL)12/95]
If your vehicle does not have anti-lock brakes, it may have
four-wheel power disc brakes or power front disc brakes and
rear drum brakes, which adjust automatically as the brake pads
or linings wear down.
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[GF01200(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle does not have anti-lock brakes, apply the brake
pedal gradually. Use the ªsqueezeº technique Ð push on the
brake pedal with a steadily increasing force. This allows the
wheels to continue to roll while you are slowing down, which
lets you steer properly.
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[GF01300(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle does not have anti-lock brakes, extreme braking
can make the wheels lock and slide, causing you to lose control
of the steering. If the wheels lock, release the brake pedal and
repeat the ªsqueezeº technique.
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Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 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.
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Driving
127
[GF02000(ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle may have an Anti-lock Brake System feature. If it
does, check the Anti-lock Brake System light each time you start
the engine. If it stays on longer than three (3) seconds, shut off
the engine and restart. If it stays on, that means the Anti-lock
Brake feature is not working and should be serviced
immediately to restore the benefits of the Anti-lock feature.
Normal braking is not affected unless the brake warning light is
also lit.
[GF02100(ALL)12/95]
The Anti-lock Brake System has self-check capabilities. As
described above, the system turns on the anti-lock light each
time you start your engine. After the engine is started and the
anti-lock light turns off, the system performs another test the
first time the vehicle reaches 5 mph (8 km/h) (12 mph
[20 km/h] for vehicles equipped with the traction control
system). The system turns on the ABS pump motor for
approximately 1/2 second. At this time, a mechanical noise may
be heard and felt. This is a normal part of the self-check feature.
If a malfunction is found during this check the anti-lock light
will come on.
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[GF02200(ALL)01/96]
Ford Motor Company has not found any negative effects of
mobile radio transmitting equipment installed on vehicles with
the ABS system providing that the radio is installed according
to the radio manufacturer's instructions. However, if you have
had a mobile radio transmitter installed and the ABS light
comes on (at any time other than immediately after turning the
key to the ON position) have your mobile radio dealer inspect
the radio installation. Also, if the ABS system is activated other
than during maximum braking, have your mobile radio
installation checked.
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996