1997 FORD CONTOUR instrument panel

Controls and Features
53
%*
[CF06000(ALL)08/95]
Fog Lamps (If equipped)
[CF06100(ALL)12/95]
The fog lamps act as a supplement to the low beam headlamps
under limited visibility conditions such as rain, snow, dust or
fog.
[CF06200(ALL)12/95]
The fog lamps operate only when the low beam headlamps are
on. To operate the fog lamps, turn the headlamp control knob
to the second position (headlamps on) and pull the knob out.
An indicator lamp will glow when the fog lamps are on.
[CF06300(ALL)12/95]
To turn off, push the headlamp control knob in.
*
[CF06400(ALL)03/96]
To maximize fog lamp bulb life, it is recommended that the fog
lamp switch be turned off after each use prior to turning off the
headlamps.
%*
[CF06500(ALL)03/96]
Daytime Running Light System
*
[CF06600(ALL)03/96]
(Canadian vehicles only)
*
[CF06700(ALL)01/96]
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system is designed to turn
the high beam headlamps on, with a reduced light output and
without illuminating the high beam indicator lamp in the
instrument panel. The DRL system operates when all of the
following conditions are met:
[CF06750(ALL)04/96]
n
The vehicle's parking brake is fully released.
[CF06800(ALL)04/96]
n
The vehicle is ªrunning.º
[CF06900(ALL)04/96]
n
The headlamp system is in the OFF position.
*
[CF07000(ALL)03/96]
The high beam indicator light on the instrument cluster will not
be on.
[CF07100(ALL)12/95]
A flashing high beam light in the instrument cluster indicates a
failure in the DRL system circuit, like a burnt bulb or fuse.
File:05cdcfo.ex
Update:Fri Sep 13 08:48:17 1996

54
*
[CF07200(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system will not
illuminate the tail lamps and parking lamps. Turn on
your headlamps at dusk. Failure to do so may result in a
collision.
%*
[CF07300(ALL)01/96]
Lighting Up the Interior and Instrument Panel
[CF07400(ALL)12/95]
When either front door is opened, the footwell lights and the
door courtesy lights come on.
[CF07500(ALL)12/95]
The instrument panel lights, window control lights and door
handle lights come on whenever the headlamp switch is turned
from the OFF position. To dim the instrument panel lights, use
the thumbwheel on the instrument panel to the right of the
steering wheel.
[CF07600(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0001177-B
Dimming the instrument panel lights
% [CF07700(ALL)12/95]
Traction Control System (If equipped)
[CF07800(ALL)02/96]
This button turns the traction control system off and on. See the
Driving Chapterfor more information.
[CF07900(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0001179-C
The button for the traction control system
File:05cdcfo.ex
Update:Fri Sep 13 08:48:17 1996

Controls and Features
55
%*
[CF08000(ALL)03/96]
Clock
[CF08100(O )12/95]
7-1/2 pica art:0001220-B
The digital clock
*
[CF08300(ALL)12/95]1.
To set the hour, press and hold the hour button. When the
desired hour appears, release the button.
*
[CF08400(ALL)12/95]2.
To set the minutes, press and hold the minute button. When
the desired minute appears, release the button.
[CF08500(ALL)12/95]3.
To switch between a 12-hour clock and a 24-hour clock,
press both the hour and minute buttons at the same time.
Reset the time as above.
%*
[CF08600(ALL)05/96]
Storage Compartments
[CF08700(ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle may have several storage compartments:
[CF08800(ALL)12/95]
n
a coin holder on the instrument panel
*
[CF09000(ALL)05/96]
The controls on the steering column and wheel are designed to
give you easy access to the controls while you are driving.
File:05cdcfo.ex
Update:Fri Sep 13 08:48:17 1996

74
[CF24100(ALL)12/95]
Rear window lockout
[CF24200(ALL)12/95]
To lock out the rear window switches with the master controls,
slide the lockout switch to the left. To restore individual control,
slide the switch to the right.
%*
[CF24300(ALL)03/96]
Mirrors
%*
[CF24400(ALL)01/96]
Side View Mirrors
[CF24500(ALL)12/95]
The standard side view mirrors are manually adjusted by using
the remote knobs. The knob on each door adjusts the mirror on
that side of the vehicle. Move the control knob in the direction
you want to move the mirror.
[CF24600(ALL)12/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0000463-B
The left side mirror control (right side similar)
% [CF24700(ALL)12/95]
Dual electric remote control mirrors (if equipped)
[CF24800(ALL)12/95]
The control for adjusting the electric side view mirrors is on the
instrument panel, to the left of the steering wheel.
File:05cdcfo.ex
Update:Fri Sep 13 08:48:17 1996

102
%*
[SS14200(ALL)01/96]
Safety Seats for Children
*
[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.
*
[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.
*
[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.
%*
[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

117
Starting
%*
[TO00200(ALL)01/96]
Fuel-Injected Engines
*
[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.
*
[TO00400(ALL)01/96]
Starting Your Vehicle
%*
[TO00500(ALL)01/96]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
*
[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.
*
[TO00700(ALL)01/96]
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
*
[TO00800(ALL)01/96]1.
Make sure all occupants in the vehicle buckle their safety
belts. SeeSafety Restraintsin the Index for more details.
*
[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.
*
[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.
File:08cdtoo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:03:39 1996

Driving
129
*
[GF03100(ALL)01/96]
Always check the Brake Warning Light each time you start your
engine. Driving with the parking brake on will cause the brakes
to wear out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
%*
[GF03200(ALL)02/96]
Traction Control (If equipped)
[GF03300(ALL)12/95]
The traction control system prevents the wheels from spinning
on slippery roads.
[GF03400(ALL)12/95]
Working with the anti-lock brake system, the traction control
system monitors the speed of the wheels as they roll over the
road surface. When a wheel starts to spin because of slippery
conditions, the traction control system slows the engine by
closing the throttle. At speeds below 35 mph (55 km/h) the
traction control system also applies the brake to the spinning
wheel.
[GF03500(ALL)12/95]
When the traction control system becomes active, the driver
may notice a very slight kick and then a hard resistance in the
accelerator pedal, and a mechanical noise. The traction control
system light on the instrument panel comes on or flashes on
and off during activation.
[GF03600(ALL)12/95]
The traction control system can be turned off manually by
pushing the T/C OFF button on the instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel. The traction control system light will
remain on as a reminder that the system is turned off.
[GF03700(ALL)12/95]
Each time the vehicle is started, the traction control system will
automatically be on. When the ignition is turned to the ON
position, the traction control system light comes on for
approximately three (3) seconds.
[GF03800(ALL)12/95]
If the light does not come on when the ignition is turned to the
ON position or if it does not come on when the T/C OFF
button is pressed, have the system serviced by your dealer or a
qualified service technician as soon as possible to restore the
benefits of the traction control feature. You do not need to have
the vehicle towed in.
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

Driving
133
[GF06100(ALL)12/95]
13-1/2 pica
art:0000492-D
Console-mounted automatic transaxle shift control lever
%*
[GF06200(ALL)01/96]
R (Reverse)
*
[GF06300(ALL)01/96]
With the gearshift in the R (Reverse) position, the vehicle will
move backward. You should always come to a complete stop
before shifting into or out of R (Reverse).
*
[GF06400(ALL)01/96]
N (Neutral)
*
[GF06500(ALL)09/95]
In N (Neutral), the wheels of the transaxle are not locked. Your
vehicle will roll freely, even on the slightest incline, unless the
parking brake or brakes are on.
%*
[GF06600(ALL)03/96]
Driving
[GF06700(ALL)02/96]
Your vehicle's gearshift is console-mounted on the floor. The
Transaxle Control Switch (TCS) is located on the gearshift
handle. The transaxle control indicator light (O/D OFF) is
located on the instrument panel. You can put the gearshift lever
in any of the several positions.
[GF06800(ALL)02/96]
The O/D OFF light is off (not illuminated) during normal
vehicle operation. This allows the transaxle to upshift and
downshift from first through fourth gears. When the TCS is
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996