1997 FORD CONTOUR steering

Controls and Features
63
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[CF14700(ALL)05/96]
Tilt Steering (If equipped)
[CF14800(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Never adjust the steering column/wheel when the vehicle
is moving. You could lose control of the vehicle and
injure someone.
[CF14900(ALL)05/96]
17-1/2 pica
art:0000269-D
The lever to tilt the steering wheel
[CF15000(ALL)05/96]
To change the position of the steering wheel, pull down the
knob on the bottom left-hand side of the column to extend the
lever. Pull the lever toward you, unlocking the column.
[CF15100(ALL)05/96]
Move the steering wheel up or down until you find the position
you prefer. Push the lever away from you, locking the column
in position. When you release the knob, the lever will retract.
File:05cdcfo.ex
Update:Fri Sep 13 08:48:17 1996

64
%*
[CF15200(ALL)03/96]
Speed Control (If equipped)
[CF15225(ALL)02/96]
10-1/2 pica
art:0000262-D
The speed control switches on the steering wheel
*
[CF15250(ALL)05/96]
To Turn Speed Control On
[CF15275(ALL)05/96]
Press the on button.
*
[CF15300(ALL)05/96]
The speed of the vehicle cannot be automatically controlled until
the vehicle speed is at or above 30 mph (48 km/h).
*
[CF15600(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Do not use the speed control in heavy traffic or on roads
that are winding, slippery, or unpaved.
[CF15650(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Do not shift to N (Neutral) with the speed control on.
%*
[CF15675(ALL)05/96]
To Turn Speed Control Off
*
[CF15701(ALL)03/96]
Press the OFF switch.
*
[CF15800(ALL)05/96]
To Set a Speed
[CF15901(ALL)05/96]
With the speed control on, press the Set Accel switch to set and
store the instantaneous vehicle speed.
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

Seating and Safety Restraints
97
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[SS09801(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should
always wear their safety belts, failure to do so may
increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a
collision.
*
[SS09901(ALL)04/96]
RWARNING
The right front passenger air bag is not designed to
restrain occupants in the center front seating position.
*
[SS10001(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the
air bag covers that may come into contact with an
inflating air bag. Failure to follow these instructions may
increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a
collision.
*
[SS10101(ALL)03/96]
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.
*
[SS10201(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
If you are close to an inflating air bag, it could seriously
injure you. Position your seat such that it is as far back
from the steering wheel as possible but still allows you
to properly control the vehicle.
File:06cdsso.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:03:20 1996

118
%*
[TO02200(ALL)01/96]
Starting Your Engine
*
[TO02300(ALL)01/96]
To start your engine:
*
[TO02400(ALL)01/96]1.
Follow the steps underPreparing to Start Your Vehicleat the
beginning of this section.
*
[TO02500(ALL)01/96]2.
Keep your foot on the brake pedal and turn the ignition key
to the ON position.
*
[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.
*
[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.
*
[TO02800(ALL)01/96]
If you have difficulty in turning the key, rotate the steering
wheel slightly because it may be binding.
%*
[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.
File:08cdtoo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:03:39 1996

125
Driving
*
[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.
*
[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
*
[GF00500(ALL)12/95]
n
a manual transaxle.
*
[GF00600(ALL)12/95]
If you are not sure which transaxle your vehicle has, talk to
your dealer.
*
[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.
%*
[GF00800(ALL)01/96]
Brakes
%*
[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.
*
[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.
*
[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.
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

Driving
129
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[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

130
%*
[GF03900(ALL)01/96]
Steering Your Vehicle
%*
[GF04000(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle comes with power steering. Power steering uses
energy from the engine to help steer your vehicle.
%*
[GF04100(ALL)03/96]
If the amount of effort needed to steer your vehicle changes at a
constant vehicle speed, have the power steering system checked.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is
turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually but it takes more
effort.
*
[GF04200(ALL)01/96]
Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or left for
more than five seconds if the engine is running. This can
damage the power steering pump.
%*
[GF04300(ALL)01/96]
Driving with an Automatic Overdrive
Transaxle
[GF04400(ALL)12/95]
Your automatic overdrive transaxle provides fully automatic
operation in either D (Overdrive) or with the transaxle control
switch depressed. Driving with the shift selector in D
(Overdrive) gives the best fuel economy for normal driving
conditions. For manual control, start in 1 (First) and then shift
manually.
%*
[GF04500(ALL)02/96]
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
[GF04600(ALL)12/95]
You must push in the thumb button to move the gearshift to
the position you choose.
*
[GF04700(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift
lever from position to position. If you do not hold the
brake pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly
and injure someone.
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996