1997 FORD CONTOUR tow

Driving
139
[GF11000(ALL)12/95]
Downshifting
*
[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.
*
[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.
*
[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.
%*
[GF11500(ALL)01/96]
Driving With a Heavy Load
*
[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.
%*
[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.
*
[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.
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Driving
141
*
[GF13200(ALL)12/95]
You can find the GVWR and GAWR on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label on the left front door lock facing or the door
latch post pillar.
*
[GF13300(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle exceeds the GVWR, remove cargo from your
vehicle accordingly. If your vehicle exceeds the GAWR for
either axle, shift the load or remove cargo accordingly.
*
[GF13400(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Improper distribution of your vehicle's load or carrying
weight in excess of the amount shown on the tire decal
can cause rapid tire wear or loss of vehicle control.
%*
[GF13500(ALL)01/96]
Trailer Towing
[GF13600(ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle is capable of towing a trailer of up to a maximum
of 1,000 lbs. (454 kg) gross trailer weight with a maximum
tongue load of 100 lbs (45 kg). It should also have 25 sq. ft. (2.3
sq. meters) or less frontal area. Do not drive faster than 55 mph
(90 km/h) while towing a 1,000 lb. (454 kg) trailer.
*
[GF13700(ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle does not come from the factory fully equipped to
tow. No towing packages are available through Ford or
Lincoln/Mercury dealers.
*
[GF13800(ALL)12/95]
Because towing a trailer puts extra strain on your vehicle, you
must follow certain precautions for your safety and the good of
your vehicle:
*
[GF13900(ALL)12/95]
n
Stay within the load limits when you tow. (SeeKnowing Your
Vehicle's Load Limits.)
*
[GF14000(ALL)01/96]
n
Carefully and thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing,
making sure to use the right equipment and to attach it
properly. (SeePreparing to Towin this chapter.)
*
[GF14100(ALL)01/96]
n
Use extra caution when driving your vehicle while you tow.
(SeeDriving while you towin this chapter.)
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142
*
[GF14200(ALL)01/96]
n
Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer.
(SeeServicing your vehicle if you towin this chapter.)
*
[GF14300(ALL)12/95]
Ten to 15% of the loaded trailer's weight should be on the
tongue. However, the tongue load should never exceed 10% of
the maximum weight that your vehicle can safely tow.
*
[GF14400(ALL)12/95]
New vehicles should be driven 2,000 miles (3,200 km) before
towing a trailer.
*
[GF14500(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and
could result in engine damage, transaxle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and personal injury.
*
[GF14600(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not tow a trailer when using a temporary spare tire.
*
[GF14700(ALL)12/95]
You should also limit your trailer's load when you tow in high
altitudes.
*
[GF14800(ALL)03/96]
Preparing to Tow
*
[GF14900(ALL)01/96]
For your safety and for the good of your vehicle, use the right
equipment for the type of trailer you tow. Also, make sure that
all towing equipment is properly attached to your vehicle. If
you are not certain that you are using the right equipment in
the proper manner, see your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
*
[GF15000(ALL)12/95]
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your vehicle's bumper. The
bumper is not designed to bear the load.
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144
*
[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.
%*
[GF16300(ALL)12/95]
Connecting the trailer's lights
*
[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.
*
[GF16500(ALL)12/95]
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you may cause
damage to the vehicle's lighting system.
%*
[GF16600(ALL)01/96]
Driving While You Tow
*
[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.
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Driving
145
[GF17000(ALL)12/95]
When you tow in steep hills, move the automatic transaxle to 1
(First) when descending. This will give more engine braking on
downgrades. The automatic transaxle will automatically
downshift to the proper gear on upgrades.
%*
[GF17100(ALL)01/96]
If you use the speed control while you are towing on very long,
steep grades, the speed control may shut off.
*
[GF17200(ALL)12/95]
Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
*
[GF17300(ALL)03/96]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your vehicle will need
to be serviced more frequently than usual. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedulebooklet for additional information.
%*
[GF17400(ALL)01/96]
Driving Under Special Conditions
%*
[GF17500(ALL)01/96]
Tips for Safe Driving
*
[GF17600(ALL)01/96]
As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and handle
differently from your previous vehicle. Use care until you
become accustomed to its various features and driving
characteristics.
*
[GF17700(ALL)01/96]
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits. Sudden
acceleration, deceleration, turning, or combinations of these
maneuvers can cause a vehicle to behave differently than
anticipated.
%*
[GF17800(ALL)01/96]
Driving in Bad Weather
%*
[GF17900(ALL)01/96]
Slippery roads
*
[GF18000(ALL)12/95]
On some slippery road surfaces, front-wheel drive may provide
better acceleration than rear-wheel drive. However, this does not
mean that your vehicle can stop any faster or any better than a
vehicle with rear-wheel drive. Exercise the same caution while
driving on slippery roads with your front-wheel drive vehicle as
you would with a rear-wheel drive vehicle.
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Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

Driving
147
*
[GF19000(ALL)12/95]
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.
%*
[GF19100(ALL)01/96]
High water
*
[GF19200(ALL)01/96]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you are sure that the
water is below the bottom of the wheel rims.
*
[GF19300(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF19400(ALL)01/96]
After you drive through the standing water, apply your brakes
gently several times as your vehicle moves slowly. This helps to
dry the brakes.
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150
[ER00700(ALL)04/96]
13-1/2 pica
art:0000530-D
The left-hand trim panel in the driver's footwell
*
[ER00800(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
If you see or smell fuel, do not reset the switch or try to
start your vehicle. Have all the passengers get out of the
vehicle and call the local fire department or a towing
service.
*
[ER00900(ALL)03/96]
If your engine cranks but does not start after a collision or
substantial jolt:
*
[ER01000(ALL)01/96]1.
Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
*
[ER01100(ALL)03/96]2.
Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
*
[ER01200(ALL)01/96]3.
If you do not see or smell fuel, push the red reset button
down. If the button is already set, you may have a different
mechanical problem.
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162
*
[ER05600(ALL)02/96]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire, DO NOT:
*
[ER05700(ALL)02/96]
n
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any circumstances.
*
[ER05800(ALL)02/96]
n
load your vehicle so that it is heavier than the maximum
vehicle load rating listed on the tire decal.
*
[ER05900(ALL)02/96]
n
tow a trailer.
*
[ER06000(ALL)02/96]
n
use tire chains on this tire.
*
[ER06100(ALL)02/96]
n
try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its
wheel.
*
[ER06200(ALL)02/96]
n
use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
*
[ER06300(ALL)02/96]
n
drive through an automatic car wash with this tire. Because
the temporary spare tire is smaller than a conventional tire,
it reduces the ground clearance. Your vehicle may get caught
in the rails and it could be damaged.
%*
[ER06400(ALL)02/96]
Spare Tire Location
*
[ER06500(ALL)12/95]
The spare tire is stored under the carpet on the floor of the
trunk.
[ER06600(ALL)12/95]
You will find additional instructions for the spare tire on the
wheel decal (located on the temporary spare wheel).
File:10cdero.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996