1997 FORD CONTOUR towing

237
Customer Assistance
%*
[HS00205(ALL)06/94]
Roadside Assistance
*
[HS00210(ALL)11/95]
Ford Motor Company has set up a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week
hotline with trained operators who put you in touch with the
help you need if you experience a problem with your vehicle.
This complimentary service is provided to you throughout your
warranty period of 3 years or 36,000 miles (60,000 km),
whichever comes first. To purchase Roadside Assistance
coverages beyond this period (available through Ford Auto Club
in the United States or Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealers in
Canada), contact your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
Additional Roadside Assistance coverage is unavailable in
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
*
[HS00215(ALL)06/94]
Roadside Assistance will cover the following:
*
[HS00220(ALL)06/94]
n
Mount your spare if you have a flat tire.
*
[HS00225(ALL)06/94]
n
Jump-start your battery if it is dead.
*
[HS00230(ALL)06/94]
n
Unlock your vehicle if you are locked out.
*
[HS00235(ALL)06/94]
n
Bring you fuel if you run out.
*
[HS00240(ALL)06/94]
n
Tow your vehicle if you are stranded. Even non-warranty
related tows, like accidents or getting stuck in mud or snow,
are covered (some exclusions apply, such as impound towing
and repossession).
*
[HS00245(ALL)06/94]
How to use Roadside Assistance
*
[HS00250(ALL)06/94]
Your Roadside Assistance identification card can be found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in your glove compartment. Complete
the card and place it in your wallet for quick reference.
*
[HS00255(ALL)04/95]
To receive roadside assistance in the United States call
1-800-241-FORD (in Canada call 1-800-665-2006).
*
[HS00260(ALL)04/95]
Should you need to arrange for roadside assistance yourself,
Ford Motor Company will reimburse the reasonable cost. To
obtain information about reimbursement call 1-800-241-FORD (in
Canada call 1-800-665-2006).
File:14cdhso.ex
Update:Fri May 24 08:39:27 1996

275
Index
Cold engine starting.................. 118
Combination lap and shoulder belts............ 89
Compact disc player (see Electronic sound system)..... 24
Compact disc radio (see Electronic sound system)..... 24
Console, description................... 76
Controls, mirrors.................... 74
Convenience kit in cargo area.............. 162
Coolant (see Engine coolant).............. 191
checking and adding................ 191
preparing for storage................ 233
refill capacities................... 230
specifications.................... 231
temperature gauge.................. 19
warnings...................... 191
Cooling fan...................... 178
Crankcase ventilation filter............... 229
Customer Assistance Centre, Ford of Canada....... 244
D
Daytime running light system.............. 53
Defects, reporting................... 235
Defrost, rear window.................. 51
Dipstick....................... 185
automatic transaxle fluid............... 195
engine oil..................... 185
power steering fluid................. 194
Disabled vehicle (see Towing).............. 174
Doors......................... 71
lubricant specifications................ 231
Driving under special conditions............ 145
bad weather.................... 145
heavy load..................... 139
high water..................... 147
slippery roads................... 145
tips for safe driving................. 145
towing a trailer................... 141
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996

276
E
Electrical system
circuit breakers................... 160
fuses......................151, 159
relays....................... 151
Electronic radio with cassette (see Electronic
sound system).................. 38
Electronic sound system
antenna....................... 44
tuning the radio................. 25,39
warranty and service information............ 45
Electronic stereo cassette radio (see Electronic
sound system).................. 38
Electronic stereo radio (see Electronic sound system).... 38
Emergencies, roadside
assistance..................... 237
battery acid spills................169, 199
fuel........................ 213
jump-starting.................... 169
towing....................... 174
Emergency brake (parking brake)............ 128
Emission control system................ 216
catalytic converter.................. 216
emissions warranty................ 3,216
Engine
check engine warning light.............. 18
does not start..................120, 149
fuel injected engine, starting...........117±118
fuel pump shut-off switch.............. 149
preparing to start.................. 117
refill capacities................... 230
service points.................... 181
starting...................... 118
starting after a collision............... 149
storing your vehicle................. 233
Engine block heater.................. 122
Engine coolant.................... 191
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996

282
L
Lamps
bulb replacement specifications chart......... 223
checking...................... 219
daytime running light system............. 53
dome lamps..................... 54
fog lamps...................... 53
hazard flashers.................. 62,149
headlamps...................... 52
high-mount brakelamp............... 222
instrument panel, dimming.............. 54
interior lamps.................. 52,54
replacing bulbs................... 219
trailer....................... 144
Lap belts........................ 93
Lights, warning and indicator
airbag........................ 16
anti-lock brakes (ABS)................. 21
brake........................ 13
charging system................... 14
check engine..................... 18
engine oil pressure.................. 14
high beam...................... 15
low coolant...................... 22
Overdrive off indicator (automatic transaxle only).... ??
safety belt...................... 12
turn signal indicator.................. 19
Load limits...................... 139
GAWR....................... 139
GVWR....................... 139
trailer towing.................... 141
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996

285
Index
Restraints, safety (see Safety restraints)
adult......................... 87
child........................ 100
head......................... 83
infant.....................100, 102
Roadside assistance.................. 237
Roadside emergencies................. 149
Rotating the tires................... 204
S
Safe driving tips.................... 145
Safety belts (see Safety restraints)............. 87
Safety chains, when towing a trailer........... 143
Safety Compliance Certification Label.......... 140
Safety defects, reporting................ 235
Safety information relating to automotive fuels...... 213
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts............ 89,92,94
automatic locking mode................ 91
automatic locking mode (retractor)........... 91
center front lap belt.................. 93
center rear lap belt.................. 93
cleaning the safety belts............... 225
dual locking mode retractors.............. 91
extension assembly.................. 94
for adults....................... 87
for children..................... 100
for infants...................100, 102
for pregnant women................87±88
head......................... 83
lap and shoulder belts............... 87,89
lap belt........................ 93
maintenance..................... 95
proper use...................... 87
replacement...................... 95
warning light and chime................ 12
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996

287
Index
Spark plugs, specifications............... 229
Special driving conditions............... 145
Specification chart, lubricants.............. 231
Speed control
turning off...................... 64
when towing a trailer................ 144
Speedometer...................... 20
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle............ 117
starting a cold engine................ 118
starting after a collision............... 149
starting a warm engine............... 120
starting your vehicle if the battery is disabled..... 169
Steering, power.................... 130
Steering wheel
horn......................... 62
locking........................ 56
tilting........................ 63
Storage compartments.................. 55
center console..................... 76
Storing your vehicle.................. 232
Sunroof (moon roof)................... 67
Sun visor........................ 70
Supplemental air bag readiness light........... 16
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)........... 96
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996

288
T
Tachometer....................... 21
Tail lamps
bulb replacement................219, 223
cleaning...................... 226
Temperature control (see Climate control)......... 47
Tether anchor installation (see Child restraints)...... 113
Tilt steering wheel.................... 63
Tires......................... 203
changing...................... 161
checking the pressure................ 203
cleaning...................... 227
inspection and maintenance............. 205
replacing...................... 205
rotating...................... 204
snow tires and chains................ 208
spare tire...................... 162
storing your vehicle................. 234
tire grades..................... 206
treadwear..................... 206
wear bands..................... 205
Towing a trailer (see Trailer towing).......... 141
Towing your vehicle.................. 174
using wheel dollies................. 174
with a tow truck.................. 174
Traction control.................... 129
Trailer towing..................... 141
calculating maximum trailer weight.......... 141
safety chains.................... 143
tips........................ 144
trailer brakes.................... 143
trailer lamps.................... 144
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996

290
W
Warm engine, starting................. 120
Warning chimes
headlamps on.................... 16
key in ignition.................... 58
safety belt...................... 12
Warning lights (see Lights)................ 9
Warranties....................... 3
basic......................... 3
Canada....................... 3
radio......................... 45
Warranty Information Booklet.............. 3
Washer fluid...................... 60
reservoir...................... 189
windshield..................... 189
Weight limits (GAWR, GVWR)............. 139
Wheel dollies (see Towing)............... 174
Wheels
anti-theft lugnuts.................. 168
cleaning...................... 227
covers....................... 164
inspection and maintenance............. 205
lug nuts...................... 163
Windows........................ 73
manual windows, operating.............. 73
power windows, operating............... 73
Windshield, washing................... 60
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996