1997 FORD CONTOUR Owners Manual

Roadside Emergencies
163
[ER06700(ALL)12/95]
17-1/2 pica
art:0000531-B
The temporary spare tire
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[ER06800(ALL)03/96]
Preparing to Change the Tire
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[ER06900(ALL)01/96]1.
Make sure that your vehicle will not move or roll. If you
have an automatic transaxle, put the gearshift in P (Park). If
you have a manual transaxle, put the gearshift in 1 (First).
Set the parking brake and block the wheel that is diagonally
opposite the tire that you are changing.
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[ER07000(ALL)12/95]
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transaxle
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off
the jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Automatic) or 1 (Manual).
To prevent the vehicle from moving when you change one of
the front tires, put a block behind the wheel that is diagonally
opposite the tire.
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164
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[ER07100(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else
could be seriously injured.
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[ER07200(ALL)01/96]2.
Get out the spare tire and jack.
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[ER07300(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine with one wheel off
the ground, such as when changing a tire.
[ER07400(ALL)12/95]3.
Remove the wheel cover from the wheel with the tapered
end of the wheel lug wrench. Insert and twist the handle,
then pry against the inner wheel cover flange. For
information about removing optional wheel center ornaments
seeStyled Polycast Wheel Ornamentslater in this section.
[ER07500(ALL)12/95]4.
Loosen the wheel lug nuts by pulling up on the handle of
the wrench one-half turn counterclockwise. Do not remove
the wheel lug nuts until you raise the tire off the ground.
For information about removing anti-theft lug nuts, see
Anti-Theft Wheel Lug Nutslater in this section.
%*
[ER07600(ALL)01/96]
Removing and Replacing the Tire
[ER07700(ALL)12/95]1.
Place the scissors-type jack under the side of the vehicle and
adjust the jack height with the jack handle. The jack should
fit in the notch in the vertical rocker panel flange which is
nearest to the wheel to be changed. The front and rear
jacking notches on each side of the vehicle are marked by
arrows in the rocker panel.
[ER07800(O )02/96]
On sport models with ªskirts,º you must remove a portion
of the skirt before placing the jack under the vehicle.
Squeeze the removeable portion of the skirt and pull down.
A tether connects it to the rocker panel.
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Roadside Emergencies
165
[ER07900(O )02/96]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001300-A
Sports models with skirts
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[ER08000(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
To lessen the risk of personal injury, do not put any part
of your body under the vehicle while changing a tire. Do
not start the engine when your vehicle is on the jack.
The jack is only meant for changing the tire.
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166
[ER08100(ALL)12/95]
17-1/2 pica art:0000528-E
The notches for the jack
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[ER08200(ALL)12/95]2.
Turn the jack handle clockwise until the wheel clears the
ground. Remove the wheel lug nuts.
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[ER08300(ALL)03/96]3.
Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure that the
air valve stem is facing outward.
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[ER08400(ALL)03/96]4.
Reinstall the lug nuts, tightening until the wheel is snug
against the hub. The beveled edges on the lug nuts face
inward. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until you lower the
vehicle. If you do, you could force the vehicle off the jack.
*
[ER08500(ALL)03/96]5.
Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise.
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Roadside Emergencies
167
*
[ER08600(ALL)03/96]6.
Remove the jack and fully tighten the lug nuts in the order
shown in the following illustration. As soon as possible, have
your dealer or a qualified service technician check the lug
nuts for proper torque specifications.
[ER08700(ALL)12/95]
13-1/2 pica
art:0000498-D
The lug nuts on the wheel
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[ER08800(ALL)03/96]7.
Place any wheel covers and ornaments in the trunk.
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[ER08900(ALL)03/96]8.
Put the tire, jack, and wrench away. Make sure the jack is
securely fastened so it does not rattle when you drive.
*
[ER09000(ALL)03/96]9.
Unblock the wheels.
[ER09100(ALL)12/95]
Removing and Replacing Styled Polycast Wheel
Ornaments
[ER09200(ALL)12/95]
To remove a wheel ornament, insert the tapered end of the jack
handle between the ornament and wheel and pry the ornament
from the wheel.
[ER09300(ALL)12/95]
To install the polycast wheel center ornament, you should insert
one side of the ornament into the center of the wheel opening
and strike the opposite side with the palm of your hand until
the ornament is seated in the opening.
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168
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[ER09400(ALL)01/96]
Anti-Theft Wheel Lug Nuts (If equipped)
[ER09500(ALL)12/95]
If your vehicle has this option, one of the lug nuts on each
wheel locks and must be unlocked with a special key. If you
lose the key, send the registration card to the manufacturer (not
to the dealer) to get a replacement key.
[ER09600(ALL)12/95]
NOTE: If you lose your lug wrench/lug nut key assembly, see
your nearest Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer who has
access to a master set of keys.
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[ER09700(ALL)12/95]
NOTE: DO NOT USE A POWER IMPACT WRENCH ON
THE LUG NUT KEY.
[ER09800(ALL)12/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0000529-B
The anti-theft lug nut and key
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[ER09900(ALL)12/95]
Removing the anti-theft lug nut
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[ER10000(ALL)02/96]
Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Make sure that you
hold the key square to the lug nut. If you hold the key on an
angle, you may damage the key and the lug nut.
*
[ER10100(ALL)12/95]
Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and apply
pressure on the key with the wrench. Turn the wrench in a
counterclockwise direction to remove the lug nut.
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Roadside Emergencies
169
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[ER10200(ALL)12/95]
Reinstalling the anti-theft lug nut
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[ER10300(ALL)12/95]
Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Place the lug nut
wrench over the lug nut key and, while applying pressure on
the key, install the lug nut.
%*
[ER10400(ALL)02/96]
Jump-Starting Your Vehicle
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[ER10500(ALL)02/96]
Your vehicle's battery may die if you leave the lights on or any
electrical equipment on after you turn the engine off. If this
happens, you may be able to jump-start your vehicle with a
booster battery.
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[ER10600(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to
flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result
in injury or vehicle damage.
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[ER10700(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
To protect yourself when charging a battery, always
shield your face and eyes. Make sure that you can
breathe fresh air.
%*
[ER10800(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Applying too much pressure on the ends when lifting a
battery could cause acid to spill. Lift the battery with a
carrier or with your hands on the opposite corners.
%*
[ER10900(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns skin, eyes,
and clothing.
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170
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[ER11000(ALL)02/96]
If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or clothing,
immediately flush the area with water for at least 15 minutes. If
someone swallows the acid, have him or her drink lots of milk
or water first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or vegetable
oil. Call a doctor immediately.
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[ER11100(ALL)02/96]
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery, and to avoid
injury to yourself, follow these directions for preparing your
vehicle to jump-start and connecting the jumper cables in the
order they are given. If in doubt, call for road service.
%*
[ER11200(ALL)02/96]
Preparing Your Vehicle
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[ER11300(ALL)02/96]1.
Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so you need to
use a 12-volt jumper system. You will damage your starting
motor, ignition system, and other electrical parts if you
connect them to a 24-volt power supply (either two 12-volt
batteries in series or a 24-volt generator set).
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[ER11400(ALL)02/96]2.
Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle. You
could damage the vehicle's electrical system.
*
[ER11500(ALL)02/96]3.
Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled
vehicle.Make sure the vehicles do not touch each other.Set
the parking brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
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[ER11600(ALL)02/96]4.
Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive
corrosion before you attach the jumper cables.
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[ER11700(ALL)03/96]5.
Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles. Press the DEFROST
button. Turn off all other switches and gauges.
File:10cdero.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996