1997 FORD CONTOUR Owners Manual

220
*
[MC35000(ALL)01/96]
n
turn signals
*
[MC35100(ALL)01/96]
n
side markers
*
[MC35200(ALL)05/96]
n
license plate lamps
%*
[MC35300(ALL)01/96
]
The alignment of your headlamps should be checked if:
*
[MC35400(ALL)01/96]
n
oncoming motorists frequently signal you to turn off your
vehicle's high beams when you do not have the high beams
on
*
[MC35500(ALL)01/96]
n
the headlamps do not seem to give you enough light to see
clearly at night
[MC35600(ALL)04/96]
n
the headlamps are not aligned so that they point slightly
down and to the right.
%*
[MC35700(ALL)01/96
]
Headlamp Bulb
[MC35800(ALL)12/95]
The headlamps on your vehicle use replaceable bulbs, one for
high beam and one for low beam on each side. When the lamp
burns out, simply replace the bulb, rather than the whole lamp.
*
[MC35900(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep out
of children's reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic
base and do not touch the glass. The oil from your hand
could cause the bulb to break the next time the
headlamps are operated.
*
[MC36000(ALL)01/96]
Do not remove the burned-out bulb unless you can immediately
replace it with a new one. If a bulb is removed for an extended
period of time, contaminants may enter the headlamp housing
and affect its performance.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

Maintenance and Care
221
*
[MC36100(ALL)03/96]
Removing the headlamp bulb
*
[MC36200(ALL)01/96]1.
Make sure that the headlamp knob is in the OFF position.
*
[MC36300(ALL)01/96]2.
Lift the hood and find the bulb in the headlamp socket.
[MC36400(ALL)12/95]3.
Remove the bulb assembly by turning it clockwise and
pulling it out of the headlamp socket.
[MC36500(ALL)12/95]4.
Remove the L-shaped bulb by pressing the retaining clip at
the base of the electrical connector and sliding the bulb out.
*
[MC36600(ALL)03/96]
Installing the headlamp bulb
[MC36700(ALL)12/95]1.
Without touching the glass on the bulb, insert the new bulb.
You may want to protect the bulb by holding it with a piece
of cloth or paper towel. Make sure the retaining clip at the
base of the electrical connector locks.
[MC36800(ALL)12/95]2.
Insert the bulb assembly in the headlamp socket. Turn it
counterclockwise to lock it in place.
[MC36900(ALL)12/95]3.
Turn the headlamps on and make sure that they work
properly. If the headlamp was correctly aligned before you
changed the bulb, you should not need to align it again.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

222
%*
[MC37000(ALL)01/96
]
High-Mount Brakelamp Bulbs
[MC37100(ALL)12/95]
From the back seat, remove the back of the brakelamp
assembly. Depress the two retaining tabs on the ends of the
assembly and pull off the back.
[MC37200(ALL)12/95]
Turn the burned-out bulb counterclockwise and pull it out. Push
in the replacement bulb and turn it clockwise to lock it in the
socket. Replace the back of the brakelamp assembly, making
sure that the retaining tabs snap into place.
[MC37300(ALL)12/95]
17-1/2 pica
art:0000624-B
The high-mount brakelamp assembly
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

Maintenance and Care
223
%*
[MC37400(ALL)01/96
]
Using the Right Bulbs
[MC37500(O )02/96]
thirty-four pica
chart:0000383-JFile:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

224
%*
[MC37700(ALL)04/96]
Cleaning Your Vehicle
*
[MC37800(ALL)01/96]
Pollen, bird droppings and tree sap can damage the paint,
especially in hot weather. Wash your vehicle as often as
necessary to keep it clean.
*
[MC37900(ALL)01/96]
Take similar precautions if your vehicle is exposed to chemical
industrial fallout.
*
[MC38000(ALL)01/96]
Paint damage resulting from fallout is not related to a defect in
paint materials or workmanship and therefore is not covered by
warranty. Ford, however, believes that continual improvement
in customer satisfaction is a high priority. For this reason, Ford
has authorized its dealers to repair, at no charge to the owner,
the surfaces of new vehicles damaged by environmental fallout
within 12 months or 12,000 miles (20,000 km) of purchase,
whichever comes first. Customers may be required to bring their
vehicle in for inspection by a Ford representative.
%*
[MC38100(ALL)01/96
]
Washing and Polishing Your Vehicle
*
[MC38200(ALL)01/96]
Wash the outside of your vehicle, including the underside, with
a mild detergent.
*
[MC38300(ALL)01/96]
DO NOT:
*
[MC38400(ALL)01/96]
n
Wash your vehicle with hot water
*
[MC38500(ALL)01/96]
n
Wash your vehicle while it sits in direct sunlight
*
[MC38600(ALL)01/96]
n
Wash your vehicle while the body is hot
*
[MC38700(ALL)01/96]
Polish your vehicle to remove harmful deposits and protect the
finish.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

Maintenance and Care
225
%*
[MC38800(ALL)01/96
]
Cleaning Chrome and Aluminum Parts
*
[MC38900(ALL)01/96]
Wash chrome and aluminum parts with a mild detergent. Do
not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, fuel or strong detergents.
%*
[MC39000(ALL)01/96
]
Cleaning Plastic Parts
*
[MC39100(ALL)01/96]
Some of your vehicle's exterior trim parts are plastic. Clean with
a tar and road oil remover if necessary. Use a vinyl cleaner for
routine cleaning.
*
[MC39200(ALL)01/96]
Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or
petroleum-based cleaners.
%*
[MC39300(ALL)01/96
]
If you have your vehicle rustproofed, remove oversprayed
rustproofing with a tar and road oil remover. If rustproofing is
not removed from plastic and rubber parts, it can cause
deterioration.
%*
[MC39400(ALL)02/96
]
Cleaning the Safety Belts
*
[MC39500(ALL)02/96]
Clean the safety belts with any mild soap solution that is
recommended for cleaning upholstery or carpets. Do not bleach
or dye the belt webbing because this may weaken it.
*
[MC39600(ALL)12/95]
Clean the instrument panel lens and woodtone trim with a soft
cloth and a glass cleaner. Do not use paper towel or any
abrasive cleaner to clean either the lens or the woodtone trim as
these may cause scratches.
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226
%*
[MC39700(ALL)01/96
]
Cleaning the Exterior Lamps
*
[MC39800(ALL)01/96]
Do not use dry paper towel, chemical solvents or abrasive
cleaners to clean the lamps, as these may cause scratches or
crack the lamps.
%*
[MC39900(ALL)03/96
]
Cleaning the Seats
*
[MC40000(ALL)01/96]
Leather
*
[MC40100(ALL)01/96]
For routine cleaning, wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth.
For more thorough cleaning, wipe the surface with a leather and
vinyl cleaner or a mild soap.
%*
[MC40200(ALL)01/96
]
Fabric
*
[MC40300(ALL)01/96]
Remove dust and loose dirt with a whisk broom or a vacuum
cleaner. Remove fresh spots immediately. Follow the directions
that come with the cleaner.
*
[MC40400(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: Before using any cleaner, test it on a small, hidden
area of fabric. If the fabric's color or texture is
adversely affected by a particular cleaner, do not use
it.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

Maintenance and Care
227
*
[MC40500(ALL)01/96]
Cleaning the Engine
*
[MC40600(ALL)01/96]
A clean engine is more efficient because a buildup of grease and
dirt acts as an insulator, keeping the engine warmer than usual.
*
[MC40700(ALL)01/96]
n
Extreme care must be used if a power washer is used to
clean the engine. The high pressure fluid could penetrate
sealed parts and assemblies causing damage or malfunctions.
*
[MC40800(ALL)04/96]
n
In order to avoid possible cracking of the engine block or
fuel injection pump, do not spray a hot engine or injection
pump with cold water.
*
[MC40900(ALL)04/96]
n
The alternator, distributor and air intake must be covered.
Covering these components will help prevent water damage.
*
[MC41000(ALL)01/96]
n
Never wash or rinse the engine while it is running. Water
getting into the engine may cause internal damage.
%*
[MC41100(ALL)03/96
]
Cleaning the Wheels
*
[MC41200(ALL)03/96]
Wash the wheels with the same detergent you use to wash your
vehicle's body. Do not use acid-based wheel cleaners, steel wool,
abrasives, fuel, or strong detergents. These substances will
damage protective coatings. Use tar and road oil remover to
remove grease and tar.
*
[MC41300(ALL)03/96]
NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if the brushes are
abrasive.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996