1997 FORD CONTOUR belt

114
*
[SS18100(ALL)12/95]
Tether anchorage hardware(Canadian vehicles only)
[SS18200(ALL)12/95]
All vehicles built for sale in Canada include a tether anchor
hardware kit for use with child safety seats. Attachment holes
(at each rear seating position) have been provided in your
vehicle to attach the anchor hardware, if required. Additional
kits can be obtained at no charge from any Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
*
[SS18300(ALL)12/95]
Tether anchorage hardware(U.S. vehicles only)
[SS18400(ALL)12/95]
All vehicles built for sale in the USA do not include a tether
anchor hardware kit for use with child safety seats. However,
attachment holes (at each rear seating position) have been
provided in your vehicle to attach the tether anchor hardware.
If tether anchorage hardware is required for the child safety
seat, use only the tether anchor kit available at no charge from
any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer (Base part number 613D74).
%*
[SS18500(ALL)01/96]
Safety Belts for Children
*
[SS18600(ALL)01/96]
Children who are too large for child safety seats should always
wear safety belts. (See instructions with your child seat, or
contact its manufacturer, to determine maximum size of child
that will safely fit in the seat.)
*
[SS18700(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
If safety belts are not properly worn and adjusted as
described, the risk of serious injury to the child in a
collision will be much greater.
*
[SS18800(ALL)01/96]
If the shoulder belt portion of one of the lap and shoulder belts
can be positioned so that it does not cross or rest in front of the
child's face or neck, the child should wear the lap and shoulder
belt. Moving the child closer to the center of the vehicle may
help provide a good shoulder belt fit.
File:06cdsso.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:03:20 1996

Seating and Safety Restraints
115
*
[SS18900(ALL)01/96]
To improve the fit of lap and shoulder belts on children who
have outgrown child safety seats, Ford recommends use of a
belt-positioning booster seat that is labelled as conforming to all
Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Belt-positioning booster
seats raise the child and provide a shorter, firmer seating
cushion that encourages safer seating posture and better fit of
lap and shoulder belts on the child. A belt-positioning booster
should be used if the shoulder belt rests in front of the child's
face or neck, or if the lap belt does not fit snugly on both
thighs, or if the thighs are too short to let the child sit all the
way back on the seat cushion when the lower legs hang over
the edge of the seat cushion. You may wish to discuss the
specific needs of your child with your pediatrician.
*
[SS19000(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not use a belt-positioning booster with a lap-only
belt.
*
[SS19100(ALL)01/96]
Lap belts and the lap belt portion of lap and shoulder belts
should always be worn snugly and below the hips, touching the
child's thighs.
*
[SS19200(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Children should always ride with the seatback in the
fully upright position.
File:06cdsso.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:03:20 1996

117
Starting
%*
[TO00200(ALL)01/96]
Fuel-Injected Engines
*
[TO00300(ALL)01/96]
When starting a fuel-injected engine,the most important thing
to remember is to avoid pressing down on the accelerator
before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you
have problems getting your vehicle started. SeeStarting Your
Enginein this chapter for details about when to use the
accelerator while you start your vehicle.
*
[TO00400(ALL)01/96]
Starting Your Vehicle
%*
[TO00500(ALL)01/96]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
*
[TO00600(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other
enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the engine.
*
[TO00700(ALL)01/96]
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
*
[TO00800(ALL)01/96]1.
Make sure all occupants in the vehicle buckle their safety
belts. SeeSafety Restraintsin the Index for more details.
*
[TO00900(ALL)12/95]2.
Make sure your headlamps and other accessories are turned
off and the parking brake is set.
[TO01000(ALL)12/95]3.
If you have a manual transaxle,make sure that the parking
brake is fully set, push the clutch pedal to the floor, and put
the gearshift into Neutral before you turn the key.
(Remember, the starter will operate only if the clutch pedal
is pushed all the way to the floor.)
[TO02000(ALL)12/95]
If you have an automatic transaxle,make sure that the
gearshift is in P (Park) and the parking brake is set before
you turn the key.
*
[TO02100(ALL)02/96]
Before you start your vehicle, you should test the warning lights
on the instrument panel to make sure that they work. Refer to
theInstrumentationchapter.
File:08cdtoo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:03:39 1996

Maintenance and Care
205
%*
[MC19500(ALL)01/96
]
Replacing the Tires
*
[MC19600(ALL)01/96]
Replace any tires that show wear bands. When your tire shows
a wear band, it has only 1/16 inch (2 mm) of tread left.
[MC19700(ALL)12/95]
7-1/2 pica art:0001317-A
A worn-out tire
*
[MC19800(ALL)02/96]
Because your vehicle's tires may wear unevenly, you may need
to replace them before a wear band appears across the entire
tread.
*
[MC19900(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial,
bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that
are listed on the tire pressure decal. Make sure that all
tires are the same size, speed rating, and load-carrying
capacity. Use only the tire combinations recommended on
the decal. If you do not follow these precautions, your
vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
*
[MC20000(ALL)01/96]
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires
may also affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
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.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

273
Index
Brakes (continued)
power braking................... 125
servicing...................... 188
stopping distances.................. 145
trailer....................... 143
when storing your vehicle.............. 234
Brake-shift interlock.................. 131
Break-in period..................... 5
Brights (high beams)................... 15
Bulbs, replacing.................... 219
halogen...................... 220
headlamps..................... 220
high-mount brakelamp................ 222
specifications.................... 223
C
Canada, customer assistance.............. 244
Canada, warranty information.............. 3
Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP) . . . 245
Capacities for refilling fluids.............. 230
Carbon monoxide in exhaust.............. 123
Car seats for children (see Child safety seats)...... 102
Cassette tape player (see Electronic sound system) . . . 38, 42
Catalytic converter................... 216
Chains, tires...................... 208
Changing a tire.................... 161
Charging system warning light.............. 14
Childproof locks..................... 71
Child safety restraints................. 100
child safety belts.................. 114
child safety seats.................. 102
Child safety seats................... 102
and air bags.................... 102
attaching with tether straps............. 113
automatic locking mode (retractor).........91,102
in front seat..................102, 104
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996

274
Child safety seats (continued)
in rear outboard seat................ 102
in rear seat..................... 102
tether anchorage hardware.............. 114
Chime
headlamps on.................... 16
key in ignition.................... 58
safety belt...................... 12
Circuit breakers, checking and replacing......... 160
Cleaning your vehicle................. 224
CD player and discs.................. 33
chrome and aluminum parts............. 225
engine compartment................. 227
exterior...................... 224
exterior lamps................... 226
fabric....................... 226
headlamps..................... 226
instrument panel................. 7,225
interior....................... 226
mirrors........................ 75
plastic parts.................... 225
polishing...................... 224
rear windows..................... 52
rustproofing.................... 225
safety belts..................... 225
tail lamps..................... 226
upholstery and interior trim............. 226
washing...................... 224
waxing....................... 224
wheels....................... 227
Climate control system.................. 47
Clock.......................... 55
Clutch........................ 136
fluid reservoir................... 188
operation while driving............... 136
shifting the gears.................. 136
specifications.................... 231
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 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