1997 FORD CONTOUR warning light

272
B
Backing up...................... 137
Basic vehicle warranty.................. 3
Battery........................ 198
acid, treating emergencies............169, 199
charging system warning light............. 14
disconnecting.................... 173
how to service................... 198
jumping a disabled battery.............. 169
maintenance-free.................. 198
proper disposal, recycling.............. 199
replacement, specifications.............. 229
servicing...................... 198
when storing your vehicle.............. 234
Brake fluid...................... 188
brake warning light.................. 13
checking and adding................ 188
description..................... 188
specifications.................... 231
Brakelamp...................... 222
bulb replacement.................. 222
high-mount brakelamp............... 222
Brakes........................ 125
adjustment..................... 125
anti-lock...................... 126
anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning light....... 21
applying the brakes................. 125
brake warning light.................. 13
fluid, checking and adding.............. 188
fluid, refill capacities..............188, 230
fluid, specifications................. 231
front disc...................... 125
if brakes do not grip well.............. 125
master cylinder................... 188
new brake linings................... 5
noise......................125±126
parking...................... 128
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 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

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

277
Index
Engine coolant (continued)
checking and adding................ 191
disposal...................... 178
low coolant warning light............... 22
preparing for storage................ 233
proper solution................... 178
recovery reservoir.................. 191
refill capacities................... 230
specifications.................... 231
temperature gauge.................. 19
Engine coolant temperature gauge............. 19
description...................... 19
Engine fan...................... 178
Engine:
idle speed control.................. 121
Engine knocking.................... 212
Engine oil....................... 184
changing oil and oil filter.............. 187
checking and adding................ 185
dipstick...................... 185
disposal...................... 178
engine oil pressure warning light............ 14
filter, specifications................. 229
refill capacities................... 230
specifications..................184, 231
synthetic oil.................... 184
ªbreak-inº oils.................... 5
viscosity...................... 184
Entry system
remote........................ 79
Exhaust fumes..................... 123
Extended Service Plan, Ford............... 4
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996

280
Gearshift
automatic operation................. 130
column-mounted.................. 130
floor-mounted................... 136
locking the gearshift.................. 56
positions....................130, 136
shifting the gears................130, 136
shift-lock...................... 131
Gearshift:
shifting the gears................130, 136
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating).......... 139
calculating..................... 140
definition...................... 139
driving with a heavy load.............. 139
location...................... 139
H
Hazard flashers................... 62,149
Headlamps
bulb specification.................. 223
checking alignment................. 220
cleaning...................... 226
daytime running lights................ 53
replacing bulbs.................219±220
turning on and off.................. 52
warning chime.................... 16
Head restraints..................... 83
High beams
indicator light.................... 15
operation....................... 60
High-mount brakelamp................ 222
description..................... 222
replacing the bulb.................. 222
Hitch......................... 143
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

284
P
Panic alarm feature, remote entry system......... 81
Parking brake..................... 128
operation...................... 128
warning light..................... 13
Parts (see Motorcraft Parts)............... 229
PCV valve, specifications................ 229
Power door locks.................... 72
Power features
antenna....................... 44
door locks...................... 72
mirrors........................ 74
moon roof...................... 67
seats......................... 85
windows....................... 73
Power steering
dipstick...................... 194
driving with power steering............. 130
fluid, checking and adding.............. 194
fluid, refill capacity................. 230
fluid, specifications................. 231
Prop rod, hood.................... 180
R
Radio (see Electronic sound systems)........... 23
Rear window...................... 73
Refill capacities for fluids............... 230
Regulations, National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration.............. 235
Remote entry system.................. 79
locking/unlocking doors................ 80
opening the trunk................... 80
panic alarm..................... 81
replacement/additional transmitters........... 82
replacing the batteries................. 81
Reporting safety defects................ 235
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996