1997 FORD CONTOUR wheel

Roadside Emergencies
163
[ER06700(ALL)12/95]
17-1/2 pica
art:0000531-B
The temporary spare tire
%*
[ER06800(ALL)03/96]
Preparing to Change the Tire
*
[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.
*
[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.
File:10cdero.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996

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.
*
[ER07200(ALL)01/96]2.
Get out the spare tire and jack.
*
[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.
File:10cdero.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996

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.
*
[ER08300(ALL)03/96]3.
Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure that the
air valve stem is facing outward.
*
[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.
File:10cdero.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996

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
*
[ER08800(ALL)03/96]7.
Place any wheel covers and ornaments in the trunk.
*
[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.
File:10cdero.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996

168
%*
[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.
*
[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
*
[ER09900(ALL)12/95]
Removing the anti-theft lug nut
*
[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.
File:10cdero.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996

Roadside Emergencies
175
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[ER13900(ALL)01/96]
When calling for a tow truck, tell the operator what kind of
vehicle you have. A towing manual is available from Ford
Motor Company for all authorized tow truck operators. Have
your tow truck driver refer to this manual for the proper
hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
*
[ER14000(ALL)12/95]
Towing Your Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
*
[ER14100(ALL)12/95]
At times, you may want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle, a car, or a truck.
*
[ER14200(ALL)12/95]
Before you have your vehicle towed:
*
[ER14300(ALL)01/96]
n
Release the parking brake.
*
[ER14400(ALL)12/95]
n
Move the gearshift to N (Neutral).
[ER14500(ALL)12/95]
n
Turn the ignition to the OFF position.
*
[ER14600(ALL)12/95]
n
Unlock the steering wheel.
[ER14700(ALL)12/95]
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed faster than 35 mph
(55 km/h) or for a distance greater than 50 miles (80 km)
unless the drive wheels are placed on dollies.
[ER14800(ALL)12/95]
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed faster than 55 mph
(90 km/h) if you have a manual transaxle. Your maximum
towing distance is unlimited.
*
[ER14900(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Never use a tow bar that attaches to the bumper when
you tow your vehicle. This could damage the bumper
and cause an accident.
File:10cdero.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996

Maintenance and Care
179
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[MC02200(ALL)01/96]
Working with the engine off:
[MC02300(ALL)12/95]1.
Set the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift
is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or 1
(First) gear (manual transaxle).
*
[MC02400(ALL)01/96]2.
Remove the key from the ignition after you turn the engine
off.
*
[MC02500(ALL)01/96]3.
Block the wheels. This will prevent your vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
*
[MC02600(ALL)01/96]
Working with the engine on:
*
[MC02700(ALL)01/96]1.
Set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or Neutral
(manual transaxle).
*
[MC02800(ALL)01/96]2.
Block the wheels. This will prevent your vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
*
[MC02900(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed
and do not remove it while the engine is running.
*
[MC03000(ALL)12/95]
If the battery is disconnected, the computer must relearn its idle
control. SeeBatteryin the Index.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996

Maintenance and Care
207
*
[MC21750(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
braking (straightahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
*
[MC21800(ALL)01/96]
Temperature A B C
*
[MC21900(ALL)05/96]
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level
of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
*
[MC21925(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a
tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
*
[MC21950(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Driving too fast for conditions creates the possibility of
loss of vehicle control. Driving at very high speeds for
extended periods of time may result in damage to vehicle
components.
File:11cdmco.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996