1997 FORD CONTOUR engine

Driving
147
*
[GF19000(ALL)12/95]
By moving the vehicle backward and forward, you may gain
enough momentum to move out of the spot. Do not rock the
vehicle for more than a few minutes. This may overheat the
engine, damage the transaxle, or damage the tires. If you are
still stuck after a minute or two of rocking, call for a tow truck.
%*
[GF19100(ALL)01/96]
High water
*
[GF19200(ALL)01/96]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you are sure that the
water is below the bottom of the wheel rims.
*
[GF19300(ALL)01/96]
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. You may
have limited traction or wet brakes, so allow extra stopping
distance because your vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.
*
[GF19400(ALL)01/96]
After you drive through the standing water, apply your brakes
gently several times as your vehicle moves slowly. This helps to
dry the brakes.
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

149
Roadside Emergencies
%*
[ER00195(ALL)03/96]
Hazard Flasher
*
[ER00200(ALL)01/96]
The flashers work whether your vehicle is running or not. The
flashers work for up to two hours when the battery is fully
charged and in good condition without draining the battery
excessively. If the flashers run for longer than two hours or if
the battery is not fully charged, the battery power can be
drained.
%*
[ER00300(ALL)01/96]
If the Engine Cranks but Does Not Start or
Does Not Start After a Collision
%*
[ER00400(ALL)01/96]
Fuel Pump Shut-Off Switch
*
[ER00500(ALL)03/96]
If the engine cranks but does not start or does not start even
after a small collision, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have
been activated. The shut-off switch is a device intended to stop
the fuel pump when your vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
[ER00600(ALL)04/96]
Once the shut-off switch is activated, you must reset the switch
by hand before you can start your vehicle. The switch is located
on the left-hand trim panel in the driver's footwell.
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150
[ER00700(ALL)04/96]
13-1/2 pica
art:0000530-D
The left-hand trim panel in the driver's footwell
*
[ER00800(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
If you see or smell fuel, do not reset the switch or try to
start your vehicle. Have all the passengers get out of the
vehicle and call the local fire department or a towing
service.
*
[ER00900(ALL)03/96]
If your engine cranks but does not start after a collision or
substantial jolt:
*
[ER01000(ALL)01/96]1.
Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
*
[ER01100(ALL)03/96]2.
Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
*
[ER01200(ALL)01/96]3.
If you do not see or smell fuel, push the red reset button
down. If the button is already set, you may have a different
mechanical problem.
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Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996

164
*
[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

Roadside Emergencies
165
[ER07900(O )02/96]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001300-A
Sports models with skirts
*
[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.
File:10cdero.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996

Roadside Emergencies
169
*
[ER10200(ALL)12/95]
Reinstalling the anti-theft lug nut
*
[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
*
[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.
*
[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.
*
[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
*
[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.
*
[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
*
[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).
*
[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.
*
[ER11600(ALL)02/96]4.
Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive
corrosion before you attach the jumper cables.
*
[ER11700(ALL)03/96]5.
Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles. Press the DEFROST
button. Turn off all other switches and gauges.
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Roadside Emergencies
171
%*
[ER11800(ALL)02/96]
Connecting the jumper cables
*
[ER11900(ALL)02/96]1.
Connect one end of the first jumper cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the discharged battery. (You can connect either
jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal, as long as you use
the same cable for both positive terminals.) Most jumper
cables have a red cable and a black cable. The red cable is
generally used for the positive terminals and the black for
the negative ones.
*
[ER12000(ALL)02/96]2.
Connect the other end of the first cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the booster battery.
*
[ER12100(ALL)02/96]3.
Connect one end of the second cable to the negative (s)
terminal of the booster battery Ð NOT to the discharged
battery.
*
[ER12200(ALL)01/96]4.
Connect the other end of the second cable to a good metallic
surface on the engine or frame of the disabled vehicle.
*
[ER12300(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Do not connect the end of the second cable to the
negative (s) terminal of the battery to be jumped. A
spark may cause an explosion of the gases that surround
the battery.
File:10cdero.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996