1997 FORD CONTOUR light

232
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[CS00900(ALL)01/96]
Vehicle Storage
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[CS01000(ALL)01/96]
Maintenance Tips
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[CS01100(ALL)01/96]
If you plan on storing your vehicle for an extended period of
time (60 days or more), refer to the following maintenance
recommendations to ensure your vehicle stays in good operating
condition.
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[CS01200(ALL)01/96]
General
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[CS01300(ALL)01/96]
n
Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated place.
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[CS01400(ALL)01/96]
n
Protect from sunlight, if possible.
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[CS01500(ALL)01/96]
n
If vehicles are stored outside, they require regular
maintenance to protect against rust and damage.
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[CS01600(ALL)01/96]
Body
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[CS01700(ALL)01/96]
n
Wash vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt, grease, oil, tar or
mud from exterior surfaces, rear wheel housing and
underside of front fenders.
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[CS01800(ALL)01/96]
n
Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed locations.
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[CS01900(ALL)01/96]
n
Touch-up raw or primed metal to prevent rust.
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[CS02000(ALL)01/96]
n
Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a thick coat of
auto wax to prevent discoloration. Re-wax as necessary when
the vehicle is washed.
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[CS02100(ALL)01/96]
n
Lubricate all hood, door and trunk lid hinges and latches
with a light grade oil.
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[CS02200(ALL)01/96]
n
Cover interior soft trim to prevent fading.
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[CS02300(ALL)01/96]
n
Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.
File:12cdcso.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:45 1996

234
%*
[CS03400(ALL)01/96]
Battery
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[CS03500(ALL)01/96]
n
Check and recharge as necessary.
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[CS03600(ALL)01/96]
n
Keep connections clean and covered with a light coat of
grease.
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[CS03700(ALL)12/95]
n
If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days without
recharging the battery, it may be advisable to disconnect the
battery cables to ensure battery charge is maintained for
quick starting.
%*
[CS03800(ALL)01/96]
Brakes
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[CS03900(ALL)01/96]
n
Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully released.
%*
[CS04000(ALL)01/96]
Tires
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[CS04100(ALL)01/96]
n
Maintain recommended air pressure.
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[CS04200(ALL)01/96]
Miscellaneous
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[CS04300(ALL)01/96]
n
Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and clevis pins under
vehicle are covered with grease to prevent rust.
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[CS04400(ALL)01/96]
n
Move vehicles at least 25 feet (10 m) every 15 days to
lubricate working parts to prevent corrosion.
File:12cdcso.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:45 1996

240
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[HS02425(ALL)04/96]
A warranty dispute must be submitted to the Dispute
Settlement Board before taking action under the Magnuson-Moss
Warranty Act, or to the extent allowed by state law, before
pursuing replacement or repurchase remedies provided by
certain state laws. This dispute handling procedure is not
required prior to enforcing state created rights or other rights
which are independent of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or
state replacement or repurchase laws.
%*
[HS02450(ALL)04/96]
The Dispute Settlement Board (U.S. only)
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[HS02475(ALL)04/96]
The Dispute Settlement Board is:
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[HS02500(ALL)04/96]
n
an independent, third-party arbitration program for warranty
disputes
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[HS02525(ALL)04/96]
n
available free to owners and lessees of qualifying Ford Motor
Company vehicles
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[HS02550(ALL)04/96]
The Dispute Settlement Board may not be available in all states.
Ford Motor Company reserves the right to change eligibility
limitations, modify procedures and/or discontinue this service
without notice and without incurring obligations.
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[HS02575(ALL)04/96]
What Kinds of Cases Does the Board Review?
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[HS02600(ALL)04/96]
The Board reviews all warranty performance complaints on
Ford, Mercury and Lincoln cars and Ford and Mercury light
trucks under the new vehicle limited warranty that have not
been resolved by either a dealer or Ford Motor Company,
except those involving:
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[HS02625(ALL)04/96]
n
a non-Ford product
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[HS02650(ALL)04/96]
n
a non-Ford dealership
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[HS02675(ALL)04/96]
n
a vehicle sales transaction
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[HS02700(ALL)04/96]
n
request for reimbursement of consequential expenses.
Expenses incidental to the warranty complaint being
reviewed are eligible for consideration
File:14cdhso.ex
Update:Fri May 24 08:39:27 1996

Index
271
A
ABS warning light (see Anti-lock brake system)...... 21
Accessory position on the ignition............. 56
Additives, engine oil.................. 184
Air bag supplemental restraint system........... 96
and child safety seats................ 102
description.................... 96,98
driver air bag................... 96,98
indicator light..................... 16
operation....................... 98
passenger air bag................... 98
service and information labels............. 98
tone generator................... 100
Air cleaner filter
location...................... 181
specifications.................... 229
Alarm, activating remote personal............. 81
Antenna, radio (see Electronic sound system)........ 44
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)............. 191
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description..................... 126
see also Brakes................... 125
warning light..................... 21
Anti-theft lug nuts and key............... 168
Appeals (see Dispute settlement board)......... 240
Assistance (see Customer assistance)........... 237
Audio system (see Electronic sound system)........ 23
Automatic transaxle
driving with.................... 130
fluid, adding.................... 197
fluid, checking................... 195
fluid, refill capacities................ 230
fluid, specification.................. 231
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:12:35 1996

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