1997 FORD CONTOUR high beam

Instrumentation
15
*
[IS03850(ALL)04/96]
If you lose engine oil pressure:
*
[IS03900(ALL)04/96]1.
Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
*
[IS04000(ALL)03/96]2.
Shut off the engine immediately. If you do not stop the
engine as soon as safely possible, severe engine damage
could result.
*
[IS04100(ALL)12/95]3.
Check the engine's oil level, following the instructions on
checking and adding engine oil in this Owner Guide. (See
Engine oilin the Index.) If you do not follow these
instructions, engine damage could result. To ensure an
accurate reading, your vehicle should be on level ground.
*
[IS04200(ALL)12/95]4.
If the level is low, add only as much oil as necessary to
bring it to the full level before you start the engine again.
Do not overfill. Do not operate the engine if the light is on,
regardless of the oil level. Contact your nearest dealer for
further service actions.
%*
[IS04300(ALL)03/96]
High Beam Light
*
[IS04400(ALL)03/96]
This light illuminates when the headlamps are turned to high
beam or when you flash the lights.
[IS04500(ALL)12/95]
If the high beam light flashes in a vehicle equipped with the
Daytime Running Light (DRL) system (Canada), it indicates a
failure in the DRL circuit. Check the bulbs and fuses or have
the DRL system checked by your dealer or a qualified service
technician.
File:03cdiso.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 10:58:17 1996

Controls and Features
53
%*
[CF06000(ALL)08/95]
Fog Lamps (If equipped)
[CF06100(ALL)12/95]
The fog lamps act as a supplement to the low beam headlamps
under limited visibility conditions such as rain, snow, dust or
fog.
[CF06200(ALL)12/95]
The fog lamps operate only when the low beam headlamps are
on. To operate the fog lamps, turn the headlamp control knob
to the second position (headlamps on) and pull the knob out.
An indicator lamp will glow when the fog lamps are on.
[CF06300(ALL)12/95]
To turn off, push the headlamp control knob in.
*
[CF06400(ALL)03/96]
To maximize fog lamp bulb life, it is recommended that the fog
lamp switch be turned off after each use prior to turning off the
headlamps.
%*
[CF06500(ALL)03/96]
Daytime Running Light System
*
[CF06600(ALL)03/96]
(Canadian vehicles only)
*
[CF06700(ALL)01/96]
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system is designed to turn
the high beam headlamps on, with a reduced light output and
without illuminating the high beam indicator lamp in the
instrument panel. The DRL system operates when all of the
following conditions are met:
[CF06750(ALL)04/96]
n
The vehicle's parking brake is fully released.
[CF06800(ALL)04/96]
n
The vehicle is ªrunning.º
[CF06900(ALL)04/96]
n
The headlamp system is in the OFF position.
*
[CF07000(ALL)03/96]
The high beam indicator light on the instrument cluster will not
be on.
[CF07100(ALL)12/95]
A flashing high beam light in the instrument cluster indicates a
failure in the DRL system circuit, like a burnt bulb or fuse.
File:05cdcfo.ex
Update:Fri Sep 13 08:48:17 1996

Controls and Features
59
%*
[CF11950(ALL)02/96]
The Turn Signal Lever
*
[CF11975(ALL)02/96]
You can use the turn signal lever on the left side of the steering
column to:
*
[CF12000(ALL)02/96]
n
operate the turn signals and cornering lamps
*
[CF12100(ALL)03/96]
n
turn the high beams on/off
*
[CF12200(ALL)03/96]
n
flash the lamps
%*
[CF12300(ALL)01/96]
Turn Signals
[CF12400(ALL)12/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001186-D
The turn signal lever
*
[CF12500(ALL)01/96]
Move the lever up to signal a right turn. Move it down to
signal a left turn. The corresponding indicator light in the
instrument cluster will flash.
*
[CF12600(ALL)01/96]
If the turn signal stays on after you turn, move the lever back
to the center (off) position.
*
[CF12700(ALL)01/96]
For lane changes, move the lever far enough to signal but not to
latch. The lever will return to the off position when you release
it.
File:05cdcfo.ex
Update:Fri Sep 13 08:48:17 1996

60
*
[CF12800(ALL)08/95]
High Beams and Flashing the Lamps
[CF12900(ALL)12/95]
To turn on the high beams, turn the headlamp control knob to
the headlamp ON position and push the turn signal lever away
from you until it latches. When the high beams are on, the high
beam indicator light on the instrument cluster comes on.
[CF13000(ALL)12/95]
To turn off the high beams, pull the lever back to the off
position.
*
[CF13100(ALL)01/96]
To flash the headlamps, pull the lever toward you for a moment
and then release it. The headlamps will flash whether the
headlamp knob is in the on or off position.
%*
[CF13200(ALL)01/96]
Windshield Wipers and Washer
[CF13300(ALL)04/96]
To turn on the windshield wipers, the ignition key must be
turned to the ON position.
[CF13400(ALL)12/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001189-D
Using the windshield wiper
[CF13500(ALL)12/95]
The windshield wipers can be set on high, low speed or interval
wipe. Turn the ring on the lever to set a longer or shorter pause
between wiping cycles.
File:05cdcfo.ex
Update:Fri Sep 13 08:48:17 1996

220
*
[MC35000(ALL)01/96]
n
turn signals
*
[MC35100(ALL)01/96]
n
side markers
*
[MC35200(ALL)05/96]
n
license plate lamps
%*
[MC35300(ALL)01/96
]
The alignment of your headlamps should be checked if:
*
[MC35400(ALL)01/96]
n
oncoming motorists frequently signal you to turn off your
vehicle's high beams when you do not have the high beams
on
*
[MC35500(ALL)01/96]
n
the headlamps do not seem to give you enough light to see
clearly at night
[MC35600(ALL)04/96]
n
the headlamps are not aligned so that they point slightly
down and to the right.
%*
[MC35700(ALL)01/96
]
Headlamp Bulb
[MC35800(ALL)12/95]
The headlamps on your vehicle use replaceable bulbs, one for
high beam and one for low beam on each side. When the lamp
burns out, simply replace the bulb, rather than the whole lamp.
*
[MC35900(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep out
of children's reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic
base and do not touch the glass. The oil from your hand
could cause the bulb to break the next time the
headlamps are operated.
*
[MC36000(ALL)01/96]
Do not remove the burned-out bulb unless you can immediately
replace it with a new one. If a bulb is removed for an extended
period of time, contaminants may enter the headlamp housing
and affect its performance.
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

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