1997 FORD CONTOUR warning lights

Instrumentation
9
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In your vehicle, the warning lights and gauges are grouped
together on the instrument panel. We call this grouping a
cluster. Your vehicle has one of the following clusters:
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Standard Cluster
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Sport Cluster
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If you are not sure which cluster your vehicle has, check the
diagrams on the following pages.
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12
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Standard Cluster
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The following warning lights and gauges are on the standard
cluster. All of the warning lights and gauges alert you to
possible problems with your vehicle. The following sections
detail what each of these indicators means.
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Indicator Lights and Chimes
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Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime
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This warning light and chime remind you to fasten your safety
belt. The following conditions will take place:
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If the driver's safety belt is not buckled when the ignition is
turned to the ON position, the light will turn on for 1 to 2
minutes and the chime will sound for 4 to 8 seconds.
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If the driver's safety belt is buckled while the light is on or
the chime is sounding, both the light and the chime will turn
off.
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If the driver's safety belt is buckled before the ignition is
turned to the ON position, neither the light nor the chime
will turn on.
[IS02500(ALL)12/95]
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Instrumentation
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Odometer
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The odometer tells you the total number of miles (kilometers)
your vehicle has been driven.
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Trip Odometer
[IS09200(ALL)12/95]
The trip odometer tells you how many miles (kilometers) your
vehicle has been driven since the last reset. Press the reset
control to return the trip odometer to zero.
[IS09300(O )12/95]
Sport Cluster
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The sport cluster has basically the same standard warning lights
and gauges as the standard cluster, with the following
additional features:
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Tachometer
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The tachometer displays the approximate engine revolutions per
minute (rpm), or how fast the engine is running.
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If you drive with the tachometer in the red zone, you may
damage the engine.
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Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light (If equipped)
[IS09900(ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle may have an Anti-lock Brake System feature. If it
does, check the Anti-lock Brake System light each time you start
the engine. If it stays on longer than three (3) seconds, shut off
the engine and restart. If it stays on, that means the Anti-lock
Brake feature is not working and should be serviced
immediately to restore the benefits of the Anti-lock feature.
Normal braking is not affected unless the brake warning light is
also lit.
[IS10000(ALL)12/95]
The Anti-Lock Brake System has self-check capabilities. As
described above, the system turns on the anti-lock light each
time you start your engine. After the engine is started and the
anti-lock light turns off, the system performs another test the
first time the vehicle reaches 5 mph (8 km/h) (between 12 and
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54
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RWARNING
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system will not
illuminate the tail lamps and parking lamps. Turn on
your headlamps at dusk. Failure to do so may result in a
collision.
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Lighting Up the Interior and Instrument Panel
[CF07400(ALL)12/95]
When either front door is opened, the footwell lights and the
door courtesy lights come on.
[CF07500(ALL)12/95]
The instrument panel lights, window control lights and door
handle lights come on whenever the headlamp switch is turned
from the OFF position. To dim the instrument panel lights, use
the thumbwheel on the instrument panel to the right of the
steering wheel.
[CF07600(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0001177-B
Dimming the instrument panel lights
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Traction Control System (If equipped)
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This button turns the traction control system off and on. See the
Driving Chapterfor more information.
[CF07900(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0001179-C
The button for the traction control system
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Controls and Features
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ACCESSORY allows some of your vehicle's electrical accessories
to operate while the engine is not running. For example, you
can use ACCESSORY to turn on the radio without starting the
engine.
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ON allows you to test your vehicle's warning lights (except the
brake system warning light) to make sure they work before you
start the engine. The key returns to the ON position once the
engine is started and remains in this position while the engine
runs.
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START cranks the engine. Release the key once the engine starts
so that you do not damage the starter. The key should return to
ON when you release it. The START position also allows you to
test the brake warning light.
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Removing the Key From the Ignition
[CF10300(ALL)04/96]
Procedures for removing your key from the ignition vary,
depending on whether your vehicle has an automatic or manual
transaxle.
[CF10400(ALL)04/96]
If your vehicle has an automatic transaxle:
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Put the gearshift lever in P (Park).
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Set the parking brake fully.
[CF10700(ALL)12/95]3.
Rotate the ignition key to the LOCK position.
[CF10800(ALL)12/95]4.
Remove the key from the ignition.
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117
Starting
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Fuel-Injected Engines
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When starting a fuel-injected engine,the most important thing
to remember is to avoid pressing down on the accelerator
before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you
have problems getting your vehicle started. SeeStarting Your
Enginein this chapter for details about when to use the
accelerator while you start your vehicle.
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Starting Your Vehicle
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Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
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RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other
enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the engine.
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Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
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Make sure all occupants in the vehicle buckle their safety
belts. SeeSafety Restraintsin the Index for more details.
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Make sure your headlamps and other accessories are turned
off and the parking brake is set.
[TO01000(ALL)12/95]3.
If you have a manual transaxle,make sure that the parking
brake is fully set, push the clutch pedal to the floor, and put
the gearshift into Neutral before you turn the key.
(Remember, the starter will operate only if the clutch pedal
is pushed all the way to the floor.)
[TO02000(ALL)12/95]
If you have an automatic transaxle,make sure that the
gearshift is in P (Park) and the parking brake is set before
you turn the key.
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Before you start your vehicle, you should test the warning lights
on the instrument panel to make sure that they work. Refer to
theInstrumentationchapter.
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144
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RWARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly
to your vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not
have enough braking power and your chances of having
a collision greatly increase.
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Connecting the trailer's lights
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Do not connect a trailer's lighting system wiring directly to
your vehicle's lighting system wiring.To get the proper
equipment for hooking up your trailer's lights, see your local
trailer dealer and your Ford dealer. Be sure to follow their
instructions carefully.
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If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you may cause
damage to the vehicle's lighting system.
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Driving While You Tow
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Be especially careful when driving while you tow a trailer.
Never drive faster than 45 mph (70 km/h) when you tow in
hilly country on hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can
brake gradually.
[GF16800(ALL)12/95]
If your vehicle has a manual transaxle and you are towing a
trailer, you should select gear positions which will avoid jerking
or excessive engine speed. If you need to drive excessively in 1
(First) or 2 (Second), it may indicate that the trailer is too big or
heavily loaded for your vehicle's drivetrain. Continuous driving
in these two gears while towing a trailer is not recommended.
[GF16900(ALL)12/95]
When you tow up or down steep hills, move the manual
transaxle gearshift to a lower gear. This will increase engine
power on upgrades and engine braking on downgrades.
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Roadside Emergencies
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Reinstalling the anti-theft lug nut
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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.
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Jump-Starting Your Vehicle
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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.
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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.
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RWARNING
To protect yourself when charging a battery, always
shield your face and eyes. Make sure that you can
breathe fresh air.
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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.
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RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns skin, eyes,
and clothing.
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Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996