1998 FORD CONTOUR Owners Manual

Driving
97 22
Recommended shift speeds
2.0 litre engine 5-speed transaxle
shift speed schedules
Recommended
upshifts:
Shift fromkm/hmph
14
25
33
48
40
53
77mph
12
20
29
40
km/h
19
32
64 First to second
Second to third
Third to fourth
Fourth to fifthDuring acceleration:During cruise*:
46
2.5 litre engine 5-speed transaxle
shift speed schedules
km/h
mphkm/hmph
10
20
31
40 16
32
50
64
14
25
33
4522
40
53
73
Shift from
First to second
Second to third
Third to fourth
Fourth to fifth
Recommended
upshifts:During acceleration:During cruise*:
*The vehicle can be shifted at lower speeds to improve fuel economy.
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Driving
98
Parking
1. Apply the brake and the clutch
and shift into neutral.
2. Engage the parking brake.
3. Shift into 1 (First) or R
(Reverse).
4. Turn the ignition off.
Do not park your vehicle in
Neutral, it may move
unexpectedly and injure someone.
Use 1 (first) gear and set the
parking brake.
Reverse
To shift into R (Reverse):
1. Completely stop your vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal to the
floor and place the gearshift lever
in the neutral position. Do not
release the clutch pedal.
3. If the following direction is not
followed, a grinding noise may
occur.
Wait a miminum of three seconds
before attempting to shift into R
(Reverse) gear.
4. Push the gearshift lever
completely to the right, pull up the
ring on the stalk of the gearshift
lever, and then pull rearward on
the gearshift lever to engage the R
(Reverse) gear.
5. If the R (Reverse) gear is
engaged, slowly release the clutch
pedal from the floor.
1
2
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Driving
99 LOADING YOUR VEHICLE
Before loading your vehicle,
familiarize yourself with these
terms.
GVW(Gross Vehicle Weight)
Base curb weight plus the payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a
specification. Payload
Combined maximum allowable
weight of passengers, cargo and
optional equipment. Base curb weight
Weight of the vehicle including any
standard equipment, fluids and
lubricants. It does not include
passengers or aftermarket
equipment.
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Driving
100
GCW(Gross Combined Weight)
The GCW is the maximum
combined weight of the towing
vehicle (including passengers and
cargo) and the loaded trailer. The
GCW is specified by the
manufacturer to indicate the
combined maximum loaded weight
that the vehicle is designed to tow. GAWR(Gross Axle Weight
Rating)
Carrying capacity for each axle
system (front and rear). The
GAWR is specific to each vehicle
and is listed on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label on
the driver’s door pillar. GVWR(Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)
Maximum total weight of the base
vehicle, passengers, optional
equipment and cargo. The GVWR is
specific to each vehicle and is listed
on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label on the driver’s
door pillar.
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Driving
101 Payload = GVWRminus Base
curb weight
To obtain the correct weight for
your vehicle, try taking your
vehicle to a shipping company or
an inspection station for trucks.
Do not use replacement tires with
lower weight capacities than the
originals because they might lower
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR.
(Replacement tires with a higher
weight limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR
limitations.)
In high altitudes, engines will lose
power at a rate of 3% power per
300 m (1000 ft) increase in
elevation. A reduction in GVW and
GCW is recommended for
maximum vehicle performance.
-9%
-6%
-3% 900 m
(3000 ft)
600 m
(2000 ft)
300 m
(1000 ft)
0
Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label.
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Driving
102
It is extremly dangerous to
ride in a cargo area, inside or
outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are
more likely to be seriously injured
or killed. Do not allow people to
ride in any area of your vehicle
that is not equipped with seats
and safety belts. Be sure everyone
in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a safety belt properly.
Driving with a heavy load
The total weight of the vehicle plus
the total weight of passengers and
cargo should never exceed the
GVWR.
The weight that the vehicle carries
over the front and rear axles
should never exceed the GAWR for
the respective axle.
The weight limits of your vehicle’s
tires affect the GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Using tires with higher
weight limits than the original tires
will not increase the GVWR or
GAWR of your vehicle; using tires
with lower weight limits may lower
the GVWR or GAWR of your
vehicle
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Driving
103 TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is capable of towing a
trailer of up to a maximum of
454kg (1000 lbs) gross trailer
weight with a maximum tongue
load of 45kg (100 lbs). It should
also have 2.3sq. meters (25sq.
feet) or less frontal area. Do not
drive faster than 72km/h (45mph)
while towing a 454kg (1000lb)
trailer.
Your vehicle does not come from
the factory fully equipped to tow.
No towing packages are available
through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury
dealers.
Trailer towing puts additional loads
on your vehicle’s engine, transaxle,
axle, brakes, tires, and suspension.
For your safety and to maximize
vehicle performance, be sure to use
the proper equipment while
towing.
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Driving
104Follow these guidelines to ensure
safe towing procedure:
•Stay within your vehicle’s load
limits.
•Thoroughly prepare your vehicle
for towing. Refer to Preparing to
towin this chapter.
•Use extra caution when driving
while trailer towing. Refer to
Driving while towing a trailer
in this chapter.
•Service your vehicle more
frequently if you tow a trailer.
Refer to the severe duty schedule
in the ”Service Guide”.
•Do not tow a trailer until your
vehicle has been driven at least
800km (500miles).
•Refer to the instructions included
with towing accessories for the
proper installation and
adjustment specifications.
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