1998 FORD CONTOUR wheel

Roadside emergencies
120The temporary spare tire
The vehicle may have a high
pressure temporary spare tire. This
spare is smaller than a regular tire
and is designed for emergency use
only. This tire should be replaced
as soon as possible.
If you use the temporary
spare tire continuously or do
not follow these precautions, the
tire could fail, causing you to lose
control of the vehicle, possibly
injuring yourself or others.
80
MAX
km/h
When driving with a temporary
spare tire:
•Do not exceed the maximum
speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) and
only drive the shortest possible
distance.
•Do not exceed the permissible
gross weight of the vehicle.
•Do not install more than one
spare wheel on your vehicle at
any one time.
•Do not use snow chains on this
type of wheel.
•Do not drive through an
automatic car wash.
50
MAX
mph
CDW IVC1-6Roads en C 5/15/97 8:54 PM Page 120

Roadside emergencies
121 Spare tire location
The spare tire and tools are located
under the floor cover in the
luggage compartment.
Removing the spare tire and
tools
1. Raise the rear of the floor cover
in the luggage compartment and
fold it forward.
2. Completely unscrew the bolt and
remove the wheel cover panel with
the holder.
3. Remove the wheel cover panel.
4. Lift out the spare wheel.
5. Remove the jack which is located
in the tool pack.
CDW IVC1-6Roads en C 5/15/97 8:54 PM Page 121

Roadside emergencies
122
Removing a tire
1. Apply the parking brake and 1
(first) gear (manual transaxle) or
the P (Park) position (automatic
transaxle).
2. Activate the hazard flashers.
3. The driver and all passengers
must leave the vehicle.
4. Secure the vehicle against rolling
or sliding.
5. Insert the tapered end of the
jack handle between the rim and
hub cover and push in. Twist off to
remove the cover.
6. Loosen the wheel nuts slightly.
Tire changing procedure
7. Place jack with complete support
surface on the ground.
8. The jack must be applied exactly
vertical to the jacking point of the
vehicle.
9. Jack up the vehicle until the tire
is clear of the ground. Unscrew and
remove the wheel nuts and remove
the wheel.
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Roadside emergencies
123
Replacing a tire
1. Push the spare tire onto the
wheel studs.
2.Screw on the wheel nuts,
ensuring the tapered end of the
wheel nuts are facing the wheel,
and secure in a clockwise direction.
3. Lower the vehicle and remove
the jack by turning the handle
counterclockwise.
4. Fully tighten the wheel nuts in a
crosswise pattern.
5. Align the hub cap with the valve
and push firmly into position with
the ball of the hand.
6. Stow the jack and damaged tire
in the luggage compartment by
reversing the spare tire removal
instructions.
3
42 1
CDW IVC1-6Roads en C 5/15/97 8:54 PM Page 123

Roadside emergencies
127 If towing is necessary, it is
recommended that your vehicle be
towed with a wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with
slingbelt equipment. Ford Motor
Company has not developed or
approved a T-hook or slingbelt
towing procedure.
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE
Before you have your vehicle
towed:
•release the parking brake,
•move the gearshift to N
(Neutral),
•turn the ignition to the off
position and
•unlock the steering wheel.
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed
faster than 55 km/h (35 mph) or
for a distance greater than 80 km
(55 miles) unless the drive wheels
are placed on dollies. WRECKER TOWING
CDW IVC1-6Roads en C 5/15/97 8:54 PM Page 127

Maintenance and care
130Working with engine off
(automatic transaxle)
1. Set the parking brake fully and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove
the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Working with engine off
(manual transaxle)
1. Set the parking brake, depress
the clutch and place the gearshift
in 1 (first) or R (Reverse).
2. Turn off the engine and remove
the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:55 PM Page 130

Maintenance and care
131 Working with engine on
(automatic transaxle)
1. Set the parking brake fully and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Do not start your engine
with the air cleaner removed
and do not remove it while the
engine is running.
Working with engine on
(manual transaxle)
1. Set the parking brake, depress
the clutch and place the gearshift
in neutral.
2. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:55 PM Page 131

Maintenance and care
154Temperature ABC
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing
the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature
can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excess temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
cars tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required
by law.
The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a
tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded.
Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
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