1998 FORD CONTOUR brake

Starting
83 If starting a vehicle with an
automatic transaxle:
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
•Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
If starting a vehicle with a manual
transaxle:
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
•Push the clutch pedal to the floor
otherwise the engine will not
crank (turn over).
•Put the gearshift into neutral.
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Starting
843. Turn the key to the onposition
(without turning the key to start).
Make sure the following lights
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer or a
qualified service technician.
BRAKE
BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
•If the driver’s safety belt is
fastened the warning light does
not illuminate.Alternative design
Alternative design
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Starting
85 STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Turn the key to the start
position (4) without pressing the
accelerator pedal and release as
soon as the engine starts. The key
will return to the on (3) position.
3
4
21
2. If the engine does not start
within five seconds, wait ten
seconds and try again.
3. If the engine does not start in
two attempts OR the temperature
is below -12°C (10°F), depress the
accelerator pedal and start the
engine while holding the
accelerator pedal down. Release
accelerator pedal when the engine
starts.
Vehicles equipped with the 2.0 l
engine: If the engine fails to start,
continue to crank with the
accelerator depressed about 1/4 of
the way down and hold that
position until the engine starts.
DONOT crank for more than
30secondsor you could damage
the starter.
4. After idling for a few seconds,
apply the brake and release the
parking brake
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87
Driving
BRAKES
Your brakes are self-adjusting.
Refer to the “Service Guide” for
maintenance intervals.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
(if equipped)
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lock up during
brake applications and
compensating for this tendency.
The wheels are prevented from
locking even when the brakes are
firmly applied, helping to ensure
that the vehicle can be steered and
the driver can avoid obstacles.
Operation of the anti-lock
braking system
The anti-lock braking system is not
employed during normal braking. It
becomes operational only when it
senses differences in the rotational
speed of the road wheels,
indicating that they are about to
lock up. Its operation is indicated
by a pulsing of the brake pedal.
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88
Two important
rules when
braking in
emergencies with
ABS:
1.
Apply full force
on both brake
and clutch pedal
(if equipped).
Braking with ABS
•In an emergency, apply full force
on the brake pedal. In vehicles
with manual transaxles, you must
also depress the clutch pedal.
The anti-lock braking system will
be activated immediately,
allowing you to retain full
steering control of your vehicle
and, providing there is sufficient
space, will enable you to avoid
obstacles.
•We recommend that you
familiarize yourself with this
braking technique. However,
avoid taking any unnecessary
risks.
2.
Steer around the
obstacle. No matter
how hard you brake,
steering control is
maintained.
Driving
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Driving
89 Parking brake
To engage the parking brake:
Pull the handle upward.
To release the parking brake:
1. Press and hold the release
button.
2. Pull the handle upward to
disengage the brake.
3. Push handle downward to the off
position.
Always set the parking brake
fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park) (automatic transaxle) or in
1 (first) (manual transaxle).
To prevent personal injury,
do not release the parking
brake while outside the vehicle.
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Driving
90Automatic transaxle
(if equipped)
Vehicles equipped with an
automatic transaxle are equipped
with a brake-shift interlock feature
that prevents the gearshift lever
from being moved from the P
(Park) position unless the brake
pedal is depressed.
TRANSAXLE OPERATION
Putting your vehicle in gear
You must push the thumb button to
move the gearshift to the position
you choose.
To operate:
1. Start the engine.
2. Depress and hold the brake
pedal.
3. Move the gearshift lever out of P
(Park).
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Driving
91 5. Push and hold the thumb button
and move the gearshift.
6. Remove the screwdriver when
the gearshift moves from the P
(Park) position.
Overriding the brake-shift
interlock feature
If it is necessary to use this
procedure to move the gearshift
lever, it is possible that a fuse has
blown and the vehicle’s brakelamps
may not be working. Refer to
Fuses
and relaysin the Roadside
emergencieschapter.
If you cannot move the gearshift
lever from P (Park) with the brake
pedal depressed:
1. Turn the ignition off and remove
the ignition key.
2. Apply the parking brake and the
brake pedal.
3. Insert a screwdriver or similar
item about 5 cm (2 inches) into the
square opening to the right of the
gearshift at the base of the console.
4. Rotate the screwdriver point
rearward.
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