1998 FORD CONTOUR belt

Maintenance and care
156
Failure to follow these
precautions may adversely
affect the handling of the vehicle
and make it easier to lose control
and roll over.
Replacing tires
Replace tires when the wear band
is visible through the tire treads.
When replacing full size
tires, never mix radial, bias-
belted, or bias-type tires. Use only
the tire sizes that are listed on the
tire pressure decal. Make sure that
all tires are the same size, speed
rating, and load-carrying capacity.
Use only the tire combinations
recommended on the decal. If you
do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive
properly and safely.
Do not replace your tires
with “high performance”
tires or larger size tires.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 156

Maintenance and care
185 Cleaning and maintaining the
safety belts
Clean the safety belts with a mild
soap solution recommended for
cleaning upholstery or carpets and
warm water. Do not bleach or dye
the belts, because these actions
may weaken the belt webbing.
Check the safety belt system
periodically to make sure there are
no nicks, wear or cuts.
Cleaning and caring for your
vehicle
Refer to the “Customer Assistance
Guide” for a list of Ford-approved
cleaners, polishes and waxes.
Ford recommends that all
safety belt assemblies and
attaching hardware should be
inspected by a qualified technician
after any collision. Safety belt
assemblies not in use during a
collision should also be inspected
and replaced if either damage or
improper operation is noted.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 185

193
Index
APage
Accessory position on
the ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Additives, engine oil . . . . . . . . .135
Air bag supplemental
restraint system
and child safety seats . . . . . . . .59
description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . .10, 62
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
wearing safety belts . . . . . . . . .58
Air conditioning
(see Climate control system)
Alarm, activating panic . . . . . . . .42
Antenna, radio
(see Audio sytem) . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) . .87
Anti-theft system (see Passive
Anti-Theft System) . . . . . . . . . . .44
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)
Audio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Automatic transaxle
driving with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
fluid, adding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144
fluid, checking . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .187
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .188
B
Backing up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92, 98
Battery
charging system warning light . .7
jumping a disabled battery . . .124
proper disposal, recycling . . . .148
replacement, specifications . .186
servicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146BPage
Brake fluid
checking and adding . . . . . . . .138
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Brake-shift interlock . . . . . . . . . .91
Brakelamps
(see Bulb replacement)
Brakes
anti-lock brake system (ABS) .87
brake warning light . . . . . . . . . .11
fluid, checking and adding . . .138
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .187
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .188
parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Built-in child seat
folding up the seat . . . . . . . . . .73
inspection after a collision . . . .73
interlock safety feature . . . . . . .69
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
retractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Break-in period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Bulbs, replacing
foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
high-mounted brake lamp . . . .174
license plate lamp . . . . . . . . . .173
rear lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
C
Cabin air filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
Capacities for refilling fluids . . .187
Carbon monoxyde in exhaust . .166
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . .168
Chains, tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158
Changing a tire . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Charging system warning light . . .7
CDW_Index_en_C 5/15/97 8:59 PM Page 193

CPage
Child safety restraints
built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .68
child safety seats . . . . . . . . . . . .74
children and safety belts . . .64, 66
Child safety seats
and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
attaching with tether straps . . .77
automatic locking mode . . . . . .52
Childproof safety locks . . . . . . . .38
Chimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Circuit breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment . . . . . . . .182
exterior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . .183
fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .184
plastic exterior parts . . . . . . . .183
safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183
Climate control system
air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
controlling airflow . . . . . . . . . . .23
defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Clutch
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
recommended shift speeds . . . .97
Cold engine starting . . . . . . . . . .85
Controls
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . .17
mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
power seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
steering column . . . . . . . . . . . . .27DPage
Daytime running lights . . . . . . . .18
Defects, reporting . . . . . . . . . . .192
Defrost
rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Dipstick, engine oil . . . . . . . . . .133
Door mounted controls . . . . . . . .37
Driving under special conditions
heavy load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . .103
E
Electrical system
fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Emergencies, roadside
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .110
jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
Emergency brake (see Parking
brake)
Emission control system . . . . . .166
Engine
check engine warning light . . . . .9
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .110
lubricant specifications . . . . . .188
preparing to start . . . . . . . . . . .82
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .187
starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
Engine block heater . . . . . . . . . .86
Engine coolant
checking and adding . . . . . . . .139
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
low coolant warning light . . . . . .8
refilll capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .187
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Engine fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
Index
194
CDW_Index_en_C 5/15/97 8:59 PM Page 194

HPage
High-mount brakelamp . . . . . . .174
Hood
latch location . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
I
Identification Number, Vehicle
(VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191
Idle, relearning . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
Idle, speed . . . . . . . . . . . . .149, 189
Ignition
chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
positions on the ignition . . . . . .27
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Instrument panel
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
lighting up the panel . . . . . . . . .19
Integrated child seat (see Built-in
child seat)
Intermittent wipers . . . . . . . . . . .31
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
J
Jack
positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
Jump starting your vehicle
attaching cables . . . . . . . . . . . .125
disconnecting cables . . . . . . . .126
K
Keys
key in ignition warning chime .13
positions of the ignition . . . . . .27
Index
196LPage
Lamps
bulb replacement specification
chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
daytime running light system . .18
flashing the lamps . . . . . . . . . . .30
foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18, 172
hazard flashers . . . . . . . . .29, 110
headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
high beams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
high-mounted brake lamp . . . .174
instrument panel, dimming . . .19
interior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
reading lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . .170
rear lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) . . . . . . .11
brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
charging system . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
check engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
engine oil pressure . . . . . . . . . .11
high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
low coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
low fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
overdrive off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
testing the warning lights . . . . .12
turn signal indicator . . . . . . . . . .6
Load limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
Lubricant specifications . . . . . .188
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . .39
CDW_Index_en_C 5/15/97 8:59 PM Page 196

SPage
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints)
Safety chains, when towing
a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
Safety Compliance Certification
Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Safety defects, reporting . . . . . .192
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts . .50, 54
automatic locking mode
(retractors) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
cleaning the safety belts . . . . .185
extention assembly . . . . . . . . . .56
for children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
lap and shoulder belts . . . . . . . .51
maintenance . . . . . . . . . . .57, 185
vehicle sensitive locking mode .52
warning light and chime . . . .7, 12
Safety seats for children
and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . . .59, 75
attaching with tether straps . . .77
automatic locking mode
(retractors) . . . . . . . . . . . . .53, 74
built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .68
in front seat . . . . . . . . . . . . .59, 75
tether anchorage hardware . . .78
Seats
adjusting the seats, manual . . .47
adjusting the seats, power . . . .48
folding rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . .49
head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Servicing your vehicle . . . . . . . .128
Shift-lock system . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
Shift positions (see Gearshift)
Snow tires and chains . . . . . . . .158SPage
Spare tire
changing the tire . . . . . . . . . . .119
removing the spare tire . . . . . .121
temporary spare tire . . . . . . . .120
Spark plugs, certifications . . . .186
Specification charts, lubricants188
Speed control
disengaging speed control . . . .35
return to a set speed . . . . . . . . .35
set a speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
set a higher speed . . . . . . . . . . .34
set a lower speed . . . . . . . . . . . .34
turn speed control off . . . . . . . .32
turn speed control on . . . . . . . .32
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start the vehicle . .82
starting the engine . . . . . . . . . .85
Steering column controls . . . . . .27
Steering wheel
horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
speed control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
tilting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Supplemental restraint
system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13, 58
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Tail lamps (see Rear lamps)
Temperature control
(see Climate control)
Testing the warning lights . . . . . .12
Tether anchor installation
(see Child safety restraints)
Tilt steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Index
198
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Index
199 TPage
Tires
changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
checking tire pressure . . . . . .155
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
inspection and maintenance . .155
replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
rotating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
snow tires and chains . . . . . . .158
spare tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
tire grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
treadwear . . . . . . . . . . . . .153, 156
wearbands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
Towing your vehicle . . . . . . . . .127
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
Transaxle
automatic, operation . . . . . . . . .90
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .187
lubricant specifications . . . . . .188
manual, operation . . . . . . . . . . .93
Transmitter (see Remote entry)
Trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Trunk (see Luggage compartment)
remote release lever . . . . . . . . .39
using the remote entry system .42
Turn signal
indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
U
Used engine oil, disposal . . . . . .137VPage
Variable interval wipers . . . . . . . .31
Vehicle care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191
Vehicle Emission Control
Information(VECI) . . . . . . . . . .166
Vehicle loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Ventilating your vehicle . . . . . . .80
Viscosity (see Engne oil)
W
Warning chimes
headlamps on . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
key in ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Warning lights (seeLights)
Washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . .133
Weight limits (GAWR, GVWR) . .90
Wheels
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
inspection and maintenance . .155
Windows
one-touch down . . . . . . . . . . . .37
power windows, operating . . . .37
rear, defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Windshield washer fluid and wipers
checking and adding fluid . . . .138
checking and replacing
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .188
variable interval wipers . . . . . . .31
Wrecker towing . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
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