1998 FORD CONTOUR ESP

Controls and features
21 To toggle between 12 or 24 hour
format, depress the H button and
the M button simultaneously and
then release them.
To advance the hours, press the H
button; to advance the minutes
press the M button. To advance
rapidly, depress and hold the
corresponding button.HoursMinutes
HM:
I0 20
Audio system
For information on the audio
system, refer to the “Audio Guide”. Digital clock
Switch the ignition on: The clock
can be set to either 12 or 24 hour
format.
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Controls and features
37 Power door locks (if equipped)
Push to lock or unlock all doors.
AUTO
Power windows (if equipped)
The windows will only operate
when the ignition is switched on.
Press the appropriate control to
operate the power windows at each
door position. All of the windows
can be controlled from the control
on the driver’s door. The
passenger’s door window and the
rear windows can be operated
individually with separate door
controls on the respective door.
AUTO
One-touch down feature
(driver only)
Briefly press the control to the
second action point: the window
opens automatically.
Press again to stop the window
while it is in motion. DOOR MOUNTED CONTROLS
U
L
DOOR LOCKLOCK
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48
Seating and safety restraints
Adjusting the power seats
(if equipped)
Move the relevant control in the
respective direction to adjust the
seat, seatback and lumbar as
follows:
1
2
3
46
5Seat
(1) Forward and backward
(2) Height of the entire seat
(3) Height of the front of the seat
(4) Height of the rear of the seat
Seatback
(5) Seatback inclination
Lumbar support
(6) Lumbar support
CDW IIID Seat en C 5/15/97 8:47 PM Page 48

Seating and safety restraints
52
Automatic locking mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is
automatically prelocked; however,
the belt will react to remove any
slack in the shoulder belt.
The automatic locking mode is not
available on the driver’s safety belt.
When to use the automatic
locking mode
•When a tight lap and shoulder
belt fit is desired.
•Any time a child safety seat is
installed in the vehicle. For
information on the proper use of
a child safety seat, refer to
Child
safety seatslater in this chapter.
Vehicle sensitive (emergency)
locking mode
The vehicle sensitive mode is the
normal retractor mode which locks
the belts in response to vehicle
movement. For example, if the
driver brakes suddenly, turns a
corner sharply or your vehicle
receives an impact of 8 km/h
(5mph) or more the combination
safety belts will lock to help reduce
the forward movement of the
driver and passengers.
The retractor can be made to lock
by pulling sharply on the belt.
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Seating and safety restraints
65 Important child restraint
precautions
You are required by law to use
safety restraints for children in the
U.S. and Canada. If small children
ride in your vehicle (generally
children who are four years old or
younger and who weigh 18 kg
[40 lbs] or less), you must put them
in safety seats made especially for
children. Check your local and
state or provincial laws for specific
requirements regarding the safety
of children in your vehicle.
Never let a passenger hold a
child on his or her lap while
the vehicle is moving. The
passenger cannot protect the child
from injury in a collision.
Always follow the instructions and
warnings that come with any infant
or child restraint you might use.
When possible, place children in
the rear seat of your vehicle.
Accident statistics suggest that
children are safer when properly
restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating
position.
CDW IIID Seat en C 5/15/97 8:48 PM Page 65

Starting
86USING THE ENGINE BLOCK
HEATER(if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the
engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine
faster and allows the heater-
defroster system to respond
quickly. It is strongly recommended
if you live in a region where
temperatures reach –23°C (–10°F)
or below.
For best results, plug the heater in
at least three hours before starting
the vehicle. Using the heater for
more than three hours will not
harm the engine, so the heater can
be plugged in the night before
starting the vehicle.
To prevent electrical shock,
do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or
two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
CDW IVA1_2 Starting en C 5/15/97 8:50 PM Page 86

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
CDW IVB1-10Driving en C 5/15/97 8:52 PM Page 102

Maintenance and care
129 Precautions when servicing
your vehicle
Be especially careful when
inspecting or servicing your
vehicle. Here are some general
precautions for your safety:
•Do not work on a hot engine.
The cooling fan is automatic
and may come on at any
time. Always disconnect the
negative terminal of the battery
before working near the fan.
•If you must work with the engine
running, avoid wearing loose
clothing or jewelry that could get
caught in moving parts. Take
precautions with long hair.
•Do not work on a vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you
have enough ventilation.
•Keep all lit cigarettes, open
flames and other lit material
away from the battery and all fuel
related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the
engine must “relearn” its idle
conditions before your vehicle will
drive properly, as explained under
Battery in this chapter.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:55 PM Page 129