1998 FORD CONTOUR battery

Instrumentation
7 High beams
Illuminates when the headlamp
high beams are on. Charging system
Briefly illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the engine
is off. The light also illuminates
when the battery is not charging
properly and the vehicle may
require electrical system service.
Safety belt
Illuminates when the ignition is
switched on as a reminder to fasten
the safety belts. For more
information, refer to
Safety belt
indicator light and warning
chime in the Seating and safety
restraints chapter.
Alternative design
Alternative design
Alternative design
CDW IIA2Instrum_en C 5/15/97 8:42 PM Page 7

Controls and features
27 STEERING COLUMN
CONTROLS
Ignition
1. Ignition off, steering wheel
locked.
On vehicles with automatic
transaxles, the ignition key can
return to this position only if the
gearshift lever is in P (Park).
2. The accessory position. Steering
unlocked, radio operational.
Ignition and all main electrical
circuits are disabled.
The ignition key should not be left
in this position for too long to avoid
discharging the battery
unnecessarily.
3. Ignition switched on, all
electrical circuits operational.
Warning and indicator lights
illuminate. This key position is for
normal driving.
4. Starter motor activated. Release
the key as soon as the engine
starts.
3
4
21
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
100
110
120
130MPH20 406055
80120 100
140
160
180
200EF 1
/
2UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
12
03x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
NORMALBRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
IRRORS
CDW IIIC3Controls en C 5/15/97 8:44 PM Page 27

Controls and features
42Opening the luggage
compartment
Press the TRUNK control.
Sounding the panic alarm
Press the PANICcontrol. The horn
will sound and the headlamps and
tail lamps will flash for
approximately two minutes and
forty-five seconds.
To deactivate the alarm, press the
PANICcontrol again or turn the
ignition key to the on position.
Replacing the batteries
The transmitter is powered by two
coin-type, three-volt lithium
batteries. A decrease in operating
range can be caused by:
•battery failure,
•weather conditions, or
•structures around the vehicle.
Replacement batteries for the
remote entry system transmitters
may be purchased at pharmacies,
watch stores or at authorized
dealers.
UN
LOCK
LOCKPANIC
TRUNK
TRUNKUN
LOCK
LOCKPANIC
CDW IIIC3Controls en C 5/15/97 8:45 PM Page 42

Roadside emergencies
113
1
2
2
R10
R91516R11
10 18
17
R8 R7
11121314R6
R4 R3
3
2
1R1R2 R5 D1
456789
Power distribution box
To check or replace a fuse or a
relay, remove the cover of the fuse
box in the engine compartment by
releasing the latch (1) and lifting
up.
A blown fuse can be identified by a
break in the wire. Use the fuse
puller (2) attached to the cover of
the power distribution box to
change a fuse.
All fuses are a push fit.
Five reserve fuses with different
current ratings are attached to the
inside cover of the power
distribution box in case of
emergency fuse replacement.
Blown fuse
Always replace the cover to
the Power Distribution Box
before reconnecting the battery or
refilling fluid reservoirs.
CDW IVC1-6Roads en C 5/15/97 8:53 PM Page 113

Roadside emergencies
124JUMPSTARTING YOUR
VEHICLE
The gases around the
battery can explode if
exposed to flames, sparks, or lit
cigarettes. An explosion could
result in injury or vehicle damage.
Do not push start your
vehicle. You could damage
the catalytic converter. For
further information, see
Jumper
cablesin the index.
Batteries contain sulfuric
acid which burns skin, eyes,
and clothing.
CDW IVC1-6Roads en C 5/15/97 8:54 PM Page 124

Roadside emergencies
125 Connecting jumper cables
1. Position the vehicles so that they
do not touch one another.
2. Switch off the engine. Switch off
any unnecessary electrical
equipment.
3. Connect the positive (+)
terminal of the discharged battery
to the positive (+) terminal of the
booster battery (1).
4. Connect one end of the second
lead to the negative (–) terminal of
the booster battery and the other
end to a metal part of the engine to
be started (2).
5. Make sure that the jumper
cables are clear of moving parts of
the engine.
12
Do not connect the end of
the second cable to the
negative (-) terminal of the
battery to be jumped. A spark may
cause an explosion of the gases
that surround the battery.
CDW IVC1-6Roads en C 5/15/97 8:54 PM Page 125

Roadside emergencies
126Jump starting
1. Start the booster vehicle and run
the engine at moderately increased
speed.
2. Start the engine of the vehicle
with the discharged battery.
3. Once the engine has been
started, run both vehicles for an
additional three minutes before
disconnecting the cable leads.
Removing jumper cables
1. Remove the jumper cables in
reverse order. Take the cable off
the metallic surface first (1), then
the cable on the negative (-)
booster battery terminal (2).
2. Remove the cable from the
positive (+) terminal of the booster
battery (3) and then the
discharged battery (4).
3. After the disabled vehicle has
been started, allow it to idle for a
while so the engine can “relearn”
its idle conditions.
2
1
3
4
CDW IVC1-6Roads en C 5/15/97 8:54 PM Page 126

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