1998 FORD CONTOUR charging

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

Instrumentation
12
EF 1
/
2
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
NORMAL
BRAKE
TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
110
120
130
MPH
20 4060
55
80120 100
140
160
180
200100
CHECK
ENGINE
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
110
120
130
MPH
20 4060
55
80120 100
140
160
180
200100
EF 1
/
2
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
12
03
x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
NORMAL
BRAKE
TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFFCHECK
ENGINE
Testing the warning and
indicator lights and chimes
Turn the ignition key to the on
position without starting the
engine. The following warning and
indicator lights will illuminate
briefly: charging system, safety belt
(does not illuminate, if the driver’s
safety belt is fastened), low
coolant, low fuel, engine oil
pressure, check engine and air bag
readiness.
If any of these lights do not
illuminate, see your dealer or
qualified service technician.
CDW IIA2Instrum_en C 5/15/97 8:42 PM Page 12

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

Maintenance and care
147 Battery replacement
If your original equipment battery
requires replacement while under
warranty, it will be replaced with a
Motorcraft service battery,
identical in design technology. Like
the original equipment battery, it
should not require water addition
during its normal life of service;
however, for severe service usage
or in high temperature climates,
check your battery electrolyte
level, at least every 24 months or
40 000 km (24 000 miles). Do not
overfill the battery cell.
If the electrolyte level in your
battery gets low, you can add plain
tap water to the battery, as long as
you do not use hard water (water
with a high mineral or alkali
content). If possible, however, try
to only fill the battery cell with
distilled water. If the battery needs
water often, have the charging
system checked.
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 147

Maintenance and care
167
BRAKE
BRAKE
TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
If you notice one or more of the
following, the emission system may
not be functioning properly; have
the vehicle serviced as soon as
possible:
•Fluid leaks.
•The charging system, engine oil
pressure or low coolant warning
lights illuminate in the
instrument cluster and remain lit.
•Strange odors.
•Engine runs for more than five
seconds after shut off or engine
misfires, surges, stalls or
backfires.
•Loss of oil pressure.Alternative design Alternative design
CDW VA1-19Maint en C 5/15/97 8:56 PM Page 167

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

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
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