1998 FORD CONTOUR tow

Introduction
2ICONS
Indicates a warning. Read the
following section on
Warnings for
a full explanation.
Indicates that vehicle information
related to recycling and other
environmental concerns will follow.
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment.
Correct vehicle usage and the
authorized disposal of waste
cleaning and lubrication materials
are significant steps toward this
aim.
BREAKING IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in
rules for your vehicle. Simply avoid
driving too fast during the first
1600 km (1000 miles). Vary
speeds frequently. This is
necessary to give the moving parts
a chance to break in.
WARNINGS
How can you reduce the risk of
personal injury and prevent
possible damage to others, your
vehicle and its equipment?
In this owner’s guide, answers to
such questions are contained in
comments highlighted by the
warning triangle symbol.
CDW II_A1_en C 5/15/97 8:41 PM Page 2

Controls and features
30Multi-function switch
The turn signal functions are
available only with the ignition
switch on.
Right turn signal
Move the lever up.
Left turn signal
Move the lever down.
HM:
I0 20
OFF LOPNL/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
DEF FLR
DEF
MAX
A/C HI/
POWERAUDIOAM/FM
SCAN
SEEK 312645ANSSIDE1-2EJECTVOLUME
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
100
110
120
130MPH20 406055
80120 100
140
160
180
200EF 1
/
2UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
12
03
x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
NORMALBRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
MIRRORS
Flash-to-pass
Pull the lever toward you and
release quickly for “flash-to-pass”
operation.
High beam headlamps
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel.
CDW IIIC3Controls en C 5/15/97 8:44 PM Page 30

Controls and features
31
Wipers
Lift the windshield wiper lever to
the desired speed interval.
•Intermittent: push lever up to the
first position.
•Low: push lever up to the second
position.
•High: push lever up to the third
position.
For a single wipe, push the lever
downward.
Windshield wipers and washer
Intermittent wiper control
(if equipped)
Rotate the variable intermittent
wiper control to the desired speed.
1 = Short time interval
6 = Extended time interval
Washer
Pull the lever toward the steering
wheel. The washer operates in
conjunction with the windshield
wipers.
CDW IIIC3Controls en C 5/15/97 8:44 PM Page 31

Seating and safety restraints
72
7. Fasten both halves of the chest
clip below the child’s shoulders and
adjust it to comfortably hold the
shoulder belts in place on the
child’s chest. The color green must
appear in the indicator window
when fastened.
8. Pull the lap portion of the belts
toward you to make sure the crotch
safety belt buckle is properly
fastened and the retractor is
locked.
9. If the belts become too tight,
unbuckle the crotch safety belt
buckle to unlock the retractors,
then reinsert both belt tongues.
If both tongues do not latch
in the buckle, do not use the
child seat. See your dealer for
repairs.
6. Insert either the left or the right
safety belt tongue into the single
opening of the crotch safety belt
buckle (it doesn’t matter which
tongue is inserted first). Insert the
other tongue. The color green must
appear in the indicator window on
each tongue when buckled. Allow
belts to retract and fit snugly.
CDW IIID Seat en C 5/15/97 8:48 PM Page 72

Seating and safety restraints
73
To stow the built-in child seat
Return the child seat cushion to
the upright position, then press
firmly in the center and top of the
child seat.
Removing your child from the
built-in child seat
1. Squeeze the tabs on the top and
the bottom of the chest clip and
pull the halves apart to open the
chest clip.
2. Press the release button on the
crotch safety belt buckle.
3. Slide the shoulder belts off the
child’s shoulders and remove the
child.
Inspecting the built-in child seat
after a collision
All built-in child restraints,
including seats, buckles, retractors,
seat latches, interlocks and
attaching hardware should be
inspected by your dealer or a
qualified technician after any
collision. If the child seat was in
use during a collision, Ford
recommends replacing it. Built-in
child restraints not in use during a
collision should be inspected and
replaced if either damage or
improper operation is noted.
CDW IIID Seat en C 5/15/97 8:48 PM Page 73

Seating and safety restraints
765. To put the retractor in the
automatic locking mode, grasp the
shoulder portion of the belt and
pull downward until all of the belt
is extracted and a click is heard.
4. Insert the belt tongue into the
proper buckle for that seating
position until you hear and feel the
latch engage. Make sure the tongue
is latched securely by pulling on it.
6. Allow the belt to retract. The
belt will click as it retracts to
indicate it is in the automatic
locking mode.
7. Pull the lap belt portion across
the child seat toward the buckle
and pull up on the shoulder belt
while pushing down with your knee
on the child seat.
CDW IIID Seat en C 5/15/97 8:48 PM Page 76

Driving
100
GCW(Gross Combined Weight)
The GCW is the maximum
combined weight of the towing
vehicle (including passengers and
cargo) and the loaded trailer. The
GCW is specified by the
manufacturer to indicate the
combined maximum loaded weight
that the vehicle is designed to tow. GAWR(Gross Axle Weight
Rating)
Carrying capacity for each axle
system (front and rear). The
GAWR is specific to each vehicle
and is listed on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label on
the driver’s door pillar. GVWR(Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)
Maximum total weight of the base
vehicle, passengers, optional
equipment and cargo. The GVWR is
specific to each vehicle and is listed
on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label on the driver’s
door pillar.
CDW IVB1-10Driving en C 5/15/97 8:52 PM Page 100

Driving
103 TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is capable of towing a
trailer of up to a maximum of
454kg (1000 lbs) gross trailer
weight with a maximum tongue
load of 45kg (100 lbs). It should
also have 2.3sq. meters (25sq.
feet) or less frontal area. Do not
drive faster than 72km/h (45mph)
while towing a 454kg (1000lb)
trailer.
Your vehicle does not come from
the factory fully equipped to tow.
No towing packages are available
through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury
dealers.
Trailer towing puts additional loads
on your vehicle’s engine, transaxle,
axle, brakes, tires, and suspension.
For your safety and to maximize
vehicle performance, be sure to use
the proper equipment while
towing.
CDW IVB1-10Driving en C 5/15/97 8:52 PM Page 103