1998 FORD CONTOUR warning lights

Instrumentation
6Turn signal
Flashes when the left or right turn
signal or hazard lights are
activated. There are two different instrument
cluster designs. The individual
warning and indicator lights are
described on the following pages.
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
NORMAL
BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINETRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
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
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Alternative design
CDW IIA2Instrum_en C 5/15/97 8:42 PM Page 6

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

Starting
843. Turn the key to the onposition
(without turning the key to start).
Make sure the following lights
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer or a
qualified service technician.
BRAKE
BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
•If the driver’s safety belt is
fastened the warning light does
not illuminate.Alternative design
Alternative design
CDW IVA1_2 Starting en C 5/15/97 8:50 PM Page 84

Driving
106Using a hitch
Do not use hitches that:
•Clamp onto the vehicle bumper.
•Attach to the axle.
Distribute the load so that only 10
to 15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue. Tie down
the load so that it does not shift
and change weight on the hitch.
Follow the instructions of a
reputable rental agency.
Using trailer lamps
See your local trailer retailer or
rental agency for proper
instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.
Do not hook the trailer lamps
directly into the vehicle’s wiring
system. If the trailer lamps are not
working properly, the warning
lights in the instrument cluster may
not work properly.
CDW IVB1-10Driving en C 5/15/97 8:52 PM Page 106

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

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
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Index
195 EPage
Engine oil
changing oil and filter . . . . . . .136
checking and adding . . . . . . . .135
dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
engine oil pressure
warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
filter specifications . . . . . . . . .186
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .187
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Exhaust fumes . . . . . . . . . . .81, 166
F
Fan (see Engine fan)
Flasher, hazard . . . . . . . . . .29, 110
Flashing the lights . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Fluid refill capacities . . . . . . . . .187
Foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18, 172
Fuel
calculating fuel economy . . . .165
capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187
choosing the right fuel . . . . . .162
consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
low fuel warning light . . . . . . . . .9
octane rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164
running out of fuel . . . . . . . . .166
safety information relating
to automotive fuels . . . . . . . . .160
Fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .110
Fuse panels
engine compartment . . . . . . . .113
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .115FPage
Fuses
charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114, 117
checking and replacing . . . . . .112
G
Gas mileage (see Fuel economy)
Gauges
engine coolant temperature . . .15
fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) . . .100
Gearshift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90, 96
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) .100
H
Hazard flashers . . . . . . . . . .29, 110
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Headlamps
aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
bulb specifications . . . . . . . . .175
daytime running light . . . . . . . .18
flashing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . .171
turning on and off . . . . . . . . . . .17
warning chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
High beams
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
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