1999 FORD CONTOUR service

Controls and features
51
¥Terrain.Hills, mountains and tall
buildings between your vehicleÕs
antenna and the radio station
signal can cause FM reception
problems. Static can be caused on
AM stations by power lines, electric
fences, traffic lights and
thunderstorms. Moving away from
an interfering structure (out of its
ÒshadowÓ) returns your reception
to normal.
¥ Station overload.Weak signals
are sometimes captured by
stronger signals when you pass a
broadcast tower. A stronger signal
may temporarily overtake a weaker
signal and play while the weak
station frequency is displayed.
The audio system automatically
switches to single channel
reception if it will improve the
reception of a station normally
received in stereo.
AUDIO SYSTEM WARRANTIES
AND SERVICE
Refer to the ÒWarranty GuideÓ for
audio system warranty information.
If service is necessary, see your
dealer or a qualified technician.
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Seating and safety restraints
84
Do not attempt to service,
repair, or modify the air bag
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) or its fuses. See your Ford
or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
When installing forward-
facing child seats in the
front seat, always move the
passenger seat as far back from
the instrument panel as possible.
Never install rear-facing child
seats or rear-facing infant seats in
the front seat.
Children and air bags
For additional important safety
information, read all information on
safety restraints in this guide.
Children should always wear safety
belts. Failure to follow these
instructions may increase the risk
of injury in a collision.
Do not place objects or
mount equipment on or near
the air bag covers that may come
into contact with an inflating air
bag.
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Seating and safety restraints
87
Determining if the system is
operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in
the instrument cluster or a
secondary warning light to indicate
the condition of the system. Refer
to the Air bag readinesssection in
the Instrumentationchapter.
Routine maintenance of the air bag
is not required.
A difficulty with the system is
indicated by one or more of the
following:
¥ The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
¥ The readiness light will not
illuminate after ignition is turned
on.
¥ The air bag secondary warning
light will flash five times. The
pattern will repeat periodically
until the problem or the readiness
light is repaired.
If any of these things happen, even
intermittently, have the SRS
serviced at your dealership or by a
qualified technician immediately.
Unless serviced, the system may
not function properly in the event
of a collision.CHECK
ENGINE
O/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL
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Starting
104
Extended idling at high
engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other
damage.
IMPORTANT SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS
A computer system controls the
engineÕs idle revolutions per minute
(rpm). When the engine starts, the
idle rpm runs faster to warm the
engine. If the engine idle speed
does not slow down automatically,
have the vehicle checked by your
dealer or a qualified service
technician. Do not allow the vehicle
to idle for more than ten minutes.
Do not park, idle, or drive
your vehicle in dry grass or
other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust
system, which can start a fire.
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Starting
106
Improve vehicle ventilation by
keeping all air inlet vents clear of
snow, leaves, and other debris.
Guarding against exhaust
fumes
Although odorless and colorless,
carbon monoxide is present in
exhaust fumes. Take precautions to
avoid its dangerous effects.
Have the exhaust and body
ventilation system checked
whenever:
¥ the vehicle is raised for service.
¥ the sound of the exhaust system
changes.
¥ the vehicle has been damaged in
a collision.
If you ever smell exhaust
fumes of any kind inside
your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect and fix your vehicle
immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes. These fumes
are harmful and could kill you.
21CSten 3/25/99 3:27 PM Page 106

Starting
109
3. Turn the key to the on position
(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 driverÕs safety belt is
fastened, the safety belt warning
light does not illuminate.
Alternative design
Alternative design
O/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL
21CSten 3/25/99 3:27 PM Page 109

Driving
115
TRACTION CONTROL
(if equipped)
This system prevents wheel spin at
all speeds. The control will toggle
this function on and off, but the
feature defaults to on after each
cycle of the ignition key.
The traction control system
controls excessive wheel spin by
automatically applying and
releasing the brakes in conjunction
with engine torque reductions.
This can occur when accelerating
on a slippery road, a loose surface
or when pulling away on a hill. The
traction control lamp flashes on the
instrument panel when the system
is functioning to regulate tire
traction.
When the ignition is turned to the
on position, the traction control
system light comes on for
approximately three (3) seconds. If
the light does not come on when
the ignition is turned to the on
position or if it remains on
continuously when the traction
control system is turned on, have
the system serviced by your dealer
or a qualified service technician.
You can continue to drive and do
not need to have the vehicle towed
in.
You should not take unnecessary
driving risks because of the
systemÕs safety potential.
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Driving
131
Follow these guidelines to ensure
safe towing procedure:
¥ Stay within your vehicleÕs load
limits.
¥ Thoroughly prepare your vehicle
for towing. Refer to Preparing to
towin this chapter.
¥ Use extra caution when driving
while trailer towing. Refer to
Driving while towing a trailerin
this chapter.
¥ Service your vehicle more
frequently if you tow a trailer.
Refer to the severe duty schedule
in the maintenance guide and or
service guide.
¥ Do not tow a trailer until your
vehicle has been driven at least
800 km (500 miles).
¥ Refer to the instructions
included with towing accessories
for the proper installation and
adjustment specifications.
22CDren 3/25/99 3:32 PM Page 131