1999 FORD CONTOUR warning

Seating and safety restraints
81
Conditions of operation
If the driver safety belt is not
buckled before the ignition key is
turned to on, the safety belt
indicator illuminates for
1-2 minutes and the warning chime
sounds for 4-8 seconds.
If the driver safety belt is buckled
while the indicator light is
illuminated and the reminder
chime is sounding, the safety belt
indicator light and reminder turn
off.
Safety belt extension assembly
The safety belt may be too short
even when fully extended.
Approximately 20 cm (8 inches)
may be added to the length of the
belt with a safety belt extension
(part number 611C22). Safety belt
extensions are available at no cost
from your dealer.
Only use extensions manufactured
by the same supplier as the safety
belt. Manufacturer identification is
on the label located at the end of
the webbing.
Do not use the extension to change
the fit of the shoulder belt across
the torso.
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Seating and safety restraints
82
Care of safety belts
Periodically check the belts for
damage or fraying. Check the
security of the anchorage points
and the locking action of the inertia
reels by giving each belt a sharp
tug.
Belts subjected to strain, as in the
result of an accident, should be
replaced and the anchorages
checked by your dealer or a
qualified technician.
Failure to follow these
instructions will affect the
performance of the safety belts
and increase the risk of personal
injury.
Safety belt warning label
A warning label has been placed on
the buckle of each of your vehicleÕs
front seat safety belts.
In a collision of sufficient severity
while the safety belt is in use, the
safety belt buckle will pull out of
the sleeve so that all or part of the
orange portion of the label is
visible.
Whenever the orange
portion of the label is visible,
the safety belt must be replaced.
WARNING Replace buckle
assembly if this vehicle is in a collision
or if any orange portion of this label
is visible. (See Owner Guide). Failure
to replace this buckle assembly under
the above conditions could result in
severe personal injuries in the event
of collision.
AVERTISSEMENT Remplacer
l'ensemble de boucle de ceinture en
cas de collision avec ce véhicule, ou si
la partie orange de cette étiquette
est visible (Voir le Guide du
proprietare). Faute de remplacer cet
ensemble de boucle, des blessures
graves pourraient être encourues en
cas de collision.
REPLACE BUCKLE/REMPLACER BOUCLE
14CSSen 3/25/99 1:59 PM Page 82

Seating and safety restraints
86
If the air bag is inflated, the
air bag will not function
again and must be replaced
immediately.If the air bag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area will
increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
The SRS consists of the following:
¥ driver and passenger air bag
modules (which include the
inflators and air bags),
¥ one impact and one safing sensor,
¥ a readiness light and a secondary
warning light, and
¥ the electrical wiring and
components.
The diagnostic module monitors its
own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical
system readiness (including the
impact sensors), the system wiring,
the air bag system readiness light,
the air bag backup power, and the
air bag ignitors.
Several air bag system
components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after
inflation.
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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
14CSSen 3/25/99 1:59 PM Page 87

Seating and safety restraints
90
Important child restraint
precautions
You are required by law to use
safety restraints for children in the
U.S. and Canada. If small children
ride in your vehicle (generally
children who are 4 years old or
younger and who weigh 18 kg
[40 lb] or less), you must put them
in safety seats made especially for
children. Check your local and
state or provincial laws for specific
requirements regarding the safety
of children in your vehicle.
Never let a passenger hold a
child on his or her lap while
the vehicle is moving. The
passenger cannot protect the child
from injury in a collision.
Always follow the instructions and
warnings that come with any infant
or child restraint you might use.
When possible, place children in
the rear seat of your vehicle.
Accident statistics suggest that
children are safer when properly
restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating
position.
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Seating and safety restraints
96
4. If connected, squeeze the tabs
on the top and bottom of the chest
clip and pull the halves apart to
open the chest clip. Then release
the lower half of belt by pressing
the red button.
5. Place the child in the child seat
and position the shoulder belts
over each shoulder.
3. Read all the information and
warnings on the child seat cushion
and shoulder safety belt. Make sure
the child is not too large for the
child seat.
14CSSen 3/25/99 1:59 PM Page 96

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
133
Using 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 vehicleÕs wiring
system. If the trailer lamps are not
working properly, the warning
lights in the instrument cluster may
not work properly.
22CDren 3/25/99 3:32 PM Page 133