1999 FORD CONTOUR air condition

Controls and features
24
Climate control system
Vents
Airflow from the vents may be
adjusted by moving the horizontal
control or vertically adjusting the
vent (except passenger side outer
vent) according to your airflow
preference.
Your vehicle has one of the
following climate control systems:
¥ Manual heating system
¥ Manual heating and air
conditioning system
In some modes, the two systems
function similarly. In modes where
the systems do not function
similarly, the different functions
are noted.
OFF LO PNL/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
DEF FLR
DEF
MAX
A/C HI/
POWER AUDIO AM/FM
SCAN
SEEK 31245ANSSIDE 1-2EJECTVOLUME
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
10 0
110
120
13 0MPH20 406055
80120 10 0
14 0
160
18 0
200EF12
03x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
CHECK
ENGINE TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
MIRRORS
CLOCK
TRACTION
ROL
CH
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Controls and features
27
Manual heating and air
conditioning system
(if equipped)OFF LO PNL/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
DEF FLR
DEF
MAX
A/C HI/
LO
HIFan speed control
Controls the volume of air
circulated in the vehicle.
Temperature control knob
Controls the temperature of the
airflow inside the vehicle.
OFF PNL/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
DEF FLR
DEF
MAX
A/C/Mode selector control
Controls the direction of the
airflow to the inside of the vehicle.
The air conditioning compressor
will operate in all modes except
PANEL, PNL/FLR, and FLOOR.
However, the air conditioning will
only function if the outside
temperature is about 10¡C (50¡F )
or above.
Since the air conditioner removes
considerable moisture from the air
during operation, it is normal if
clear water drips on the ground
under the air conditioner drain
while the system is working and
even after you have stopped the
vehicle.
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Controls and features
28
Under normal conditions, your
vehicleÕs climate control system
should be left in any position other
than MAX A/C or OFF when the
vehicle is parked. This allows the
vehicle to ÒbreatheÓ through the
outside air inlet duct.
¥ MAX A/C Ð Uses recirculated air
to cool the vehicle. MAX A/C is
noisier than A/C but more
economical and will cool the inside
of the vehicle faster. Airflow will be
from the instrument panel
registers. This mode can also be
used to prevent undesirable odors
from entering the vehicle.
¥ A/C Ð Uses outside air to cool the
vehicle. It is quieter than MAX A/C
but not as economical. Airflow will
be from the instrument panel
registers.
¥ PANEL Ð Distributes outside air
through the instrument panel
registers. However, the air will not
be cooled below the outside
temperature because the air
conditioning does not operate in
this mode.
¥ OFF Ð Outside air is shut out and
the fan will not operate. For short
periods of time only, use this mode
to prevent undesirable odors from
entering the vehicle.
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Controls and features
29
¥ PNL/FLR Ð Distributes outside
air through the instrument panel
registers and the floor ducts.
However, the air will not be cooled
below the outside temperature
because the air conditioning does
not operate in this mode. For
added customer comfort, when the
temperature control knob is
anywhere in between the full hot
and full cold positions, the air
distributed through the floor ducts
will be slightly warmer than the air
sent to the instrument panel
registers.
¥ FLOOR Ð Allows for maximum
heating by distributing outside air
through the floor ducts. However,
the air will not be cooled below the
outside temperature because the
air conditioning does not operate in
this mode.
¥ FLR/DEF Ð Distributes outside
air through the windshield
defroster ducts and the floor ducts.
Heating and air conditioning
capabilities are provided in this
mode. For added customer
comfort, the air distributed through
the floor ducts will be slightly
warmer than the air sent to the
windshield defroster ducts. If the
temperature is about 10¡C (50¡F)
or higher, the air conditioner will
automatically dehumidify the air to
prevent fogging.
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Controls and features
30
¥ DEF Ð Distributes outside air
through the windshield defroster
ducts. It can be used to clear ice or
fog from the windshield. If the
temperature is about 10¡C (50¡F)
or higher, the air conditioner will
automatically dehumidify the air to
prevent fogging.
Operating tips
¥ In humid weather, select DEF
before driving. This will prevent
your windshield from fogging. After
a few minutes, select any desired
position.
¥ To prevent humidity buildup
inside the vehicle, donÕt drive with
the climate control system in the
OFF position.
¥ DonÕt put objects under the front
seat that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
¥ Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield under the
hood).
¥ If your vehicle has been parked
with the windows closed during hot
weather, the air conditioner will do
a much faster job of cooling if you
drive for two or three minutes with
the windows open. This will force
most of the hot, stale air out of the
vehicle. Then operate your air
conditioner as you would normally.
13CCfen 3/25/99 1:50 PM Page 30

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
105
IMPORTANT VENTILATION
INFORMATION
If the engine is idling while the
vehicle is stopped in an open area
for long periods of time, open the
windows at least 2.5 cm (1 inch).
OFF PNL/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
DEF FLR
DEF
MAX
A/C/
Adjust the heating or air
conditioning to bring in fresh air.
Do not start your vehicle in a
closed garage or in other
enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes
can be toxic. Always open the
garage door before you start the
engine. See Guarding against
exhaust fumesin this chapter for
more instructions.
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Driving
136
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Fuel economy can be improved by
avoiding:
¥ lack of regular, scheduled
maintenance,
¥ excessive speed,
¥ rapid acceleration,
¥ driving with the brake pedal
depressed,
¥ sudden stops,
¥ extended engine idling,
¥ use of speed control in hilly
terrain,
¥ extended use of the air
conditioner, defroster, rear window
defroster and other accessories,
¥ underinflated tires,
¥ heavy loads,
¥ aftermarket add-ons such as
bike, ski or luggage racks, bug
deflectors, etc.
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