1999 FORD CONTOUR air conditioning

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
13CCfen 3/25/99 1:50 PM Page 24

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.
13CCfen 3/25/99 1:50 PM Page 27

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.
13CCfen 3/25/99 1:50 PM Page 29

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.
21CSten 3/25/99 3:27 PM Page 105

Roadside emergencies
142
Power distribution box (engine compartment)
RelayCircuits switched
R 1
R 2
R 3
R 4
R 5
R 6
R 7
R 8
R 9
R 10
R 11
D1
D2
Passenger compartment fuse
panel
To check or change a fuse or a
relay, open the fuse box by pulling
down the lock release lever (1).
1
Fuel pump
EEC module
Air conditioning
Low beam
High beam
Horn
Starter solenoid
Engine cooling fan (high speed)
Engine cooling fan
Not used
Daytime running lights
Reverse voltage protection
Not used
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Index
236
APage
Accessory position on
the ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Additives, engine oil . . . . . . . . .165
Air bag supplemental
restraint system
and child safety seats . . . . . . . .84
description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . .13, 87
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
wearing safety belts . . . . . . . . .83
Air conditioning
(see Climate control system)
Alarm, activating panic . . . . . . . .67
Antenna, radio
(see Audio sytem) . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .112
Anti-theft system (see Passive
Anti-Theft System) . . . . . . . . . . .69
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)
Audio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Automatic transaxle
driving with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
fluid, adding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
fluid, checking . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .218
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .219
B
Backing up . . . . . . . . . . . . .119, 125
Battery
charging system warning light . .7
jumping a disabled battery . . .150
proper disposal, recycling . . . .178
replacement, specifications . .217
servicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
BPage
Brake fluid
checking and adding . . . . . . . .168
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Brake-shift interlock . . . . . . . . .118
Brakelamps
(see Bulb replacement)
Brakes
anti-lock brake system (ABS) 112
brake warning light . . . . . . . . . .14
fluid, checking and adding . . .168
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .218
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .219
parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Built-in child seat
folding up the seat . . . . . . . . . .98
inspection after a collision . . . .98
interlock safety feature . . . . . . .94
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
retractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Break-in period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Bulbs, replacing
foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202
headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200
high-mounted brake lamp . . . .204
license plate lamp . . . . . . . . . .203
rear lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
C
Cabin air filter . . . . . . . . . . .31, 180
Capacities for refilling fluids . . .218
Carbon monoxyde in exhaust . .197
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . .196
Chains, tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Changing a tire . . . . . . . . . . . . .146
Charging system warning light . . .7
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237
Index
CPage
Child safety restraints
built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .93
child safety seats . . . . . . . . . . . .99
children and safety belts . . .89, 91
Child safety seats
and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
attaching with tether straps . .102
automatic locking mode . . . . . .77
Childproof safety locks . . . . . . . .63
Chimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Circuit breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment . . . . . . . .213
exterior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . .214
fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .215
plastic exterior parts . . . . . . . .214
safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214
Climate control system
air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
controlling airflow . . . . . . . . . . .24
defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Clutch
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
recommended shift speeds . . .124
Cold engine starting . . . . . . . . .110
Controls
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . .18
power seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
steering column . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Customer assistance . . . . . . . . .223DPage
Daytime running lights . . . . . . . .21
Defects, reporting . . . . . . . . . . .235
Defrost
rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Dipstick, engine oil . . . . . . . . . .163
Door mounted controls . . . . . . . .62
Driving under special conditions
heavy load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . .130
E
Electrical system
fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Emergencies, roadside
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .137
jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
Emergency brake (see Parking
brake)
Emission control system . . . . . .196
Engine
check engine warning light . . . .10
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .137
lubricant specifications . . . . . .219
preparing to start . . . . . . . . . .107
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .218
starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Engine block heater . . . . . . . . .111
Engine coolant
checking and adding . . . . . . . .167
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
low coolant warning light . . . . . .9
refilll capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .218
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Engine fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
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