1999 FORD CONTOUR maintenance

1
Contents
Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 4
Controls and features 20
Seating and safety restraints 72
Starting and driving
Starting 104
Driving 112
Roadside emergencies 137
Servicing
Maintenance and care 158
Capacities and specifications 217
Customer assistance 223
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 235
Index 236
11CCoen 3/25/99 1:17 PM Page 2

Instrumentation
9 O/D Off indicator
(Automatic transaxle only)
Illuminates and remains
illuminated when the transaxle
control switch (TCS) on the side of
the gearshift lever is pressed and
overdrive is turned off. For details,
refer to the Driving chapter.
Indicates the status of the
transaxle and will flash steadily if a
malfunction is detected. If the
flashing persists, have your
transaxle serviced by your dealer
or a qualified service technician as
soon as possible.
If the condition persists, your
transaxle may be damaged.
O/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL
O/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL
If the light stays on for more than
three (3) seconds after the
ignition is turned to the ON
position or stays on continuously
while you are driving, have the
traction control system checked
by a qualified technician as soon
as possible.
For more information, refer to
Traction Controlin the Driving
chapter.
Low coolant (if equipped)
Briefly illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the engine
is off. Illuminates when the engine
coolant level is low. Refer to the
Maintenance and care chapter to
check the engine coolant level.
12CInen 3/25/99 1:24 PM Page 9

Instrumentation
16
EF
BRAKE
O/D
OFF
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
110
120
13 0
MPH
20 4060
55
80120 10 0
14 0
160
18 0
20010 0
CHECK
ENGINETRACTION
CONTROL
CH
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
110
120
13 0
MPH
20 4060
55
80120 10 0
14 0
160
18 0
20010 0
EF12
03
x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
O/D
OFFCHECK
ENGINE
BRAKE
TRACTION
CONTROL
CH
Engine oil pressure
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned on and the engine is off.
The light also illuminates when
engine oil pressure has been lost.
Refer to the Maintenance and
carechapter to check the engine
oil level as soon as possible. If the
engine oil level is correct and the
light stays on, see your dealer or
qualified service technician.
BRAKE
BRAKE
Alternative design
12CInen 3/25/99 1:24 PM Page 16

Instrumentation
18
CH
Engine coolant temperature
gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. If it enters the red
section, the engine is overheating.
Switch off the ignition and
determine the source of the
problem. Refer to Checking and
adding engine coolant in the
Maintenance and care chapter.
EF
BRAKE
TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
110
120
13 0
MPH
20 4060
55
80120 10 0
14 0
160
18 0
20010 0
CHECK
ENGINETRACTION
CONTROL
CH
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
110
120
13 0
MPH
20 4060
55
80120 10 0
14 0
160
18 0
20010 0
EF12
03
x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
O/D
OFFCHECK
ENGINE
BRAKE
TRACTION
CONTROL
CH
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
GAUGES
12CInen 3/25/99 1:24 PM Page 18

Controls and features
31
Cabin air filter
Your vehicle is equipped with an air
filter that removes pollen and road
dust from outside air before it is
directed to the interior of the
vehicle. Refer to the Maintenance
and carechapter for maintenance
of this filter.
¥ When placing objects on top of
your instrument panel, be careful
to not place them over the
defroster outlets. These objects
can block airflow and reduce your
ability to see through your
windshield. Also, avoid placing
small objects on top of your
instrument panel. These objects
can fall down into the defroster
outlets and block airflow and
possibly damage your climate
control system.
13CCfen 3/25/99 1:50 PM Page 31

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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112
Driving
BRAKES
Your brakes are self-adjusting.
Refer to the ÒScheduled
Maintenance GuideÓ for
maintenance intervals.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
(if equipped)
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lock-up during
brake applications and
compensating for this tendency.
The wheels are prevented from
locking even when the brakes are
firmly applied, helping to ensure
that the vehicle can be steered and
the driver can avoid obstacles.
Operation of the anti-lock
braking system
The anti-lock braking system is not
employed during normal braking. It
becomes operational only when it
senses differences in the rotational
speed of the road wheels,
indicating that they are about to
lock-up. Its operation is indicated
by a pulsing of the brake pedal. Do
not release the pedal while braking.
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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