2000 FORD CONTOUR Owners Manual

Driving
121 TRANSAXLE OPERATION
Automatic transaxle
(if equipped)
Your 2.5 l V6 automatic transaxle
electronically controls the shift feel
by using an adaptive learning
strategy. This feature is designed to
optimize shift smoothness. It is
normal for your transaxle to adjust
during the first few hundred
kilometers (miles) of operation
until the adaptive strategy has
been learned. The adaptive
learning strategy is maintained by
power from the battery. When the
battery is disconnected or a new
battery is installed, the transaxle
must relearn its adaptive strategy.
Optimal shifting will resume within
a few hundred kilometers (miles)
of operation.
Vehicles equipped with an
automatic transaxle are equipped
with a brake-shift interlock feature
that prevents the gearshift lever
from being moved from the P
(Park) position unless the brake
pedal is depressed.
Putting your vehicle in gear
You must push the thumb button to
move the gearshift to the position
you choose.
To operate:
1. Start the engine.
2. Depress and hold the brake
pedal.
3. Move the gearshift lever out of
P (Park). Speed sensitive power steering
(if equipped)
The steering system is speed
sensitive. This means that the
steering effort is light for parking
and heavier for highway driving.
However, if you have to swerve
around an object or another
vehicle, your vehicle will have full
power assist.
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Driving
122
Overriding the brake-shift
interlock feature
If it is necessary to use this
procedure to move the gearshift
lever, it is possible that a fuse has
blown and the vehicle’s brakelamps
may not be working. Refer to
Fuses
and relaysin the Roadside
emergencieschapter.
If you cannot move the gearshift
lever from P (Park) with the brake
pedal depressed:
1. Turn the ignition off and remove
the ignition key.
2. Apply the parking brake and the
brake pedal.
3. Insert a screwdriver or similar
item about 5 cm (2 inches) into the
square opening to the right of the
gearshift at the base of the console.
4. Rotate the screwdriver point
rearward.
5. Push and hold the thumb button
and move the gearshift.
6. Remove the screwdriver when
the gearshift moves from the P
(Park) position.
The console-mounted gearshift will
lock when you turn the key to the
lock position. When the gearshift is
in any position except P (Park),
the ignition key cannot be turned
to lock or removed from the
steering column. To remove the
key, the gearshift lever must be in
P (Park).Once the gearshift is secure in the
desired position, release the brake
pedal and use the accelerator as
necessary.
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Driving
123 Driving
Never leave a vehicle
unattended while it is
running.
•P(Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). This
locks the transaxle and prevents
the front wheels from rotating.
•R(Reverse)
The vehicle only moves backward.
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting in or out of R
(Reverse).P= Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
R= Reverse . . . . . . . . . . .
N= Neutral . . . . . . . . . . . .
D= Drive: Gear 1 to 4
with overdrive . . . . . .
Gear 1 to 3
with overdrive
cancelled . . . . . . . . . .
2= Gear 2 . . . . . . . . . . . .
1= Gear 1 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Understanding gearshift
positions
To account for customer driving
habits and conditions, your 2.5 l V6
automatic transaxle electronically
controls the shift feel by using an
adaptive learning strategy. During
the first few hundred kilometers
(miles) of operation, it is normal
for your transaxle to adjust. The
adaptive learning strategy is
maintained by power from the
battery. When the battery is
disconnected or a new battery is
installed, the transaxle must
relearn its adaptive strategy.
Optimal shifting will resume within
a few hundred kilometers (miles)
of operation.
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Driving
124•D (Overdrive)
Note that the vehicle’s gearshift is
console-mounted on the floor. The
transaxle control switch (TCS) is
located on the gearshift handle.
The transaxle control indicator
light (O/D light) is located on the
instrument panel.
Overdrive is not shown on the
display, but is the default mode for
the D gearshift position. This is the
normal driving mode for the best
fuel economy. The transaxle
operates in gears one through four.
The O/D light is off (not
illuminated) during normal vehicle
operation.
Overdrive can be deactivated by
pressing the transaxle control
switch (TCS) located on the
gearshift handle. The O/D OFF
indicator light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster. •N(Neutral)
The wheels of the transaxle are not
locked. Your vehicle will roll freely,
even on the slightest incline, unless
the parking brake or brakes are on.
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Driving
125
•D (Drive)
D (Drive) provides more engine
braking than overdrive and is
useful when driving through hilly
terrain or if your vehicle requires
additional power for climbing hills.
Activate by pressing the transaxle
control switch (TCS) located on
the gearshift handle. The O/D OFF
indicator light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster. Transaxle
operates in gears one through
three.
To return to overdrive mode, press
the transaxle control switch.The
O/D OFF indicator light will
extinguish.
When starting your vehicle, the
transaxle will automatically return
to normal overdrive mode when the
D (Drive) gearshift position is
selected.
O/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL
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Driving
126•1 (First)
Use the 1 (First) position to
provide maximum engine braking
on steep downgrades. Upshifts will
not occur while the gearshift lever
remains in the 1 (First) position.
Upshifts may be made by shifting
to the 2 (second) position or to D
(Drive). Selecting the 1 (First)
position at high speeds causes the
transaxle to downshift through the
gears and will shift to 1 (First)
after the vehicle decelerates to the
transaxle first gear designed speed.
Do not go faster than 60 km/h
(38 mph) in this gear. •2 (Second)
Use the 2 (Second) position to
start up on slippery roads or to
provide additional braking on
downgrades. When your vehicle is
in 2 (Second), it automatically
starts off in second gear. Do not go
faster than 90 km/h (55 mph) in
this gear.
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Driving
127
Manual transaxle (if equipped)
Vehicles equipped with a manual
transaxle have a starter interlock
that prevents cranking the engine
unless the clutch pedal is fully
depressed.
Using the clutch
When starting a vehicle with a
manual transaxle:
1. Hold down the brake pedal.
2. Depress the clutch pedal.
3. Put the gearshift lever in neutral.
4. Start the vehicle.
5. Put the gearshift in 1 (First) or R
(Reverse).
6. Release the clutch slowly while
pressing gradually down on the
accelerator pedal.
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the clutch pedal. Do not use the
clutch to hold your vehicle at a
standstill while waiting on a hill.
These actions may reduce the
clutch life.
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Driving
128
22
Recommended shift speeds
2.0 litre engine 5-speed transaxle
shift speed schedules
Recommended
upshifts:
Shift fromkm/h mph
14
25
33
48
40
53
77mph
12
20
29
40
km/h
19
32
64
First to second
Second to third
Third to fourth
Fourth to fifth
During acceleration:During cruise*:
46
2.5 litre engine 5-speed transaxle
shift speed schedules
km/h mph km/h
mph
10
20
31
40
16
32
50
64
14
25
33
45
22
40
53
73
Shift from
First to second
Second to third
Third to fourth
Fourth to fifth
Recommended
upshifts:During acceleration:During cruise*:
*The vehicle can be shifted at lower speeds to improve fuel economy.
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