2000 FORD CONTOUR child restraint

Seating and safety restraints
103
Carefully follow all of the
manufacturer’s instructions
included with the safety seat you
put in your vehicle. If you do not
install and use the safety seat
properly, the child may be injured
in a sudden stop or collision.
Ford recommends the use of a
child safety seat having a top tether
strap. Install the child safety seat in
a seating position which is capable
of providing a tether anchorage.
For more information on top tether
straps see Child safety seat tether
belt anchorin this chapter.
When installing a child safety seat:
• Use the correct safety belt
buckle for that seating postion.
• Make sure the tongue is securely
fastened in the buckle.
• Keep the buckle release button
pointing up and away from the
safety seat, with the tongue
between the child seat and the
release button, to prevent
accidental unbuckling.
• Put the safety belt in the
automatic locking mode. Refer to
Using automatic locking modein
this chapter. Child safety seats
14CSSen 17.6.99 11:00 Uhr Seite 103

Seating and safety restraints
104Child safety seat tether belt
anchor
All vehicles include a tether
anchorage hardware kit for use
with child safety seats. Some
manufacturers make child safety
seats with a tether strap that goes
over the back of the vehicle seat
and attaches to an anchoring point
behind the vehicle seat.
Attachment holes (at each rear
seating position) have been
provided in your vehicle to attach
the anchorage hardware, if
required. Additional kits can be
obtained at no charge from any
authorized Ford dealer.
(Installations instructions are
included in the kit.)
2. Pull down on the shoulder belt
and then grasp the shoulder belt
and lap belt together. Installing child safety seats in
combination lap and shoulder
belt seat positions
1. Position the child safety seat in a
seat with a combination lap and
shoulder belt.
When using forward-facing
child seats move the
passenger seat as far back from
the instrument panel as possible.
Never secure rear-facing infant
seats in the front seat.
14CSSen 17.6.99 11:00 Uhr Seite 104

Seating and safety restraints
105 3. While holding the shoulder and
lap belt portions together, route
the tongue through the child seat
according to the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions. Be
sure the belt webbing is not
twisted.
4. Insert the belt tongue into the
proper buckle for that seating
position until you hear and feel the
latch engage. Make sure the tongue
is latched securely by pulling on it.
5. To put the retractor in the
automatic locking mode, grasp the
shoulder portion of the belt and
pull downward until all of the belt
is extracted and a click is heard.
14CSSen 17.6.99 11:00 Uhr Seite 105

Seating and safety restraints
1066. Allow the belt to retract. The
belt will click as it retracts to
indicate it is in the automatic
locking mode.
7. Pull the lap belt portion across
the child seat toward the buckle
and pull up on the shoulder belt
while pushing down with your knee
on the child seat.
8. Allow the safety belt to retract to
remove any slack in the belt.
9. Before placing the child in the
seat, forcibly tilt the seat forward
and back to make sure the seat is
securely held in place.
10. Try to pull the belt out of the
retractor to make sure the
retractor is in automatic locking
mode (you should not be able to
pull more belt out). If the retractor
is not locked, unbuckle the belt and
repeat steps two through nine.
Check to make sure the child seat
is properly secured before each
use.
14CSSen 17.6.99 11:00 Uhr Seite 106

Index
242APage
Accessory position on
the ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Additives, engine oil . . . . . . . . .169
Air bag supplemental
restraint system
and child safety seats . . . . . . . .87
description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . .15, 91
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
wearing safety belts . . . . . . . . .87
Air conditioning
(see Climate control system)
Alarm, activating panic . . . . . . . .69
Antenna, radio
(see Audio system) . . . . . . . . . . .53
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .116
Anti-theft system (see Passive
Anti-Theft System)
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)
Audio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Automatic transaxle
driving with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
fluid, adding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
fluid, checking . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .224
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .225
B
Backing up . . . . . . . . . . . . .123, 129
Battery
charging system warning light . .9
jumping a disabled battery . . .154
proper disposal, recycling . . . .184
replacement, specifications . .223
servicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
Brake fluid
checking and adding . . . . . . . .172
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225
Brake-shift interlock . . . . . . . . .121
Brakelamps
(see Bulb replacement)BPage
Brakes
anti-lock brake system (ABS) 116
brake warning light . . . . . . . . . .14
fluid, checking and adding . . .172
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .224
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .225
parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Built-in child seat
folding up the seat . . . . . . . . .102
inspection after a collision . . .102
interlock safety feature . . . . . . .98
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
retractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Break-in period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Bulbs, replacing
foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208
headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
high-mounted brake lamp . . . .210
license plate lamp . . . . . . . . . .209
rear lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
C
Cabin air filter . . . . . . . . . . .33, 186
Capacities for refilling fluids . . .224
Carbon monoxyde in exhaust . .110
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . .202
Chains, tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
Changing a tire . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
Charging system warning light . . .9
Child safety restraints
built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .97
child safety seats . . . . . . . . . . .103
children and safety belts . . .93, 95
Child safety seats
and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
attaching with tether straps . .104
automatic locking mode . . . . . .79
Childproof safety locks . . . . . . . .65
Chimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Circuit breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
4CInden 17.6.99 11:32 Uhr Seite 242

Index
244FPage
Fuel
calculating fuel economy . . . .201
capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224
choosing the right fuel . . . . . .198
consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
low fuel warning light . . . . . . . .15
octane rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
running out of fuel . . . . . . . . .202
safety information relating
to automotive fuels . . . . . . . . .196
Fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .141
Fuse panels
engine compartment . . . . . . . .144
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .146
Fuses
charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145, 148
checking and replacing . . . . . .143
G
Gas mileage (see Fuel)
Gauges
engine coolant temperature . . .20
fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) . . .131
Gearshift . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123, 128
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) .131
H
Hazard flashers . . . . . . . . . .56, 141
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Headlamps
aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213
bulb specifications . . . . . . . . .212
daytime running light . . . . . . . .23
flashing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57HPage
high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . .206
turning on and off . . . . . . . . . . .22
warning chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
High beams
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
High-mount brakelamp . . . . . . .210
Hood
latch location . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
I
Identification Number, Vehicle
(VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228
Idle, relearning . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Idle, speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Ignition
chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
positions on the ignition . . . . . .54
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Instrument panel
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221
lighting up the panel . . . . . . . . .25
Integrated child seat (see Built-in
child seat)
Intermittent wipers . . . . . . . . . . .58
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
J
Jack
positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
Jump starting your vehicle
attaching cables . . . . . . . . . . . .155
disconnecting cables . . . . . . . .158
K
Keys
key in ignition warning chime .19
positions of the ignition . . . . . .54
4CInden 17.6.99 11:32 Uhr Seite 244

Index
246RPage
Radio (see Audio system) . . . . . .34
Rear window defroster . . . . . . . .24
Refill capacities for fluids . . . . .224
Relays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146
Remote control
luggage compartment . . . . . . . .66
Remote entry system
locking/unlocking doors . . . . . .68
opening the trunk . . . . . . . . . . .69
panic alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
replacing the batteries . . . . . . .69
replacement/additional
transmitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Repairing paint chips . . . . . . . .218
Reporting safety defects . . . . . .241
Restraints, safety . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Rotating the tires . . . . . . . . . . . .191
S
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints)
Safety chains, when towing
a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
Safety Compliance Certification
Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136
Safety defects, reporting . . . . . .241
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts . . . . .81
automatic locking mode
(retractors) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
cleaning the safety belts . . . . .222
extention assembly . . . . . . . . . .85
for children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
lap and shoulder belts . . . . . . . .78
maintenance . . . . . . . . . . .86, 222
vehicle sensitive locking mode .79
warning light and chime . . . .9, 19
Safety seats for children
and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . .87, 103
attaching with tether straps . .104
automatic locking mode SPage
(retractors) . . . . . . . . . . . .79, 102
built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .97
in front seat . . . . . . . . . . . .87, 104
tether anchorage hardware . .107
Seats
adjusting the seats, manual . . .74
adjusting the seats, power . . . .75
folding rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . .76
head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Servicing your vehicle . . . . . . . .162
Shift-lock system . . . . . . . . . . . .121
Shift positions (see Gearshift)
Snow tires and chains . . . . . . . .194
Spare tire
changing the tire . . . . . . . . . . .150
removing the spare tire . . . . . .151
temporary spare tire . . . . . . . .150
Spark plugs, certifications . . . .223
Specification charts, lubricants 225
Speed control
disengaging speed control . . . .62
return to a set speed . . . . . . . . .62
set a speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
set a higher speed . . . . . . . . . . .61
set a lower speed . . . . . . . . . . . .61
turn speed control off . . . . . . . .59
turn speed control on . . . . . . . .59
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start the vehicle .111
starting the engine . . . . . . . . .114
Steering column controls . . . . . .55
Steering wheel
horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
speed control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
tilting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Supplemental restraint
system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
4CInden 17.6.99 11:32 Uhr Seite 246

Index
247 TPage
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Tail lamps (see Lamps)
Temperature control
(see Climate control)
Testing the warning lights . . . . . .19
Tether anchor installation
(see Child safety restraints)
Tilt steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Tires
changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
checking tire pressure . . . . . .191
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
inspection and maintenance . .191
replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
rotating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191
snow tires and chains . . . . . . .194
spare tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
tire grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
treadwear . . . . . . . . . . . . .189, 192
wearbands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
Towing your vehicle . . . . . . . . .161
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
Transaxle
automatic, operation . . . . . . . .121
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .224
lubricant specifications . . . . . .225
manual, operation . . . . . . . . . .127
Transmitter (see Remote entry)
Trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Trunk (see Luggage compartment)
remote release lever . . . . . . . . .66
using the remote entry system .69
Turn signal
indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
U
Used engine oil, disposal . . . . . .171VPage
Variable interval wipers . . . . . . . .58
Vehicle care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228
Vehicle Emission Control
Information(VECI) . . . . . . . . . .204
Vehicle loading . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Ventilating your vehicle . . . . . .109
Viscosity (see Engine oil)
W
Warning chimes
headlamps on . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
key in ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Warning lights (see Lights)
Washer fluid reservoir . . . .167, 168
Weight limits (GAWR, GVWR) .130
Wheels
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
inspection and maintenance . .191
Windows
one-touch down . . . . . . . . . . . .64
power windows, operating . . . .64
rear, defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Windshield washer fluid and wipers
checking and adding fluid . . . .172
checking and replacing
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .225
variable interval wipers . . . . . . .58
Wrecker towing . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
4CInden 17.6.99 11:32 Uhr Seite 247