2000 FORD CONTOUR Owners Manual

Reporting safety defects
241 REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
(U.S. ONLY)
If you believe that your vehicle has
a defect that could cause a crash,
or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in
addition to Ford Motor Company.
If NHTSA receives similar
complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a
safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and
remedy campaign. However,
NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you,
your dealer or Ford Motor
Company.
To contact NHTSA, you may either
call the Auto Safety Hotline
toll–free at 1-800-424-9393
(202-366-0123 in the Washington
D.C. area) or write to
NHTSA
U.S.Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street
Washington D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other
information about motor vehicle
safety from the hotline.
33CCAen 17.6.99 11:32 Uhr Seite 241

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
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243
Index
CPage
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment . . . . . . . .219
exterior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . .220
fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .221
plastic exterior parts . . . . . . . .220
safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220
Climate control system
air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
controlling airflow . . . . . . . . . . .26
defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Clutch
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
recommended shift speeds . . .128
Cold engine starting . . . . . . . . .114
Controls
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . .20
power seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
steering column . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Customer assistance . . . . . . . . .229
D
Daytime running lights . . . . . . . .23
Defects, reporting . . . . . . . . . . .241
Defrost
rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Dipstick, engine oil . . . . . . . . . .167
Door mounted controls . . . . . . . .64
Driving under special conditions
heavy load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . .134
E
Electrical system
fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143EPage
Emergencies, roadside
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .141
jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Emergency brake (see Parking
brake)
Emission control system . . . . . .202
Engine
check engine warning light . . . .12
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .141
lubricant specifications . . . . . .225
preparing to start . . . . . . . . . .111
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .224
starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Engine block heater . . . . . . . . .115
Engine coolant
checking and adding . . . . . . . .174
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
low coolant warning light . . . . .11
refilll capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .224
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225
Engine fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
Engine oil
changing oil and filter . . . . . . .170
checking and adding . . . . . . . .169
dipstick . . . . . . . . . .167, 168, 169
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
engine oil pressure
warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
filter specifications . . . . . . . . .223
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .224
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225
Exhaust fumes . . . . . . . . . .110, 202
F
Fan (see Engine fan)
Flasher, hazard . . . . . . . . . .56, 141
Flashing the lights . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Fluid refill capacities . . . . . . . . .224
Foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23, 208
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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
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Index
245 LPage
Lamps
bulb replacement specification
chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
daytime running light system . .23
flashing the lamps . . . . . . . . . . .57
foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23, 208
hazard flashers . . . . . . . . .56, 141
headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
high beams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
high-mounted brake lamp . . . .210
instrument panel, dimming . . .25
interior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
reading lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . .206
rear lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
anti-lock brakes (ABS) . . . . . . .17
brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
charging system . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
check engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
engine oil pressure . . . . . . . . . .18
high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
low coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
low fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
overdrive off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
testing the warning lights . . . . .19
turn signal indicator . . . . . . . . . .8
Load limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Lubricant specifications . . . . . .225
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . .66
M
Maintenance (see Servicing)
Manual transaxle
backing up (reverse) . . . . . . . .129
clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
fluid, capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . .224
shift speeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128MPage
Mileage, calculating fuel
economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) . . . .25
Motorcraft parts . . . . . . . . . . . .223
N
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
O
Octane rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Oil (see Engine oil)
Oil filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170, 223
On-board diagnostic
(OBD II) system . . . . . . . . . . . .205
Overdrive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11, 124
Overhead controls . . . . . . . . . . . .62
P
Panel dimmer control . . . . . . . . .25
Panic alarm, remote entry sytem 69
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) . . .223
Passenger compartment
air filter (see Cabin air filter)
Passive Anti-Theft
System (PATS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Power distribution box
(see Fuses)
Power door locks . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Power features
mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding . . .178
fluid, refill capacity . . . . . . . . .224
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .225
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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
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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
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248
Filling station information
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
Octane 87
58.5 litres (15.4 gallons)
Use Super Premium SAE 5W-30
Motor Oil or equivalent meeting-
Ford specification WSS-M2C153-G.
Refer to Safety Compliance Certifi-
cation label on driver’s door pillar
Pull handle under the left side of
the instrument panel
Right rear of vehicle FuelFuel tank capacity
Engine oil
Tire size and pressure
Hood release location
Fuel filler location
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