1996 Ford Contour Owners Manual

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Table of Contents

Introductory Information

Safety Restraints

Starting Your Contour .

Warning Lights and Gauges .

Instrument Panel Controls .

Steering Column Controls .

Features

Electronic Sound Systems

Driving Your Contour .

Roadside Emergencies .

Customer Assistance

Reporting Safety Defects

Accessories .

Servicing Your Contour

Quick Index

Index .

Service Station Information

. 41

. 53

. 69

. 83

. 93

115

139

163

179

185

189

195

261

273

292

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Introductory Information

Ford’s Commitment to You At Ford Motor Company, excellence is the continuous commitment to achieve the best result possible. It is dedication to learning what you want, determination to develop the right concept, and execution of that concept with care, precision, and attention to detail. In short, excellence means being the standard by which others are judged. Our Guiding Principles n Quality comes first. For your satisfaction, the quality of our

products and services must be our number one priority.

n You are the focus of everything we do. Our work must be

done with you in mind, providing better products and services than our competition.

n Continuous improvement is essential to our success. We

must strive for excellence in everything we do: in our products — in their safety and value — and in our services, our human relations, our competitiveness, and our profitability.

n Employee involvement is our way of life. We are a team.

We must treat one another with trust and respect.

n Dealers and suppliers are our partners. We must maintain mutually beneficial relationships with dealers, suppliers, and our other business associates.

n Integrity is never compromised. Our conduct worldwide

must be pursued in a manner that is socially responsible and commands respect for its integrity and for its positive contributions to society.

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Things to Know About Using This Guide Congratulations on the purchase of your new vehicle. This guide has information about the equipment and the options for your new vehicle. You may not have bought all of the options available to you. If you do not know which information applies to your vehicle, talk to your dealer. This guide describes equipment and gives specifications for equipment that was in effect when this guide was approved for printing. Ford may discontinue models or change specifications or design without any notice and without incurring obligation. As you read through your owner guide, carefully read all Warnings because they tell you how toavoid endangering yourself, your passengers, and other people. NOTES and WARNINGS NOTES give you additional information about the subject matter you are referencing. WARNINGS remind you to be especially careful in those areas where carelessness can cause damage to your vehicle or personal injury to yourself, your passengers or other people. Please read all WARNINGS carefully.

RWARNING

Finding Information in This Guide After you have read this guide once, you will probably return to it when you have a specific question or need additional information. To help you find specific information quickly, you can use the Quick Index or the Index.

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Introductory Information

The Quick Index at the end of the book provides a page number following each item which indicates where detailed information can be found. To use the Index, turn to the back of the book and search in the alphabetical listing for the word that best describes the information you need. If the word you chose is not listed, think of other related words and look them up. We have designed the Index so that you can find information under a technical term. Canadian Owners — French Version French Owner Guides can be obtained from your dealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box 1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3. Your Maintenance Schedule and Record Booklet The Maintenance Schedule and Record booklet lists the services that are most important for keeping your vehicle in good condition. A record log is also provided to help you keep track of all services performed. About the Warranties Your vehicle is covered by three types of warranties: Basic Vehicle Warranty, Extended Warranties on certain parts, and Emissions Warranties. Read your Warranty Information Booklet carefully to find out about your vehicle’s warranties and your basic rights and responsibilities. If you lose your Warranty Information Booklet, you can get a new one free of charge. Contact any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the addresses and phone numbers on the first page of this owner guide.

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Buying a Ford Extended Service Plan If you bought your vehicle in the U.S., you can buy a Ford Extended Service Plan for your vehicle. This optional contract provides service protection for a longer period of time than the basic warranty that comes with your vehicle. You do not have to buy this option when you buy your vehicle. However, your option to purchase the Ford Extended Service Plan runs out after 18 months or 18,000 miles. See your dealer for more details about the Ford Extended Service Plan. If you purchased a Canadian vehicle and did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the time of purchase, you may still be eligible. See your dealer for the details. Breaking Your Vehicle In Your new vehicle goes through an adjustment or break-in period during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) that you drive it. During the break-in period, you need to pay careful attention to how you drive your vehicle. n Avoid sudden stops. Because your vehicle has new brake

linings, you should take these steps: — Watch traffic carefully so that you can anticipate when to

stop.

— Begin braking well in advance. — Apply the brakes gradually. The break-in period for new brake linings lasts for 100 miles (160 km) of city driving or 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of highway driving.

n Use only the type of engine oil that Ford recommends. See

Engine oil recommendations in the Index. Do not use special “break-in” oils.

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Introductory Information

Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle Pollen, bird droppings and tree sap can damage the paint, especially in hot weather. Wash your vehicle as often as necessary to keep it clean. Take similar precautions if your vehicle is exposed to chemical industrial fallout. Paint damage resulting from fallout is not related to a defect in paint materials or workmanship and therefore is not covered by warranty. Ford, however, believes that continual improvement in customer satisfaction is a high priority. For this reason, Ford has authorized its dealers to repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of new vehicles damaged by environmental fallout within 12 months or 12,000 miles (20,000 km) of purchase, whichever comes first. Customers may be required to bring their vehicle in for inspection by a Ford representative. Washing and Polishing Your Vehicle Wash the outside of your vehicle, including the underside, with a mild detergent. DO NOT: n Wash your vehicle with hot water n Wash your vehicle while it sits in direct sunlight n Wash your vehicle while the body is hot Polish your vehicle to remove harmful deposits and protect the finish.

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Cleaning Chrome and Aluminum Parts Wash chrome and aluminum parts with a mild detergent. Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, fuel or strong detergents. Cleaning Plastic Parts Some of your vehicle’s exterior trim parts are plastic. Clean with a tar and road oil remover if necessary. Use a vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning. Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or petroleum-based cleaners. If you have your vehicle rustproofed, remove oversprayed rustproofing with a tar and road oil remover. If rustproofing is not removed from plastic and rubber parts, it can cause deterioration.

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Safety Restraints

Important Safety Belt Information The use of safety belts helps to restrain you and your passengers in case of a collision. In most states and in Canada the law requires their use.

Safety belts provide best restraint when: n the seatback is upright n the occupant is sitting upright (not slouched) n the lap belt is snug and low on the hips n the shoulder belt is snug against the chest n the knees are straight forward

To help you remember to fasten your safety belt, a warning light may come on and a chime may sound. See Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime in the Warning Lights and Gauges chapter.

See the following sections in this chapter for directions on how to properly use these safety belts. Also see Safety Restraints for Children in this chapter for special instructions about using safety belts for children.

RWARNING

Make sure that you and your passengers wear safety belts. Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap belt snug and low across the hips.

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RWARNING

Never wear the shoulder belt under the arm. Never swing it around the neck over the inside shoulder. Never use a single belt for more than one person or across more than one seating position. Each seating position in your vehicle has a specific safety belt assembly which is made up of one buckle and one tongue that are designed to be used as a pair. Failure to follow these precautions could increase the risk and/or severity of injury in a collision.

RWARNING

Ford recommends that all safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware should be inspected by a qualified technician after any collision. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted.

RWARNING

To reduce the risk of serious injury in a collision, children should always ride with the seatback upright.

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Safety Restraints

RWARNING

Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from injury in a collision.

Lock the doors of your vehicle before driving to lessen the risk of the door coming open in a collision. Combination Lap and Shoulder Belts While your vehicle is in motion, the combination lap and shoulder belt adjusts to your movement. However, if you brake hard, turn hard, or if your vehicle receives an impact of 5 mph (8 km/h) or more, the lap and shoulder belt locks and helps reduce your forward movement. After you get into your vehicle, close the door and lock it. Then adjust the seat to the position that suits you best. Pull the combination lap/shoulder belt from the retractor so that the shoulder portion of the belt crosses your shoulder and chest. Be sure the belt is not twisted. If it is, remove the twist. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle until you hear a snap and feel it latch. Make sure the tongue is securely fastened to the buckle by pulling on tongue.

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Fastening the front seat lap and shoulder belt

NOTE: Be sure to read and understand Important Safety Belt

Information at the beginning of this chapter.

To adjust the lap part of the belt, pull up on the shoulder belt until the lap belt fits snugly and as low as possible around your hips.

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Unfastening the combination lap and shoulder belts While the belt retracts, guide the tongue to its original position to prevent it from striking you or the vehicle.

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Safety Restraints

Dual Locking Mode Lap/Shoulder Belt Retractor The front passenger seat and the rear outer seat combination lap and shoulder belts are equipped with a dual locking mode retractor on the shoulder belt portion of the lap/shoulder belt. This retractor can be switched from vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode to automatic locking mode by pulling the belt webbing all of the way out of the retractor. The retractor modes function as follows. Vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode In this operating mode, the lap/shoulder belt retractor will allow the occupant freedom of movement, locking tight only on hard braking, hard cornering or impacts of approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) or more. Automatic locking mode This mode must be used when installing a child seat on the front passenger seat and rear seats where dual locking retractors are provided. To switch the retractor from the emergency locking mode to the automatic locking mode, perform the following steps:

RWARNING

Rear facing infant seats should never be placed in the front seat.

1. Buckle the lap/shoulder combination belt. 2. Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and pull downward until all of the belt is extracted and a click is heard. At this time, the retractor is in the automatic locking mode (child restraint mode).

3. Allow the belt to retract. A clicking sound will be heard as

the belt retracts. This indicates that the retractor is in the automatic locking mode.

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4. Pull up on the shoulder belt to remove slack in the lap belt. NOTE: When the combination lap/shoulder belt is unbuckled

and allowed to retract completely, the retractor will switch to the vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode. See the detailed instructions under Safety Seats for Children in this chapter.

Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment Driver and right front passenger You can adjust the shoulder belt height to one of four (4) positions. To adjust the belt down, push the release button (see figures 1
and 2). To adjust the belt up, slide the adjuster up. (You do not have to push the release button.)

art:0001183-C

Figure 1 — The shoulder belt height adjuster

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Safety Restraints

Figure 2 — Adjusting the shoulder belt height

Make sure the adjuster is firmly in one of the four positions. The belt should be adjusted up or down until the belt rests on your shoulder near your neck.

RWARNING

Position the shoulder belt height adjuster so that the belt rests across the middle of your shoulder. Be sure the shoulder belt is properly positioned on your shoulder each time you use the belt. If the shoulder belt is off your shoulder, on your upper arm or neck, there is a greater risk of severe injury in a collision.

Lap Belts The lap belt in the center of the rear seat does not adjust automatically. You must adjust it to fit snugly and as low as possible around your hips. Do not wear it around your waist. Pull the belt across your hips and insert the tongue into the correct buckle on your seat until you hear a snap and feel it lock. Make sure the buckle is securely fastened.

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If you need to lengthen the belt, unfasten it and tip the belt tongue at a right angle to the belt. Pull the belt tongue over your lap until it reaches the buckle. If you need to shorten the belt, pull on the loose end of the webbing until the belt fits snugly. To unfasten the belt, push the release button on the end of the buckle. This allows the tongue to unlatch from the buckle.

Unfastening the lap belt in center rear seating position

Safety Belt Extension Assembly For some people, the safety belt may be too short even when it is fully extended. You can add about eight inches (20 cm) to the belt length with a safety belt extension assembly (part number 611C22). Safety belt extensions are available at no cost from your dealer. Use only extensions manufactured by the same supplier as the safety belt. Manufacturer identification is located at the end of the webbing on the label. Also, use the safety belt extension only if the safety belt is too short for you when fully extended. Do not use extension to change the fit of the shoulder belt across the torso.

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Safety Restraints

RWARNING

Failure to follow these instructions will affect the performance of the safety belts and increase the risk of personal injury.

Safety Belt Maintenance Check the safety belt systems periodically to make sure that they work properly and are not damaged. All safety belt assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar) (if equipped), child safety seat tether bracket assemblies (if equipped), and attaching hardware, should be inspected after any collision. Ford recommends that all safety belt assemblies used in vehicles involved in a collision be replaced. However, if the collision was minor and a qualified technician finds that the belts do not show damage and continue to operate properly, they do not need to be replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted. Safety Belt Warning Label A warning label has been placed on the buckle of each of your vehicle’s front seat safety belts. In a collision of sufficient severity while the safety belt is in use, the safety belt buckle will pull out of the sleeve so that all or part of the orange portion of the label is visible.

RWARNING

Whenever the orange portion of the label is visible, the safety belt must be replaced.

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The warning label on the front seat safety belt buckle Cleaning the Safety Belts Clean the safety belts with any mild soap solution that is recommended for cleaning upholstery or carpets. Do not bleach or dye the belt webbing because this may weaken it. Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) The driver and right front passenger air bags are Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), provided at these seating positions in addition to the lap/shoulder belt, and are designed to supplement the protection provided to properly belted occupants in moderate to severe frontal collisions. The supplemental air bag system does not provide restraint to the lower body.

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The Importance of Wearing Safety Belts

RWARNING

Safety Restraints

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All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should always wear their safety belts, even when an air bag Supplemental Restraint System is provided.

There are four very important reasons to use safety belts even with an air bag system. Use your safety belts to: n help keep you in the proper position (away from the air bag)

when it inflates

n reduce the risk of harm in rollover, side or rear impact

collisions, because an air bag is not designed to inflate in such situations

n reduce the risk of harm in frontal collisions that are not

severe enough to activate the supplemental air bag n reduce the risk of being thrown from your vehicle The Importance of Being Properly Seated

RWARNING

If a passenger is not properly seated and restrained, an inflating air bag could cause serious injury.

In a collision, the air bag must inflate extremely fast to help provide additional protection for you. In order to do this, the air bag must inflate with considerable force. If you are not seated in a normal riding position with your back against the seatback, the air bag may not protect you properly and could possibly hurt you as it inflates.

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RWARNING

Rear-facing infant seats should never be placed in the front seat.

In rear-facing infant seats, the infant’s head is closer to the air bag. The force of the rapidly inflating air bag could push the top of the rear-facing seat against the vehicle seatback or center armrests (if so equipped), or center console (if so equipped). REAR-FACING INFANT CARRIERS MUST ALWAYS BE SECURED IN THE REAR SEAT, and other child safety seats and infant seats should be secured in the rear seat whenever possible.

RWARNING

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.

Your vehicle is equipped with a right front passenger air bag. Air bags deploy with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. Front passengers, especially children and small adults, must never sit on the front edge of the seat, stand near the glove compartment of the instrument panel, or lean over near the air bag cover when the vehicle is moving. All occupants should sit with their backs against the seatback, move the seat to the most rearward position if possible and use the safety belts. Children weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg) always should use child or infant seats.

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Safety Restraints

RWARNING

Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the air bag cover on the steering wheel or in front seat areas that may come in contact with a deploying air bag. Failure to follow this instruction may increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a collision.

For further information about the proper mounting of equipment in the front seat of this vehicle, please refer to Ford’s brochure entitled Some Important Information About Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System which can be obtained by calling Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356. Ask for brochure FPS-8602. For additional important safety information on the proper use of seat belts, child seats, and infant seats, please read the other sections of this part of the Owner Guide, especially sections entitled Safety Belts for Children and Safety Seats for Children.

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How the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System Operates The driver air bag is in the center of the steering wheel. The front passenger seat air bag is located in the center of the instrument panel ledge above the glove compartment. Both air bags are designed to stay out of sight until they are activated.

art:0001474-A

The location of air bags and warning labels

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Safety Restraints

If a collision occurs, the sensors sense the severity of the impact and activate the air bags if necessary. The air bag system is designed to deploy in frontal and front-angled collisions more severe than hitting a parked vehicle (of similar size and weight) head-on at about 28 mph (45 km/h). Because the system senses the crash severity rather than vehicle speed, some frontal collisions at speeds above 28 mph (45 km/h) will not inflate the air bag. When the sensors activate the system, the air bags inflate rapidly, filling with non-toxic nitrogen gas in a fraction of a second. Immediately after inflation, the air bags deflate by releasing the nitrogen gas through vent holes. The whole process takes place in a matter of seconds.

RWARNING

Air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not touch them after inflation.

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Inflated driver-side air bag

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Safety Restraints

Inflated passenger-side air bag

RWARNING

If the air bag is inflated, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT FUNCTION AGAIN AND MUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. If the air bag is not replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a collision.

To ensure that the air bag system will operate as intended in a crash, the system is equipped with a diagnostic module, which controls a readiness lamp and a warning tone. The diagnostic module monitors its own circuits, the air bag electrical system, the air bag readiness light, the air bag power, and the air bag inflators.

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The air bag system uses a readiness light on the instrument cluster and a tone to indicate the condition of the system. When you turn the ignition key to the ON position, this light will illuminate for approximately six (6) seconds and then turn off. This indicates that the system is operating normally. NOTE: Maintenance of the air bag system is not required. A problem with the system is indicated by one or more of the following: n the readiness light will either flash or stay lit, n or it will not light immediately after ignition is turned on, n or a group of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat periodically until the problem and light are repaired. If any of these things happen, have the air bag system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the air bag supplemental restraint system may not function properly in the event of a collision.

RWARNING

Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System or its fuses. See your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.

Disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles, see your local Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. Air bags MUST be disposed of by qualified personnel.

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Safety Restraints

Safety Restraints for Children In the U.S. and Canada, you are required by law to use safety restraints for children. If small children ride in your vehicle — this generally includes children who are four years old or younger and who weigh 40 pounds (18 kg) or less — you must put them in safety seats that are made specially for children. Safety belts alone do not provide maximum protection for these children. Check your local and state laws for specific requirements.

RWARNING

Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from injury in a collision.

RWARNING

Passengers should not be allowed to ride in the cargo area. Persons not riding in a seat with a fastened seat belt are much more likely to suffer serious injury in a collision. Cargo should always be secured to prevent it from shifting and causing damage to the vehicle or harm to passengers.

When possible, put children in the rear seat of your vehicle. Accident statistics suggest that children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating positions.

RWARNING

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.

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*[SR20750(ALL)05/95]

*[SR20800(ALL)05/95]

%*[SR22000(ALL)01/95] *[SR22100(ALL)05/95]

*[SR22125(ALL)02/95]

*[SR22300(ALL)05/95]

RWARNING

Safety belts and seats can become hot in a vehicle that has been closed up in sunny weather; they could burn a small child. Check seat covers and buckles before you place a child anywhere near them.

RWARNING

Never leave a child unattended in your vehicle.

Safety Seats for Children Use a safety seat that is recommended for the size and weight of the child. Always follow the safety seat manufacturer’s instructions when installing and using the safety seat. 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 Attaching Safety Seats With Tether Straps in this chapter. Your vehicle is equipped with a right front passenger air bag. Air bags deploy with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. Front passengers, especially children and small adults, must never sit on the front edge of the seat, stand near the glove compartment of the instrument panel, or lean over near the air bag cover when the vehicle is moving. All occupants should sit with their backs against the seatback, move the seat to the most rearward position if possible and use the safety belts. Children weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg) always should use child or infant seats.

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*[SR22400(ALL)05/95]

[SR22450(ALL)05/95]

*[SR22475(ALL)05/95] *[SR22500(ALL)05/95]

*[SR22600(ALL)05/95]

*[SR22625(ALL)05/95]

Safety Restraints

RWARNING

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.

THE FORCE OF THE RAPIDLY INFLATING PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD PUSH THE TOP OF THE REAR-FACING SEAT AGAINST THE VEHICLE SEATBACK, ARMRESTS OR CONSOLE. REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS MUST ALWAYS BE SECURED IN THE REAR SEAT. Failure to follow these instructions could result in serious injury. All child restraint systems are designed to be secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or by the lap portion of a lap-shoulder belt.

RWARNING

If you do not properly secure the safety seat, the child occupying the seat may be injured during a collision or sudden stop. An unsecured safety seat could also injure other passengers.

RWARNING

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.

When installing a child safety seat, be sure to use the correct safety belt buckle for that seating position, and make sure the tongue is securely fastened in the buckle.

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*[SR22650(ALL)05/95]

[SR22700(ALL)03/95]

17-1/2 pica

RWARNING

Always keep the buckle release button pointing upward and away from the child seat, with the tongue between the child seat and the release button as shown in the following illustration.

art:0001209-B

Safety belt buckle placement for child seats

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%*[SR22750(ALL)11/94] [SR22800(ALL)04/95]

*[SR22850(ALL)03/95] *[SR22900(ALL)03/95] *[SR22950(ALL)03/95] [SR23000(ALL)02/94]

17-1/2 pica

art:0001270-A

Safety Restraints

Installing Child Safety Seats in the Front Passenger Seat and Outer Rear Seating Positions Your vehicle is equipped with a dual locking mode retractor on the shoulder belt portion of the combination lap/shoulder safety belt for the right front seat passenger and rear outer passengers. If you choose to install a child safety seat in the front seating position, move vehicle seat as far back as possible. 1. Position the child seat in center of passenger seat. 2. Pull down on shoulder belt, then grasp shoulder belt and lap

belt together. Figure 1.

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*[SR23050(ALL)05/95]

[SR23100(ALL)02/94]

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. See Figure 2. Be sure that the belt webbing is not twisted.

17-1/2 pica

art:0001271-A

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[SR23150(ALL)02/94]

17-1/2 pica

art:0001272-A

Safety Restraints

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[SR23200(ALL)01/95]

[SR23250(ALL)04/94]

4. Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and pull downward until all of the belt is extracted from the reel and a click is heard. At this time the retractor is in the automatic locking mode (child restraint mode). Figure 4.

24 pica art:0001273-A

32

Safety Restraints

5. Allow the belt to retract. Pull up on the shoulder webbing. A

clicking sound will be heard as the belt retracts. This indicates the retractor is in the automatic locking mode. Push down on the child seat while you pull up on the belt to remove any slack in the belt. Figures 5 and 6.

File:cdsro.ex Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:11 1996

[SR23300(ALL)03/95]

[SR23350(ALL)05/94]

17-1/2 pica

art:0001274-B

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[SR23400(ALL)02/94]

17-1/2 pica

art:0001275-A

34

Safety Restraints

6. Before placing the child in the child seat, forcibly tilt the seat

from side to side, and tug it forward to make sure that the seat is securely held in place, Figure 7.

File:cdsro.ex Update:Thu Jan 25 12:13:11 1996

*[SR23450(ALL)03/95]

[SR23500(ALL)05/94]

17-1/2 pica

art:0001276-B

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[SR23600(ALL)05/94]

7. Double check that the retractor is in the automatic locking

mode. Try to pull more belt out of the retractor. If you cannot, the belt is in the automatic locking mode, Figure 8.

17-1/2 pica

art:0001277-B

[SR23650(ALL)02/94]

[SR23700(ALL)02/94]

8. Check to make sure that the child seat is properly secured

prior to each use. If the belt is not locked, repeat steps 4
through 7.

To remove retractor from automatic lock mode, unbuckle the belt and allow the webbing to retract fully. A click will be heard as the belt retracts. The belt is back in normal operating mode (vehicle sensitive emergency locking mode) when this click disappears.

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*[SR23800(ALL)05/95]

[SR23900(ALL)05/95]

[SR24000(ALL)05/95]

*[SR24800(ALL)05/95] *[SR24850(ALL)05/95]

[SR24901(ALL)05/95]

[SR25650(ALL)05/95]

[SR25700(ALL)05/95]

[SR25800(ALL)05/95]

Safety Restraints

RWARNING

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.

Installing Child Safety Seats in the Rear Center Seating Position Some child safety seats are too wide to fit in the rear center seat. Choose a child safety seat with a narrow base that can fit between the safety belt buckles. Attaching Safety Seats With Tether Straps Some manufacturers make safety seats that include a tether strap that goes over the back of the vehicle seat and attaches to an anchoring point. Other manufacturers offer the tether strap as an accessory. Contact the manufacturer of your child safety seat for information about ordering a tether strap. To install a tether from a child safety seat in the front seat, route the tether strap under the vehicle seat head restraint and hook the tether hook into the hole in the tongue of the center rear lap belt. After the hook is in the hole, pull on the loose end of the lap belt webbing to shorten the belt and tighten the tether strap. To install a tethered child safety seat in the rear seat, you will need tether anchorage hardware. Tether anchorage hardware (Canadian vehicles only) All vehicles built for sale in Canada include a tether anchor hardware kit for use with child safety seats. Attachment holes (at each rear seating position) have been provided in your vehicle to attach the anchor hardware, if required. Additional kits can be obtained at no charge from any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.

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[SR25900(ALL)03/95]

[SR26000(ALL)05/95]

%*[SR27700(ALL)05/95] *[SR27800(ALL)05/95]

*[SR27900(ALL)05/95]

*[SR28000(ALL)05/95]

Tether anchorage hardware (USA vehicles only) All vehicles built for sale in the USA do not include a tether anchor hardware kit for use with child safety seats. However, attachment holes (at each rear seating position) have been provided in your vehicle to attach the tether anchor hardware. If tether anchorage hardware is required for the child safety seat, use only the tether anchor kit available at no charge from any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer (Base part number 613D74). Safety Belts for Children Children who are too large for child safety seats should always wear safety belts. (See instructions with your child seat, or contact its manufacturer, to determine maximum size of child that will safely fit in the seat.)

RWARNING

If safety belts are not properly worn and adjusted as described, the risk of serious injury to the child in a collision will be much greater.

If the shoulder belt portion of one of the lap and shoulder belts can be positioned so that it does not cross or rest in front of the child’s face or neck, the child should wear the lap and shoulder belt. Moving the child closer to the center of the vehicle may help provide a good shoulder belt fit.

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*[SR28150(ALL)05/95]

*[SR28200(ALL)05/95]

*[SR28300(ALL)05/95]

Safety Restraints

To improve the fit of lap and shoulder belts on children who have outgrown child safety seats, Ford recommends use of a belt-positioning booster seat that is labelled as conforming to all Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Belt-positioning booster seats raise the child and provide a shorter, firmer seating cushion that encourages safer seating posture and better fit of lap and shoulder belts on the child. A belt-positioning booster should be used if the shoulder belt rests in front of the child’s face or neck, or if the lap belt does not fit snugly on both thighs, or if the thighs are too short to let the child sit all the way back on the seat cushion when the lower legs hang over the edge of the seat cushion. You may wish to discuss the specific needs of your child with your pediatrician.

RWARNING

Do not use a belt-positioning booster with a lap-only belt.

Lap belts and the lap belt portion of lap and shoulder belts should always be worn snugly and below the hips, touching the child’s thighs.

RWARNING

To reduce the risk of serious injury in a collision, children should always ride with the seatback upright.

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*[ST03300(ALL)03/95] *[ST03400(ALL)01/95] [ST03725(ALL)02/95]

10-1/2 pica

art:0001185-D

[ST04100(ALL)02/95]

*[ST04150(ALL)05/95]

*[ST04180(ALL)06/95] *[ST04200(ALL)01/95] *[ST04300(ALL)05/95]

Starting Your Contour

Ignition Understanding the Positions of the Ignition

The positions of the key in the ignition

LOCK and ACCESSORY lock the gearshift for all vehicles with an automatic transaxle.

RWARNING

LOCK position does not lock the gearshift on floor-mounted manual transaxle gearshifts. If the parking brake is not set and the gearshift is moved out of gear, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone.

The automatic transaxle gearshift must be in P (Park) to move the key to the LOCK position.

LOCK is the only position that allows you to remove the key. The LOCK feature helps to protect your vehicle from theft.

If your key is stuck in the LOCK position and will not turn, move your steering wheel left or right until the key turns freely.

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*[ST04425(ALL)05/95]

*[ST04450(ALL)03/95]

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*[ST04700(ALL)04/94] *[ST04800(ALL)06/92] *[ST04900(ALL)01/95] [ST05000(ALL)05/94]

[ST05100(ALL)02/95] *[ST05200(ALL)04/94] *[ST05300(ALL)06/92] *[ST05400(ALL)01/95] [ST05701(ALL)05/94]

[ST05801(ALL)02/95]

ACCESSORY allows some of your vehicle’s electrical accessories to operate while the engine is not running. For example, you can use ACCESSORY to turn on the radio without starting the engine. ON allows you to test your vehicle’s warning lights (except the brake system warning light) to make sure they work before you start the engine. The key returns to the ON position once the engine is started and remains in this position while the engine runs. START cranks the engine. Release the key once the engine starts so that you do not damage the starter. The key should return to ON when you release it. The START position also allows you to test the brake warning light. Removing the Key From the Ignition Procedures for removing your key from the ignition vary, depending on whether your vehicle has an automatic or manual transaxle. If your vehicle has an automatic transaxle: 1. Put the gearshift lever in P (Park). 2. Set the parking brake fully. 3. Rotate the ignition key to the LOCK position. 4. Remove the key from the ignition. If your vehicle has a manual transaxle: 1. Put the gearshift lever in 1 (First). 2. Set the parking brake fully. 3. Rotate the ignition key to the LOCK position. 4. Remove the key from the ignition.

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%*[ST07700(ALL)03/95] *[ST07850(ALL)03/95]

Starting Your Contour

The steering wheel locks when the key is removed. If the driver’s door is open while the key is still in the ignition, a warning chime sounds.

RWARNING

Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or in 1 (First) (manual transaxle).

RWARNING

Do not leave children, unreliable adults, or pets alone in your vehicle. They could accidentally injure themselves or others through inadvertent operation of the vehicle. Further, on hot, sunny days, temperatures in a closed vehicle could quickly become high enough to cause severe and possibly fatal injuries to people as well as animals.

Fuel-Injected Engines When starting a fuel-injected engine, the most important thing to remember is to avoid pressing down on the accelerator before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have problems getting your vehicle started. See Starting Your Engine in this chapter for details about when to use the accelerator while you start your vehicle.

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*[ST08200(ALL)03/95] %*[ST08300(ALL)05/94] *[ST08350(ALL)05/95]

*[ST08400(ALL)01/95] *[ST08500(ALL)01/95] *[ST08600(ALL)03/95] [ST08800(ALL)05/94]

[ST08900(ALL)12/94]

Starting Your Vehicle Preparing to Start Your Vehicle

RWARNING

Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or other enclosed area. Never sit in a stopped vehicle for more than a short period of time with the engine running. Exhaust fumes are toxic. See Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes in this chapter for more instructions.

Before you start your vehicle, do the following: 1. Make sure you and all your passengers buckle your safety

belts. See Safety Restraints in the Index for more details.

2. Make sure your headlamps and other accessories are turned

off and the parking brake is set.

3. If you have a manual transaxle, make sure that the parking brake is fully set, push the clutch pedal to the floor, and put the gearshift into Neutral before you turn the key. (Remember, the starter will operate only if the clutch pedal is pushed all the way to the floor.) If you have an automatic transaxle, make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park) and the parking brake is set before you turn the key.

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*[ST09310(ALL)02/95] *[ST09320(ALL)02/95] *[ST09330(ALL)05/95] *[ST09340(ALL)03/95] *[ST09350(ALL)03/95]

*[ST09360(ALL)02/95]

*[ST09370(ALL)02/95]

Starting Your Contour

Before you start your vehicle, you should test the warning lights on the instrument panel to make sure that they work. Refer to the Warning Lights and Gauges chapter. Starting Your Engine To start your engine: 1. Follow the steps under Preparing to Start Your Vehicle at the

beginning of this section.

2. Keep your foot on the brake pedal and turn the ignition key

to the ON position.

3. DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when starting your

engine. DO NOT use the accelerator while the vehicle is parked.

4. Turn the key to the START position (cranking) until the engine starts. Allow the key to return to the ON position after the engine has started. If you have difficulty in turning the key, rotate the steering wheel slightly because it may be binding.

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[ST09391(ALL)05/95]

[ST09395(ALL)05/95]

[ST09401(ALL)05/95]

For a cold engine: 2.0L engine: n At temperatures below -10˚F (-23˚C): Turn the key to ON, crank the engine and depress the accelerator about 1/4 of the way down and hold that position for five (5) seconds. If the engine fails to start, continue to crank with the accelerator depressed about 1/4 of the way down and hold that position until the engine starts. DO NOT crank for more than 30 seconds, or you could damage the starter. If the engine fails to start on the first try, turn the key to OFF and wait two (2) minutes before trying again. Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before putting transaxle into gear.

n At temperatures between -10˚F (-23˚C) and 10˚F (-12˚C):

Turn the key to ON, and crank the engine for five (5) seconds. If the engine fails to start, continue to crank and depress the accelerator about 1/4 of the way down and hold that position until the engine starts. DO NOT crank for more than 30 seconds, or you could damage the starter. If the engine fails to start on the first try, turn the key to OFF and wait two (2) minutes before trying again.

n At temperatures between 10˚F (-12˚C) and 32˚F (0˚C): If the engine does not start in fifteen (15) seconds on first try, turn the key to OFF, then try again.

n At temperatures above 32˚F (0˚C): If the engine does not

start in five (5) seconds on the first try, turn the key to OFF, then try again.

If you have the 4-cylinder 2.0L engine and are not using an engine block heater, warm up the engine for a minute or two before putting the transaxle in gear. Depressing the accelerator slightly will also help with cold starts.

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%*[ST09480(ALL)04/95] [ST09494(ALL)01/95]

Starting Your Contour

2.5L engine: n At temperatures 10˚F (-12˚C) and below: If the engine does not start in fifteen (15) seconds on the first try, turn the key to OFF, wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not flood the engine, then try again.

n At temperatures above 10˚F (-12˚C): If the engine does not start in five (5) seconds on the first try, wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not flood the engine, then try again.

For a warm engine: n Do not hold the key in the START position for more than

five (5) seconds at a time. If the engine does not start within five (5) seconds on the first try, wait a few seconds after the starter stops, then try again.

Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key as soon as the engine starts. Excessive cranking could damage the starter or flood the engine. After you start the engine, let it idle for a few seconds. Keep your foot on the brake pedal and put the gearshift lever in gear. Release the parking brake. Slowly release the brake pedal and drive away in the normal manner. NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic

transaxle, your vehicle has an interlock that prevents you from shifting out of P (Park) unless your foot is on the brake pedal.

If the engine does not start after two attempts: 1. Press the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold

it.

[ST09496(ALL)01/95]

[ST09497(ALL)01/95]

2. Turn the ignition key to the START position. 3. Release the ignition key when the engine starts.

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4. Release the accelerator gradually as the engine speeds up.