1999 Ford Contour Owners Manual

replacement, specifications . .217
servicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176

Cabin air filter . . . . . . . . . . .31, 180
Capacities for refilling fluids . . .218
Carbon monoxyde in exhaust . .197
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . .196
Chains, tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Changing a tire . . . . . . . . . . . . .146
Charging system warning light . . .7

236

4CInden 3/25/99 3:55 PM Page 237

Index

Child safety restraints

Page

built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .93
child safety seats . . . . . . . . . . . .99
children and safety belts . . .89, 91

Child safety seats

and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
attaching with tether straps . .102
automatic locking mode . . . . . .77
Childproof safety locks . . . . . . . .63
Chimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Circuit breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Cleaning your vehicle

engine compartment . . . . . . . .213
exterior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . .214
fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .215
plastic exterior parts . . . . . . . .214
safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214

Climate control system

air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
controlling airflow . . . . . . . . . . .24
defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Clutch

operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
recommended shift speeds . . .124
Cold engine starting . . . . . . . . .110
Controls

instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . .18
power seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
steering column . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Customer assistance . . . . . . . . .223

Page Daytime running lights . . . . . . . .21
Defects, reporting . . . . . . . . . . .235
Defrost

rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Dipstick, engine oil . . . . . . . . . .163
Door mounted controls . . . . . . . .62
Driving under special conditions

heavy load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . .130

Electrical system

fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139

Emergencies, roadside

fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .137
jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156

Emergency brake (see Parking brake) Emission control system . . . . . .196
Engine

check engine warning light . . . .10
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .137
lubricant specifications . . . . . .219
preparing to start . . . . . . . . . .107
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .218
starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Engine block heater . . . . . . . . .111
Engine coolant

checking and adding . . . . . . . .167
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
low coolant warning light . . . . . .9
refilll capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .218
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Engine fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
237

4CInden 3/25/99 3:55 PM Page 238

Index

Engine oil

Page

Fuses

Page

changing oil and filter . . . . . . .165
checking and adding . . . . . . . .165
dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167
engine oil pressure warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
filter specifications . . . . . . . . .217
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .218
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Exhaust fumes . . . . . . . . . .106, 197

Fan (see Engine fan) Flasher, hazard . . . . . . . . . .54, 137
Flashing the lights . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Fluid refill capacities . . . . . . . . .218
Foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21, 202
Fuel

calculating fuel economy . . . .195
capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
choosing the right fuel . . . . . .192
consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136
fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
low fuel warning light . . . . . . . .13
octane rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
running out of fuel . . . . . . . . .196
safety information relating to automotive fuels . . . . . . . . .190
Fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .137
Fuse panels

engine compartment . . . . . . . .140
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .142

238

charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141, 144
checking and replacing . . . . . .139

Gas mileage (see Fuel) Gauges

engine coolant temperature . . .18
fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) . . .127
Gearshift . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117, 123
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) .127

Hazard flashers . . . . . . . . . .54, 137
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Headlamps

aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
bulb specifications . . . . . . . . .206
daytime running light . . . . . . . .21
flashing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . .200
turning on and off . . . . . . . . . . .20
warning chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

High beams

indicator light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

4CInden 3/25/99 3:55 PM Page 239

Page High-mount brakelamp . . . . . . .204
Hood

latch location . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Identification Number, Vehicle (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Idle, relearning . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
Idle, speed . . . . . . . . . . . . .179, 220
Ignition

chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
positions on the ignition . . . . . .52
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Instrument panel

cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
lighting up the panel . . . . . . . . .23

Integrated child seat (see Built-in child seat) Intermittent wipers . . . . . . . . . . .56
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Jack

positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Jump starting your vehicle

attaching cables . . . . . . . . . . . .151
disconnecting cables . . . . . . . .154

Keys

key in ignition warning chime .17
positions of the ignition . . . . . .52

Index

Page

Lamps

bulb replacement specification chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
daytime running light system . .21
flashing the lamps . . . . . . . . . . .55
foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21, 202
hazard flashers . . . . . . . . .54, 137
headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
high beams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
high-mounted brake lamp . . . .204
instrument panel, dimming . . .22
interior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
reading lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . .200
rear lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203

Lights, warning and indicator

air bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
anti-lock brakes (ABS) . . . . . . .15
brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
charging system . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
check engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
engine oil pressure . . . . . . . . . .16
high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
low coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
low fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
overdrive off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
testing the warning lights . . . . .17
turn signal indicator . . . . . . . . . .6
Load limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
Lubricant specifications . . . . . .219
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . .64

239

4CInden 3/25/99 3:55 PM Page 240

Index

Maintenance (see Servicing) Manual transaxle

Page

backing up (reverse) . . . . . . . .125
clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
fluid, capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
shift speeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124

Mileage, calculating fuel economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
Mirrors

side view mirrors (power) . . . .23
Motorcraft parts . . . . . . . . . . . .217

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235

Octane rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Oil (see Engine oil) Oil filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165, 217
On-board diagnostic (OBD II) system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
Overdrive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9, 120
Overhead controls . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Panel dimmer control . . . . . . . . .22
Panic alarm, remote entry sytem 67
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) . . .217
Passenger compartment air filter (see Cabin air filter) . .181
Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

240

Page

Power distribution box (see Fuses) Power door locks . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Power features

mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Power steering

fluid, checking and adding . . .173
fluid, refill capacity . . . . . . . . .218
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .219

Radio (see Audio system) . . . . . .32
Rear window defroster . . . . . . . .22
Refill capacities for fluids . . . . .218
Relays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Remote control

luggage compartment . . . . . . . .64

Remote entry system

locking/unlocking doors . . . . . .66
opening the trunk . . . . . . . . . . .67
panic alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
replacing the batteries . . . . . . .67
replacement/additional transmitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Repairing paint chips . . . . . . . .212
Reporting safety defects . . . . . .235
Restraints, safety . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Rotating the tires . . . . . . . . . . . .185

4CInden 3/25/99 3:55 PM Page 241

Page

Safety belts (see Safety restraints) Safety chains, when towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
Safety Compliance Certification Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
Safety defects, reporting . . . . . .235
Safety restraints

adjusting the safety belts . .77, 79
automatic locking mode (retractors) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
cleaning the safety belts . . . . .216
extention assembly . . . . . . . . . .81
for children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
lap and shoulder belts . . . . . . . .76
maintenance . . . . . . . . . . .82, 216
vehicle sensitive locking mode .77
warning light and chime . . . .7, 17

Safety seats for children

and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . .84, 100
attaching with tether straps . .102
automatic locking mode (retractors) . . . . . . . . . . . . .78, 99
built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .93
in front seat . . . . . . . . . . . .84, 100
tether anchorage hardware . .103

Seats

adjusting the seats, manual . . .72
adjusting the seats, power . . . .73
folding rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . .74
head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Servicing your vehicle . . . . . . . .158
Shift-lock system . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Shift positions (see Gearshift) Snow tires and chains . . . . . . . .188

Index

Page

Spare tire

changing the tire . . . . . . . . . . .146
removing the spare tire . . . . . .148
temporary spare tire . . . . . . . .147
Spark plugs, certifications . . . .217
Specification charts, lubricants 219
Speed control

disengaging speed control . . . .60
return to a set speed . . . . . . . . .60
set a speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
set a higher speed . . . . . . . . . . .59
set a lower speed . . . . . . . . . . . .59
turn speed control off . . . . . . . .57
turn speed control on . . . . . . . .57
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Starting your vehicle

preparing to start the vehicle .107
starting the engine . . . . . . . . .110
Steering column controls . . . . . .52
Steering wheel

horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
speed control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
tilting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Supplemental restraint system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Tail lamps (see Lamps) Temperature control (see Climate control) Testing the warning lights . . . . . .17
Tether anchor installation (see Child safety restraints) Tilt steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . .53
241

4CInden 3/25/99 3:55 PM Page 242

Index

Tires

Page

changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146
checking tire pressure . . . . . .185
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
inspection and maintenance . .185
replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
rotating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
snow tires and chains . . . . . . .188
spare tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
tire grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
treadwear . . . . . . . . . . . . .183, 186
wearbands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186
Towing your vehicle . . . . . . . . .156
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Transaxle

automatic, operation . . . . . . . .117
fluid, checking and adding (automatic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .218
lubricant specifications . . . . . .219
manual, operation . . . . . . . . . .123

Transmitter (see Remote entry) Trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Trunk (see Luggage compartment) remote release lever . . . . . . . . .64
using the remote entry system .66

Turn signal

indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Used engine oil, disposal . . . . . .167

242

Page Variable interval wipers . . . . . . . .56
Vehicle care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Vehicle Emission Control Information(VECI) . . . . . . . . . .198
Vehicle loading . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
Ventilating your vehicle . . . . . .105
Viscosity (see Engne oil)

Warning chimes

headlamps on . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
key in ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Warning lights (see Lights) Washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . .163
Weight limits (GAWR, GVWR) .127
Wheels

cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
inspection and maintenance . .185

Windows

one-touch down . . . . . . . . . . . .62
power windows, operating . . . .62
rear, defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Windshield washer fluid and wipers checking and adding fluid . . . .168
checking and replacing wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .219
variable interval wipers . . . . . . .56
Wrecker towing . . . . . . . . . . . . .156

4CInden 3/25/99 3:55 PM Page 243

Index

243

4CInden 3/25/99 3:55 PM Page 244

Fuel

Fuel tank capacity

Engine oil

Tire size and pressure

Hood release location

Filling station information

UNLEADED FUEL ONLY Octane 87

58.5 litres (15.4 gallons)

Use Motorcraft 5W-30 Formula E Fuel Economy Motor Oil, Ford specification WSS-M2C153-G.

Refer to Safety Compliance Certification label on driver’s door pillar

Pull handle under the left side of the instrument panel

Fuel filler location

Right rear of vehicle

244