Ford Contour (1999 year). Manual - part 7

Controls and features

• FLR/DEF – Distributes outside
air through the floor ducts and the
windshield defroster ducts.

• DEF – Distributes outside air
through the windshield defroster
ducts. It can be used to clear ice or
fog from the windshield.

Operating tips

• In humid weather, select DEF
before driving. This will help to
prevent your windshield from
fogging. After a few minutes, select
any desired position.

• To prevent humidity buildup
inside the vehicle, don’t drive with
the climate control system in the
OFF position.

• Don’t put objects under the front
seat that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.

• Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield under the
hood).

• When placing objects on top of
your instrument panel, be careful
to not place them over the
defroster outlets. These objects
can block airflow and reduce your
ability to see through your
windshield. Also, avoid placing
small objects on top of your
instrument panel. These objects
can fall down into the defroster
outlets and block airflow and
possibly damage your climate
control system.

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Controls and features

Manual heating and air
conditioning system
(if equipped)

OFF

PNL/FLR

PANEL

A/C

FLOOR

DEF

FLR

DEF

MAX

A/C

Fan speed control

Controls the volume of air
circulated in the vehicle.

Temperature control knob

Controls the temperature of the
airflow inside the vehicle.

OFF

PNL/FLR

PANEL

A/C

FLOOR

DEF

FLR

DEF

MAX

A/C

Mode selector control

Controls the direction of the
airflow to the inside of the vehicle.

The air conditioning compressor
will operate in all modes except
PANEL, PNL/FLR, and FLOOR.
However, the air conditioning will
only function if the outside
temperature is about 10°C (50°F )
or above.

Since the air conditioner removes
considerable moisture from the air
during operation, it is normal if
clear water drips on the ground
under the air conditioner drain
while the system is working and
even after you have stopped the
vehicle.

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Controls and features

Under normal conditions, your
vehicle’s climate control system
should be left in any position other
than MAX A/C or OFF when the
vehicle is parked. This allows the
vehicle to “breathe” through the
outside air inlet duct.

• MAX A/C – Uses recirculated air
to cool the vehicle. MAX A/C is
noisier than A/C but more
economical and will cool the inside
of the vehicle faster. Airflow will be
from the instrument panel
registers. This mode can also be
used to prevent undesirable odors
from entering the vehicle.

• A/C – Uses outside air to cool the
vehicle. It is quieter than MAX A/C
but not as economical. Airflow will
be from the instrument panel
registers.

• PANEL – Distributes outside air
through the instrument panel
registers. However, the air will not
be cooled below the outside
temperature because the air
conditioning does not operate in
this mode.

• OFF – Outside air is shut out and
the fan will not operate. For short
periods of time only, use this mode
to prevent undesirable odors from
entering the vehicle.

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Controls and features

• PNL/FLR – Distributes outside
air through the instrument panel
registers and the floor ducts.
However, the air will not be cooled
below the outside temperature
because the air conditioning does
not operate in this mode. For
added customer comfort, when the
temperature control knob is
anywhere in between the full hot
and full cold positions, the air
distributed through the floor ducts
will be slightly warmer than the air
sent to the instrument panel
registers.

• FLOOR – Allows for maximum
heating by distributing outside air
through the floor ducts. However,
the air will not be cooled below the
outside temperature because the
air conditioning does not operate in
this mode.

• FLR/DEF – Distributes outside
air through the windshield
defroster ducts and the floor ducts.
Heating and air conditioning
capabilities are provided in this
mode. For added customer
comfort, the air distributed through
the floor ducts will be slightly
warmer than the air sent to the
windshield defroster ducts. If the
temperature is about 10°C (50°F)
or higher, the air conditioner will
automatically dehumidify the air to
prevent fogging.

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