Ford Contour (1999 year). Manual - part 29

Driving

114

Parking brake

To engage the parking brake:

Pull the handle upward.

To release the parking brake:

1. Press and hold the release
button.

2. Push handle downward to the off
position.

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).

To prevent personal injury,
do not release the parking

brake while outside the vehicle.

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Driving

115

TRACTION CONTROL
(if equipped)

This system prevents wheel spin at
all speeds. The control will toggle
this function on and off, but the
feature defaults to on after each
cycle of the ignition key.

The traction control system
controls excessive wheel spin by
automatically applying and
releasing the brakes in conjunction
with engine torque reductions.

This can occur when accelerating
on a slippery road, a loose surface
or when pulling away on a hill. The
traction control lamp flashes on the
instrument panel when the system
is functioning to regulate tire
traction.

When the ignition is turned to the
on position, the traction control
system light comes on for
approximately three (3) seconds. If
the light does not come on when
the ignition is turned to the on
position or if it remains on
continuously when the traction
control system is turned on, have
the system serviced by your dealer
or a qualified service technician.
You can continue to drive and do
not need to have the vehicle towed
in.

You should not take unnecessary
driving risks because of the
system’s safety potential.

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Driving

116

STEERING YOUR VEHICLE

Your vehicle comes with power
steering. Power steering uses
energy from the engine to help
steer your vehicle.

If the amount of effort needed to
steer your vehicle at a constant
vehicle speed, have the power
steering system checked. If the
power steering system breaks
down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle
manually but it takes more effort.

Never hold the steering wheel to
the extreme right or left for more
than five seconds if the engine is
running. This can damage the
power steering pump.

Switching off traction control

If you become stuck in snow or on
a slippery road surface, try
switching off the traction control
system by pressing the switch. This
may allow the excess wheel spin to
“dig“ the vehicle out or enable a
successful “rocking“ maneuver. Do
not rock the vehicle for more than
a few minutes, because it could
damage the vehicle.

The light in the control illuminates
continuously when the system has
been switched off. To reactivate
the system, depress the switch
again or restart the engine.

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Driving

117

TRANSAXLE OPERATION

Automatic transaxle
(if equipped)

Vehicles equipped with an
automatic transaxle are equipped
with a brake-shift interlock feature
that prevents the gearshift lever
from being moved from the 
P (Park) position unless the brake
pedal is depressed.

Putting your vehicle in gear

You must push the thumb button to
move the gearshift to the position
you choose.

To operate:

1. Start the engine.

2. Depress and hold the brake
pedal.

3. Move the gearshift lever out of
P (Park).

Speed sensitive power steering
(if equipped)

The steering system is speed
sensitive. This means that the
steering effort is light for parking
and heavier for highway driving.
However, if you have to swerve
around an object or another
vehicle, your vehicle will have full
power assist.

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