Ford Contour (1999 year). Manual — part 13

Controls and features

50

• Remove loose labels before
inserting tapes.

• Do not leave tapes in the cassette
player for a long time when not
being played.

RADIO FREQUENCY
INFORMATION

The Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and the
Canadian Radio and
Telecommunications
Communications (CRTC) establish
the frequencies AM and FM
stations may use for their
broadcasts. Allowable frequencies
are:

AM 530, 540–1600, 1610 kHz

FM 87.9, 88.1–107.1, 107.9 MHz

Not all frequencies are used in a
given area.

Radio reception factors

Three factors can affect radio
reception:

• Distance/strength. The further
an FM signal travels, the weaker it
is. The listenable range of the
average FM station is
approximately 40 km (24 miles).
This range can be affected by
“signal modulation”.

Signal modulation is a process
radio stations use to increase their
strength/volume relative to other
stations.

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Controls and features

51

• Terrain. Hills, mountains and tall
buildings between your vehicle’s
antenna and the radio station
signal can cause FM reception
problems. Static can be caused on
AM stations by power lines, electric
fences, traffic lights and
thunderstorms. Moving away from
an interfering structure (out of its
“shadow”) returns your reception
to normal.

• Station overload. Weak signals
are sometimes captured by
stronger signals when you pass a
broadcast tower. A stronger signal
may temporarily overtake a weaker
signal and play while the weak
station frequency is displayed.

The audio system automatically
switches to single channel
reception if it will improve the
reception of a station normally
received in stereo.

AUDIO SYSTEM WARRANTIES
AND SERVICE

Refer to the “Warranty Guide” for
audio system warranty information.

If service is necessary, see your
dealer or a qualified technician.

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Controls and features

52

STEERING COLUMN
CONTROLS

Ignition

1. Ignition off, steering wheel
locked.

On vehicles with automatic
transaxles, the ignition key can
return to this position only if the
gearshift lever is in P (Park).

2. The accessory position. Steering
unlocked, radio operational.
Ignition and all main electrical
circuits are disabled.

The ignition key should not be left
in this position for too long to avoid
discharging the battery
unnecessarily.

3. Ignition switched on, all
electrical circuits operational.
Warning and indicator lights
illuminate. This key position is for
normal driving.

4. Starter motor activated. Release
the key as soon as the engine
starts.

3

4

2

1

0 0 0 1 2 3

0 0 0 0

10

20

30

40

50

60 70 80

90

100

110

120

130

MPH

20

40

60

55

80

120

100

140

160

180

200

E

F

1

2

0

3

x 1000

4

5

6

7

8

CHECK
ENGINE

TRACTION
CONTROL

O/D
OFF

IRRORS

TRACTION
NTROL

C

H

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Controls and features

53

Tilt steering

Pull the locking lever on the
steering column cover up to adjust
the steering column position.
Secure the wheel by releasing the
lever thereby allowing the lever to
return to the lock position.

Never adjust the steering
wheel while the vehicle is

moving.

OFF

LO

PNL/FLR

PANEL

A/C

FLOOR

DEF

FLR

DEF

MAX

A/C

HI

/

POWER

AUDIO

AM/FM

SCAN

SEEK

3

1

2

4

5

ANS

SIDE

1-2

EJECT

VOLUME

0 0 0 1 2 3

0 0 0 0

10

20

30

40

50

60 70 80

90

100

110

120

130

MPH

20

40

60

55

80

120

100

140

160

180

200

E

F

1

2

0

3

x 1000

4

5

6

7

8

CHECK
ENGINE

TRACTION
CONTROL

O/D
OFF

M

IRRORS

CLOCK

TRACTION

TROL

C

H

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