Ford Contour (2000 year). Manual - part 8

Controls and features

30

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.

In snowy or dirty conditions, leave
the mode selector in the OFF
position when the ignition is off.

• 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

31

• 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
reduce fogging.

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Controls and features

32

• DEF – Distributes outside air
through the windshield defroster
ducts. It can be used to clear ice or
fog from the windshield. If the
temperature is about 10°C (50°F)
or higher, the air conditioner will
automatically dehumidify the air to
reduce fogging.

Operating tips

• In humid weather, select DEF
before driving. This will reduce
fogging on your windshield. After a
few minutes, select any desired
position.

• To reduce 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).

• If your vehicle has been parked
with the windows closed during hot
weather, the air conditioner will do
a much faster job of cooling if you
drive for two or three minutes with
the windows open. This will force
most of the hot, stale air out of the
vehicle. Then operate your air
conditioner as you would normally.

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Controls and features

33

Cabin air filter

Your vehicle is equipped with an air
filter that removes pollen and road
dust from outside air before it is
directed to the interior of the
vehicle. Refer to the Maintenance
and care chapter for maintenance
of this filter.

• Do not place objects 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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