Ford Contour (2000 year). Manual - part 13

Controls and features

50

Troubleshooting the CD Player

The laser beam used in the
compact disc player is

harmful to the eyes. Do not
attempt to disassemble the case.

If sound skips:

• You may be travelling on a rough
road, playing scratched discs or the
disc may be dirty. Skipping will not
scratch the discs or damage the
player.

If player does not work:

• The disc is inserted with the label
surface downward.

• The disc is dusty or defective.

• The player’s internal temperature
is above 75°C (167°F). Allow the
player to cool down before
operating.

• A disc with format and
dimensions not within industry
standards is inserted.

Cleaning compact discs

Inspect all discs for contamination
before playing. If necessary, clean
discs only with an approved CD
cleaner and wipe the center out to
the edge. Do not use circular
motion.

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CD and CD player care

• Handle discs by their edges only.
Never touch the playing surface.

• Do not insert more than one disc
at a time.

• Do not expose discs to direct
sunlight or heat sources for
extended periods of time.

• After playing, store the disc in its
case.

Cleaning cassette player 
(if equipped)

Clean the tape player head with a
cassette cleaning cartridge after
ten to twelve hours of play in order
to maintain the best sound and
operation.

Cassette and cassette player
care

• Use only cassettes that are
90 minutes long or less.

• Do not expose tapes to direct
sunlight, high humidity, extreme
heat or extreme cold. Allow tapes
that may have been exposed to
extreme temperatures to reach a
moderate temperature before
playing.

• Tighten very loose tapes by
inserting a finger or pencil into the
hole and turning the hub.

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• 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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• 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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