Ford 1998 Contour Manual page 149

Relearning the idle function
Because your vehicle's engine is
electronically controlled, some
control conditions are maintained
by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a
new battery is installed, the
computer must "relearn" its idle
conditions before your vehicle can
drive properly. To begin this
process:
1. Put the automatic transaxle
gearshift in P (Park). Put the
manual transaxle gearshift in
neutral.
2. Turn off all accessories and start
the vehicle.
3. Let the engine idle for at least
one minute.
4. The "relearning" process will
automatically complete as you
drive the vehicle.
• If you do not allow the engine to
"relearn" its idle, the idle quality
of your vehicle may be adversely
affected until the idle is
eventually "relearned".
• If the battery has been
disconnected or if a new battery
has been installed, the clock and
preset radio stations must be
reset once the battery is
reconnected.
Maintenance and care
149