1997 Ford Contour Owner's Manual - Page 66

Controls and Features If you drive up or down a steep hill, your vehicle may momentarily slow down or speed up, even though the speed control is on. This is normal. NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transaxle, and if your speed increases above your set speed while driving in Overdrive on a downhill grade, you may want to turn the Overdrive off and use Drive. You may turn the Overdrive off by pressing the Transaxle Control Switch on the left side of the gearshift lever. This will reduce vehicle speed if it goes above your set speed on a downhill grade. NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with a 5-speed manual transaxle, and if your speed increases above your set speed while driving in 5 (Fifth) gear on a downhill grade, you may want to shift to 4 (Fourth) gear to reduce vehicle speed. Depressing the clutch pedal cancels speed control, therefore speed control must be reset by pressing the SET/ACC or RES buttons. Speed control cannot reduce the vehicle speed if it goes above your set speed on a downhill grade. To Speed Up Hold the Set Accel switch down and the vehicle will speed up without the need to depress the accelerator. When the switch is released, the system will maintain the speed reached. This speed becomes the new stored speed. The vehicle speed can also be increased by momentarily depressing the Set Accel switch (Tap up). Each tap will increase the speed by approximately 1 mph (1.6 km/h). To Slow Down Hold the Coast switch down and the vehicle will slow down under normal engine braking. When the switch is released, the system will maintain the speed reached. This speed becomes the new stored speed. 65