1996 Ford Contour Owner's Manual - Page 139

6 Putting Your Vehicle in Gear You must push in the thumb button to move the gearshift to the position you choose. RWARNING Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift lever from position to position. If you do not hold the brake pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone. To operate: 1. Start the engine. 2. Depress and hold the brake pedal. 3. Move the gearshift lever out of P (Park). Your vehicle is equipped with a Brake Shift Interlock safety feature. This feature prevents the gearshift from being moved from the P (Park) position until the brake pedal is depressed. This feature is active when the ignition is in the ON position. If the gearshift lever CANNOT be moved from P (Park) with the brake pedal depressed: 1. Turn the engine off and remove the ignition key. 2. With the parking brake applied and the brake pedal depressed, insert a screwdriver about 2" (5 cm) into the square opening to the right of the gearshift at the base of the console. 3. Rotate the screwdriver point rearward. 4. Push and hold the thumb button and move the gearshift. 5. Remove the screwdriver when the gearshift moves from the P (Park) position. 140