steering wheel Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 s User Guide

173
*
[DR09800( ALL)01/95]
Steering Your Vehicle
%*
[DR09900( ALL)01/95]
Your vehicle comes with power steering. Power
steering uses energy from the engine to help
steer your vehicle.
%*
[DR09950( ALL)04/95]
If the amount of effort needed to steer your
vehicle changes at a constant vehicle speed, have
the power steering system checked. If the power
steering system breaks down (or if the engine is
turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually
but it takes more effort.
*
[DR10000( ALL)01/95]
Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or left for more than five seconds if the
engine is running. This can damage the power
steering pump.
[DR10200( BCGV)12/94]
Speed Sensitive Power Steering
(If equipped)
[DR10401( BC )06/94]
The steering system in 4.6L engine vehicles is
speed sensitive. This means that the steering
effort is light for parking and heavier for
highway driving. However, if you have to
swerve around an object or another vehicle, your
steering will have full power assist.
%
*
[DR10500( ALL)03/95]
Brakes
%*
[DR10600( ALL)01/95]
Applying the Brakes
[DR10650( ALL)01/95]
Braking non ABS models
[DR10900( C )03/93]
Your vehicle has power front disc brakes and
rear drum brakes. Anti-lock disc brakes on all
four wheels are optional. They adjust
automatically as the brake pads or linings wear
down.
*
[DR11100( ALL)04/95]
Apply the brake pedal gradually. Use the
ªsqueezeº technique Ð push on the brake pedal
with a steadily increasing force. This allows the
wheels to continue to roll while you are slowing
down, which lets you steer properly.
File:rcdrc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:47:03 1995

174 [DR11300( ALL)03/95]On vehicles without anti-lock brakes, extreme
braking can make the wheels lock and slide,
possibly decreasing your control of the steering.
If you lock the wheels, release the brake pedal
and repeat the ªsqueezeº technique.
[DR11310( ALL)05/95]
Braking with ABS brakes
[DR11400( ALL)03/95]
On vehicles with anti-lock brakes, the wheels
will not lock and slide when you press down
hard on the brake pedal. The anti-lock brakes
automatically start releasing and reapplying the
front brakes independently and the rear brakes
together whenever your wheels start to lock. Do
not ªpumpº the brake pedal on vehicles
equipped with anti-lock brakes. When this
happens, you will feel the brake pedal pulse.
This ªpulseº may be an unfamiliar feeling but it
is normal and indicates the ABS is working as
designed.
*
[DR11650( ALL)05/95]
Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake
pedal; you will wear out the linings and increase
your vehicle's stopping distance. Brake rotor
damage may also eventually occur.
*
[DR11700( ALL)03/95]
NOTE: If you are driving down a long or
steep hill, shift to a lower gear and do
not apply your brakes continuously. If
you apply your brakes continuously,
they may overheat and become less
effective.
%*
[DR11800( ALL)03/95]
Occasional brake squeal during light to moderate
stops does not affect the function of the brake
system and is normal. However, if the squeal
becomes louder or more frequent, have your
brakes inspected by your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
File:rcdrc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:47:03 1995

177
*
[DR14500( ALL)01/95]
Driving Under Special Conditions
%*
[DR14600( ALL)01/95]
Tips for Safe Driving
*
[DR14700( ALL)03/95]
As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and
handle differently from your previous vehicle.
Use care until you become accustomed to its
various features and driving characteristics.
*
[DR14800( ALL)03/95]
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.
Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, or
combinations of these maneuvers can cause a
vehicle to behave differently than anticipated.
%*
[DR15200( ALL)01/95]
Driving in Bad Weather
%*
[DR15300( ALL)01/95]
Slippery roads
*
[DR15400( ALL)03/95]
Drive cautiously on wet or snowy roads:
*
[DR15500( ALL)03/95]
q
Do not quickly move the steering wheel
unless necessary.
*
[DR15600( ALL)01/95]
q
Drive slower than you normally would.
[DR15700( ALL)03/95]
q
Do not use speed control.
*
[DR15800( ALL)01/95]
q
Give your vehicle more distance to stop.
*
[DR15900( ALL)03/92]
q
Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly to
avoid locking your wheels. (Does not apply
to vehicles with anti-lock brakes.)
*
[DR16000( ALL)02/93]
q
Consider using one of the lower gears.
*
[DR16200( BCGV)01/93]
RWARNING
To avoid skidding and losing control on
slippery roads, do not downshift into First
(1) when you are moving faster than
20 mph (32 km/h).
File:rcdrc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:47:03 1995

193 [RE03820( BC )05/94]
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with a 4.6L
engine you will need to perform
additional steps after your vehicle has
been jump started. SeeReadiness for
Inspection/Maintenance Testingin
Servicing Your Vehicle chapter.
%
*
[RE03900( ALL)03/95]
Changing a Tire
*
[RE04000( ALL)01/95]
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do
not apply the brake heavily. Instead, gradually
decrease the speed. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the
side of the road. Park on a level spot, turn off
the ignition, set the parking brake, and turn on
the hazard flashers.
%*
[RE04100( ALL)03/95]
The Temporary Spare Tire
[RE04225(MBC )03/94]
You have a high pressure temporary spare tire.
This spare tire is smaller than a regular tire and
is designed for emergency use only. Use it only
when you get a flat tire and replace it as soon
as you can. This spare tire is marked with the
words ªTEMPORARY USE ONLYº so that you
can easily identify it.
*
[RE04250( ALL)01/95]
NOTE: Extended use of other than
conventional spare tires on a
Traction-Lok rear axle could result in a
permanent reduction in effectiveness.
This loss of effectiveness does not
affect normal driving and should not
be noticeable to the driver.
*
[RE04300( ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If you use the temporary spare tire
continuously or do not follow these
precautions, the tire could fail, causing
you to lose control of the vehicle, possibly
injuring yourself or others.
File:rcrec.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:41 1995

265 [SV34725( BC )12/91]
half page art:0010487-B
The anti-lock brake system fluid reservoir
%*
[SV34800( ALL)03/95]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[SV34900( ALL)01/95]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at
least twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
%*
[SV35000( ALL)03/95]
Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid
[SV35050(MBC )03/95]
3.8L SFI engine
*
[SV35100( ALL)02/95]
1. Start the engine and let it run until the
power steering fluid reaches normal
operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when
the engine coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster is near the center of the
NORMAL operating temperature range.
*
[SV35200( ALL)01/95]
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel back and forth several times. Make
sure that the cap assembly is installed at this
time.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

Index 327
Seats (continued)
head restraints............ 118
rear seat access............ 123
reclining the seat........... 120
sport seat.............. 122
Serial number (VIN)........... 208
Service concerns............ 207
Servicing your vehicle, precautions when
servicing............... 228
Shift-lock system............ 166
Side mirrors, adjusting.......... 124
Sliding moon roof (see Moon roof).... 115
Snow tires and chains.......... 260
Spare tire
changing the tire........... 196
finding the spare........... 195
removing the spare tire........ 195
temporary spare........... 193
Spark plugs, specifications........ 291
Specification chart, lubricants....... 292
Speed control
accelerating.............. 99
canceling a set speed......... 100
resetting................ 99
resuming a set speed......... 100
turning off.............. 100
when towing a trailer......... 185
Speedometer............... 67
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle...... 47
starting a cold engine.......... 48
starting after a collision......... 53
starting a warm engine......... 48
Steering, power............. 173
Steering wheel
horn.................. 95
locking................ 45
speed controls............. 97
tilting................. 96
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Wed Jun 28 16:52:09 1995

328 Index
Storage compartments
center console............. 127
map pockets............. 127
Storing your vehicle........... 293
Sun visor................ 126
Supplemental air bag readiness light.... 60
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS).... 18
T
Tachometer................ 68
Tail lamps
bulb replacement........... 284
cleaning................ 84
Temperature control
(see Climate control).......... 74
Tether anchor installation
(see Child restraints).......... 27
Tilt steering wheel............. 96
Tires
changing............... 193
checking the pressure......... 255
cleaning............... 261
replacing............... 257
rotating............... 256
snow tires and chains......... 260
storing your vehicle.......... 296
tire grades.............. 258
treadwear.............. 258
wear bands.............. 257
Towing a trailer (see Trailer towing) . . . 181
Towing your vehicle, with a tow truck . . 203
Traction assist.............. 171
Traction-lok rear axle.......... 170
Trailer towing
calculating maximum trailer weight . . . 182
safety chains............. 183
tips................. 185
trailer brakes............. 184
trailer lamps............. 184
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Wed Jun 28 16:52:09 1995