warning Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 s Owner's Guide

45
Starting Your Cougar
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[ST03400( ALL)03/95]
Ignition
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[ST03500( ALL)01/95]
Understanding the Positions of the Ignition
[ST03750( ALL)12/94]
quarter page art:0010035-B
The positions of the key in the ignition
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[ST03901( BCGV)03/95]
ACCESSORY allows some of your vehicle's
electrical accessories such as the radio and the
windshield wipers to operate while the engine is
not running.
% [ST04001( ALL)12/94]
LOCK locks the steering wheel. It also locks the
automatic transmission gearshift lever.
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[ST04101( ALL)01/95]
LOCK is the only position that allows you to
remove the key. The LOCK feature helps to
protect your vehicle from theft.
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OFF allows you to shut off the engine and all
accessories without locking the steering wheel or
the automatic transmission gearshift lever.
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[ST04300( ALL)03/95]
ON allows you to test your vehicle's warning
lights (except the brake system warning light) to
make sure they work before you start the
engine. The key returns to the ON position once
the engine is started and remains in this position
while the engine runs.
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46
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[ST04400( ALL)03/95]
START cranks the engine. Release the key once
the engine starts so that you do not damage the
starter. The key should return to ON when you
release it. The START position also allows you
to test the brake warning light.
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Removing the Key From the Ignition
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[ST05600( BCGV)03/95]
1. Put the gearshift in P (Park).
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[ST05800( ALL)01/95]
2. Set the parking brake fully.
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[ST05900( BCGV)03/95]
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
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[ST06050( BCGV)03/95]
4. Remove the key.
[ST06660( BCGV)03/95]
NOTE: The automatic transmission gearshift
must be in P (Park) to move the key to
the lock position.
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If the key is stuck in the LOCK position, move
the steering wheel left or right until the key
turns freely.
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If the driver's door is open while the key is still
in the ignition, a warning chime sounds.
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[ST06825( BCGV)05/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
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[ST06875( ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
Do not leave children, unreliable adults,
or pets alone in your vehicle. They could
accidentally injure themselves or others
through inadvertent operation of the
vehicle. Further, on hot, sunny days,
temperatures in a closed vehicle could
quickly become high enough to cause
severe and possibly fatal injuries to
people as well as animals.
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47
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Fuel-Injected Engines
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When starting a fuel-injected engine,the most
important thing to remember is to avoid
pressing down on the accelerator before or
during starting. Only use the accelerator when
you have problems getting your vehicle started.
SeeStarting Your Enginein this chapter for
details about when to use the accelerator while
you start your vehicle.
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Starting Your Vehicle
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Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
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RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or other enclosed area. Never sit in
a stopped vehicle for more than a short
period of time with the engine running.
Exhaust fumes are toxic. SeeGuarding
Against Exhaust Fumesin this chapter for
more instructions.
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Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
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1. Make sure you and all your passengers
buckle your safety belts. SeeSafety Restraints
in the Index for more details.
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2. Make sure the headlamps and other
accessories are turned off when starting.
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3. Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park)
and the parking brake is set before you turn
the key.
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Before you start your vehicle, you should test
the warning lights on the instrument panel to
make sure that they work. Refer to theWarning
Lights and Gaugeschapter.
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50
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If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, do not allow your vehicle to idle
for more than 10 minutes. Have the vehicle
checked.
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RWARNING
Extended idling at high engine speeds can
produce very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system, creating the
risk of fire or other damage.
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[ST11250( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which
can start a fire.
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[ST11300( ALL)03/95]
If you consistently start your vehicle in subzero
temperatures, use an engine block heater
(if your vehicle has this option).
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Engine Block Heater (If equipped)
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Engine block heaters are strongly recommended
if you live in a region where temperatures reach
-10ÊF (-23ÊC) orbelow. An engine block heater
warms the engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine faster, and allows
the heater-defrost system to respond quickly.
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[ST11700( ALL)02/95]
To turn the heater on, simply plug it into a
grounded 110-volt outlet. Ford recommends that
you use a 110-volt circuit that is protected by a
ground fault circuit interrupter.
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51
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RWARNING
To prevent electrical shock, do not use
your heater with ungrounded electrical
systems or two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
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[ST11900( ALL)03/95]
For best results, plug the heater in at least three
hours before you start your vehicle. Using the
heater for longer than three hours will not
damage the engine, so you can plug it in at
night to start your vehicle the following
morning.
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[ST12000( ALL)12/91]
NOTE: Be sure to disconnect the engine block
heater before driving your vehicle.
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Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes
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Carbon monoxide, although colorless and
odorless, is present in exhaust fumes. Take
precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.
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RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or other enclosed area. Never sit in
a stopped vehicle for more than a short
period of time with the engine running.
Exhaust fumes are toxic. SeeGuarding
Against Exhaust Fumesin this chapter for
more instructions.
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[ST13400( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your dealer inspect your
vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
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53
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If the Engine Cranks but Does
Not Start or Does Not Start After
a Collision
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Fuel Pump Shut-off Switch
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If the engine cranks but does not start or does
not start after a collision, the fuel pump shut-off
switch may have been triggered. The shut-off
switch is a device intended to stop the fuel
pump when your vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
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[ST17400( BCGV)01/95]
Once the shut-off switch is triggered, you must
reset the switch by hand before you can start
your vehicle. The switch is on the left side of the
trunk.
[ST17700( BC )05/94]
one third page art:0010013-E
The fuel pump shut-off switch
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RWARNING
If you see or smell fuel, do not reset the
switch or try to start your vehicle. Have
all the passengers get out of the vehicle
and call the local fire department or a
towing service.
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54
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If your engine cranks but does not start after a
collision or substantial jolt:
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1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
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2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
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3. If you do not see or smell fuel, push the red
reset button down. If the button is already
set, you may have a different mechanical
problem.
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4. Turn the ignition key to the ON position for
a few seconds, then turn it to the OFF
position.
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5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking
fuel.If you see or smell fuel, do not start
your vehicle again.If you do not see or
smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle
again.
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6. Check all vehicle warning lights before
driving the vehicle.
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Pushing
[ST19600( BCGV)03/95]
Vehicles with automatic transmissions cannot be
started by pushing. Follow the directions under
If Your Vehicle Needs a Jump-Start.
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55
Warning Lights and
Gauges
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The instrument panel (dashboard) on your
vehicle is divided into several different sections.
The illustrations on the following pages show
the major parts of the instrument panel that are
described in this chapter. Some items shown
may not be on all vehicles.
[LG00500( BCGV)05/94]
In your vehicle, the warning lights and gauges
are grouped together in the instrument cluster
and the indicator lamp module.
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57
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[LG02700( BCGV)06/94]
The Mechanical Cluster
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[LG02800( BCGV)06/93]
The following warning lights and gauges are on
the mechanical cluster. All of the warning lights
and gauges alert you to possible problems with
your vehicle. Some of the lights listed are
optional. The following sections detail what each
of these indicators means.
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Brake System Warning Light
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[LG03000( ALL)03/95]
The warning light for the brakes can show two
things Ð that the parking brake is not fully
released, or that the brake fluid level is low in
the master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid level is
low, the brake system should be checked by a
qualified service technician.
[LG03025( BC )07/93]
one inch art:0010116-D[LG03100( ALL)01/95]
This light comes on when the parking brake is
set, or if it is not set, it comes on briefly when
you turn the ignition key to START. It normally
goes off shortly after the engine starts and you
release the parking brake. If the light stays on
after you have fully released the parking brake,
have the hydraulic brake system serviced.
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[LG03200( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes
may not be working properly. Have the
brakes checked immediately.
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58 % [LG03475( ALL)05/94]Anti-Lock Brake System Light
(If equipped)
[LG03500( ALL)05/94]
This warning light will go on each time you
start your vehicle. If it remains on for longer
than five seconds, you should shut off your
engine and restart. If the anti-lock brake light
stays on, this indicates that the anti-lock feature
is disabled and should receive immediate
attention by a qualified service technician.
Normal braking is not affected unless the brake
warning light is also lit.
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[LG03505( BCGV)01/95]
The Anti-Lock Brake System has self-check
capabilities. As previously described, the system
turns on the anti-lock light each time you start
your engine. After the engine is started and the
anti-lock light is out, the system performs
another test the first time the vehicle reaches
14 mph (22 km/h). The system turns on the
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) pump motor for
approximately 1/2 second. At this time a
mechanical noise may be heard. This is a normal
part of the self-check feature. If a malfunction is
found during this check the anti-lock light will
come on.
[LG03680( ALL)05/95]
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