clock Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owner's Manuals

74 [IP00400( ALL)05/95]The main controls for the climate control system,
clock, and radio are on the instrument panel.
%*
[IP00500( ALL)05/95]
NOTE: Any cleaner or polish that increases the
gloss (shine) of the upper part of the
instrument panel should be avoided.
The dull finish in this area is to help
protect the driver from undesirable
windshield reflection.
%
*
[IP00600( ALL)01/95]
The Climate Control Systems
[IP00700( ALL)03/91]
Your vehicle has one of two different climate
control systems. The two systems are:
[IP01200( BCGV)06/93]
q
a manual heating and air conditioning system
[IP01250( BC )03/95]
q
a semi-automatic temperature control
system (if equipped)
*
[IP01400( ALL)09/89]
If you are not sure which system your vehicle
has, see the diagrams on the following pages.
% [IP10700( BCGV)08/93]
The Manual Heating and Air Conditioning
System
[IP10800( BCGV)08/93]
You can heat the inside of your vehicle, defrost
the windshield, and turn on the air conditioning
with the three knobs in the center of the
instrument panel:
[IP10900( BCGV)08/93]
q
FAN
[IP11000( BCGV)08/93]
q
TEMP
[IP11100( BCGV)08/93]
q
SELECT
File:rcipc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:49:31 1995

89 % [IP47220( BC )11/92]
Rear Seat Courtesy Lamps
[IP47250( BC )03/91]
Your vehicle has rear seat courtesy lamps which
are activated when the interior lights are turned
on. These lamps are located on the quarter trim
panels.
%*
[IP47270( ALL)04/95]
Cleaning the Interior Lamps
*
[IP47290( ALL)04/95]
Your interior dome lamps and map lamps are
plastic and should be cleaned with a mild
detergent diluted in water. Rinse them with clear
water.
%
*
[IP47300( ALL)03/95]
Clock
[IP47460( BC )05/95]
quarter page art:0011164-B
The digital clock
[IP47500( ALL)05/95]
1. To set the hour, press and hold the H
button. When the desired hour appears,
release the button.
[IP47600( ALL)05/95]
2. To set the minutes, press and hold the M
button. When the desired minute appears,
release the button.
File:rcipc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:49:31 1995

166 %
*
[DR00995( ALL)04/95]
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:
*
[DR01000( ALL)01/95]
1. Turn the engine off and remove the ignition
key.
*
[DR01005( ALL)01/95]
2. Apply parking brake.
*
[DR01010( ALL)01/95]
3. Reinsert the ignition key and turn clockwise
to the first position (OFF).
*
[DR01020( ALL)01/95]
4. Depress the brake pedal, move the gearshift
lever to N (Neutral) and start the engine.
*
[DR01025( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL
YOU VERIFY THAT THE BRAKELAMPS
ARE WORKING.
[DR01027( ALL)05/95]
If you need to shift out of P (Park) by using the
alternate procedure described above, it is
possible that a fuse has blown and that your
brakelamps may also not be functional. Please
refer to the chapter titledServicing Your Cougar
in this Owner Guide for instructions on checking
and replacing fuses.
[DR01030(MBC )05/94]
The console-mounted gearshift will lock in
P (Park) when you turn the key to the LOCK
position. When the gearshift is in any position
except P (Park), the ignition key cannot be
turned to LOCK or removed from the steering
column. TO REMOVE THE KEY, the gearshift
lever must be in P (Park).
File:rcdrc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:47:03 1995

197
*
[RE08100( ALL)01/95]
4. Loosen each wheel lug nut one-half turn
counterclockwise, but do not remove them
until the tire is raised off the ground. You
should pull up on the handle rather than
push to develop maximum force to loosen
wheel lug nuts. SeeAnti-Theft Wheel Lug
Nutslater in this chapter for information on
removing anti-theft lug nuts.
%*
[RE08150( ALL)05/95]
Removing and Replacing the Tire
[RE08250( BC )12/94]
1. Find the underbody notches closest to the
wheel to be removed. Center the jack
between (2) underbody notches and turn the
handle of the jack clockwise until the wheel
is completely off the ground.
*
[RE08400( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To lessen the risk of personal injury, do
not put any part of your body under the
vehicle while changing a tire. Do not start
the engine when your vehicle is on the
jack. The jack is only meant for changing
the tire.
File:rcrec.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:41 1995

199 % [RE08600( BC )02/92]
half page art:0010346-C
The notches for the jack
*
[RE08900( ALL)01/95]
2. Turn the jack handle clockwise until the
wheel clears the ground. Remove the wheel
lug nuts.
*
[RE08920( ALL)01/95]
3. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire,
making sure that the air valve stem is facing
outward.
*
[RE08940( ALL)03/95]
4. Reinstall the lug nuts, tightening until the
wheel is snug against the hub. The beveled
edges on the lug nuts face inward. Do not
fully tighten the lug nuts until you lower the
vehicle. If you do, you could force the
vehicle off the jack.
*
[RE08960( ALL)02/95]
5. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise.
File:rcrec.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:41 1995

202 [RE11700( BC )03/91]2. Align the legs of the ornament with the slots
on the wheel cover. Strike the ornament with
the palm of your hand.
%*
[RE12700(MBC )03/95]
Anti-Theft Wheel Lug Nuts (If equipped)
*
[RE12800( BC )01/95]
If your vehicle has this option, one of the lug
nuts on each wheel locks and must be unlocked
with a special key. The key and registration card
are attached to the lug wrench and stored with
the spare tire. If you lose the key, send the
registration card to the manufacturer (not the
dealer) to get a replacement key.
*
[RE12850(MBC )03/95]
NOTE: If entire lug wrench/lug nut key
assembly is lost, see your nearest Ford
or Lincoln-Mercury dealer who has
access to a master set of keys.
*
[RE12875(MBC )03/95]
DO NOT USE A POWER IMPACT WRENCH
ON THE LUG NUT KEY.
[RE13000(MBC )03/95]
quarter page art:0010357-B
The anti-theft lug nut and key
*
[RE13100(MBC )03/95]
Removing the anti-theft lug nut
*
[RE13300(MBC )03/95]
Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Make
sure that you hold the key square to the lug nut.
If you hold the key on an angle, you may
damage the key and the lug nut.
*
[RE13400(MBC )03/95]
Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key
and apply pressure on the key with the wrench.
Turn the wrench in a counterclockwise direction
to remove the lug nut.
File:rcrec.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:41 1995

234 %
*
[SV05850( ALL)04/95]
Cleaning the Engine
*
[SV06000( ALL)04/95]
A clean engine is more efficient because a
buildup of grease and dirt acts as an insulator,
keeping the engine warmer than usual.
*
[SV06020( ALL)05/95]
q
Extreme care must be used if a power washer
is used to clean the engine. The high pressure
fluid could penetrate sealed parts and
assemblies causing damage or malfunctions.
*
[SV06040( ALL)04/95]
q
In order to avoid possible cracking of the
engine block or fuel injection pump, do not
spray a hot engine or injection pump with
cold water.
*
[SV06060( ALL)04/95]
q
The alternator, distributor and air intake must
be covered. Covering these components will
help prevent water damage.
*
[SV06080( ALL)04/95]
q
Never wash or rinse the engine while it is
running. Water getting into the engine may
cause internal damage.
%
*
[SV06100( ALL)03/95]
Filling the Fuel Tank
*
[SV06240(MBC )05/95]
The fuel door is outside the car on the passenger
side near the back. To fill the fuel tank:
[SV06550( ALL)05/95]
1. After opening the fuel filler door, remove
the cap carefully and slowly by turning it
counterclockwise 1/2 to 3/4 turn.
[SV06650( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
The fuel system may be under pressure. If
the fuel cap is venting vapor or if you
hear a hissing sound while disengaging
the fuel cap, wait until it stops before
completely removing the cap. Otherwise,
fuel may spray out and injure you or
others.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

235 [SV06700( ALL)05/95]
2. Put the nozzle all the way inside the fuel
filler pipe before pumping the fuel.
[SV06800( ALL)05/95]
NOTE: If you spill any fuel on the body of
your vehicle, clean it off immediately.
The fuel may dull or soften the paint
if you do not wash it off.
[SV06850( ALL)05/95]
3. Replace the fuel cap completely when you
are finished. Turn it clockwise 1/4 turn until
it is tight. It will click when it is fully
tightened.
[SV06875( ALL)05/95]
4. Push the fuel door closed.
[SV06900( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If you lose the fuel cap, replace it with a
Motorcraft or equivalent fuel cap. If you
do not use the proper fuel cap, the
pressure in the fuel tank can damage the
fuel system or cause it to work improperly
in a collision, endangering you and your
passengers.
[SV06950( ALL)05/95]
NOTE: If you replace your fuel cap with an
aftermarket fuel filler cap, the customer
warranty may be void for any damage
to the fuel tank and/or fuel system.
[SV07500( ALL)05/95]
Choosing the Right Fuel
[SV07600( ALL)05/95]
Use only UNLEADED FUEL in your vehicle.
Using leaded fuel is prohibited by federal law.
Your warranty may not apply if your vehicle is
damaged because you used the wrong fuel.
[SV07701( ALL)05/95]
Using a high-quality fuel makes your vehicle
more responsive and maintain its good fuel
economy and emissions. It should not be
necessary to add any aftermarket products to
your fuel tank if you continue to use a
high-quality fuel.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

246 [SV19000(MBC )05/95]
RWARNING
Never remove the radiator cap or vent
plug while the engine is running or hot.
[SV19030( ALL)05/95]
Follow these steps to avoid personal injury that
can be caused by escaping steam or engine
coolant.
[SV19040(MBC )03/95]
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine
off and let it cool. Even when the engine is
cool, be careful when you remove the
radiator cap or vent plug.
[SV19145( ALL)03/95]
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick towel
around the cap and turn it slowly
counterclockwise to unscrew.
*
[SV19150( ALL)03/95]
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
[SV19160( ALL)12/94]
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has
been released, use the cloth to press the cap
down, turn it, and remove it.
*
[SV19170(MBC )03/95]
5. Stand away from the radiator opening. Hot
steam may blow out or hot engine coolant
may even splash out.
*
[SV19190( ALL)03/95]
To find out how much engine coolant mixture
your vehicle's coolant system can hold, seeRefill
capacities for fluidsin the Index.
% [SV19200( ALL)12/94]
Add engine coolant only to the recovery
reservoir.If the coolant level is low, add a 50/50
or appropriate mixture of water and the type of
engine coolant that Ford specifies. You may add
water by itself only in an emergency, but you
should replace it with a 50/50 or appropriate
mixture as soon as possible.
*
[SV19300( ALL)01/95]
Have your dealer check the engine cooling
system for leaks if you have to add more than a
quart (liter) of engine coolant more than once a
month.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

281
*
[SV46600( ALL)03/95]
Removing the headlamp bulb
*
[SV46700( ALL)01/95]
1. Make sure that the headlamp switch is in
the OFF position.
*
[SV46800( BC )02/95]
2. Lift the hood and find the bulb in the
headlamp socket.
*
[SV46900( BC )01/95]
3. Remove the electrical connector from the
bulb by grasping the wire with a quick pull
rearward.
*
[SV47100( BC )01/95]
4. Remove the retaining ring by turning it 1/8
of a turn to free it from the socket. Then
slide the ring off the plastic base.Keep the
ring.You must use it again to hold the new
bulb in place.
*
[SV47400( ALL)03/95]
Installing the headlamp bulb
*
[SV47600(MBC )02/95]
1. With the flat side of the bulb's plastic base
facing upward, insert the glass end of the
bulb into the socket. You may need to turn
the bulb left or right to line up the grooves
in the plastic base with the tabs in the
socket. When the grooves are aligned, push
the bulb into the socket until the plastic base
contacts the rear of the socket.
*
[SV47800(MBC )02/95]
2. Slip the bulb retaining ring over the plastic
base until it contacts the rear of the socket.
Lock the ring into the socket by rotating it
clockwise until you feel a ªstopº.
*
[SV47900( ALL)02/95]
3. Push the electrical connector into the rear of
the plastic base until it snaps, locking it into
position.
*
[SV48000(MBC )02/95]
4. Turn the headlamps on and make sure that
they work properly. If the headlamp was
correctly aligned before you changed the
bulb, you should not need to align it again.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995