maintenance Mercury Mercury Cougar 1997 s Owner's Guide

256
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[CS03000( ALL)01/96]
Vehicle Storage
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[CS03100( ALL)01/96]
Maintenance Tips
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[CS03200( ALL)01/96]
If you plan on storing your vehicle for an
extended period of time (60 days or more), refer
to the following maintenance recommendations
to ensure your vehicle stays in good operating
condition.
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[CS03300( ALL)01/96]
General
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[CS03400( ALL)01/96]
q
Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated place.
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[CS03500( ALL)01/96]
q
Protect from sunlight, if possible.
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[CS03600( ALL)01/96]
q
If vehicles are stored outside, they require
regular maintenance to protect against rust
and damage.
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[CS03700( ALL)01/96]
Body
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[CS03800( ALL)01/96]
q
Wash vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt,
grease, oil, tar or mud from exterior surfaces,
rear wheel housing and underside of front
fenders.
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[CS03900( ALL)01/96]
q
Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed
locations.
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[CS04000( ALL)01/96]
q
Touch-up raw or primed metal to prevent
rust.
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[CS04100( ALL)01/96]
q
Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a
thick coat of auto wax to prevent
discoloration. Re-wax as necessary when the
vehicle is washed.
File:12rccsc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:31:57 1996

264
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[HS00245( ALL)06/94]
How to use Roadside Assistance
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[HS00250( ALL)06/94]
Your Roadside Assistance identification card can
be found in the Owner Guide portfolio in your
glove compartment. Complete the card and place
it in your wallet for quick reference.
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[HS00255( ALL)04/95]
To receive roadside assistance in the United
States call 1-800-241-FORD (in Canada call
1-800-665-2006).
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[HS00260( ALL)04/95]
Should you need to arrange for roadside
assistance yourself, Ford Motor Company will
reimburse the reasonable cost. To obtain
information about reimbursement call
1-800-241-FORD (in Canada call 1-800-665-2006).
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[HS00300( ALL)01/95]
If You Have a Service Problem
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[HS00400( ALL)01/95]
Ford Motor Company has authorized Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealerships that can service
your vehicle for you. This chapter tells you how
to get service or maintenance for your vehicle.
%*
[HS00500( ALL)02/95]
Service/Maintenance Concerns
(U.S. or Canada)
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[HS00600( ALL)04/95]
Ford recommends taking your vehicle to your
selling dealer who wants to ensure your
continued satisfaction. You may, however, take
your vehicle to any authorized Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer. In most cases, your
dealer will be able to resolve your concern.
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[HS00700( ALL)04/95]
If you are not satisfied with the service you
received from your dealership's service
department, talk to the service manager at the
dealership, or if you still are not satisfied, talk to
the owner or general manager of the dealership.
In most cases, you will have your concern
resolved at this level.
File:14rchsc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:32:19 1996

269
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[HS04300( ALL)05/96]
To review your case properly, the Board needs
the following information:
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[HS04400( ALL)05/96]
q
legible copies of all documents and
maintenance or repair orders relevant to the
case
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[HS04500( ALL)05/96]
q
the year, make, model, and Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) listed on your
vehicle ownership license
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[HS04600( ALL)05/96]
q
the date of repair(s) and mileage at the time
of occurrence(s)
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[HS04700( ALL)05/96]
q
the current mileage
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[HS04800( ALL)05/96]
q
the name of the dealer who sold or serviced
the vehicle
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[HS04900( ALL)05/96]
q
a brief description of your unresolved concern
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[HS05000( ALL)05/96]
q
a brief summary of the action taken with the
dealer and Ford Motor Company
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[HS05100( ALL)05/96]
q
the names (if known) of all the people you
contacted at the dealership
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[HS05200( ALL)05/96]
q
a description of the action you expect to
resolve your concern
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[HS05300( ALL)05/96]
Should your case NOT qualify for review, a
letter of explanation will be mailed to you.
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[HS05401( ALL)05/96]
Oral presentations
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[HS05501( ALL)05/96]
If the involved vehicle is within 36 months and
36,000 miles of the warranty start date, you have
the right to make an oral presentation before the
Board. Indicate your choice to do so on the
application. Oral presentations may also be
requested by the Board.
File:14rchsc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:32:19 1996

296 Index
Anti-theft lug nuts and key........ 189
Anti-theft system
arming the system........... 97
description............... 96
disarming an untriggered system..... 98
disarming a triggered system....... 99
triggering............... 98
warning light.............. 16
Appeals (see Dispute settlement board) . . 266
Assistance (see Customer assistance).... 263
Audio system (see Electronic
sound system)............. 25
Autolamp system (see Headlamps)..... 69
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic overdrive..... 157
fluid, adding............. 224
fluid, checking............ 223
fluid, refill capacities......... 254
fluid, specification........... 255
Axle
lubricant specifications......... 255
refill capacities............ 254
traction lok.............. 154
B
Backing up............... 159
Basic vehicle warranty........... 4
Battery................. 225
acid, treating emergencies....... 192
charging system warning light...... 14
disconnecting............. 226
how to service............ 225
jumping a disabled battery....... 191
maintenance-free........... 225
proper disposal, recycling....... 226
replacement, specifications....... 253
servicing............... 225
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 1996

308 Index
Lubricant specifications......... 255
Lug nuts................ 184
anti-theft............... 190
standard............... 185
tightening sequence........184, 188
M
Maintenance schedule and record
(see separate Maintenance Schedule
and Record booklet)........... 4
Maintenance (see Servicing)....... 201
Master cylinder, brakes......... 210
Mirrors.................. 87
automatic dimming rearview mirror . . . 88
rearview................ 87
side view mirrors............ 93
side view mirrors (power)........ 93
vanity mirror, illuminated........ 89
Moon roof................ 85
Motorcraft parts............. 253
N
New vehicle break-in........... 6
O
Octane rating.............. 235
Odometer................. 22
description............... 22
trip odometer.............. 23
Oil filter..............209, 253
Oil (see Engine oil)........... 207
Oil viscosity.............. 207
On-board diagnostic (OBD II) system . . . 242
Overdrive................ 160
Overseas offices............. 272
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 1996

310 Index
Remote entry system (continued)
panic alarm.............. 100
replacement/additional transmitters . . . 102
replacing the batteries......... 101
Restraints, safety (see Safety restraints)
adult................. 108
child................. 124
head................. 103
infant................ 124
Roadside assistance........... 263
Roadside emergencies.......... 171
Rotating the tires............ 228
S
Safe driving tips............. 168
Safety belts (see Safety restraints)..... 108
Safety chains, when towing a trailer.... 166
Safety information relating to
automotive fuels........... 236
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts....110, 113, 117
automatic locking mode........ 112
automatic locking mode (retractor) . . . 112
center rear lap belt.......... 117
cleaning the safety belts........ 250
extension assembly.......... 118
for adults.............. 108
for children.............. 124
for infants.............. 124
for pregnant women.......... 108
head................. 103
lap and shoulder belts......... 110
maintenance............. 119
proper use.............. 108
replacement............. 119
warning light and chime......... 12
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 1996

312 Index
Spark plugs, specifications........ 253
Special driving conditions........ 168
Specification chart, lubricants....... 255
Speed control
turning off............... 81
when towing a trailer......... 167
Speedometer............... 22
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle..... 145
starting a cold engine......... 146
starting after a collision........ 180
starting a warm engine........ 147
starting your vehicle if the battery
is disabled............. 191
Steering, power............. 156
Steering wheel
horn.................. 79
locking................. 73
tilting................. 80
Storage compartments, center console.... 94
Storing your vehicle........... 256
Sunroof (moon roof)............ 85
Sun visor................. 89
Supplemental air bag readiness light.... 13
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) . . . 119
T
Tachometer................ 23
Tail lamps
bulb replacement.........243, 248
cleaning............... 250
Temperature control (see Climate control) . . 59
Tilt steering wheel............. 80
Tires.................. 227
changing............... 181
checking the pressure......... 227
cleaning............... 252
inspection and maintenance...... 227
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 1996

Index 315
Weight limits (GAWR, GVWR)...... 162
Wheel dollies (see Towing)........ 198
Wheels
anti-theft lugnuts........... 190
cleaning............... 252
covers..............184, 188
inspection and maintenance...... 227
lug nuts............... 184
ornaments.............. 188
Windows................. 92
power windows, operating....... 92
rear, defrosting............. 66
Windshield, washing........... 76
Windshield washer fluid and wipers.... 76
checking and adding fluid....... 212
checking and replacing wiper blades . . 226
low washer fluid light.......... 20
operation............... 76
reservoir............... 212
specifications............. 255
variable interval wipers......... 76
Windshield wipers and washer....... 76
Wrecker towing............. 198
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 1996