light Mercury Mercury Cougar 1997 s Repair Manual

256
%*
[CS03000( ALL)01/96]
Vehicle Storage
*
[CS03100( ALL)01/96]
Maintenance Tips
*
[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.
*
[CS03300( ALL)01/96]
General
*
[CS03400( ALL)01/96]
q
Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated place.
*
[CS03500( ALL)01/96]
q
Protect from sunlight, if possible.
*
[CS03600( ALL)01/96]
q
If vehicles are stored outside, they require
regular maintenance to protect against rust
and damage.
*
[CS03700( ALL)01/96]
Body
*
[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.
*
[CS03900( ALL)01/96]
q
Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed
locations.
*
[CS04000( ALL)01/96]
q
Touch-up raw or primed metal to prevent
rust.
*
[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

257
*
[CS04200( ALL)01/96]
q
Lubricate all hood, door and trunk lid hinges
and latches with a light grade oil.
*
[CS04300( ALL)01/96]
q
Cover interior soft trim to prevent fading.
*
[CS04400( ALL)01/96]
q
Keep all rubber parts free from oil and
solvents.
%*
[CS04500( ALL)01/96]
Engine
*
[CS04600( ALL)01/96]
q
Start engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle
until it reaches normal operating temperature.
*
[CS04700( ALL)01/96]
q
With your foot on the brake, shift through all
the gears while the engine is running.
%*
[CS04800( ALL)01/96]
Fuel system
%*
[CS04900( ALL)01/96]
q
Fill fuel tank with high-quality unleaded fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the fuel
pump nozzle.
*
[CS05000( ALL)01/96]
NOTE: During extended periods of vehicle
storage (60 days or more), fuel may
deteriorate due to oxidation. This can
damage rubber and other polymers in
the fuel system and may also clog
small orifices.
*
[CS05100( ALL)01/96]
Ford Gas Stabilizer should be added whenever
actual or expected storage periods exceed 60
days. Follow the instructions on the label. The
vehicle should then be operated at idle speed to
circulate the additive throughout the fuel system.
File:12rccsc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:31:57 1996

258 %
*
[CS05200( ALL)01/96]
Cooling system
*
[CS05300( ALL)01/96]
q
Protect against freezing temperatures.
%*
[CS05400( ALL)01/96]
Battery
*
[CS05500( ALL)01/96]
q
Check and recharge as necessary.
*
[CS05600( ALL)01/96]
q
Keep connections clean and covered with a
light coat of grease.
*
[CS05700( ALL)12/95]
q
If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days
without recharging the battery, it may be
advisable to disconnect the battery cables to
ensure battery charge is maintained for quick
starting.
[CS05800( ALL)12/95]
NOTE: If battery cables are disconnected, it
will be necessary to reset memory
features.
%*
[CS05900( ALL)01/96]
Brakes
*
[CS06000( ALL)01/96]
q
Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully
released.
%*
[CS06100( ALL)01/96]
Tires
*
[CS06200( ALL)01/96]
q
Maintain recommended air pressure.
*
[CS06300( ALL)01/96]
Miscellaneous
*
[CS06400( ALL)01/96]
q
Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and
clevis pins under vehicle are covered with
grease to prevent rust.
*
[CS06500( ALL)01/96]
q
Move vehicles at least 25 feet (8 m) every 15
days to lubricate working parts and prevent
corrosion.
File:12rccsc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:31:57 1996

267
*
[HS02600( ALL)04/96]
What Kind of Cases Does the Board
Review?
*
[HS02700( ALL)05/96]
The Board reviews all warranty performance
complaints on Ford, Mercury and Lincoln cars
and Ford and Mercury light trucks under the
new vehicle limited warranty that have not been
resolved by either a dealer or Ford Motor
Company, except those involving:
*
[HS02800( ALL)05/96]
q
a non-Ford product
*
[HS02900( ALL)05/96]
q
a non-Ford dealership
*
[HS03100( ALL)05/96]
q
a vehicle sales transaction
*
[HS03200( ALL)05/96]
q
request for reimbursement of consequential
expenses. Expenses incidental to the warranty
complaint being reviewed are eligible for
consideration.
*
[HS03300( ALL)05/96]
q
items not covered by the new vehicle limited
warranty
*
[HS03350( ALL)05/96]
q
items covered by a service contract
*
[HS03400( ALL)05/96]
q
alleged liability claims
*
[HS03450( ALL)05/96]
q
property damage where the damage is
significant when compared to the economic
loss alleged under the warranty dispute
*
[HS03500( ALL)05/96]
q
cases currently in litigation
*
[HS03600( ALL)05/96]
q
vehicles not used primarily for family,
personal, or household purposes (except in
states where the Dispute Settlement Board is
required to review commercial vehicles)
File:14rchsc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:32:19 1996

Index 295
Index
A
ABS warning light
(see Anti-lock brake system)....... 11
Accessory position on the ignition..... 73
Additives, engine oil.......... 207
Air bag supplemental
restraint system............ 119
and child safety seats......... 211
description.............. 119
driver air bag............ 119
indicator light............. 13
operation.............. 121
passenger air bag........... 121
service and information labels..... 285
tone generator............ 121
Air cleaner filter
location............... 204
specifications............. 253
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system......... 59
semi-automatic temperature
control system............ 62
Alarm, activating remote personal.... 100
Antenna, radio (see Electronic
sound system)............. 25
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)...... 213
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description.............. 151
see also Brake............ 151
warning light.............. 11
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 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

Index 297
Battery (continued)
voltage gauge............. 14
when storing your vehicle....... 258
Brake fluid............... 210
brake warning light........... 10
checking and adding......... 210
description.............. 210
specifications...........211, 255
Brakelamp............... 243
bulb replacement........... 244
high-mount brakelamp........ 246
Brakes................. 151
adjustment.............. 151
anti-lock............... 151
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light............ 11
applying the brakes.......... 151
brake warning light........... 10
fluid, checking and adding...... 210
fluid, refill capacities.......210, 254
fluid, specifications........211, 255
front disc.............. 151
if brakes do not grip well....... 151
master cylinder............ 210
new brake linings............ 6
noise................ 151
parking............... 152
power braking............ 151
servicing............... 210
stopping distances.......... 169
trailer................ 167
when storing your vehicle....... 258
Brake-shift interlock........... 157
Break-in period.............. 6
Brights (high beams)........... 16
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 1996

298 Index
Bulbs, replacing............. 243
halogen............... 244
headlamps.............. 244
high-mount brakelamp........ 246
specifications............. 248
C
Canada, customer assistance....... 271
Canada, warranty information....... 4
Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan
(CAMVAP).............. 271
Capacities for refilling fluids....... 254
Carbon monoxide in exhaust....... 149
Car seats for children
(see Child safety seats)........ 125
Cassette tape player (see Electronic
sound system)............. 36
Catalytic converter............ 239
CD player (see Electronic sound system) . . . 25
Chains, tires.............. 232
Changing a tire............. 181
Charging system warning light....... 14
Child safety restraints.......... 124
child safety belts........... 142
child safety seats........... 125
Child safety seats............ 125
and air bags............. 125
automatic locking mode
(retractor)...........112, 125
in front seat............. 125
in rear outboard seat......... 125
in rear seat............125, 140
tether anchorage hardware....... 141
Chime
key in ignition............. 74
safety belt............... 12
Circuit breakers
checking and replacing........ 179
see also fuses............. 171
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 1996

300 Index
Coolant (see Engine coolant)....... 213
checking and adding......... 215
drain and flush............ 217
preparing for storage......... 258
refill capacities............ 254
specifications............. 255
temperature gauge........... 21
Cooling fan............... 202
Customer Assistance Center, Ford (U.S.) . . 265
Customer Assistance Centre,
Ford of Canada..........265, 271
D
Daytime running light system....... 67
Defrost
rear window.............. 66
windshield............. 59,64
Dipstick................ 208
automatic transmission fluid...... 223
engine oil.............. 208
power steering fluid.......... 221
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)...... 198
Dispute Settlement Board........ 266
Doors.................. 90
door ajar warning light......... 18
lubricant specifications......... 255
Driving under special conditions..... 168
bad weather............. 169
heavy load.............. 162
high water.............. 170
slippery roads............ 169
tips for safe driving.......... 168
towing a trailer............ 164
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 1996

Index 301
E
Electrical system
circuit breakers............ 179
fuses................ 171
Electronic sound system
tuning the radio........ 27,37,47
warranty and service information.... 58
Electronic stereo cassette radio
(see Electronic sound system)...... 37
Emergencies, roadside
assistance.............. 263
battery acid spills........... 192
fuel................. 233
jump-starting............. 191
towing................ 198
Emergency brake (parking brake)..... 152
Emission control system......... 239
catalytic converter.......... 239
emissions warranty......... 4,239
Engine
does not start..........147, 180
fuel injected engine, starting...... 145
fuel pump shut-off switch....... 180
preparing to start........... 145
refill capacities............ 254
service points............ 204
starting............... 145
starting after a collision........ 180
storing your vehicle.......... 256
Engine block heater........... 148
Engine coolant............. 213
checking and adding......... 213
checking hoses............ 214
disposal............... 202
drain and flush............ 217
low coolant warning light........ 13
preparing for storage......... 258
proper solution............ 216
recovery reservoir........204, 213
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 1996