lights Mercury Mercury Cougar 1997 Owner's Manuals

8 %
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[IS00600( ALL)01/96]
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.
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[IS00800( BC )04/96]
In your vehicle, the warning lights and gauges
are grouped together on the instrument panel.
We call this grouping a cluster.
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10
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[IS01700( BCGV)01/96]
The Mechanical Cluster
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[IS02000( BCGV)01/96]
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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[IS02600( ALL)01/96]
Brake System Warning Light
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[IS02700( ALL)03/96]
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.
[IS02800( BC )04/96]
one inch art:0000108-E
The brake system warning light
[IS03100( ALL)12/95]
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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[IS03200( ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes
may not be working properly. Have the
brakes checked immediately.
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[IS09000( ALL)03/96]
High Beam Light
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[IS09100( ALL)03/96]
This light illuminates when the headlamps are
turned to high beam or when you flash the
lights.
[IS09200( ALL)04/96]
one inch art:0010125-B
The high beam light
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[IS11050( BC )12/95]
Service Engine Soon Warning Light
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[IS11100( ALL)05/96]
This light illuminates when the engine's
Emission Control System requires service. It will
also illuminate when the ignition key is in the
ON position and the engine is off.
[IS11350( BC )05/96]
one inch art:0000282-B
The service engine soon warning light
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[IS12100( BC )04/96]
Anti-Theft Alarm Light (If equipped)
[IS12150(MBC )04/96]
one inch art:0001389-A
Anti-theft alarm light
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17 [IS12200(MBC )04/96]
This light is used when you set the anti-theft
alarm system. SeeAnti-Theft Systemin the
Controls and Featureschapter for more
information.
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[IS12300( ALL)03/96]
Turn Signal Indicator Lights
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[IS12400( ALL)03/96]
The turn signal arrow will flash to indicate the
direction in which you are going to be turning.
[IS12500( ALL)04/96]
one inch art:0010525-A
The turn signal indicator light
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[IS12601( BC )03/96]
Cruise Control Indicator Light
[IS12701( BC )03/96]
This light comes on when the cruise control
system is actively maintaining the set speed. It
will go off when the brakes are used or if the
cruise control is turned off.
[IS12801( BC )05/96]
one inch art:0011390-A
The cruise control indicator light
[IS12901( BC )03/96]
This light does not indicate any problems but is
only a convenience to tell when the cruise
control is active.
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[AS61900( ALL)08/95]
To minimize these conditions, a stereo/mono
blend circuit has been incorporated into this
system. This feature automatically switches a
weak stereo signal to a clearer monaural signal,
which improves the quality of reception.
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[AS62000( ALL)08/95]
Several sources of static are normal conditions
on AM frequencies. These can be caused by
power lines, electric fences, traffic lights and
thunderstorms.
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[AS62100( ALL)08/95]
Another reception phenomenon isStrong Signal
Capture and Overload. This can occur when
listening to a weak station and when passing
another broadcast tower. The close station may
capture the more distant station, although the
displayed frequency does not change. While
passing the tower, the station may switch back
and forth a few times before returning to the
original station.
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[AS62200( ALL)03/96]
When several broadcast towers are present
(common in metropolitan areas), several stations
may overload the receiver, resulting in
considerable station changing, mixing and
distortion.
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[AS62300( ALL)08/95]
Automatic gain control circuitry for both AM
and FM bands has been incorporated into this
system to reduce strong signal capture and
overload.
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[AS62400( ALL)08/95]
All About Radio Frequencies
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[AS62500( ALL)08/95]
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
and the Canadian Radio Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC) establish the frequencies
that AM and FM radio stations may use for
their broadcasts. The allowable frequencies are,
AM: 530, 540...1600, 1610 kHz in 10 kHz steps;
FM: 87.9, 88.1...107.7, 107.9 MHz in 0.2 MHz
steps.
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[CF15810( ALL)03/96]
The Interior and Exterior Lights
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[CF15820( ALL)03/96]
Daytime Running Light System
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[CF15900( ALL)03/96]
(Canadian vehicles only)
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[CF16000( ALL)03/96]
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system turns
the high beam headlamps on, with a reduced
light output, when:
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[CF16100( ALL)03/96]
q
The headlamp system is in the OFF position,
and
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[CF16200( ALL)01/96]
q
The vehicle is running, and
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[CF16300( ALL)03/96]
q
The vehicle has a fully released parking
brake.
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[CF16400( BCGV)12/95]
NOTE: If you have a vehicle with an
automatic lighting system, the DRL
system is active until the automatic
system turns on the headlamps.
[CF16500( ALL)04/96]
NOTE: The high beam indicator will not turn
on in the flash-to-pass mode during
nighttime driving.
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[CF16600( ALL)01/96]
NOTE: You may notice that the lights flicker
when the vehicle is turned on or off.
This is a normal condition.
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[CF16700( ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system
will not illuminate the tail lamps and
parking lamps. Turn on your headlamps
at dusk. Failure to do so may result in a
collision.
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[CF16800( ALL)03/96]
Turning On the Exterior Lights
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[CF17100( BCGV)05/96]
To turn on the headlamps, parking lamps, side
markers, license plate lamps and tail lamps, use
the rotary control that is to the left of the
steering wheel.
[CF17300( BC )05/96]
half page art:0010195-E
The knob that controls the headlamps and parking lamps
(shown with autolamp feature Ð other models similar)
[CF17501( ALL)04/96]
To turn on the parking lamps, license plate
lamps, tail lamps and marker lamps, move the
knob to the first position.
[CF17550( ALL)04/96]
To turn on the headlamps, parking lamps,
license plate lamps, tail lamps and marker
lamps, move the knob to the second position.
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[CF17600( ALL)04/96]
For more information about how the high beams
work, see the high beam section later in this
chapter.
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[CF20000( ALL)01/96]
Lighting Up the Interior and Instrument
Panel
[CF20100( BC )12/95]
Manual operation
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[CF20200( BC )05/96]
With the light control in the parking lamps or
the headlamps position, you can brighten or dim
the lights in the instrument panel. To do this,
use the thumbwheel to the left of the steering
wheel. This wheel also turns on the interior
lights with the light control on or off.
[CF20205( BC )05/96]
Turn the thumbwheel down to dim the
instrument panel light and up to brighten. Turn
thumbwheel fully upward to turn on interior
lights.
[CF20500( BC )05/96]
half page art:0010206-D
The thumbwheel controls the light on the instrument panel
and the interior light
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[CF24100( ALL)01/96]
Ignition
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[CF24200( ALL)01/96]
Understanding the Positions of the Ignition
[CF24300( ALL)12/95]
quarter page art:0010035-B
The positions of the key in the ignition
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[CF24500( BCGV)04/96]
ACC allows some of your vehicle's electrical
accessories such as the radio and the windshield
wipers to operate while the engine is not
running.
% [CF24600( ALL)12/95]
LOCK locks the steering wheel. It also locks the
automatic transmission gearshift lever.
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[CF24700( ALL)01/96]
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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[CF24800( ALL)01/96]
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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[CF24900( ALL)01/96]
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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[CF25000( ALL)01/96]
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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[CF28700( ALL)01/96]
Flashing the Lights
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[CF28800( ALL)01/96]
To flash the headlamps, pull the lever toward
you for a moment and then release it. The
headlamps will flash whether the headlamp
knob is in the on or off position.
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[CF28900( ALL)01/96]
Windshield Wipers and Washer
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[CF29000( ALL)04/96]
To turn on the windshield wipers, the ignition
key must be turned to the ON or ACC position.
[CF29100( ALL)12/95]
Rotate the end of the lever away from you to
activate the wipers. The first seven detents are
interval wipe positions, the eighth detent is the
LO position and the ninth detent is the HI
position.
[CF29200( ALL)04/96]
To turn the wipers off, turn the knob toward
you to the OFF position.
%*
[CF29300( ALL)01/96]
Variable Interval Wipers
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[CF29400( ALL)12/95]
In addition to two speed wipers, your vehicle
has wipers that you can set to operate at
varying intervals. For example, you can set the
interval so they wipe less often when it drizzles
or more often in heavier rain.
[CF29500( ALL)12/95]
one third page art:0011293-A
The variable interval wiper on the turn signal lever
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