maintenance Mercury Mercury Cougar 1997 Owner's Manuals

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[PI00425( ALL)05/95]
Table of ContentsIntroduction ....................................................1
Instrumentation ..............................................7
Electronic Sound Systems .........................25
Controls and Features ................................59
Seating and Safety Restraints ................103
Starting .........................................................145
Driving .........................................................151
Roadside Emergencies ..............................171
Maintenance and Care .............................201
Capacities and Specifications .................253
Reporting Safety Defects
(U.S. Only) ..................................................261
Customer Assistance .................................263
Accessories ..................................................275
Quick Index ................................................285
Index .............................................................295
Service Station Information ......................316
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Update:Mon Jun 3 09:22:39 1996

4
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[II02400( ALL)01/96]
Your Maintenance Schedule and
Record Booklet
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[II02500( ALL)03/96]
TheMaintenance Schedulebooklet lists the
services that are most important for keeping
your vehicle in good condition. A record log is
also provided to help you keep track of all
services performed.
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[II02600( ALL)01/96]
About the Warranties
[II02700( ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle is covered by three types of
warranties:Basic Vehicle Warranty, Extended
Warrantieson certain parts, andEmissions
Warranties.
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[II02800( ALL)01/96]
Read yourWarranty Information Bookletcarefully
to find out about your vehicle's warranties and
your basic rights and responsibilities.
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[II02900( ALL)03/96]
If you lose yourWarranty Information Booklet,you
can get a new one free of charge. Contact any
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the
addresses and phone numbers on the first page
of this Owner's Guide.
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[II03000( ALL)03/96]
Ford Extended Service Plan
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[II03030( ALL)05/96]
More Protection for Your Vehicle
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[II03060( ALL)05/96]
You can get more protection for your new car or
light truck by purchasing a Ford Extended
Service Plan (Ford ESP). Ford ESP is the only
extended service program with the Ford name
on it and the only service contract backed by
Ford Motor Company.
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Update:Thu May 30 10:22:07 1996

5
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Ford ESP is an optional service contract, backed
and administered by Ford. It provides:
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[II03120( ALL)05/96]
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protection against repair costs after your
Bumper to Bumper Warranty expires;
[II03150( ALL)05/96]
and
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[II03180( ALL)05/96]
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other benefits during the warranty period
(such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage
for certain maintenance and wear items).
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[II03210( ALL)05/96]
You may purchase Ford ESP from any
participating Ford Motor Company dealer. There
are several Ford ESP plans available in various
time-and-mileage combinations. Each plan can be
tailored to fit your own driving needs, including
reimbursement benefits for towing and rental.
(In Hawaii, rules vary. See your dealer for
details.)
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[II03240( ALL)05/96]
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive
peace-of-mind protection throughout the United
States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,100 participating Ford Motor
Company dealers.
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[II03270( ALL)05/96]
NOTE: Repairs performed outside the United
States and Canada are not eligible for
ESP coverage.
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[II03310( ALL)05/96]
This information is subject to change. Ask your
dealer for complete details about Ford ESP
coverage.
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Update:Thu May 30 10:22:07 1996

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[IS06300( ALL)03/96]
Air Bag Readiness Light
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[IS06400( ALL)04/96]
The air bag system uses a readiness light and a
tone to indicate the condition of the system. The
readiness light is in the instrument cluster. When
you turn the ignition key to the ON position,
this light will light up for six (6) seconds and
then turn off. This indicates that the system is
operating normally. NOTE: Regularly scheduled
maintenance of the air bag system is not
required.
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[IS06500( ALL)04/96]
If the light fails to illuminate, continues to flash,
remains on, or you hear a beeping sound, have
the system serviced at your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately.
[IS06700( BC )04/96]
one inch art:0000653-C
The air bag readiness light
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Low Coolant Light
[IS07200(MBC )04/96]
This light tells you that the coolant is low inside
the coolant recovery bottle and that you should
add more coolant.
[IS07300(MBC )04/96]
This light comes on for a few seconds when
your ignition key is turned to start, but should
turn off when the engine starts. If this light stays
on, check the level of coolant inside the recovery
bottle. SeeEngine Coolantin the Index.
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Update:Fri Jun 7 13:56:06 1996

19 [IS13550( BC )04/96]
3. Check the engine's oil level, following the
instructions on checking and adding engine
oil, seeEngine Oilin the Index. If you do
not follow these instructions, you or others
could be injured. To assure an accurate
reading, your vehicle should be on level
ground.
[IS13600( BC )03/96]
4. If the level is low, add only as much oil as
necessary before you start the engine again.
Do not overfill. Do not operate the engine if
the light is on, regardless of the oil level.
Contact your nearest dealer for service as
soon as possible.
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[IS13700( BC )03/96]
For more information about adding oil, see
Adding engine oilin theMaintenance and Care
chapter of this guide.
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[IS13750( BC )04/96]
Low Fuel Light
[IS13800( BC )04/96]
This light comes on when your fuel gauge
indicates approximately 1/8 to 1/16 of a tank.
Your vehicle must be turned to ON for this light
to come on. This light will either flicker or glow
steadily.
[IS13850( BC )04/96]
one inch art:0000116-C
The low fuel light
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Update:Fri Jun 7 13:56:06 1996

77 [CF29600( ALL)04/96]
To set the interval wipers, turn the knob at the
end of the turn signal lever toward or away
from you until the wipers are going at the
desired interval.
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[CF29700( ALL)01/96]
Windshield Washer
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[CF29800( ALL)12/95]
To clean the windshield, push in the end of the
wiper knob. For a constant spray, keep the knob
pushed in. After you release the knob, the
wipers operate for two to three cycles before
turning off (if the wipers were OFF) or
returning to HI, LO, or the interval setting
selected.
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[CF29900( ALL)03/96]
If the washer does not work, check the washer
fluid level and fill it if it is low. See the
Maintenance and Carechapter. If there is enough
fluid, consult your nearest Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
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[CF30000( ALL)08/95]
Do not try to clean the windshield when the
washer fluid container is empty or activate the
washers at any time for more than 15 seconds
continuously. This could damage the washer
pump system.
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[CF30100( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Always warm up the windshield with the
defroster before you use the washer fluid.
In freezing weather, the washer solution
may freeze on the windshield and obscure
your vision.
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[CF30200( ALL)03/96]
For information about refilling the washer fluid
or replacing your windshield wiper blades, see
Windshield washer fluid and Wipersin the Index.
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Update:Fri Jun 7 13:58:04 1996

119
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Safety Belt Maintenance
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Check the safety belt systems periodically to
make sure that they work properly and are not
damaged.
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[SS22000( ALL)05/96]
All safety belt assemblies, including retractors,
buckles, front seat belt buckle support assemblies
(slide bar) (if equipped), shoulder belt height
adjusters (if equipped), child safety seat tether
bracket assemblies (if equipped), and attaching
hardware, should be inspected after any
collision. Ford recommends that all safety belt
assemblies used in vehicles involved in a
collision be replaced. However, if the collision
was minor and a qualified technician finds that
the belts do not show damage and continue to
operate properly, they do not need to be
replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use
during a collision should also be inspected and
replaced if either damage or improper operation
is noted.
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[SS22100( ALL)05/96]
Air Bag Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS)
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[SS22201( ALL)05/96]
Important Air Bag Precautions
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[SS22301( ALL)05/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a supplemental
restraint system designed to work with the
safety belts to help protect you and your right
front seat passenger in the event of a collision.
The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System is
primarily designed to reduce certain upper body
injuries.
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Update:Fri Jun 7 13:59:45 1996

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The diagnostic module monitors its own circuits,
the air bag electrical system, the air bag
readiness light, the air bag power, and the air
bag inflators.
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Determining if System Is Operational
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The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System uses
a readiness light and a tone to indicate the
condition of the system. The readiness light is in
the instrument cluster. When you turn the
ignition key to ON, this light will illuminate for
approximately six (6) seconds and then turn off.
This indicates that the system is operating
normally. NOTE: Routine maintenance of the air
bag system is not required.
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[SS24601( ALL)05/96]
A problem with the system is indicated by one
or more of the following:
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the readiness light will either flash or stay lit,
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the readiness light will not light immediately
after ignition is turned on,
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a group of five beeps will be heard. The tone
pattern will repeat periodically until the
problem and light are repaired.
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[SS25001( ALL)05/96]
If any of these things happen, even
intermittently, have the Air Bag Supplemental
Restraint System serviced at your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately. Unless
serviced, the system may not function properly
in the event of a collision.
File:06rcssc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:59:45 1996

168 %
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[GF23100( ALL)05/96]
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
[GF23200( ALL)05/96]
Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
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[GF23300( ALL)05/96]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule
booklet for additional information.
[GF23400( C )12/95]Decklid Luggage Rack
(If equipped)
[GF23500( C )12/95]
NOTE: The factory-installed luggage rack has a
load carrying capacity of 50 lbs.
(23 kg.). Do not exceed this load limit
or cause the vehicle to exceed the gross
vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which
is shown on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
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Driving Under Special Conditions
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Tips for Safe Driving
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As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and
handle differently from your previous vehicle.
Use care until you become accustomed to its
various features and driving characteristics.
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[GF23900( ALL)01/96]
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.
Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, or
combinations of these maneuvers can cause a
vehicle to behave differently than anticipated.
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Update:Mon Jun 3 09:26:27 1996

201
Maintenance and Care
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Service Made Easy
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Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
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[MC00500( ALL)01/96]
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
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[MC00600( ALL)01/96]
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We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
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When possible, we design parts that can be
replaced without tools.
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[MC00800( ALL)02/96]
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We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your
vehicle easy. The maintenance schedule is
located in theMaintenance Schedulebooklet.
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[MC00900( ALL)01/96]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
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[MC01000( ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
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[MC01100( ALL)02/96]
Ford Motor Company recommends that the
Owner Maintenance Checks listed in the
Maintenance Schedulebooklet be performed for
the proper operation of your vehicle. In addition
to the conditions listed in theOwner Maintenance
Checklist, be alert for any unusual noise,
File:11rcmcc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:27:52 1996