warning Mercury Mercury Cougar 1997 Owner's Manuals

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[II01000( ALL)01/96]
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Integrity is never compromised.Our conduct
worldwide must be pursued in a manner that
is socially responsible and commands respect
for its integrity and for its positive
contributions to society.
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[II01100( ALL)03/96]
Things to Know About Using
This Guide
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[II01200( ALL)03/96]
Congratulations on the purchase of your new
vehicle. This guide has information about the
equipment and the options for your new vehicle.
You may not have bought all of the options
available to you. If you do not know which
information applies to your vehicle, talk to your
dealer.
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[II01300( ALL)03/96]
This guide describes equipment and gives
specifications for equipment that was in effect
when this guide was approved for printing. Ford
may discontinue models or change specifications
or design without any notice and without
incurring obligation.
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[II01400( ALL)03/96]
NOTES and WARNINGS
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[II01500( ALL)02/96]
NOTESgive you additional information about
the subject matter you are referencing.
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[II01600( ALL)01/96]
WARNINGSremind you to be especially careful
in those areas where carelessness can cause
damage to your vehicle or personal injury to
yourself, your passengers or other people. Please
read allWARNINGScarefully.
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[II01700( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
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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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The Mechanical Cluster
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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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Anti-Lock Brake System Light
(If equipped)
[IS03400( ALL)12/95]
This warning light will go on each time you
start your vehicle. If it remains on for longer
than five seconds, you should shut off your
engine and restart. If the anti-lock brake light
stays on, this indicates that the anti-lock feature
is disabled and should receive immediate
attention by a qualified service technician.
Normal braking is not affected unless the brake
warning light is also lit.
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[IS03500( ALL)03/96]
The Anti-Lock Brake System has self-check
capabilities. As previously described, the system
turns on the anti-lock light each time you start
your engine. After the engine is started and the
anti-lock light is out, the system performs
another test the first time the vehicle reaches
14 mph (22 km/h). The system turns on the
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) pump motor for
approximately 1/2 second. At this time a
mechanical noise may be heard. This is a normal
part of the self-check feature. If a malfunction is
found during this check the anti-lock light will
come on.
[IS03600( ALL)04/96]
one inch art:0011194-B
The anti-lock brake system light
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RWARNING
If the anti-lock brake system warning
light remains on or comes on while
driving, have the braking system checked
by a qualified service technician as soon
as possible.
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NOTE: If a fault occurs in the anti-lock
system, and the brake warning light is
not lit, the anti-lock system is disabled
but normal brake function remains
operational.
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Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime
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This warning light and chime remind you to
fasten your safety belt. The following conditions
will take place:
[IS05000( BC )12/95]
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If the safety belt is not buckled when the key
is turned to the ON position, the light will
come on for 1 to 2 minutes and the chime
will sound for 4 to 8 seconds.
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If the safety belt is buckled while the light is
on and the chime is sounding, both the light
and chime will turn off.
[IS05500( BC )04/96]
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If the safety belt is buckled before the key is
turned to the ON position, the light will not
come on and the chime will not sound.
[IS05600( ALL)04/96]
one inch art:0010118-A
The safety belt warning light
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High Beam Light
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This light illuminates when the headlamps are
turned to high beam or when you flash the
lights.
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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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The Interior and Exterior Lights
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Daytime Running Light System
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(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]
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The headlamp system is in the OFF position,
and
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The vehicle is running, and
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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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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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Ignition
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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.
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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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Removing the Key From the Ignition
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1. Put the gearshift in P (Park).
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2. Set the parking brake fully.
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[CF25500( BCGV)03/96]
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
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4. Remove the key.
[CF26300( BCGV)12/95]
NOTE: The automatic transmission gearshift
must be in P (Park) to move the key to
the lock position.
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[CF26400( ALL)01/96]
If the key is stuck in the LOCK position, move
the steering wheel left or right until the key
turns freely.
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[CF26500( ALL)12/95]
If the driver's door is open while the key is still
in the ignition, a warning chime sounds.
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[CF26700( BCGV)05/96]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the gearshift is latched in P
(Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you
leave your vehicle.
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[CF26800( ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Do not leave children, unreliable adults,
or pets unattended in your vehicle.
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[CF26900( ALL)02/96]
The Turn Signal Lever
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[CF27000( ALL)02/96]
You can use the turn signal lever on the left side
of the steering column to:
[CF27100( ALL)04/96]
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operate the turn signals
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[CF27200( ALL)03/96]
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turn the high beams on/off
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[CF27300( ALL)03/96]
q
flash the lamps
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[CF27400( ALL)03/96]
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turn the windshield wipers and washer
on/off
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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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