brake light Mercury Mercury Cougar 2002 User Guide

3. Push the gearshift lever
completely to the right, pull up the
ring on the stalk of the gearshift
lever, and then pull rearward on the
gearshift lever to engage the R
(Reverse) gear.
4. When the R (Reverse) gear is engaged, slowly release the clutch pedal
from the floor.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine's air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage. Have the fluid checked and, if
water is found, replace the fluid.
Driving
128

Preparing your vehicle
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the
transmission must relearn its shift strategy. As a result, the transmission
may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time, the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation.
1.Use only a 12±volt supply to start your vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle's electrical system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehiclesdo nottouch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other moving
parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion before
you attach the battery cables. Ensure that vent caps are tight and level.
5. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect any electrical
surges. Turn all other accessories off.
Connecting the jumper cables
1. Connect the positive (+) booster cable to the positive (+) terminal of
the discharged battery.
Note:In the illustrations,lightning boltsare used to designate the
assisting (boosting) battery.
+–+–
Roadside Emergencies
146

PAINT CHIPS
Your dealer has touch-up paint and sprays to match your vehicle's color.
Take your color code (printed on a sticker in the driver's door jam) to
your dealer to ensure you get the correct color.
²Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect deposits, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout before repairing paint chips.
²Always read the instructions before using the products.
ALUMINUM WHEELS AND COVERS
Aluminum wheel rims or covers are coated with a clearcoat paint finish.
In order to maintain their shine:
²Clean with Detail Wash (ZC-3±A), which is available from your dealer.
²Never apply any cleaning chemical to hot or warm wheel rims or
covers.
²Some automatic car washes may cause damage to the finish on your
wheel rims or covers. Chemical-strength cleaners, or cleaning
chemicals, in combination with brush agitation to remove brake dust
and dirt, could wear away the clearcoat finish over time.
²Do not use hydrofluoric acid-based or high caustic-based wheel
cleaners, steel wool, fuels or strong household detergent.
²To remove tar and grease, use Ford Extra Strength Tar and Road Oil
Removal (B7A-19520±AA), available from your dealer.
ENGINE
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. When washing:
²Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The
high-pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause
damage.
²Do not spray a hot engine with cold water to avoid cracking the
engine block or other engine components.
²Spray Motorcraft Engine Shampoo and Degreaser (ZC-20) on all parts
that require cleaning and pressure rinse clean.
²Cover the highlighted areas to prevent water damage when cleaning
the engine.
Cleaning
162

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine compartment for easy
location.
²We provide a scheduled maintenance guide which makes tracking
routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your dealership can provide
the necessary parts and service. Check yourWarranty Guideto find out
which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
²When the engine is running, keep loose clothing, jewelry or long hair
away from moving parts.
²Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open flames and other lit material away from
the battery and all fuel related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive properly, as explained in the
Batterysection in this chapter.
Working with the engine off
²Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
²Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Depress the clutch and place the gearshift in 1 (First).
3. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
4. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Maintenance and Specifications
167

Check the washer fluid whenever
you stop for fuel. The reservoir is
highlighted with a
symbol.
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the
level is low. In very cold weather, do
not fill the reservoir completely.
Only use a washer fluid that meets Ford specification ESR-M17P5±A.
Refer toLubricant specificationsin this chapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging the
vehicle's paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
Note:Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling system
components.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(automatic transaxle) or 1st (manual transaxle).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil indicator (dipstick).
Maintenance and Specifications
172

²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
Maintenance and Specifications
188

A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................117
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..............................94±95, 99
and child safety seats ..............96
description ..........................95, 99
disposal ....................................102
driver air bag ....................97, 100
indicator light .............12, 98, 101
operation ...........................97, 100
passenger air bag .............97, 100
side air bag ................................99
Air cleaner filter .......................198
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................44
Air filter, cabin ............................46
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................177
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................117±118
Anti-theft system ........................77
arming the system ....................78
disarming a triggered system ..78
Audio system (see Radio) ...26, 34
Automatic transaxle
driving with .............................122
fluid, adding ............................192
fluid, checking ........................192
fluid, refill capacities ..............199
fluid, specification ..................201
Automatic transmission ............120
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........200
B
Battery .......................................175acid, treating emergencies .....175
charging system warning
light ............................................12
jumping a disabled battery ....145
maintenance-free ....................175
replacement, specifications ...198
servicing ..................................175
BeltMinder ...................................89
Brakes ........................................116
anti-lock ...........................117±118
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .....................11, 117
brake warning light ..................11
fluid, checking and adding ....191
fluid, refill capacities ..............199
fluid, specifications .........200±201
lubricant specifications ..200±201
parking ....................................118
shift interlock ..........................120
Break-in period .............................6
Bulbs ............................................51
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....199
Cargo cover .................................68
Cargo net .....................................68
Cassette tape player ...................19
CD-6 disc .....................................34
CD-single premium .....................26
Certification Label ....................202
Changing a tire .........................142
Child safety restraints ..............103
child safety belts ....................103
Child safety seats ......................106
attaching with tether straps ..111
in front seat ............................108
in rear seat ..............................108
Index
207

Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................190
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................164
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................48
J
Jack ............................................142
positioning ...............................142
storage .....................................142
Jump-starting your vehicle ......145
K
Keys .......................................74±76
key in ignition chime ...............16
positions of the ignition .........112
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................51
cargo lamps ...............................48
daytime running light ...............47
fog lamps ...................................47
headlamps .................................47
headlamps, flash to pass ..........48
instrument panel, dimming .....48
interior lamps ...........................50
replacing bulbs .........................51
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................50
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
air bag ........................................12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....11, 117
brake ..........................................11
charging system ........................12check coolant ............................12
check engine .............................10
cruise indicator .........................13
door ajar ....................................15
high beam .................................14
low fuel ......................................13
low washer fluid .......................15
oil pressure ...............................12
overdrive off ..............................13
safety belt .................................12
speed control ............................65
traction control active ..............13
turn signal indicator .................13
Load limits .................................129
GAWR ......................................129
GVWR ......................................129
trailer towing ..........................129
Locks
doors ..........................................70
Lubricant specifications ...200±201
M
Manual transaxle
fluid capacities ........................199
lubricant specifications ..........201
reverse .....................................127
Manual transmission .................125
Message center ...........................66
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) .......60
Moon roof ....................................65
Motorcraft parts ........................198
O
Octane rating ............................185
Odometer .....................................17
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................172
Index
210

P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................73
Parking brake ............................118
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....198
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................139
Power door locks ........................70
Power mirrors .............................60
Power steering ..........................120
fluid, checking and adding ....190
fluid, refill capacity ................199
fluid, specifications .........200±201
Power Windows ...........................60
R
Radio ......................................26, 34
Radio reception .....................42±43
Rear window defroster ...............46
Relays ........................................136
Remote entry system ...........71, 73
locking/unlocking doors .....70, 72
opening the trunk .....................73
panic alarm ...............................73
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................74
replacing the batteries .............73
Roadside assistance ..................134
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................15, 83, 85±88
Safety defects, reporting ..........160
Safety restraints ..............83, 85±88belt minder ...............................89
cleaning the safety belts ..........93
extension assembly ..................93
for adults .............................85±87
for children .....................102±103
warning light and
chime .............................12, 15, 88
Safety seats for children ..........106
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................83
Seats ............................................79
child safety seats ....................106
cleaning ...................................164
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ....................................74±76
Servicing your vehicle ..............167
Spare tire (see Changing the
Tire) ...........................................142
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................198, 201
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................200±201
Speed control ..............................61
Speedometer ...............................17
Starting your
vehicle ........................112±113, 115
jump starting ..........................145
Steering wheel
controls ................................59, 61
tilting .........................................59
T
Tachometer .................................18
Tires ...........................142, 195±196
changing ..........................142±143
checking the pressure ............196
replacing ..................................197
Index
211