fuel Mercury Mercury Cougar 2002 User Guide

TRIP COMPUTER
The trip computer tells you about the condition of your vehicle through
a constant monitor of vehicle systems. You may select display features on
the trip computer for a display of status.
The trip computer only operates with the ignition in the ON position.
Selectable features
Select
Press this control to select the
following features:
²Temperature
²Average speed
²Trip odometer
²Distance to empty
²Average fuel economy
Units
Press this control to change the trip computer display between metric
and English units.
Reset
Press this control to reset the function to zero.
Temperature
Shows the outside air temperature.
It may take several minutes of
driving for the display to update the
present temperature.
Average speed
Shows the average speed since last
reset.
Trip odometer
Refer toGaugesin theInstrument
clusterchapter
Driver Controls
66

Distance to empty
This displays the approximate
distance you can drive with the fuel
remaining in the tank.
Average fuel economy
Shows the average fuel economy
since last reset.
TRUNK REMOTE CONTROL
Push the control located under the
instrument panel by the driver's
door to open the luggage
compartment.
FRONT ASHTRAY
The ashtray is located beneath the
radio.
To open, press and the ashtray
opens automatically. To empty,
extract the ashtray.
CENTER CONSOLE
Your vehicle has a variety of console features. These include:
²Utility compartment
²Cupholder
²Coin holder slots
Use only soft cups in the cupholder. Hard objects can injure you
in a collision.
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67

STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. LOCK, locks the steering wheel,
gearshift lever (automatic transaxle
only) and allows key removal. On
vehicles with a manual transaxle
push the key in while turning to
lock.
2. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.
3. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
4. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This
system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing the accelerator
before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have
difficulty starting the engine. For more information on starting the
vehicle, refer toStarting the enginein this chapter.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the garage door
before you start the engine. SeeGuarding against exhaust fumesin
this chapter for more instructions.
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Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or
in 1 (First) (manual transaxle).
Push the button on the end of the
parking brake and push the handle
down as far as possible to release
the brake. Driving with the parking
brake on will cause the brakes to
wear out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
TRACTION CONTROLY
Your vehicle is equipped with a Traction Controlysystem. This system
helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle. It is
especially useful on slippery road surfaces. The system operates by
detecting and controlling wheel spin. The system borrows many of the
electronic and mechanical elements already present in the anti-lock
braking system (ABS).
Wheel-speed sensors allow excess rear wheel spin to be detected by the
Traction Controlyportion of the ABS computer. Any excessive wheel
spin is controlled by automatically applying and releasing the rear brakes
in conjunction with engine torque reductions. Engine torque reduction is
realized via the fully electronic spark and fuel injection systems. This
process is very sensitive to driving conditions and very fast acting. The
rear wheels ªsearchº for optimum traction several times a second and
adjustments are made accordingly.
The Traction Controlysystem will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction on slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid
which makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on snow, ice covered
and gravel roads.
During Traction Controlyoperation, the traction control active light will
illuminate, you may hear an electric motor type of sound coming from
the engine compartment and the engine will not ªrev-upº when you push
further on the accelerator. This is normal system behavior.
Driving
119

N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in the N
(Neutral) position, the vehicle can
be started and is free to roll. Hold
the brake pedal down while in this
position.
(Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transaxle
operates in gears one through four.
(Overdrive) can be deactivated
by pressing the transaxle control
switch (TCS) on the underside of
the gearshift handle.
The transaxle control indicator light
(TCIL) (O/D OFF) in the
instrument cluster will illuminate.
Driving
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When starting a vehicle with a manual transaxle:
1. Hold down the brake pedal and
clutch pedal.
2. Put the gearshift lever in neutral.
3. Start the vehicle.
4. Put the gearshift lever in 1 (First) or R (Reverse).
5. Release the clutch slowly while pressing gradually down on the
accelerator pedal.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal and do not use
the clutch pedal to hold your vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a
hill. These actions will seriously reduce clutch life.
Recommended shift speeds
Upshift according to the following charts for best fuel economy:
2.0L engine 5±speed transaxle shift speed schedules
Recommended
upshifts:During acceleration: During cruise*:
Shift from: km/h mph km/h mph
First to second 22 14 19 12
Second to third 40 25 32 20
Third to fourth 53 33 46 29
Fourth to fifth 77 48 64 40
*The vehicle can be shifted at lower speeds to improve fuel economy.
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2.5L engine 5±speed transaxle shift speed schedules
Recommended
upshifts:During acceleration: During cruise*:
Shift from: km/h mph km/h mph
First to second 22 14 16 10
Second to third 40 25 32 20
Third to fourth 53 33 50 31
Fourth to fifth 77 48 64 40
*The vehicle can be shifted at lower speeds to improve fuel economy.
Parking
1. Apply the brake and shift into the neutral position.
2. Engage the parking brake.
3. Shift into 1 (First).
4. Turn ignition off.
Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it may move unexpectedly
and injure someone. Use 1 (First) gear and set the parking brake
fully.
Reverse
1. Completely stop your vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal to the floor and place the gearshift lever in
the neutral position. Do not release the clutch pedal.
Driving
127

GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor Company
offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This program is
separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service is available:
²24±hours, seven days a week
²
for the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period of three years or 60,000
km (36,000 miles), whichever occurs first on Ford and Mercury vehicles,
and four years or 80,000 km (50,000 miles) on Lincoln vehicles.
Roadside assistance will cover:
²changing a flat tire.
²jump-starts.
²lock-out assistance.
²limited fuel delivery.
²towing of your disabled vehicle to the nearest Ford Motor Company
dealership, or your selling dealer if within 56.3 km (35 miles) of the
nearest Ford Motor Company dealership (one tow per disablement).
Even non-warranty related tows, like accidents or getting stuck in the
mud or snow, are covered (some exclusions apply, such as impound
towing or repossession).
Canadian customers refer to your Owner Information Guide for
information on:
²Coverage period
²Exact fuel amounts
²Towing of your disabled vehicle
²Emergency travel expense reimbursement
²Travel planning benefits
USING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Complete the roadside assistance identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In the United States, this card is found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment in Ford vehicles and is
mailed to you if you own a Mercury or Lincoln. In Canada, the card is
found in the Owner Information Guide in the glove compartment.
U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicle customers who require roadside assistance,
call 1±800±241±3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1±800±521±4140.
Canadian customers who require roadside assistance, call
1±800±665±2006.
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If you need to arrange roadside assistance for yourself, Ford Motor
Company will reimburse a reasonable amount. To obtain reimbursement
information, U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicles customers call
1-800-241-3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1±800±521±4140.
Canadian customers who need to obtain reimbursement information, call
1±800±665±2006.
ROADSIDE COVERAGE BEYOND BASIC WARRANTY
In the United States, you may purchase additional roadside assistance
coverage beyond this period through the Ford Auto Club by contacting
your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer.
Similarly in Canada, for uninterrupted Roadside Assistance coverage, you
may purchase extended coverage prior to your Basic Warranty's Roadside
Assistance expiring. For more information and enrollment, contact
1±877±294±2582 or visit our website at www.ford.ca.
HAZARD LIGHTS CONTROL
Use only in an emergency to warn traffic of vehicle breakdown,
approaching danger, etc. The hazard flashers can be operated when the
ignition is off.
²The hazard lights control is
located on top of the steering
column.
²Depress hazard lights control to
activate the hazard flashers.
²Depress control again to turn the
flashers off.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
FUEL
RESET
The fuel pump shut-off switch is a device intended to stop the electric
fuel pump when your vehicle has been involved in a substantial jolt.
After a collision, if the engine cranks but does not start, the fuel pump
shut-off switch may have been activated.
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135

The fuel pump shut-off switch is
located in the driver's foot well,
behind the kick panel. The reset
button for the fuel pump shut-off
switch is accessible through an
opening in the kick panel.
Use the following procedure to reset the fuel pump shut-off switch.
1. Turn the ignition to the OFF position.
2. Check the fuel system for leaks.
3. If no fuel leak is apparent, reset the fuel pump shut-off switch by
pushing in on the reset button.
4. Turn the ignition to the RUN position. Pause for a few seconds and
return the key to the OFF position.
5. Make a further check for leaks in the fuel system.
FUSES AND RELAYS
Fuses
If electrical components in the
vehicle are not working, a fuse may
have blown. Blown fuses are
identified by a broken wire within
the fuse. Check the appropriate
fuses before replacing any electrical
components.
Note:Always replace a fuse with one that has the specified amperage
rating. Using a fuse with a higher amperage rating can cause severe wire
damage and could start a fire.
15
Roadside Emergencies
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