check engine Mercury Mercury Cougar 2002 Owner's Guide

It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
²Use only the specified fuel listed.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
²Have the items listed in your scheduled maintenance guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the scheduled maintenance
guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
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.
Illumination of the ªCheck Engineº light, charging system warning light
or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control system is
not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
Maintenance and Specifications
189

permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle's emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine
Soonº light is on, refer to the description in theWarning lights and
chimessection of theInstrument clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONtAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
Maintenance and Specifications
190

2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.
BRAKE FLUID
Checking and adding brake fluid
Brake fluid should be checked and
refilled as needed. Refer to the
scheduled maintenance guide for
the service interval schedules.
1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt or water
from entering the reservoir.
2. Visually inspect the fluid level.
3. If necessary, add brake fluid from
a clean un-opened container until
the level reaches MAX. Do not fill
above this line.
4. Use only brake fluids certified to
meet Ford specification ESA-M6C25±A. Refer toLubricant
specificationsin this chapter. DOT 3 fluid is recommended. However, if
DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be used.
Brake fluid is toxic. If brake fluid contacts the eyes, flush eyes
with running water for 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if
irritation persists. If taken internally, drink water and induce vomiting.
Seek medical attention immediately.
If you use DOT 5 or any other brake fluid that is not DOT 3 or
DOT 4, you will cause permanent damage to your brakes.
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and Specifications
191

3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated areas for normal operating temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the outside temperatures are
above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperatures 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km (20
miles) of driving.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC
[150ÉF-170ÉF]).
Maintenance and Specifications
193

Vehicle identification number
The vehicle identification number is
attached to a metal tag and is
located on the driver side
instrument panel. (Please note that
in the graphic XXXX is
representative of your vehicle
identification number.)
1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake type and gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR)
3. Vehicle line, series, body type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
Engine number
The engine number (the last eight numbers of the vehicle identification
number) is stamped on the engine block and transmission.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Maintenance and Specifications
203

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

Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............162
instrument panel ....................164
interior .............................164±165
plastic parts ............................163
washing ....................................161
waxing .....................................161
wheels ......................................162
wiper blades ............................164
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............44
Clock ..........................26, 33, 41, 60
Clutch
fluid ..........................................192
operation while driving ..........125
recommended shift speeds ....126
Console ........................................67
Coolant
checking and adding ..............177
low coolant light .......................12
refill capacities ................181, 199
specifications ..................200±201
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................61
Customer Assistance ................134
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................166
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................154
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................158
Getting roadside assistance ...134
Getting the service you
need .........................................152
Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................159
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................154Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................157
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................47
Defrost
rear window ..............................46
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................192
engine oil .................................172
Doors
door ajar warning .....................15
lubricant specifications ..........200
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................128
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................145
Emission control system ..........189
Engine ........................................201
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
cleaning ...................................162
coolant .....................................177
idle speed control ...................175
lubrication
specifications ..................200±201
refill capacities ........................199
service points ..................170±171
starting after a collision .........135
Engine block heater .................115
Engine oil ..................................172
checking and adding ..............172
Index
208

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