clutch Mercury Mercury Cougar 2002 Owner's Manual

POSITIVE RETENTION FLOOR MAT (DRIVER'S SIDE ONLY)
Position the floor mat in the
footwell. Place the mat eyelet over
the pointed end of the retention
post from the rear and rotate
forward to install. Adjust the floor
mat position to allow proper
operation of accelerator pedal, brake
pedal and clutch pedal (if
equipped).
To remove, lift the floor mat just
forward of the retention post and
rotate it rearward to disengage it from the retention post.
CARGO AREA FEATURES
Cargo cover
Do not place objects on the cargo cover.
To remove the cover:
Detach the lifting straps on the
liftgate. The pull it out horizontally
without tilting.
Driver Controls
68

If starting a vehicle with a manual
transaxle:
²Push the clutch pedal to the
floor, put the gearshift in neutral.
4. Turn the key to 3 (ON) without
turning the key to 4 (START).
If there is difficulty in turning the
key, firmly rotate the steering wheel
left and right until the key turns
freely. This condition may occur
when:
²front wheels are turned
²front wheel is against the curb
²steering wheel is turned when
getting in or out of the vehicle
Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or illuminate briefly. If a
light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.
Driving
114

1 (First)
Use 1 (Low) to provide maximum
engine braking on steep
downgrades. Upshifts can be made
by shifting to 2 (Second) or to
(Overdrive). Selecting 1 (Low) at
higher speeds causes the transaxle
to shift to a lower gear, and will
shift to 1 (Low) after vehicle
decelerates to the proper speed.
Forced Downshifts
To gain acceleration in(Overdrive) or Drive (O/D OFF) when
passing another vehicle, push the accelerator to the floor. The transaxle
will downshift to the appropriate gear: third, second or first gear.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
Using the clutch
Vehicles equipped with a manual
transaxle have a starter interrupt
interlock that prevents cranking of
the engine unless the clutch pedal is
depressed.
Driving
125

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.
Driving
126

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

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

The fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
19 7.5A Mirror heater
20* 10A Wipers
21 40A Power moonroof, Power windows
22 7.5A ABS/TCS
23 15A Turn signal lamps, Backup lamps,
Speed control. Gearshift lever,
A/C clutch, Blower motor
24 15A Stop lamps, Speed control
25 20A Alarm system, Locking system
26 7.5A High beam, Low beam
27 15A Cigar lighter
28 30A Power seats
29 30A Rear window defroster
Roadside Emergencies
138

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

Working with the engine on
²Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Note:Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do not
remove it while the engine is running.
²Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake, depress the clutch and place the gearshift in
neutral.
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Note:Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do not
remove it while the engine is running.
The cooling fan is automatic and may come on at any time.
Always disconnect the negative terminal of the battery before
working near the fan.
OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located under the
instrument panel.
Maintenance and Specifications
168

Do not let the fluid level in the reservoir for the master cylinder
fall below the MIN mark. If master cylinder runs dry, this may
cause the brakes to fail.
CLUTCH FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
The clutch master cylinder and
brake master cylinder are part of
the same system; both are refillable
through the brake master cylinder
with brake fluid. For more
information on brake fluid
maintenance, refer toBrake fluidin
this chapter.
Brake fluid is toxic. If brake fluid contacts the eyes, flush eyes
with running water for 15 minutes. Seek medical if irritation
persists. If taken internally, drink water and induce vomiting. Seek
medical attention immediately.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transaxle is not working
properly, i.e., if the transaxle slips or shifts slowly or if you notice some
sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic
during hot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before
checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
Maintenance and Specifications
192