tire type Mercury Mercury Cougar 2002 Owner's Manual

²A second key on the same key ring as thecoded key
If any of these items are present, you need to keep these objects from
touching thecoded keywhile starting the engine. These objects and
devices cannot damage thecoded key,but can cause a momentary ªno
startº condition if they are too close to the key during engine start. If a
problem occurs, turn ignition OFF and restart the engine with all other
objects on the key ring held away from the ignition key. Check to make
sure thecoded keyis an approved Mercurycoded key.
If your keys are lost or stolen you will need to do the following:
²Use your spare key to start the vehicle. or
²Have your vehicle towed to a dealership. The key codes will need to
be erased from your vehicle and new key codes will need to be
re-coded.
Replacing coded keys can be very costly and you may want to store an
extra programmed key away from the vehicle in a safe place to prevent
an unforeseen inconvenience.
The correctcoded keymust be used for your vehicle. The use of the
wrong type ofcoded keymay lead to a ªno startº condition.
If an unprogrammed key is used in the ignition it will cause a ªno
startº condition.
Programming spare keys
A maximum of seven keys can be coded to your vehicle. Only
SecuriLockykeys can be used. To program acoded keyyourself, you
will need two previously programmedcoded keys(keys that already
operate your vehicle's engine) and the new unprogrammed key(s) readily
accessible for timely implementation of each step in the procedure.
If two previously programmed coded keys are not available, you must
bring your vehicle to your dealership to have the spare coded key(s)
programmed.
Please read and understand the entire procedure before you begin.
Locks and Security
76

²try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its wheel
²use the wheel for any other type of vehicle
Use of a temporary spare tire at any one wheel location can lead to
impairment of the following:
²handling, stability and braking performance
²comfort and noise
²ground clearance and parking at curbs
²Winter driving capability
Tire change procedure
1. Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and set the parking
brake.
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transaxle
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the
jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or R
(Reverse) (manual transaxle).
To prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be
sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both directions) the
wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be
seriously injured.
2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or R (Reverse)
(manual transaxle), turn engine OFF, and block the diagonally opposite
wheel.
Roadside Emergencies
143

INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
²Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the following
information about tire grades exactly as the government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Maintenance and Specifications
195

²Four tire rotation
Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial bias-belted, or
bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the
Certification or Tire Label. Make sure that all tires are the same size,
speed rating, and load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire combinations
recommended on the label. If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g., ªAll Terrainº,
ªTouringº, etc.), as originally offered by Ford.
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle and make it easier for the driver to lose
control and roll over.
Maintenance and Specifications
197

Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Driving too fast for conditions creates the possibility of loss of
vehicle control. Driving at very high speeds for extended periods
of time may result in damage to vehicle components.
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads that provide traction in
rain or snow.
The use of snow cables is not recommended for this vehicle, as damage
to your vehicle may occur under extreme handling or rough road
conditions. However, if you choose to operate the vehicle with snow
cables, avoid these conditions and follow the manufacturer's
recommendations.
Do not use any type of tire chains, as this will likely cause damage to
your vehicle.
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 2.0L engine 2.5L engine
Air filter element FA-1612 FA-1613
Fuel filter FG-800A FG-800A
Oil filter FL-2005 FL-820
PCV valve EV-224 EV-152
Battery BXT-40R BXT-40R
Cabin air filter FP4 FP4
Crankcase ventilation
filterFA-1621 Ð
Spark plugs
1AZFS-22F # 1+22
AZFS-22FE # 3+4AWSF-32F1Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
2If a spark plug is removed for inspection, it must be reinstalled in the
same cylinder. If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use only spark plugs
with the service number suffix letter ªFEº as shown on the engine decal.
Maintenance and Specifications
198