warning Mercury Mystique 1996 s Repair Manual

Driving Your Mystique
155
*
[DR23400(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Improper distribution of your vehicle's load or carrying
weight in excess of the amount shown on the tire decal
can cause rapid tire wear or loss of vehicle control.
*
[DR23500(ALL)04/95]
Trailer Towing
[DR23600(ALL)05/95]
Your vehicle is capable of towing a trailer of up to a maximum
of 1,000 lbs. (454 kg) gross trailer weight with a maximum
tongue load of 100 lbs (45 kg). It should also have 25 sq. ft.
(2.3 sq. meters) or less frontal area. Do not drive faster than
55 mph (90 km/h) while towing a 1,000 lb. (454 kg) trailer.
*
[DR23700(ALL)01/95]
Your vehicle does not come from the factory fully equipped to
tow. No towing packages are available through Ford or
Lincoln/Mercury dealers.
*
[DR23800(ALL)01/95]
Because towing a trailer puts extra strain on your vehicle, you
must follow certain precautions for your safety and the good of
your vehicle:
*
[DR25800(ALL)11/92]
n
Stay within the load limits when you tow. (SeeKnowing Your
Vehicle's Load Limits.)
*
[DR25900(ALL)01/95]
n
Carefully and thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing,
making sure to use the right equipment and to attach it
properly. (SeePreparing to Towin this chapter.)
*
[DR26000(ALL)01/95]
n
Use extra caution when driving your vehicle while you tow.
(SeeDriving while you towin this chapter.)
*
[DR26100(ALL)01/95]
n
Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer.
(SeeServicing your vehicle if you towin this chapter.)
*
[DR26300(ALL)01/95]
Ten to 15% of the loaded trailer's weight should be on the
tongue. However, the tongue load should never exceed 10% of
the maximum weight that your vehicle can safely tow.
*
[DR26400(ALL)01/95]
New vehicles should be driven 2,000 miles (3,200 km) before
towing a trailer.
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156
*
[DR26500(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limits of the vehicle and
could result in engine damage, transaxle/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and personal injury.
*
[DR26600(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not tow a trailer when the temporary spare tire is
being used.
*
[DR27000(ALL)04/95]
You should also limit your trailer's load when you tow in high
altitudes.
*
[DR28500(ALL)01/95]
Preparing to Tow
*
[DR28600(ALL)01/95]
For your safety and for the good of your vehicle, use the right
equipment for the type of trailer you tow. Also, make sure that
all towing equipment is properly attached to your vehicle. If
you are not certain that you are using the right equipment in
the proper manner, see your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
*
[DR28700(ALL)01/95]
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your vehicle's bumper. The
bumper is not designed to bear the load.
%*
[DR28750(ALL)01/95]
Using the hitch
*
[DR28800(ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle uses a load carrying hitch. Because this type of
hitch places the tongue load of a trailer on the rear wheels of
your vehicle, you must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10 to 15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
*
[DR28900(ALL)01/95]
Tie down the load so that it does not shift and change the
weight on the hitch. This will prevent damage to your vehicle
and make your vehicle easier to handle.
%*
[DR28950(ALL)01/95]
Connecting the safety chains
*
[DR29000(ALL)01/95]
Always attach the trailer's safety chains to your vehicle. They
help protect your trailer if the hitch breaks.
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Driving Your Mystique
157
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[DR29100(ALL)01/95]
To connect the trailer's safety chains:
*
[DR29200(ALL)01/95]1.
Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and attach them to
your vehicle's frame or hook retainers. Never attach the
safety chains to your vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not
designed to bear the weight of a trailer.
*
[DR29300(ALL)01/95]2.
Make sure that you leave enough slack in the chains to
allow you to turn corners.
*
[DR29400(ALL)01/95]
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental
agency gives you.
%*
[DR29450(ALL)01/95]
Connecting the trailer's brakes
*
[DR29500(ALL)01/95]
Electric brakes and manual, automatic, or surge-type hydraulic
brakes are safe if you install them properly and adjust them
according to the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure that your
trailer's brakes meet local and federal regulations.
*
[DR29600(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly
to your vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not
have enough braking power and your chances of having
a collision greatly increase.
%*
[DR29650(ALL)01/95]
Connecting the trailer's lights
*
[DR29700(ALL)01/95]
Do not connect a trailer's lighting system wiring directly to
your vehicle's lighting system wiring.To get the proper
equipment for hooking up your trailer's lights, see your local
trailer dealer and your Ford dealer. Be sure to follow their
instructions carefully.
*
[DR29800(ALL)01/95]
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you may cause
damage to the vehicle's lighting system.
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159
Roadside Emergencies
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[RE00310(ALL)03/95]
Jump-Starting Your Vehicle
*
[RE00320(ALL)01/95]
Your vehicle's battery may die if you leave the lights on or any
electrical equipment on after you turn the engine off. If this
happens, you may be able to jump-start from a booster battery
to start your vehicle.
*
[RE00400(ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to
flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result
in injury or vehicle damage.
*
[RE00500(ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
To protect yourself when charging a battery, always
shield your face and eyes. Make sure that you can
breathe fresh air.
%*
[RE00700(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Applying too much pressure on the ends when lifting a
battery could cause acid to spill. Lift the battery with a
carrier or with your hands on the opposite corners.
%*
[RE00800(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns skin, eyes,
and clothing.
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Roadside Emergencies
161
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[RE01700(ALL)05/95]
Connecting the jumper cables
*
[RE02500(ALL)03/95]1.
Connect one end of the first jumper cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the discharged battery. (You can connect either
jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal, as long as you use
the same cable for both positive terminals.) Most jumper
cables have a red cable and a black cable. The red cable is
generally used for the positive terminals and the black for
the negative ones.
*
[RE02600(ALL)04/95]2.
Connect the other end of the first cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the booster battery.
*
[RE02700(ALL)05/95]3.
Connect one end of the second cable to the negative (s)
terminal of the booster battery Ð NOT to the discharged
battery.
*
[RE02800(ALL)04/95]4.
Connect the other end of the second cable to a good metallic
surface on the engine or frame of the disabled vehicle.
*
[RE02900(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not connect the end of the second cable to the
negative (s) terminal of the battery to be jumped. A
spark may cause an explosion of the gases that surround
the battery.
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164
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[RE04500(ALL)03/95]
Changing a Tire
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[RE04600(ALL)01/95]
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do not apply the
brake heavily. Instead, gradually decrease the speed. Hold the
steering wheel firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the
side of the road. Park on a level spot, turn off the ignition, set
the parking brake, and turn on the hazard flashers.
*
[RE04700(ALL)03/95]
The Temporary Spare Tire
*
[RE04800(ALL)03/95]
You may have a high pressure temporary spare tire. This spare
tire is smaller than a regular tire and is designed for emergency
use only. Use it only when you get a flat tire and replace it as
soon as you can. This spare tire is marked with the words
ªTEMPORARY USE ONLYº so that you can easily identify it.
*
[RE04900(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or do
not follow these precautions, the tire could fail, causing
you to lose control of the vehicle, possibly injuring
yourself or others.
*
[RE05000(ALL)01/95]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire, DO NOT:
*
[RE05100(ALL)01/95]
n
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any circumstances.
*
[RE05200(ALL)01/95]
n
load your vehicle so that it is heavier than the maximum
vehicle load rating listed on the tire decal.
*
[RE05300(ALL)01/95]
n
tow a trailer.
*
[RE05400(ALL)01/95]
n
use tire chains on this tire.
*
[RE05500(ALL)01/95]
n
try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its
wheel.
*
[RE05600(ALL)01/95]
n
use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
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166
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[RE07400(ALL)03/95]
Preparing to Change the Tire
[RE07650(ALL)05/94]1.
Make sure that your vehicle will not move or roll. If you
have an automatic transaxle, put the gearshift in P (Park). If
you have a manual transaxle, put the gearshift in 1 (First).
Set the parking brake and block the wheel that is diagonally
opposite the tire that you are changing.
[RE08500(ALL)05/95]
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 (Automatic) or 1 (Manual).
To prevent the vehicle from moving when you change one of
the front tires, put a block behind the wheel that is diagonally
opposite to the tire.
*
[RE08600(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else
could be seriously injured.
*
[RE08800(ALL)05/95]2.
Get out the spare tire and jack.
*
[RE08825(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine with one wheel off
the ground, such as when changing a tire.
[RE08850(ALL)01/95]3.
Remove the wheel cover from the wheel with the tapered
end of the wheel lug wrench. Insert and twist the handle,
then pry against the inner wheel cover flange. For
information about removing optional wheel center ornaments
seeStyled Polycast Wheel Ornamentslater in this section.
[RE09200(ALL)01/95]4.
Loosen the wheel lug nuts by pulling up on the handle of
the wrench one-half turn counterclockwise. Do not remove
the wheel lug nuts until you raise the tire off the ground.
For information about removing anti-theft lug nuts, see
Anti-Theft Wheel Lug Nutslater in this section.
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Roadside Emergencies
167
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[RE09250(ALL)05/95]
Removing and Replacing the Tire
[RE09300(ALL)01/95]1.
Place the scissors-type jack under the side of the vehicle and
adjust the jack height with the jack handle. The jack should
fit in the notch in the vertical rocker panel flange which is
nearest to the wheel to be changed. The front and rear
jacking notches on each side of the vehicle are marked by
arrows in the rocker panel.
*
[RE09800(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To lessen the risk of personal injury, do not put any part
of your body under the vehicle while changing a tire. Do
not start the engine when your vehicle is on the jack.
The jack is only meant for changing the tire.
[RE10030(ALL)04/94]
17-1/2 pica art:0000528-E
The notches for the jack
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Roadside Emergencies
173
*
[RE18000(ALL)03/95]
Towing Your Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
*
[RE18100(ALL)03/95]
At times, you may want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle, a car, or a truck.
*
[RE18200(ALL)03/95]
Before you have your vehicle towed:
*
[RE18300(ALL)03/95]
n
Release the parking brake.
*
[RE18400(ALL)03/95]
n
Move the gearshift to N (Neutral).
[RE18500(ALL)03/95]
n
Turn the ignition to the OFF position.
*
[RE18600(ALL)03/95]
n
Unlock the steering wheel.
[RE18700(ALL)05/95]
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed faster than 35 mph
(55 km/h) or for a distance greater than 50 miles (80 km)
unless the drive wheels are placed on dollies.
[RE18900(ALL)05/95]
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed faster than 55 mph
(90 km/h) if you have a manual transaxle. Your maximum
towing distance is unlimited.
*
[RE19000(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Never use a tow bar that attaches to the bumper when
you tow your vehicle. This could damage the bumper
and cause an accident.
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196
*
[SV01275(ALL)03/95]
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids, and service
parts conforming to Ford specifications. Motorcraft parts are
designed and built to provide the best performance in your
vehicle. Using these parts for replacement is your assurance that
Ford-built quality stays in your vehicle.
%*
[SV01280(ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
standards for disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out about recycling
automotive fluids.
*
[SV01600(ALL)03/95]
Precautions When Servicing Your Vehicle
*
[SV01700(ALL)01/95]
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
Here are some general precautions for your safety:
%*
[SV01800(ALL)03/95]
n
Do not work on a hot engine. The engine cooling fan may
come on unexpectedly. Always turn the engine off and let it
cool.
*
[SV01850(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
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.
*
[SV01900(ALL)03/95]
n
If you must work with the engine running, avoid wearing
loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught in moving
parts. Take appropriate precautions with long hair.
*
[SV02000(ALL)01/95]
n
Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed space with the
engine running, unless you are sure you have enough
ventilation.
*
[SV02100(ALL)01/95]
n
Never get under a vehicle while it is supported by a jack
only. If you must work under a vehicle, use safety stands.
*
[SV02200(ALL)01/95]
n
Keep all lit cigarettes and other smoking materials away
from the battery and all fuel-related parts.
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Update:Fri Feb 23 11:01:54 1996