belt Mercury Mystique 1998 s Owner's Guide

Driving
99
It is extremly dangerous to
ride in a cargo area, inside or
outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are
more likely to be seriously injured
or killed. Do not allow people to
ride in any area of your vehicle
that is not equipped with seats
and safety belts. Be sure everyone
in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a safety belt properly.
Driving with a heavy load
The total weight of the vehicle plus
the total weight of passengers and
cargo should never exceed the
GVWR.
The weight that the vehicle carries
over the front and rear axles
should never exceed the GAWR for
the respective axle.
The weight limits of your vehicle’s
tires affect the GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Using tires with higher
weight limits than the original tires
will not increase the GVWR or
GAWR of your vehicle; using tires
with lower weight limits may lower
the GVWR or GAWR of your
vehicle.
CDW IVB1-10Driving en MM 5/15/97 7:51 PM Page 99

Roadside emergencies
124If towing is necessary, it is
recommended that your vehicle be
towed with a wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with
slingbelt equipment. Ford Motor
Company has not developed or
approved a T-hook or slingbelt
towing procedure.
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE
Before you have your vehicle
towed:
•release the parking brake,
•move the gearshift to N
(Neutral),
•turn the ignition to the off
position and
•unlock the steering wheel.
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed
faster than 55 km/h (35 mph) or
for a distance greater than 80 km
(55 miles) unless the drive wheels
are placed on dollies. WRECKER TOWING
CDW VA1-19Maint en MM 5/15/97 7:55 PM Page 124

Maintenance and care
153
Failure to follow these
precautions may adversely
affect the handling of the vehicle
and make it easier to lose control
and roll over.
Replacing tires
Replace 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
tire pressure decal. Make sure that
all tires are the same size, speed
rating, and load-carrying capacity.
Use only the tire combinations
recommended on the decal. If you
do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive
properly and safely.
Do not replace your tires
with “high performance”
tires or larger size tires.
CDW VA1-19Maint en MM 5/15/97 7:56 PM Page 153

Maintenance and care
182 Cleaning and caring for your
vehicle
Refer to the “Customer Assistance
Guide” for a list of Ford-approved
cleaners, polishes and waxes.
Cleaning and maintaining the
safety belts
Clean the safety belts with a mild
soap solution recommended for
cleaning upholstery or carpets and
warm water. Do not bleach or dye
the belts, because these actions
may weaken the belt webbing.
Check the safety belt system
periodically to make sure there are
no nicks, wear or cuts.
Ford recommends that all
safety belt assemblies and
attaching hardware should be
inspected by a qualified technician
after any collision. Safety belt
assemblies not in use during a
collision should also be inspected
and replaced if either damage or
improper operation is noted.
CDW_VB1-5_ Caps_en_MM 5/15/97 7:59 PM Page 182

190
Index
APage
Accessory position on
the ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Additives, engine oil . . . . . . . . .132
Air bag supplemental
restraint system
and child safety seats . . . . . . . .56
description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . . .8, 59
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
wearing safety belts . . . . . . . . .55
Air conditioning
(see Climate control system)
Alarm, activating panic . . . . . . . .39
Antenna, radio
(see Audio sytem) . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) . .84
Anti-theft system (see Passive
Anti-Theft System) . . . . . . . . . . .41
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)
Audio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Automatic transaxle
driving with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
fluid, adding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
fluid, checking . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .184
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .185
B
Backing up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89, 95
Battery
charging system warning light . .6
jumping a disabled battery . . .121
proper disposal, recycling . . . .145
replacement, specifications . .183
servicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143BPage
Brake fluid
checking and adding . . . . . . . .135
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Brake-shift interlock . . . . . . . . . .88
Brakelamps
(see Bulb replacement)
Brakes
anti-lock brake system (ABS) .84
brake warning light . . . . . . . . . . .9
fluid, checking and adding . . .135
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .184
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .185
parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Built-in child seat
folding up the seat . . . . . . . . . .70
inspection after a collision . . . .70
interlock safety feature . . . . . . .66
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
retractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Break-in period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Bulbs, replacing
foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
high-mounted brake lamp . . . .171
license plate lamp . . . . . . . . . .170
rear lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
C
Cabin air filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
Capacities for refilling fluids . . .184
Carbon monoxyde in exhaust . .163
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . .163
Chains, tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
Changing a tire . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Charging system warning light . . .6
CDW_Index_en _MM 5/15/97 8:00 PM Page 190

Index
191 CPage
Child safety restraints
built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .65
child safety seats . . . . . . . . . . . .71
children and safety belts . . .61, 63
Child safety seats
and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
attaching with tether straps . . .74
automatic locking mode . . . . . .49
Childproof safety locks . . . . . . . .35
Chimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Circuit breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment . . . . . . . .179
exterior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .181
plastic exterior parts . . . . . . . .180
safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
Climate control system
air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
controlling airflow . . . . . . . . . . .20
defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Clutch
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
recommended shift speeds . . . .94
Cold engine starting . . . . . . . . . .82
Controls
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . .14
mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
power seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
steering column . . . . . . . . . . . . .24DPage
Daytime running lights . . . . . . . .15
Defects, reporting . . . . . . . . . . .189
Defrost
rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Dipstick, engine oil . . . . . . . . . .130
Door mounted controls . . . . . . . .34
Driving under special conditions
heavy load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . .100
E
Electrical system
fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Emergencies, roadside
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .107
jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
Emergency brake (see Parking
brake)
Emission control system . . . . . .163
Engine
check engine warning light . . . . .8
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .107
lubricant specifications . . . . . .185
preparing to start . . . . . . . . . . .79
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .184
starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Engine block heater . . . . . . . . . .83
Engine coolant
checking and adding . . . . . . . .136
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
low coolant warning light . . . . . .7
refilll capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .184
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Engine fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
CDW_Index_en _MM 5/15/97 8:00 PM Page 191

Index
193 HPage
High-mount brakelamp . . . . . . .171
Hood
latch location . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
I
Identification Number, Vehicle
(VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Idle, relearning . . . . . . . . . . . . .146
Idle, speed . . . . . . . . . . . . .146, 186
Ignition
chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
positions on the ignition . . . . . .24
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Instrument panel
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
lighting up the panel . . . . . . . . .16
Integrated child seat (see Built-in
child seat)
Intermittent wipers . . . . . . . . . . .28
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
J
Jack
positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Jump starting your vehicle
attaching cables . . . . . . . . . . . .122
disconnecting cables . . . . . . . .123
K
Keys
key in ignition warning chime .11
positions of the ignition . . . . . .24LPage
Lamps
bulb replacement specification
chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
daytime running light system . .15
flashing the lamps . . . . . . . . . . .27
foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15, 169
hazard flashers . . . . . . . . .26, 107
headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
high beams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
high-mounted brake lamp . . . .171
instrument panel, dimming . . .16
interior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
reading lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . .167
rear lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) . . . . . . . .9
brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
charging system . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
check engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
engine oil pressure . . . . . . . . . . .9
high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
low coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
low fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
overdrive off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
testing the warning lights . . . . .10
turn signal indicator . . . . . . . . . .6
Load limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Lubricant specifications . . . . . .187
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . .36
CDW_Index_en _MM 5/15/97 8:00 PM Page 193

Index
195 SPage
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints)
Safety chains, when towing
a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Safety Compliance Certification
Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
Safety defects, reporting . . . . . .189
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts . .47, 51
automatic locking mode
(retractors) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
cleaning the safety belts . . . . .182
extention assembly . . . . . . . . . .53
for children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
lap and shoulder belts . . . . . . . .48
maintenance . . . . . . . . . . .54, 182
vehicle sensitive locking mode .49
warning light and chime . . . .7, 11
Safety seats for children
and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . . .56, 72
attaching with tether straps . . .74
automatic locking mode
(retractors) . . . . . . . . . . . . .49, 71
built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .65
in front seat . . . . . . . . . . . . .56, 72
tether anchorage hardware . . .75
Seats
adjusting the seats, manual . . .44
adjusting the seats, power . . . .45
folding rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . .46
head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Servicing your vehicle . . . . . . . .125
Shift-lock system . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Shift positions (see Gearshift)
Snow tires and chains . . . . . . . .155SPage
Spare tire
changing the tire . . . . . . . . . . .116
removing the spare tire . . . . . .118
temporary spare tire . . . . . . . .117
Spark plugs, certifications . . . .183
Specification charts, lubricants185
Speed control
disengaging speed control . . . .32
return to a set speed . . . . . . . . .32
set a speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
set a higher speed . . . . . . . . . . .31
set a lower speed . . . . . . . . . . . .31
turn speed control off . . . . . . . .29
turn speed control on . . . . . . . .29
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start the vehicle . .79
starting the engine . . . . . . . . . .82
Steering column controls . . . . . .24
Steering wheel
horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
speed control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
tilting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Supplemental restraint
system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11, 53
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Tail lamps (see Rear lamps)
Temperature control
(see Climate control)
Testing the warning lights . . . . . .10
Tether anchor installation
(see Child safety restraints)
Tilt steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . .25
CDW_Index_en _MM 5/15/97 8:00 PM Page 195

Index
196TPage
Tires
changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
checking tire pressure . . . . . .152
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
inspection and maintenance . .152
replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
rotating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
snow tires and chains . . . . . . .155
spare tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
tire grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
treadwear . . . . . . . . . . . . .150, 153
wearbands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153
Towing your vehicle . . . . . . . . .124
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
Transaxle
automatic, operation . . . . . . . . .87
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .184
lubricant specifications . . . . . .185
manual, operation . . . . . . . . . . .93
Transmitter (see Remote entry)
Trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Trunk (see Luggage compartment)
remote release lever . . . . . . . . .36
using the remote entry system .39
Turn signal
indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
U
Used engine oil, disposal . . . . . .134VPage
Variable interval wipers . . . . . . . .28
Vehicle care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Vehicle Emission Control
Information(VECI) . . . . . . . . . .163
Vehicle loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Ventilating your vehicle . . . . . . .77
Viscosity (see Engne oil)
W
Warning chimes
headlamps on . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
key in ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Warning lights (seeLights)
Washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . .130
Weight limits (GAWR, GVWR) . .96
Wheels
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
inspection and maintenance . .152
Windows
one-touch down . . . . . . . . . . . .34
power windows, operating . . . .34
rear, defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Windshield washer fluid and wipers
checking and adding fluid . . . .135
checking and replacing
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .185
variable interval wipers . . . . . . .28
Wrecker towing . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
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