check engine Mercury Mystique 1998 s Owner's Guide

Maintenance and care
158Observe the following guidelines
when handling automotive fuel:
•Extinguish all smoking materials
and any open flames before
fueling your vehicle.
•Always turn off the vehicle
before fueling.
•Make sure the fuel cap is
correctly fitted after fueling.
Failure to do so may cause the on
board diagnostic system to
illuminate the CHECK ENGINE
light.
•Automotive fuels can be harmful
or fatal if swallowed. If fuel is
swallowed, call a physician
immediately, even if no
symptoms are immediately
apparent. The toxic effects of
fuel may not be visible for hours.
•Fuels can also be harmful if
absorbed through the skin. If fuel
is splashed on the skin, promptly
remove contaminated clothing
and wash skin thoroughly with
soap and water.
•If fuel is splashed in the eyes,
remove contact lenses (if worn),
flush with water for 15 minutes
and seek medical attention.
•Be particularly careful if you are
taking “Antabuse” or other forms
of disulfiram for the treatment of
alcoholism. Breathing gasoline
vapors or skin contact could
cause an adverse reaction.
Consult a physician immediately.
CDW VA1-19Maint en MM 5/15/97 7:56 PM Page 158

Maintenance and care
166Preparing your vehicle 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 diagnostic(OBD) II
system. If your vehicle’s powertrain
system or battery has just been
serviced, the OBD II system is reset
to a condition unready for I/M
testing. To ready the OBDII system
for I/M testing, the law specifies
that additional city and highway
driving is necessary to complete
the check of the OBDII system.
The driving mode required to reach
the ready condition consists of a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and
highway driving:
•At least 20 minutes driving in
stop and go city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
•At least 10 minutes of driving on
an expressway or highway.
Before completing the above
driving modes, the engine must be
warmed up and at operating
temperature. Once started, the
vehicle must not be turned off
during these modes.
CDW VA1-19Maint en MM 5/15/97 7:56 PM Page 166

Maintenance and care
181 Cleaning the interior fabric
Remove dust and loose dirt with a
whisk broom or a vacuum cleaner.
Remove fresh spots immediately.
Follow the directions that come
with the cleaner.
Cleaning leather seats
(if equipped)
For routine cleaning, wipe the
surface with a soft, damp cloth. For
more thorough cleaning, wipe the
surface with a leather and vinyl
cleaner or a mild soap.
Cleaning the instrument panel
POWERAUDIOAM/FM
SCAN
SEEK 312645ANSSIDE1-2EJECTVOLUME
MIRRORSDEFLO
HIOFFPNL/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
FLR
DEF

MAX
A/C
000123000010 20 3040506070
80
90
100
110
120
130MPH20 406055
80120 100
140
160
180
200EF 1
/
2UNLEADED FUEL ONLY12
03x 1000
4
5
6
7
8NORMALBRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF:
I0 20
Off
ResSet
AccCoast
On
Clean the instrument panel with a
damp cloth, then dry with a dry
cloth.
Any cleaner or polish that
increases the gloss of the upper
portion of the instrument panel
should be avoided. The dull finish
in this area is to help protect the
driver from undesirable windshield
reflection.
CDW VA1-19Maint en MM 5/15/97 7:56 PM Page 181

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
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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
192EPage
Engine oil
changing oil and filter . . . . . . .133
checking and adding . . . . . . . .132
dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
engine oil pressure
warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
filter specifications . . . . . . . . .183
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .184
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Exhaust fumes . . . . . . . . . . .78, 163
F
Fan (see Engine fan)
Flasher, hazard . . . . . . . . . .26, 107
Flashing the lights . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Fluid refill capacities . . . . . . . . .184
Foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15, 169
Fuel
calculating fuel economy . . . .162
capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
choosing the right fuel . . . . . .159
consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
low fuel warning light . . . . . . . . .8
octane rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
running out of fuel . . . . . . . . .163
safety information relating
to automotive fuels . . . . . . . . .157
Fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .107
Fuse panels
engine compartment . . . . . . . .110
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .113FPage
Fuses
charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111, 114
checking and replacing . . . . . .109
G
Gas mileage (see Fuel economy)
Gauges
engine coolant temperature . . .12
fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) . . . .97
Gearshift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87, 93
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) . .97
H
Hazard flashers . . . . . . . . . .26, 107
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Headlamps
aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
bulb specifications . . . . . . . . .172
daytime running light . . . . . . . .15
flashing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . .167
turning on and off . . . . . . . . . . .14
warning chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
High beams
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
CDW_Index_en _MM 5/15/97 8:00 PM Page 192

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
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Index
194MPage
Maintenance (see Servicing)
Manual transaxle
backing up (reverse) . . . . . . . . .95
clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
fluid, capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
fluid, checking and adding . . .141
shift speeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Mileage, calculating fuel
economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) . . . .17
Motorcraft parts . . . . . . . . . . . .183
N
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
O
Octane rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Oil (see Engine oil)
Oil filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133, 183
On-board diagnostic (OBDII)
system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
Overdrive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7, 90
Overhead controls . . . . . . . . . . . .33
P
Panel dimmer control . . . . . . . . .16
Panic alarm, remote entry sytem39
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) . . .138
Passenger compartment
air filter (see Cabin air filter) . .147
Passive Anti-Theft
System (PATS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41PPage
Power distribution box
(see Fuses)
Power door locks . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Power features
mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding . . .140
fluid, refill capacity . . . . . . . . .184
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .185
R
Radio (see Audio system) . . . . . .18
Rear window defroster . . . . . . . .16
Refill capacities for fluids . . . . .184
Relays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Remote control
luggage compartment . . . . . . . .36
Remote entry system
locking/unlocking doors . . . . . .38
opening the trunk . . . . . . . . . . .39
panic alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
replacing the batteries . . . . . . .39
replacement/additional
transmitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Repairing paint chips . . . . . . . .178
Reporting safety defects . . . . . .189
Restraints, safety . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Rotating the tires . . . . . . . . . . . .152
CDW_Index_en _MM 5/15/97 8:00 PM Page 194

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
CDW_Index_en _MM 5/15/97 8:00 PM Page 196