light Mercury Mystique 1998 s Owner's Guide

Maintenance and care
125 SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
•We highlight do-it-yourself items
in the engine compartment for
easy location.
•As possible, we design parts that
can be replaced without tools.
•We provide you with a “Service
Guide” which makes tracking
routine service for your vehicle
easy.
If your vehicle requires
professional service, your Ford
dealership can provide necessary
parts and service. Check your
“Warranty Guide” to 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.
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Maintenance and care
135 Brake/clutch fluid reservoir
Brake and clutch fluid systems are
supplied from the same reservoir.
The level of the fluid must lie
between the MIN and MAX marks
on the side of the reservoir. If the
level falls below the MIN mark, the
brake fluid level warning light on
the instrument panel will
illuminate. Add only brake fluid
that meets the Ford specification
(see the chapter Capacities and
specifications).
MAX
MIN
Brake fluid is toxic.
BRAKE
If you use a brake fluid that
is not DOT 3, you will cause
permanent damage to your brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for
the master cylinder run dry.
This may cause the brakes to fail.
Windshield washer system
If necessary, add enough washer
fluid to fill the reservoir. Follow the
instructions on the washer fluid
label.
Do not put engine coolant in
the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
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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.
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Maintenance and care
160Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
regular gasoline with an (R+M)/2
octane rating of 87. We do not
recommend gasolines labeled as
“regular” in high altitude areas that
are sold with octane ratings of 86
or even less.
Do not be concerned if your vehicle
sometimes knocks lightly. However,
if it knocks heavily under most
driving conditions on the
recommended octane, see your
dealer or a qualified service
technician to prevent any engine
damage.
87
MINIMUM OCTANE RATING
(R+M)/2 Method
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Maintenance and care
164
BRAKE
TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
If you notice one or more of the
following, the emission system may
not be functioning properly; have
the vehicle serviced as soon as
possible:
•Fluid leaks.
•The charging system, engine oil
pressure or low coolant warning
lights illuminate in the
instrument cluster and remain lit.
•Strange odors.
•Engine runs for more than five
seconds after shut off or engine
misfires, surges, stalls or
backfires.
•Loss of oil pressure.
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Maintenance and care
169 Front turn signal/side lamps
Pull the socket out. Pull the bulb
out and replace it.
Foglamps (if equipped)
1. Detach the cover (access at
bottom of front bumper).
2. Turn the bulb counterclockwise
and pull it out of the light assembly.
3. Remove the electrical connector.
4. Fit the new bulb in reverse order
(do not touch the glass part of the
bulb).
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Maintenance and care
171
High-mounted brake lamp
Enter the rear seat compartment.
Unscrew both screws and remove
the complete lamp assembly. Bend
the housing outwards to unclip the
lamp module. Press the reflector
fitting from the four locking points
and pull it off. Pull out the wedge
base bulb and replace.
To install, fit the new bulb in
reverse sequence.
On vehicles equipped with a rear
spoiler, the high-mounted brake
lamp is included in the spoiler.
Luggage compartment lamp
Pry out the light assembly from the
holder with a flat screwdriver. Turn
the spherical bulb under slight
pressure counterclockwise and
remove.
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Maintenance and care
173 Aiming the headlamps
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Vehicle Headlamp Aim Device
(VHAD) on each headlamp body.
Each headlamp may be properly
aimed in the horizontal direction
(left/right) and the vertical position
(up/down).
A non-zero bubble reading does not
necessarily indicate out-of-aim
headlamps. If your vehicle is not
positioned on a level surface, the
slope will be included in the level
indicator. Therefore, vertical
headlamp adjustment should be
performed only when beam
direction appears to be incorrect
and a level surface can be verified. AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
The alignment of your headlamps
should be checked if:
•Oncoming motorists frequently
signal you to deactivate your high
beams, and your high beams are
not activated.
•The headlamps do not seem to
provide enough light for clear
night vision.
•The headlamp beams are pointed
substantially away from a slightly
down and to the right position.
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Maintenance and care
176
Washing your vehicle
Only use car washing areas
that have environmentally
friendly drainage systems.
VEHICLE CARE
Wash your vehicle regularly with
cold or lukewarm water. Never use
strong detergents or soap. If your
vehicle is particularly dirty, use a
quality car wash detergent. Always
use a clean sponge, washing glove
or similar device and plenty of
water for best results. To avoid
spots, avoid washing when the
hood is still warm, immediately
after or during exposure to strong
sunlight.
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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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