maintenance Mercury Mystique 1998 s Repair Manual

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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Maintenance and care
177 Waxing your vehicle
The best way to determine when
the paintwork needs waxing is by
noting when water stops beading
on the surface. This could be every
three or four months depending on
operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-
based waxes. Remove any bugs and
tar before waxing the vehicle. Use
cleaning fluid or alcohol with a
clean cloth to remove bugs. Use tar
remover to remove any tar spots.
During winter months, it is
especially important to wash the
vehicle on a regular basis. Large
quantities of dirt and road salt are
difficult to remove, and they also
cause damage to the vehicle.
Remove or lower any exterior
accessories, such as antennas,
before entering a car wash.
Remove particles such as bird
droppings, tree sap, insect remains,
tar spots, road salt and industrial
fallout immediately.
After washing, apply the brakes
several times to dry them.
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Maintenance and care
178Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage
from road debris may be repaired
with touch-up paint, paint repair
foil or aerosol spray from the Ford
accessories line. Observe the
application instructions on the
products.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash the wheels with the same
detergent you use to clean the
body of your vehicle. Do not use
acid-based wheel cleaners, steel
wool, fuel or strong detergents.
Never use abrasives that will
damage the finish of special wheel
surfaces. Use a tar remover to
remove grease and tar.
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Maintenance and care
179 Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when
they are clean because grease and
dirt buildup act as insulators and
keep the engine warmer than
normal. Follow these guidelines to
clean your engine:
•Take care when using a power
washer to clean the engine. The
high pressure fluid could
penetrate the sealed parts and
cause damage.
•Do not spray with cold water, to
avoid cracking the engine block.
•Cover the alternator to prevent
water damage when cleaning the
engine.
•Never wash or rinse the engine
while it is running; water in the
running engine may cause
internal damage.
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Maintenance and care
180Cleaning plastic exterior parts
Use a vinyl cleaner for routine
cleaning of plastic. Clean with a tar
remover if necessary. Do not clean
plastic parts with thinners, solvents
or petroleum-based cleaners.
Cleaning the exterior lamps
Wash the exterior lamps with the
same detergent you use to wash
the exterior of your vehicle. Use
glass cleaner or tar remover if
necessary.
To avoid scratching the lamps, do
not use a dry paper towel, chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners to
clean the lamps.
Cleaning the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not wipe
properly, clean both the windshield
and wiper blades using undiluted
windshield wiper solution or a mild
detergent. Rinse thoroughly with
clean water. To avoid damaging the
blades, do not use fuel, kerosene,
paint thinner or other solvents.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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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