light Mercury Mystique 1999 s Owner's Guide

Controls and features
70
Functional check
When the ignition is switched on,
the control light will illuminate for
approximately three seconds to
indicate that the system is
operating correctly.
If the control light flashes rapidly
for approximately one minute and
then repeatedly at irregular
intervals, the system did not
recognize the key code. Remove
the key and try again.
If the control light illuminates
continuously for approximately
one minute and then flashes
repeatedly at irregular intervals, a
system malfunction has occurred.
Have the malfunction repaired by
your dealer or a qualified
technician as soon as possible.
To ensure a trouble-free exchange
between vehicle and key, do not
shield the keys with any metal
objects.
13MCten 4/13/99 3:36 PM Page 70

Controls and features
71
Spare key programming
A maximum of 8 keys in all can be
coded with any two coded keys.
¥ Insert the first key in the
ignition switch and turn to position
3.
¥ Turn the key back to position 1
and remove from the ignition
switch within 5 seconds.
¥ Insert the second key in the
ignition switch and turn to position
3 within 5 seconds.
¥ Turn the key back to position 1
and remove from the ignition
switch within 5 seconds - the key
coding mode is now activated.
¥ If an uncoded key is now
inserted in the ignition switch and
turned to position 3 within 10
seconds, this key is coded to the
system.
If coding is not completed
correctly, the control light flashes
after the ignition is switched on
with the newly coded key. Repeat
the coding process after waiting 20
seconds with the ignition in
position 3.
If keys become lost, you must have
your dealer clear and reprogram
the code for security reasons.3
4
21
13MCten 4/13/99 3:36 PM Page 71

80
Safety belt indicator light and
warning chime
Illuminates in the instrument
cluster and a chime sounds to
remind the occupants to fasten
their safety belts.
been unbuckled, pull the belt
steadily from the reel and insert
the small tongue into the small
buckle until a distinct ÒclickÓ is
heard.
This buckle should be left buckled
except when the seatback is folded
down and cargo that might damage
the seatbelt or get it dirty is being
hauled.
Pull the seat belt across the hips
and insert the big (sliding) tongue
into the appropriate buckle until a
distinct ÒclickÓ is heard.
Should the center rear belt need to
be unlatched from its anchorage, a
thin probe is required to be
inserted into the hole located on
the underside of the floor mounted
buckle. If the buckle and tongue
are not reconnected, then the belt
is not safe to be used.
Alternative design

81
Safety belt extension assembly
The safety belt may be too short
even when fully extended.
Approximately 20 cm (8 inches)
may be added to the length of the
belt with a safety belt extension
(part number 611C22). Safety belt
extensions are available at no cost
from your dealer.
Only use extensions manufactured
by the same supplier as the safety
belt. Manufacturer identification is
on the label located at the end of
the webbing.
Do not use the extension to change
the fit of the shoulder belt across
the torso.
turned to on, the safety belt
indicator illuminates for
1-2 minutes and the warning chime
sounds for 4-8 seconds.
If the driver safety belt is buckled
while the indicator light is
illuminated and the reminder
chime is sounding, the safety belt
indicator light and reminder turn
off.

86
The SRS consists of the following:
¥ driver and passenger air bag
modules (which include the
inflators and air bags),
¥ one impact and one safing
sensor,
¥ a readiness light and secondary
warning light, and
¥ the electrical wiring and
components.
The diagnostic module monitors its
own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical
system readiness (including the
impact sensors), the system wiring,
the air bag system readiness light,
the air bag backup power, and the
air bag ignitors.
If the air bag is inflated, the
air bag will not function
again and must be replaced
immediately
.If the air bag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area will
increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
at o .

87
the instrument cluster or a
secondary warning light to indicate
the condition of the system. Refer
to the
Air bag readinesssection in
the
Instrumentationchapter.
Routine maintenance of the air bag
is not required.
A difficulty with the system is
indicated by one or more of the
following:
¥ The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
¥ The readiness light will not
illuminate after ignition is turned
on.
¥ The air bag secondary warning
light will flash five times. The
pattern will repeat periodically
until the problem or the readiness
light is repaired.
If any of these things happen, even
intermittently, have the SRS
serviced at your dealership or by a
qualified technician immediately.
Unless serviced, the system may
not function properly in the event
of a collision.
O/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL

Starting
109
3. Turn the key to the on position
(without turning the key to start).
Make sure the following lights
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer or a
qualified service technician.
¥ If the driverÕs safety belt is
fastened the safety belt warning
light does not illuminate.
BRAKE
BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
Alternative design
Alternative design
O/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL
21MSten 4/13/99 2:23 PM Page 109

Driving
115
TRACTION CONTROL
(if equipped)
This system prevents wheel spin at
all speeds. The control will toggle
this function on and off, but the
feature defaults to on after each
cycle of the ignition key.
The traction control system
controls excessive wheel spin by
automatically applying and
releasing the brakes in conjunction
with engine torque reductions.
This can occur when accelerating
on a slippery road, a loose surface
or when pulling away on a hill. The
traction control lamp flashes on the
instrument panel when the system
is functioning to regulate tire
traction.
When the ignition is turned to the
on position, the traction control
system light comes on for
approximately three (3) seconds. If
the light does not come on when
the ignition is turned to the on
position or if it remains on when
the traction control system is
turned on, have the system
serviced by your dealer or a
qualified service technician. You
can continue to drive and do not
need to have the vehicle towed in.
You should not take unnecessary
driving risks because of the
systemÕs safety potential.
22MDren 4/13/99 3:40 PM Page 115

Driving
116
STEERING YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle comes with power
steering. Power steering uses
energy from the engine to help
steer your vehicle.
If the amount of effort needed to
steer your vehicle at a constant
vehicle speed, have the power
steering system checked. If the
power steering system breaks
down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle
manually but it takes more effort.
Never hold the steering wheel to
the extreme right or left for more
than five seconds if the engine is
running. This can damage the
power steering pump.
Switching off traction control
If you become stuck in snow or on
a slippery road surface, try
switching off the traction control
system by pressing the switch. This
may allow the excess wheel spin to
ÒdigÒ the vehicle out or enable a
successful ÒrockingÒ maneuver. Do
not rock the vehicle for more than
a few minutes, because it could
damage the vehicle.
The light in the control illuminates
continuously when the system has
been switched off. To reactivate
the system, depress the switch
again or restart the engine.
22MDren 4/13/99 3:40 PM Page 116

Driving
117
TRANSAXLE OPERATION
Automatic transaxle
(if equipped)
Vehicles equipped with an
automatic transaxle are equipped
with a brake-shift interlock feature
that prevents the gearshift lever
from being moved from the
P (Park) position unless the brake
pedal is depressed.
Putting your vehicle in gear
You must push the thumb button
to move the gearshift to the
position you choose.
To operate:
1. Start the engine.
2. Depress and hold the brake
pedal.
3. Move the gearshift lever out of
P (Park).
Speed sensitive power steering
(if equipped)
The steering system is speed
sensitive. This means that the
steering effort is light for parking
and heavier for highway driving.
However, if you have to swerve
around an object or another
vehicle, your vehicle will have full
power assist.
22MDren 4/13/99 3:40 PM Page 117