1996 Mercury Mercury Cougar engine

250
*
[SV21900(MBC )05/95]
q
Check for leaks at the draincock, block plug
and vent plug.
*
[SV22000(MBC )03/95]
q
Recheck the engine coolant level, using the
recommended procedure, after one or two
occasions of vehicle use.
[SV22010( BC )05/95]
4.6L engine only
*
[SV22014( ALL)03/95]
q
With the engine OFF and cool, remove the
pressure cap, located on the coolant reservoir.
Remove the heater hose and clamp, located
on the rear of the intake manifold.
*
[SV22021( ALL)03/95]
q
Add a 50/50 mixture of specified coolant and
water to the coolant reservoir. Refer toRefill
Capacitieslater in this chapter for the correct
amount. Add coolant to the reservoir until
the coolant continuously flows out of the tube
in the rear of engine. Reattach hose and
secure clamp.
[SV22026( ALL)03/95]
q
Continue to fill the reservoir until the coolant
is at the FULL COLD level.
*
[SV22031( ALL)05/95]
q
Reinstall the pressure cap to the fully
installed position.
*
[SV22036( ALL)05/95]
q
Start and idle the engine until the radiator
upper hose is warm (this indicates the
thermostat is open and coolant is flowing
through the entire system).
*
[SV22041( ALL)03/95]
q
Immediately shut off the engine and let cool.
Cautiously remove the pressure relief cap and
add a 50/50 mixture of specified coolant and
water until the coolant is at the COLD FILL
level in the coolant reservoir.
*
[SV22046( ALL)03/95]
q
Reinstall the pressure cap securely.
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

251
*
[SV22050( ALL)03/95]
q
Check for leaks at the draincock.
*
[SV22055( ALL)03/95]
q
Recheck the engine coolant level, using the
recommended procedure, after one or two
occasions of vehicle use.
%
*
[SV22090( ALL)03/95]
Battery
*
[SV22100( ALL)02/95]
Your vehicle may have a Motorcraft
maintenance-free battery. When the original
equipment battery is replaced under warranty, it
may be replaced by a Motorcraft
Low-Maintenance Battery.
*
[SV22130( ALL)02/95]
The Low-Maintenance Battery has removable
vent caps for checking the electrolyte level and
for adding water, if necessary. The electrolyte
level should be checked at least every 24 months
or 24,000 miles (40 000 km) in temperatures up
to 90ÊF (32ÊC) andmore often in temperatures
above90ÊF (32ÊC).Keep the electrolyte level in
each cell up to the level indicator. Do not
overfill.
*
[SV22145( ALL)02/95]
If the level gets low, you can add tap water to
the battery, provided the water isn't hard or
doesn't have a high mineral or alkali content.
However, if possible you should refill the battery
with distilled water. If the battery needs water
quite often, have the charging system checked
for a possible malfunction.
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

252 %
*
[SV22160( ALL)03/95]
Help Us Protect Our Environment
*
[SV22175( ALL)04/95]
Ford Motor Company strongly recommends that
used lead-acid batteries be returned to an
authorized recycling facility for disposal.
*
[SV22190( ALL)03/95]
one inch art:0000983-A
Battery recycling symbol
%*
[SV22194( BCGV)03/95]
Because your vehicle's engine is electronically
controlled by a computer, some control
conditions are maintained by power from the
battery. If you ever disconnect the battery or
install a new battery, you must allow the
computer to ªrelearnº its idle conditions before
your vehicle will drive properly. To let the
engine do this, put the gearshift in P (Park), turn
off all the accessories, and start the vehicle. Let
the engine idle for at least one minute. (Engine
must be warm in order to ªlearn.º) Also, allow
approximately 10 miles (16 km) of stop and go
traffic for your vehicle's engine to completely
ªrelearnº its idle.
[SV22197( BC )12/94]
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with a 4.6L
engine you will need to perform
additional steps after the battery has
been disconnected, jump started or
replaced. SeeReadiness for
Inspection/Maintenance Testingin
Servicing Your Vehicle chapter.
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

253
%*
[SV22200( ALL)03/95]
Windshield Washer Fluid and
Wipers
%*
[SV22250( ALL)03/95]
Washer Fluid
[SV22300( ALL)12/94]
Check the level of the windshield washer fluid
periodically, or when the optional lamp indicates
low fluid. The reservoir for washer fluid is
located on the driver's side of the engine
compartment. Visual inspection can determine if
the washer fluid is adequate. Do not operate the
washer when the reservoir is empty.
[SV23000( BC )12/91]
one third page art:0010375-B
The reservoir for the windshield washer fluid
*
[SV23400( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the
container for the engine coolant.
%*
[SV23500( ALL)01/95]
Use specially formulated windshield washer
fluid rather than plain water, because specially
formulated washer fluids contain additives that
dissolve road grime. For safety reasons, washer
fluids containing an appropriate antifreeze such
as methanol should be used in freezing weather
(temperatures below32ÊF [0ÊC]).State or local
regulations on Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOC's) may restrict use of the most common
antifreeze, methanol. Washer fluids containing
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

261 %
*
[SV29600( ALL)04/95]
Cleaning the Wheels
*
[SV29700( ALL)05/95]
Wash the wheels with the same detergent you
use to wash your vehicle's body. Do not use
acid-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, abrasives,
fuel, or strong detergents. These substances will
damage protective coatings. Use tar and road oil
remover to remove grease and tar.
*
[SV29800( ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if
the brushes are abrasive.
%
*
[SV30450( ALL)01/95]
Automatic Transmission Fluid
*
[SV30475( ALL)01/95]
Under normal circumstances, you do not need to
check the fluid level of the transmission, since
your vehicle does not use up transmission fluid.
Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet for replacement intervals. However, if
the transmission is not working properly Ð for
instance, the transmission may slip or shift
slowly, or you may notice some sign of fluid
leakage Ð the fluid level should be checked.
%*
[SV30550( ALL)02/95]
Checking the Automatic Transmission
Fluid
*
[SV30560( ALL)02/95]
It is preferable to check the transmission fluid
level at normal operating temperature
150ÊF-170ÊF (66ÊC-77ÊC),after approximately
20 miles (30 km) of driving. However, if
necessary, you can check the fluid level without
having to drive 20 miles (30 km) to obtain a
normal operating temperature if outside
temperatures are above50ÊF (10ÊC).
[SV30575( ALL)03/94]
With the vehicle on a level surface, start the
engine and, while fully applying the brake
pedal, move the transmission shift selector
through all of the gear ranges allowing sufficient
time for each position to engage.Securely latch
the transmission shift selector in the P (Park)
position, fully set the parking brake and leave
the engine running.
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263 [SV30825(MBC )03/93]
one third page art:0011152-A
Detail of the automatic transmission dipstick
%*
[SV31900( ALL)03/95]
Brake Fluid
*
[SV32000( ALL)04/95]
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle
should not use up brake fluid rapidly. However,
expect the level of the brake fluid to slowly fall
as you put more mileage on your vehicle and
the brake lining wears.
[SV32200( BCGV)03/95]
Check the brake fluid at each scheduled engine
oil change or at least once a year. You can do
this by looking at the fluid level in the plastic
reservoir on the master cylinder. Also, see label
on reservoir cap. (To locate the master cylinder,
seeThe Engine Typesin the Index.) The fluid
level should be between the MIN and MAX
marks.
*
[SV32350( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Brake fluid is toxic.
*
[SV32375( ALL)05/95]
If brake fluid contacts eyes, flush eyes with
running water for 15 minutes. Get medical
attention if irritation persists. If taken internally,
drink water and induce vomiting. Get medical
attention immediately.
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

265 [SV34725( BC )12/91]
half page art:0010487-B
The anti-lock brake system fluid reservoir
%*
[SV34800( ALL)03/95]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[SV34900( ALL)01/95]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at
least twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
%*
[SV35000( ALL)03/95]
Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid
[SV35050(MBC )03/95]
3.8L SFI engine
*
[SV35100( ALL)02/95]
1. Start the engine and let it run until the
power steering fluid reaches normal
operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when
the engine coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster is near the center of the
NORMAL operating temperature range.
*
[SV35200( ALL)01/95]
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel back and forth several times. Make
sure that the cap assembly is installed at this
time.
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

266
*
[SV35300( ALL)05/95]
3. Turn the engine off.
%*
[SV35400(MBC )03/94]
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick (which
is highlighted in yellow in your vehicle). The
fluid level should be between the arrows in
the FULL HOT range, which is marked on
the side of the dipstick, opposite the side
marked FULL COLD. Do not add fluid if the
level is within the FULL HOT range.
*
[SV35500(MBC )07/94]
5. If the power steering fluid is low, add fluid
in small amounts, continuously checking the
level, until you reach the FULL HOT range.
Do not overfill.
*
[SV35600(MBC )03/95]
6. When you are finished, put the dipstick back
in and make sure that it fits snugly.
[SV35700(MBC )12/94]
half page art:0010485-C
The dipstick for power steering fluid
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995