Page 233 of 323
![Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 236 [SV08750( ALL)05/95]Octane recommendations
[SV08800( ALL)05/95]
Your engine is designed to use fuel with an
octane rating of 87. In most cases it is not
necessary to use a fuel with an octane rati Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 236 [SV08750( ALL)05/95]Octane recommendations
[SV08800( ALL)05/95]
Your engine is designed to use fuel with an
octane rating of 87. In most cases it is not
necessary to use a fuel with an octane rati](/manual-img/33/10906/w960_10906-232.png)
236 [SV08750( ALL)05/95]Octane recommendations
[SV08800( ALL)05/95]
Your engine is designed to use fuel with an
octane rating of 87. In most cases it is not
necessary to use a fuel with an octane rating
higher than 87. At service stations, the octane
rating is displayed in a label on the pumps.
[SV08900( ALL)05/95]
one inch art:0060001-C[SV09100( ALL)05/95]
Using a fuel with a lower octane rating can
cause persistent and heavy knocking, which can
damage the engine.
[SV09200( ALL)05/95]
Do not be concerned if your vehicle sometimes
knocks lightly when you drive up a hill or when
you accelerate. However, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician if persistent heavy
knocking occurs because this can damage the
engine.
[SV09350( ALL)05/95]
If your vehicle has problems with starting, rough
idle or hesitation problems when the engine is
cold, it may be caused by fuel with low
volatility. Try a different brand of fuel. If the
condition persists, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
[SV09800( ALL)05/95]
Gasolines for clean air
[SV09900( ALL)05/95]
Fuels in certain areas of the country are required
to contain oxygenates to improve air quality.
Common oxygenates are ethanol or grain alcohol
(blended at no more than 10%), methanol or
wood alcohol (blended at no more than 5% with
cosolvents and additives), and MTBE or methyl
tertiary butyl ether (blended at no more than
15%).
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Page 284 of 323
![Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 287
*
[SV53400( ALL)01/95]
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs,
services, sells, leases, trades vehicles, or
supervises a fleet of vehicles is not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission co Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 287
*
[SV53400( ALL)01/95]
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs,
services, sells, leases, trades vehicles, or
supervises a fleet of vehicles is not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission co](/manual-img/33/10906/w960_10906-283.png)
287
*
[SV53400( ALL)01/95]
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs,
services, sells, leases, trades vehicles, or
supervises a fleet of vehicles is not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission control device
or prevent it from working. In some of the
United States and in Canada, vehicle owners
may be liable if their emission control device is
removed or is prevented from working.
*
[SV53500( ALL)02/92]
Never use a metal exhaust collector when you
service your vehicle. If the metal collector
contacts any of your vehicle's plastic trim or
bumper parts they could melt or deform.
*
[SV53600( ALL)01/95]
Do not drive your vehicle if it does not operate
properly. See your dealer if the engine runs on
for more than five seconds after you shut it off
or if it misfires, surges, stalls, or backfires.
%*
[SV53700( ALL)02/95]
Information about your vehicle's emission
control system is on the Vehicle Emission
Control Information decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement
and gives some tune-up specifications.
%*
[SV53702( ALL)05/95]
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance
Testing
*
[SV53715( ALL)05/95]
In some localities it may become a legal
requirement to pass an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the
On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) II system. If the
vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the OBD II system is reset to
a not ready for I/M testing condition. To
prepare for I/M testing, the law specifies a
ªneed for additional mixed city and highway
driving to complete the checkº of the OBD II
system. As soon as all of the OBD II system
checks are successfully completed, the OBD II
system is set to the ready condition. The amount
of driving required to reach the ready condition
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Page 285 of 323

288varies with individual driving patterns. To
complete this requirement in the minimum
amount of time, refer to the OBD II Drive Cycle
defined below. If the vehicle owner cannot or
does not want to do the additional driving
required by law, a service center can perform
this drive cycle as it would any other type of
repair work.
*
[SV53717( ALL)05/95]
OBD II Drive Cycle
[SV53730( ALL)03/95]
The following steps must be run in the order
shown. If steps 2 thru 9 are interrupted, repeat
the preceding step. Any safe driving mode is
acceptable between steps.
*
[SV53735( ALL)03/95]
Always drive vehicle in safe manner according
to traffic conditions and obey all traffic laws.
*
[SV53740( ALL)05/95]
The engine must be warmed up and at
operating temperature before proceeding with
the drive modes of the following OBD II Drive
Cycle.
*
[SV53745( ALL)05/95]
1. Start the engine. Drive or idle (in neutral)
the vehicle for 4 minutes.
*
[SV53747( BCGV)05/95]
2. Idle the vehicle in drive for 40 seconds.
*
[SV53752( BCGV)05/95]
3. Accelerate the vehicle to 45 mph (72 km/h)
at 1/4 to 1/2 throttle for 10 seconds.
*
[SV53757( BCGV)05/95]
4. Drive the vehicle with a steady throttle at
45 mph (72 km/h) for 30 seconds.
*
[SV53763( BCGV)05/95]
5. Idle the vehicle in drive for 40 seconds.
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Page 290 of 323
293 [SV55900( BC )03/95]
fourteen pica chart:0010585-K
*
[SV56400( ALL)03/95]
NOTE: Rear axle lube quantities must be
replaced every 100,000 miles
(160,000 km) or if the axle has been
submerged in water. Otherwise, the
lube should not be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair
required.
%
*
[SV57000( ALL)01/95]
Vehicle Storage
*
[SV57100( ALL)01/95]
Maintenance Tips
*
[SV57150( ALL)01/95]
If you plan on storing your vehicle for an
extended period of time (60 days or more), refer
to the following maintenance recommendations
to ensure your vehicle stays in good operating
condition.
*
[SV57200( ALL)01/95]
General
*
[SV57300( ALL)01/95]
q
Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated place.
*
[SV57400( ALL)01/95]
q
Protect from sunlight, if possible.
*
[SV57500( ALL)01/95]
q
If vehicles are stored outside, they require
regular maintenance to protect against rust
and damage.
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Page 305 of 323

Index 313
Index
A
ABS warning light
(see Anti-lock brake system)....... 58
Accessory position on the ignition..... 45
Additives, engine oil.......... 241
Air bag supplemental restraint system
description............... 18
disposal................ 25
driver air bag............. 18
indicator light............. 60
operation............... 21
proper seating............. 19
tone generator............. 25
wearing safety belts........... 18
Air cleaner filter, location........ 231
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system......... 74
semi-automatic temperature
control system............ 77
Alarm, activating remote personal.... 112
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)...... 244
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description.............. 174
see also Brake............ 173
warning light.............. 58
Anti-theft lug nuts and key....... 202
Anti-theft system
arming the system.......... 106
description.............. 104
disarming an untriggered system.... 108
disarming a triggered system..... 109
triggering.............. 108
Assistance (see Customer assistance) . . . 205
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316 Index
Chime
key in ignition............. 46
safety belt............... 59
Circuit breakers
checking and replacing........ 278
see also fuses............. 269
Cleaning your vehicle
chrome and aluminum parts....... 6
engine compartment.......... 234
exterior................ 5
exterior lamps............. 84
fabric................ 123
headlamps............... 84
instrument panel............ 74
instrument panel lens.......... 90
interior lamps.............. 89
mirrors................ 124
plastic parts.............. 6
polishing................ 6
rustproofing.............. 6
safety belts............... 18
tail lamps............... 84
upholstery and interior trim...... 123
washing................ 5
wheels................ 261
Climate control system
air conditioning........... 74,77
heating............... 74,77
Clock................... 89
Cold engine starting............ 48
Compact disc radio
(see Electronic sound system)..... 132
Console, description........... 127
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
checking and adding......... 244
drain and flush............ 248
preparing for storage......... 295
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Index 321
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
calculating.............. 180
definition.............. 179
location............... 179
H
Hazard flashers.............. 94
Headlamps
autolamp system............ 84
bulb specification........... 284
checking alignment.......... 279
cleaning................ 84
daytime running lights......... 82
flashing................ 92
high beam............... 92
replacing bulbs............ 279
turning on and off........... 83
Head restraints............. 118
Heating
manual heating and air conditioning
system............... 74
semi-automatic system......... 77
High beams, indicator light........ 62
High-mount brakelamp
description.............. 282
replacing the bulb.......... 283
Hitch................. 183
Hood
latch location............. 230
lubrication specifications........ 292
release lever............. 230
Horn................... 95
Hoses, checking............. 245
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