1996 Mercury Mercury Cougar maintenance

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Ford of Canada Customer
Assistance
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Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited
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If you live in Canada and have any questions or
concerns that the dealership cannot answer,
contact the Customer Assistance Centre.
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one inch art:0060101-C
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Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan
(CAMVAP)
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If a specific item of concern arises, where a
solution cannot be reached between a vehicle
owner, Ford of Canada, and/or one of its
dealers (that all parties can agree upon), the
owner may wish to use the services offered by
the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan
(CAMVAP).
[HS09300( ALL)05/95]
CAMVAP uses the services of Provincial
Administrators to assist consumers in scheduling
and preparing for their arbitration hearings.
However, before you can proceed with
CAMVAP you must follow your manufacturer's
dispute resolution process as outlined under
ªService/Maintenance Concerns (U.S. or
Canada)º earlier in this chapter.
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227
Servicing Your Cougar
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Service Made Easy
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Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
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2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
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q
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
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q
When possible, we design parts Ð such as
the headlamp bulbs Ð that can be replaced
without tools.
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q
We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your
vehicle easy. The maintenance schedule is
located in theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet.
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This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
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If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
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228
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Ford Motor Company recommends that the
Owner Maintenance Checks listed in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet be
performed for the proper operation of your
vehicle. In addition to the conditions listed in
theOwner Maintenance Checklist, be alert for any
unusual noise, vibration, or other indication that
your vehicle may need service. If you do notice
something unusual, see that your vehicle is
serviced promptly.
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[SV01275( ALL)03/95]
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids,
and service parts conforming to Ford
specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and
built to provide the best performance in your
vehicle. Using these parts for replacement is
your assurance that Ford-built quality stays in
your vehicle.
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[SV01400( ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
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Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicle
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Be especially careful when inspecting or
servicing your vehicle. Here are some general
precautions for your safety:
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[SV01800(MBC )03/95]
q
Do not work on a hot engine. The engine
cooling fan may come on unexpectedly.
Always turn the engine off and let it cool.
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239 [SV12100( ALL)05/95]
3. After at least 3-5 tankfuls, fill the fuel tank
and record the final odometer reading.
[SV12200( ALL)05/95]
4. Use these equations to calculate your fuel
economy:
[SV12250( ALL)05/95]
q
English: MPG = (Total miles driven)V
(gallons used)
[SV12275( ALL)05/95]
q
Metric: L/100k = (liters used)V(100
kilometers)
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Comparisons With EPA Estimates
[SV12400( ALL)05/95]
EPA fuel economy figures are obtained from
laboratory tests under simulated road conditions
and may not reflect the actual conditions you
experience or your style of driving. The EPA
fuel economy estimate is not a guarantee that
you will achieve the fuel economy shown.
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The following decrease fuel economy:
[SV12700( ALL)05/95]
q
Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
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q
Rapid acceleration and excessive speed
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Driving with your foot on the brake
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q
Sudden stops
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q
Extended engine idling
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q
Using speed control in hilly terrain
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q
Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear
window defroster and other accessories
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q
Underinflated tires
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q
Heavy loads
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q
Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or
luggage racks, bug deflectors, etc.
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240
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Self-Service Pointers
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If you choose to do your own fueling, you
should also perform a few simple maintenance
routines. This extra effort will save you
additional money and contribute to the driving
efficiency of your vehicle.
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The following procedures require only a tire
gauge, a rag, an oil can spout and windshield
washer fluid.
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q
Check the engine oil at every refueling stop
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q
Clean the windshield, outside mirrors and
headlights
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q
Check windshield washer fluid
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q
Check tires for excessive wear or worn edges
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Check the tire pressure at least monthly
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Engine Oil Recommendations
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We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an
equivalent oil meeting Ford Specification
ESE-M2C153-E and displaying the American
Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on
the front of the container.
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one third page art:0060021-E
The API Certification Mark
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241
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Neveruse:
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q
ªNon-Detergentº oils
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q
Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
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q
Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments
or engine treatments
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Engine oils with anSAE 5W-30viscosity are
PREFERREDfor your vehicle. They provide the
best engine performance, fuel economy and
engine protection for all climates down to-15ÊF
(-25ÊC).
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Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and
of the preferred viscosity may be used in your
engine. The engine oil and oil filter must still be
changed according to the maintenance schedule.
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Checking and Adding Engine Oil
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Since the proper amount of engine oil is
important for safe engine operation, check the oil
using the dipstick each time you put fuel in
your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
parked on level ground.
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Checking the engine oil level:
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1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up
and allow a few minutes for the engine oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
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2. Set the parking brake, making sure the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
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3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
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4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
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243 %
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Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
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Change the engine oil and oil filterper the
following, whichever occurs first.
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one third page art:0060618-C
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Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet for additional information.
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[SV16900( ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
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[SV17275( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil
has caused cancer in laboratory mice.
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Protect your skin by washing with soap and
water.
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244
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Engine Coolant
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Checking the Engine Coolant
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NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
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[SV17600( BCGV)05/95]
RWARNING
The cooling fan is automatic and may
come on at any time. Always disconnect
the negative terminal of the battery before
working near the fan.
%*
[SV17800( ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle's coolant protects your engine from
overheating in the summer and from freezing in
the winter. Check the level of the coolant at least
once a month. Simply look at the engine coolant
reservoir located in the engine compartment. To
locate the reservoir, see the diagram of your
vehicle's engine underEngine Type, in this
chapter.
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[SV17850( ALL)05/95]
The coolant additives also protect the entire
cooling system from internal passageway
corrosion and these additives lubricate the water
pump. The coolant should be serviced as noted
in theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995