Page 174 of 323
![Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 174 [DR11300( ALL)03/95]On vehicles without anti-lock brakes, extreme
braking can make the wheels lock and slide,
possibly decreasing your control of the steering.
If you lock the wheels, release the Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 174 [DR11300( ALL)03/95]On vehicles without anti-lock brakes, extreme
braking can make the wheels lock and slide,
possibly decreasing your control of the steering.
If you lock the wheels, release the](/manual-img/33/10906/w960_10906-173.png)
174 [DR11300( ALL)03/95]On vehicles without anti-lock brakes, extreme
braking can make the wheels lock and slide,
possibly decreasing your control of the steering.
If you lock the wheels, release the brake pedal
and repeat the ªsqueezeº technique.
[DR11310( ALL)05/95]
Braking with ABS brakes
[DR11400( ALL)03/95]
On vehicles with anti-lock brakes, the wheels
will not lock and slide when you press down
hard on the brake pedal. The anti-lock brakes
automatically start releasing and reapplying the
front brakes independently and the rear brakes
together whenever your wheels start to lock. Do
not ªpumpº the brake pedal on vehicles
equipped with anti-lock brakes. When this
happens, you will feel the brake pedal pulse.
This ªpulseº may be an unfamiliar feeling but it
is normal and indicates the ABS is working as
designed.
*
[DR11650( ALL)05/95]
Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake
pedal; you will wear out the linings and increase
your vehicle's stopping distance. Brake rotor
damage may also eventually occur.
*
[DR11700( ALL)03/95]
NOTE: If you are driving down a long or
steep hill, shift to a lower gear and do
not apply your brakes continuously. If
you apply your brakes continuously,
they may overheat and become less
effective.
%*
[DR11800( ALL)03/95]
Occasional brake squeal during light to moderate
stops does not affect the function of the brake
system and is normal. However, if the squeal
becomes louder or more frequent, have your
brakes inspected by your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:47:03 1995
Page 176 of 323
![Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 176
*
[DR13800( BCGV)05/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
[DR14050( BC )03/95]
To release the parking brake, press down Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 176
*
[DR13800( BCGV)05/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
[DR14050( BC )03/95]
To release the parking brake, press down](/manual-img/33/10906/w960_10906-175.png)
176
*
[DR13800( BCGV)05/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
[DR14050( BC )03/95]
To release the parking brake, press down on the
pedal until you hear a click. Lift your foot off
the pedal. The brake is now released and will
reset to lock the next time you press the pedal,
located below the lower left corner of the
instrument panel. The Brake System Warning
Light will glow if the parking brake is not fully
released when the engine is running.
*
[DR14200( ALL)03/95]
Always check the Brake Warning Light each
time you start your engine. Driving with the
parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
*
[DR14300( ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If the parking brake is fully released, but
the Brake System light remains on, have
the brakes checked immediately. They
may not be working properly.
[DR14400( ALL)07/93]
The parking brake system is designed for static
parking only and is not designed to stop a
moving vehicle, but you can use the parking
brake to stop your vehicle in an emergency if
the normal brakes fail. However, since the
parking brake applies only the rear brakes, the
stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely
affected.
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:47:03 1995
Page 202 of 323
![Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 203
*
[RE13500(MBC )03/95]
Replacing the anti-theft lug nut
*
[RE13600(MBC )03/95]
Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Place the
lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and, while
applying pressure o Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 203
*
[RE13500(MBC )03/95]
Replacing the anti-theft lug nut
*
[RE13600(MBC )03/95]
Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Place the
lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and, while
applying pressure o](/manual-img/33/10906/w960_10906-201.png)
203
*
[RE13500(MBC )03/95]
Replacing the anti-theft lug nut
*
[RE13600(MBC )03/95]
Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Place the
lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and, while
applying pressure on the key, install the lug nut.
*
[RE13800( ALL)02/95]
If the Engine Cranks But Does
Not Start or Does Not Start After
a Collision
*
[RE13810( ALL)04/95]
The Fuel Pump Shut-off Switch
*
[RE13900( ALL)03/95]
If the engine cranks but does not start or if you
have had a collision, the fuel pump shut-off
switch may have been triggered. The shut-off
switch is a device that stops the fuel pump
when your vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
*
[RE14000( ALL)01/95]
For information on how to check and reset the
fuel pump shut-off switch, seeFuel pump shut-off
switchin the Index.
%
*
[RE14100( ALL)05/95]
Towing Your Vehicle
*
[RE14201( ALL)05/95]
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact
a professional towing service or, if you are a
member, your roadside assistance center.
Recommended towing options include wheel lift
towing or flat bed towing.
File:rcrec.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:41 1995
Page 246 of 323
![Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 249 [SV20500(MBC )03/95]
3.8L engine only
[SV20601(MBC )03/94]
q
Open the vent plug.
[SV20700(MBC )03/93]
q
Remove coolant recovery reservoir cap.
[SV20801(MBC )03/93]
q
Remove radiator pressure cap.
Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 249 [SV20500(MBC )03/95]
3.8L engine only
[SV20601(MBC )03/94]
q
Open the vent plug.
[SV20700(MBC )03/93]
q
Remove coolant recovery reservoir cap.
[SV20801(MBC )03/93]
q
Remove radiator pressure cap.](/manual-img/33/10906/w960_10906-245.png)
249 [SV20500(MBC )03/95]
3.8L engine only
[SV20601(MBC )03/94]
q
Open the vent plug.
[SV20700(MBC )03/93]
q
Remove coolant recovery reservoir cap.
[SV20801(MBC )03/93]
q
Remove radiator pressure cap.
[SV20900(MBC )05/94]
q
With the engine off and cool, add a 50/50
mixture of recommended cooling system fluid
and water to the radiator until full, then add
to the reservoir until the reservoir is at the
FULL-HOT level.
[SV21000(MBC )12/91]
q
Close the vent plug.
[SV21100(MBC )03/93]
q
Reinstall the coolant recovery reservoir cap
by installing the cap to the fully installed
position.
[SV21110(MBC )03/93]
q
Reinstall the pressure cap to the pressure
relief position by installing the cap to the
fully installed position, and then backing off
to the first stop.
[SV21200(MBC )03/93]
q
Start and idle engine until the radiator upper
hose is warm (this indicates the thermostat is
open and coolant is flowing through the
entire system).
[SV21300(MBC )03/93]
q
Immediately shut off engine. Cover cap
completely with a thick cloth and cautiously
remove radiator pressure cap and add a
50/50 mixture of recommended coolant and
water until system is full.
[SV21400(MBC )03/91]
q
Reinstall the radiator cap securely.
[SV21500(MBC )05/94]
q
Remove the cap from the engine coolant
recovery reservoir and add a 50/50 mixture
of recommended cooling system fluid and
water to the FULL-HOT mark on the engine
coolant recovery reservoir. Check that
reservoir hose is not kinked.
[SV21800(MBC )03/93]
q
Reinstall the reservoir cap.
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995
Page 249 of 323
![Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 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 Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 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](/manual-img/33/10906/w960_10906-248.png)
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.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995