1996 Mercury Mercury Cougar towing

318 Index
Electronic stereo cassette radio
(see Electronic sound system)..... 142
Emergencies, roadside
assistance............... 205
battery acid spills........... 187
jump-starting............. 187
towing................ 203
Emergency brake (parking brake)..... 175
Emission control system, catalytic
converter............... 285
Engine
check engine warning light....... 63
does not start.............. 49
fuel injected engine, starting....... 47
fuel pump shut-off switch........ 53
preparing to start............ 47
service points............. 231
starting................. 48
starting after a collision......... 53
storing your vehicle.......... 294
Engine block heater............ 50
Engine coolant
checking and adding......... 244
checking hoses............ 245
disposal............... 248
low coolant warning light........ 72
preparing for storage......... 295
proper solution............ 246
recovery reservoir........... 244
refill capacities............ 290
specifications............. 292
Engine coolant temperature gauge
description............... 66
mechanical............... 66
Engine fan............... 228
Engine oil
changing oil and oil filter....... 243
checking and adding......... 241
dipstick............... 241
disposal............... 243
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Wed Jun 28 16:52:09 1995

324 Index
Load limits
GAWR................ 179
GVWR................ 179
trailer towing............. 181
Lubricant specifications......... 292
Luggage compartment.......... 128
Lug nuts
anti-theft............... 202
tightening sequence.......... 200
M
Maintenance (see Servicing)....... 227
Map pockets.............. 127
Master cylinder, brakes......... 263
Mirrors
rearview............... 124
side view mirrors (power)....... 124
vanity mirror, illuminated....... 126
Moon roof............... 115
Motorcraft parts............. 291
N
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration......... 213
O
Odometer
description............... 67
trip odometer.............. 68
Oil filter................ 291
Oil (see Engine oil)........... 240
Oil viscosity.............. 241
On-board diagnostic (OBD II) system . . . 287
Overdrive................ 168
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Wed Jun 28 16:52:09 1995

326 Index
Restraints, safety (see Safety restraints)
adult.................. 7
child.................. 25
head................. 118
infant................. 25
Roadside assistance........... 205
Roadside emergencies.......... 187
Rotating the tires............ 256
S
Safe driving tips............. 177
Safety belts (see Safety restraints)...... 7
Safety chains, when towing a trailer.... 183
Safety defects, reporting......... 213
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts..... 10,12,16
automatic locking mode (retractor).... 10
center rear lap belt........... 16
cleaning the safety belts......... 18
extension assembly........... 17
for children............... 25
for infants............... 25
for pregnant women........... 14
replacement.............. 17
warning light and chime......... 59
Safety seats for children
and air bags.............. 20
attaching with tether straps....... 27
automatic locking mode (retractor).... 29
in center seating positions........ 42
in front seat.............. 29
in rear outboard............ 35
tether anchorage hardware........ 27
Seats
adjusting the seat, manual....... 118
adjusting the seats, power....... 121
child safety seats............ 27
cleaning upholstery.......... 123
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Wed Jun 28 16:52:09 1995

Index 327
Seats (continued)
head restraints............ 118
rear seat access............ 123
reclining the seat........... 120
sport seat.............. 122
Serial number (VIN)........... 208
Service concerns............ 207
Servicing your vehicle, precautions when
servicing............... 228
Shift-lock system............ 166
Side mirrors, adjusting.......... 124
Sliding moon roof (see Moon roof).... 115
Snow tires and chains.......... 260
Spare tire
changing the tire........... 196
finding the spare........... 195
removing the spare tire........ 195
temporary spare........... 193
Spark plugs, specifications........ 291
Specification chart, lubricants....... 292
Speed control
accelerating.............. 99
canceling a set speed......... 100
resetting................ 99
resuming a set speed......... 100
turning off.............. 100
when towing a trailer......... 185
Speedometer............... 67
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle...... 47
starting a cold engine.......... 48
starting after a collision......... 53
starting a warm engine......... 48
Steering, power............. 173
Steering wheel
horn.................. 95
locking................ 45
speed controls............. 97
tilting................. 96
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Wed Jun 28 16:52:09 1995

328 Index
Storage compartments
center console............. 127
map pockets............. 127
Storing your vehicle........... 293
Sun visor................ 126
Supplemental air bag readiness light.... 60
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS).... 18
T
Tachometer................ 68
Tail lamps
bulb replacement........... 284
cleaning................ 84
Temperature control
(see Climate control).......... 74
Tether anchor installation
(see Child restraints).......... 27
Tilt steering wheel............. 96
Tires
changing............... 193
checking the pressure......... 255
cleaning............... 261
replacing............... 257
rotating............... 256
snow tires and chains......... 260
storing your vehicle.......... 296
tire grades.............. 258
treadwear.............. 258
wear bands.............. 257
Towing a trailer (see Trailer towing) . . . 181
Towing your vehicle, with a tow truck . . 203
Traction assist.............. 171
Traction-lok rear axle.......... 170
Trailer towing
calculating maximum trailer weight . . . 182
safety chains............. 183
tips................. 185
trailer brakes............. 184
trailer lamps............. 184
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Wed Jun 28 16:52:09 1995