1996 Mercury Mercury Cougar Owner's Manuals

161 %
*
[AS60900( ALL)02/95]
Common Radio Reception Conditions
*
[AS61000( ALL)02/95]
Several conditions prevent FM reception from
being completely clear and noise-free, such as
the following:
*
[AS61100( ALL)04/95]
1. Distance/Strength
*
[AS61200( ALL)02/95]
The strength of the FM signal is directly related
to the distance the signal must travel. The
listenable range of an average FM signal is
approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers). Beyond
this distance, the radio is operating in a fringe
area and the signal becomes weaker.
*
[AS61300( ALL)06/90]
NOTE: Always make sure your antenna
(whether you have a power antenna or
a manually adjustable antenna) is fully
extended to the maximum length for
proper reception. If your antenna is not
fully extended, you may experience
signal loss while traveling in fringe
reception areas.
*
[AS61400( ALL)04/95]
2. Terrain
*
[AS61500( ALL)02/95]
The terrain (hilly, mountainous, tall buildings) of
the area over which the signal travels may
prevent the FM signal from being noise-free.
*
[AS61700( ALL)01/95]
If there is a building or large structure between
the antenna and station, some of the signal
ªbendsº around the building, but certain spots
receive almost no signal. Moving out of the
ªshadowº of the structure will allow the station
to return to normal.
*
[AS61800( ALL)01/95]
When the radio waves are reflected off objects or
structures, the reflected signal cancels the normal
signal, causing the antenna to pick up noise and
distortion. Cancellation effects are most
prominent in metropolitan areas, but also can
become quite severe in hilly terrain and
depressed roadways.
File:rcasc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:47:32 1995

162
*
[AS61900( ALL)01/95]
To minimize these conditions, a stereo/mono
blend circuit has been incorporated into this
system. This feature automatically switches a
weak stereo signal to a clearer monaural signal,
which improves the quality of reception.
*
[AS62000( ALL)01/95]
Several sources of static are normal conditions
on AM frequencies. These can be caused by
power lines, electric fences, traffic lights and
thunderstorms.
*
[AS62100( ALL)01/95]
Another reception phenomenon isStrong Signal
Capture and Overload. This can occur when
listening to a weak station and when passing
another broadcast tower. The close station may
capture the more distant station, although the
displayed frequency does not change. While
passing the tower, the station may switch back
and forth a few times before returning to the
original station.
*
[AS62200( ALL)01/95]
When several broadcast towers are present
(common in metropolitan areas) several stations
may overload the receiver, resulting in
considerable station changing, mixing and
distortion.
*
[AS62300( ALL)01/95]
Automatic gain control circuitry for both AM
and FM bands has been incorporated into this
system to reduce strong signal capture and
overload.
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:47:32 1995

163
%*
[AS62400( ALL)08/89]
All About Radio Frequencies
*
[AS62500( ALL)01/95]
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
establishes the frequencies that AM and FM
radio stations may use for their broadcasts. The
allowable frequencies are, AM: 530, 540...1600,
1610 kHz in 10 kHz steps; FM: 87.9, 88.1...107.7,
107.9 MHz in 0.2 MHz steps.
*
[AS62600( ALL)01/95]
Not all frequencies will be assigned to a given
area. This radio will tune to each of these
frequencies using MANUAL TUNE and no fine
tuning is necessary as radio stations may not use
other frequencies.
*
[AS62700( ALL)02/95]
Some FM radio stations advertise a
ªrounded-offº frequency which is not the
frequency they actually broadcast on. For
example, a radio station that is assigned a
frequency of 98.7 MHz may call itself ªRadio 99º
even though 99.0 MHz is not an allowable FM
broadcast frequency.
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:47:32 1995

164
%*
[AS62800( ALL)01/95]
Important Warranty and Service
Information
*
[AS62900( ALL)07/90]
q
Warranty
*
[AS63000( ALL)03/95]
Your sound system is warranted for three years
or 36,000 miles (60,000 kilometers), whichever
comes first. Consult your vehicle warranty
booklet for further information. Ask your dealer
for a copy of this limited warranty.
*
[AS63200( ALL)07/90]
q
Service
*
[AS63300( ALL)01/95]
At Ford Electronics, we stand behind our audio
systems with a comprehensive service and repair
program. If anything should go wrong with
your Ford audio system, return to your dealer
for service. There is a nationwide network of
qualified Ford authorized repair centers to assist
you.
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:47:32 1995

165
Driving Your Cougar
%*
[DR00500( ALL)03/93]
Driving with an Automatic
Overdrive Transmission
[DR00510(MBC )05/94]
The gearshift lever is floor mounted.
*
[DR00700( BCGV)01/95]
The automatic overdrive transmission operates
very much like a regular automatic transmission,
except it offers the extra overdrive feature.
%*
[DR00800( ALL)01/95]
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
*
[DR00950( ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
Hold the brake pedal down while you
move the gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move
unexpectedly and injure someone.
[DR00965(MBC )03/95]
To move the shifter out of P (Park), the ignition
key must be turned to either the OFF or the ON
position and the thumb button must be pushed
in. This vehicle is also equipped with the brake
shift interlock safety feature which prevents
shifting the transmission out of the P (Park)
position without the brake pedal being
depressed if the key is in the ON position.
*
[DR00975( ALL)03/95]
To operate:
*
[DR00980( ALL)01/95]
1. Start the engine.
*
[DR00985( ALL)01/95]
2. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
*
[DR00990( ALL)01/95]
3. Move the gearshift lever out of P (Park).
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:47:03 1995

166 %
*
[DR00995( ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a Brake Shift
Interlock safety feature. This feature prevents the
gearshift from being moved from the P (Park)
position until the brake pedal is depressed. This
feature is active when the ignition is in the ON
position. If the gearshift lever CANNOT be
moved from P (Park) with the brake pedal
depressed:
*
[DR01000( ALL)01/95]
1. Turn the engine off and remove the ignition
key.
*
[DR01005( ALL)01/95]
2. Apply parking brake.
*
[DR01010( ALL)01/95]
3. Reinsert the ignition key and turn clockwise
to the first position (OFF).
*
[DR01020( ALL)01/95]
4. Depress the brake pedal, move the gearshift
lever to N (Neutral) and start the engine.
*
[DR01025( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL
YOU VERIFY THAT THE BRAKELAMPS
ARE WORKING.
[DR01027( ALL)05/95]
If you need to shift out of P (Park) by using the
alternate procedure described above, it is
possible that a fuse has blown and that your
brakelamps may also not be functional. Please
refer to the chapter titledServicing Your Cougar
in this Owner Guide for instructions on checking
and replacing fuses.
[DR01030(MBC )05/94]
The console-mounted gearshift will lock in
P (Park) when you turn the key to the LOCK
position. When the gearshift is in any position
except P (Park), the ignition key cannot be
turned to LOCK or removed from the steering
column. TO REMOVE THE KEY, the gearshift
lever must be in P (Park).
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:47:03 1995

167 % [DR01300( BC )03/93]
half page art:0010307-F
The positions of the console-mounted gearshift
*
[DR01500( ALL)11/94]
Once the gearshift is secure in the desired
position, release the brake pedal and use the
accelerator as necessary.
%*
[DR01700( ALL)01/95]
R (Reverse)
*
[DR01800( ALL)02/95]
With the gearshift in the R (Reverse) position,
the vehicle will move backward. You should
always come to a complete stop before shifting
into or out of R (Reverse).
*
[DR01830( ALL)01/95]
N (Neutral)
[DR01860( ALL)05/94]
In N (Neutral), the wheels of the transmission
are not locked. Your vehicle will roll freely, even
on the slightest incline, unless the parking brake
or brakes are on.
File:rcdrc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:47:03 1995

168 %
*
[DR01900( ALL)01/95]
Driving
[DR01940( BC )07/93]
Your vehicle's gearshift is console-mounted on the
floor. The Transmission Control Switch (TCS) is
located on the gearshift handle. The Transmission
Control Indicator Light (O/D OFF) is located on
the instrument panel. You can put the gearshift
lever in any of the several positions.
[DR01951(MBC )03/95]
The OVERDRIVE OFF light is off (not
illuminated) during normal vehicle operation.
This allows the transmission to upshift and
downshift from 1st through 4th gears. When the
TCS is pressed, the Transmission Control
Indicator Light will illuminate (O/D OFF) on the
instrument panel. When this O/D OFF is
illuminated the transmission will upshift and
downshift from 1st through 3rd gears.
[DR01957( ALL)11/94]
If the O/D OFF light does not come ªonº when
the TCS is depressed or if the light ªFLASHESº
when you are driving, have your vehicle
serviced at the first opportunity. If this condition
persists, damage could occur to the transmission.
*
[DR01961( BCGV)01/95]
To return the transmission to normal operation
(1st through 4th gear) depress the TCS again.
This switch may be used to cancel overdrive any
time the vehicle is being driven. Each time your
vehicle is started, the overdrive system will
automatically be in the normal overdrive mode
and the light will not be illuminated.
%*
[DR02010(MBC )01/95]
When to use D (Overdrive)
*
[DR02100( ALL)01/95]
Overdrive is the usual driving position for an
automatic overdrive transmission. It works the
same way Drive works, automatically upshifting
or downshifting as the vehicle speeds or slows.
*
[DR02200( ALL)01/95]
However, Overdrive also shifts into a fourth
gear Ðan overdrive gear Ð when your vehicle
cruises at an appropriate consistent speed for
any length of time. This fourth gear will increase
your fuel economy when you travel at cruising
speeds.
File:rcdrc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:47:03 1995