1996 Mercury Mercury Cougar Owner's Manuals

185 %
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[DR22600( ALL)01/95]
Driving While You Tow
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[DR22650( ALL)01/95]
Be especially careful when driving while you
tow a trailer. Never drive faster than 45 mph
(70 km/h) when you tow in hilly country on
hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can
brake gradually.
[DR22950(MBC )09/93]
If you tow in Overdrive while riding through
hilly country, your vehicle may frequently shift
between Overdrive and Third gears. To prevent
your vehicle from shifting too much, depress the
Transmission Control Switch (TCS). This will
also give the engine more power going up hills
and better engine braking going down hills.
%*
[DR23000( ALL)01/95]
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
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[DR23100( ALL)01/95]
Servicing your vehicle if you tow
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[DR23200( ALL)08/93]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and
Recordbooklet for additional information.
File:rcdrc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:47:03 1995

187
Roadside Emergencies
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[RE00400( ALL)03/95]
Jump-Starting Your Vehicle
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[RE00450( ALL)01/95]
Your vehicle's battery may die if you leave the
lights on or any electrical equipment on after
you turn the engine off. If this happens, you
may be able to jump-start from a booster battery
to start your vehicle.
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[RE00500( ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
The gases around the battery can explode
if exposed to flames, sparks, or lit
cigarettes. An explosion could result in
injury or vehicle damage.
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[RE00600( ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
To protect yourself when charging a
battery, always shield your face and eyes.
Make sure that you can breathe fresh air.
%*
[RE00700( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Applying too much pressure on the ends
when lifting a battery could cause acid to
spill. Lift the battery with a carrier or
with your hands on the opposite corners.
%*
[RE00800( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns
skin, eyes, and clothing.
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:41 1995

188
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[RE00900( ALL)05/95]
If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or
clothing, immediately flush the area with water
for at least 15 minutes. If someone swallows the
acid, have him or her drink lots of milk or water
first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or
vegetable oil. Call a doctor immediately.
*
[RE01000( ALL)03/95]
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery,
and to avoid injury to yourself, follow these
directions for preparing your vehicle to jump-start
and connecting the jumper cables in the order they
are given. If in doubt, call for road service.
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[RE01100( ALL)03/95]
Preparing Your Vehicle
[RE01150( ALL)11/90]
NOTE: also see label on battery.
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[RE01200( ALL)03/95]
1. Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so
you need to use a 12-volt jumper system.
You will damage your starting motor,
ignition system, and other electrical parts if
you connect them to a 24-volt power supply
(either two 12-volt batteries in series or a
24-volt generator set).
*
[RE01300( ALL)03/95]
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
*
[RE01400( ALL)04/95]
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of
the disabled vehicle.Make sure the vehicles
do not touch each other.Set the parking
brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
*
[RE01500( ALL)03/95]
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the
jumper cables.
*
[RE01600( ALL)02/95]
5. Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles.
Turning on the fan helps protect the
electrical system from voltage surges. Turn
off all other switches and lights in both
vehicles to prevent possible damage to either
vehicle's electrical systems.
File:rcrec.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:41 1995

189 %
*
[RE01700( ALL)05/95]
Connecting the jumper cables
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[RE01800( ALL)03/95]
1. Connect one end of the first jumper cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the discharged
battery. (You can connect either jumper cable
to the positive (+) terminal, as long as you
use the same cable for both positive
terminals.) Most jumper cables have a red
cable and a black cable. The red cable is
generally used for the positive terminals and
the black for the negative ones.
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[RE01900( ALL)04/95]
2. Connect the other end of the first cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the booster
battery.
*
[RE02000( ALL)03/95]
3. Connect one end of the second cable to the
negative (s) terminal of the booster battery
Ð NOT to the discharged battery.
[RE02100( ALL)01/95]
4. Connect the other end of that cable to a
good metallic surface on the engine or frame
of the disabled vehicle making sure it is
clear of any rotating engine components. The
following illustrations show where you can
find a metallic surface.
*
[RE02200( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not connect the end of the second
cable to the negative (s) terminal of the
battery to be jumped. A spark may cause
an explosion of the gases that surround
the battery.
File:rcrec.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:41 1995

190 [RE02500( BC )05/95]
full page art:0010334-DThe 3.8L SFI engine
File:rcrec.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:41 1995

191 [RE02650(MBC )05/95]
full page art:0010666-G
The 4.6L SFI Engine
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:41 1995

192
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[RE02900( ALL)03/95]
Jump-Starting
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[RE03000( ALL)03/95]
1. Make sure that the jumper cables are not in
the way of moving engine parts, then start
the booster vehicle. Run the engine at a
moderate speed.
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[RE03100( ALL)03/95]
2. Let the discharged battery charge for a few
minutes and then start the disabled vehicle.
It may take a couple of tries before the
vehicle starts. If the vehicle does not start
after several attempts, there may be a
different problem.
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[RE03200( ALL)03/95]
3. When both vehicles are running, let them
idle for a few minutes to charge the
discharged battery.
%*
[RE03300( ALL)03/95]
Removing jumper cables
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[RE03400( ALL)03/95]
1.Always remove the jumper cables in the
reverse order.Remove the negative (s) end
of the jumper cable from the metallic surface
on the engine or frame of the disabled
vehicle.
*
[RE03500( ALL)03/95]
2. Remove the negative (s) cable from the
booster battery.
*
[RE03600( ALL)03/95]
3. Remove the positive (+) cable from the
booster battery.
*
[RE03700( ALL)05/95]
4. Remove the other end of the positive (+)
cable from the discharged battery.
*
[RE03800( ALL)04/95]
After the vehicle is started, let it idle for a while
to let the engine ªrelearnº its idle conditions.
Drive it around for a while with all electrical
accessories turned off to let the battery recharge.
You may need to use a battery charger to fully
recharge the battery.
File:rcrec.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:41 1995

193 [RE03820( BC )05/94]
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with a 4.6L
engine you will need to perform
additional steps after your vehicle has
been jump started. SeeReadiness for
Inspection/Maintenance Testingin
Servicing Your Vehicle chapter.
%
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[RE03900( ALL)03/95]
Changing a Tire
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[RE04000( ALL)01/95]
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do
not apply the brake heavily. Instead, gradually
decrease the speed. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the
side of the road. Park on a level spot, turn off
the ignition, set the parking brake, and turn on
the hazard flashers.
%*
[RE04100( ALL)03/95]
The Temporary Spare Tire
[RE04225(MBC )03/94]
You have a high pressure temporary spare tire.
This spare tire is smaller than a regular tire and
is designed for emergency use only. Use it only
when you get a flat tire and replace it as soon
as you can. This spare tire is marked with the
words ªTEMPORARY USE ONLYº so that you
can easily identify it.
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[RE04250( ALL)01/95]
NOTE: Extended use of other than
conventional spare tires on a
Traction-Lok rear axle could result in a
permanent reduction in effectiveness.
This loss of effectiveness does not
affect normal driving and should not
be noticeable to the driver.
*
[RE04300( ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If you use the temporary spare tire
continuously or do not follow these
precautions, the tire could fail, causing
you to lose control of the vehicle, possibly
injuring yourself or others.
File:rcrec.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:41 1995