1996 Mercury Mercury Cougar Owner's Manuals

236 [SV08750( ALL)05/95]Octane recommendations
[SV08800( ALL)05/95]
Your engine is designed to use fuel with an
octane rating of 87. In most cases it is not
necessary to use a fuel with an octane rating
higher than 87. At service stations, the octane
rating is displayed in a label on the pumps.
[SV08900( ALL)05/95]
one inch art:0060001-C[SV09100( ALL)05/95]
Using a fuel with a lower octane rating can
cause persistent and heavy knocking, which can
damage the engine.
[SV09200( ALL)05/95]
Do not be concerned if your vehicle sometimes
knocks lightly when you drive up a hill or when
you accelerate. However, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician if persistent heavy
knocking occurs because this can damage the
engine.
[SV09350( ALL)05/95]
If your vehicle has problems with starting, rough
idle or hesitation problems when the engine is
cold, it may be caused by fuel with low
volatility. Try a different brand of fuel. If the
condition persists, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
[SV09800( ALL)05/95]
Gasolines for clean air
[SV09900( ALL)05/95]
Fuels in certain areas of the country are required
to contain oxygenates to improve air quality.
Common oxygenates are ethanol or grain alcohol
(blended at no more than 10%), methanol or
wood alcohol (blended at no more than 5% with
cosolvents and additives), and MTBE or methyl
tertiary butyl ether (blended at no more than
15%).
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237 [SV09950( ALL)05/95]
Reformulated gasoline is also required in certain
areas of the U.S. These fuels are designed to
further reduce emissions from your vehicle.
[SV10000( ALL)05/95]
Generally, you should not experience difficulties
operating your vehicle on fuels containing
oxygenates. We encourage you to use these
fuels.
[SV10185( ALL)05/95]
Safety Information Relating to Automotive
Fuels
[SV10195( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury
or death if misused or mishandled. To
minimize the risk that you will be
injured, please read the following
information carefully and observe the
recommended precautions.
[SV10197( ALL)05/95]
q
Turn vehicle off when refueling
[SV10199( ALL)05/95]
q
Do not smoke when refueling. Fuels are
extremely flammable.
[SV10201( ALL)05/95]
q
Do not siphon any fuel by mouth.
[SV10205( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Gasoline or gasoline blended with
methanol can cause blindness and
possible death when swallowed. If any
fuel is swallowed, call a physician or
poison control center immediately.
[SV10209( ALL)05/95]
q
Avoid breathing vapors while refueling.
[SV10211( ALL)05/95]
q
If fuel is splashed on the skin, wash with
soap and water.
[SV10225( ALL)05/95]
q
If fuel is splashed in the eyes, remove contact
lenses (if worn), flush with water for 15
minutes, and seek medical attention.
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238 [SV10227( ALL)05/95]Gasoline and gasoline blends may contain small
amounts of carcinogens, such as benzene.
Long-term exposure to unleaded gasoline vapors
has caused cancer in laboratory animals.
[SV10230( ALL)05/95]
If you are taking the medication ªAntabuseº or
other forms of disulfiram for the treatment of
alcoholism, vapor or skin contact with a
gasoline-methanol blend may cause the same
kind of adverse reaction as drinking an alcoholic
beverage. In sensitive individuals, serious
personal injury or sickness could result. Consult
a physician promptly if you experience an
adverse reaction.
[SV11300( ALL)05/95]
Running Out of Fuel
[SV11350( ALL)05/95]
NOTE: Avoid running out of fuel because this
situation may have an adverse effect on
modern powertrain components.
[SV11500( ALL)05/95]
You may need to crank the engine several times
before the fuel system starts to pump fuel from
the tank to the engine.
[SV11600( ALL)05/95]Calculating Fuel Economy
[SV11700( ALL)05/95]
Fuel economy is an estimate of the efficiency of
your vehicle, and can be calculated as Miles Per
Gallon (MPG) or Liters Per 100 Kilometers
(L/100K).
[SV11750( ALL)05/95]
Do not calculate fuel economy during your
vehicle's break-in period. This would not be an
accurate estimate of how much fuel your vehicle
will normally use.
[SV11800( ALL)05/95]
To calculate fuel economy:
[SV11900( ALL)05/95]
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the
initial odometer reading.
[SV12000( ALL)05/95]
2. Every time you buy fuel, record the
amount (in gallons or liters) purchased.
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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)
[SV12300( ALL)05/95]
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.
[SV12650( ALL)05/95]
The following decrease fuel economy:
[SV12700( ALL)05/95]
q
Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
[SV12800( ALL)05/95]
q
Rapid acceleration and excessive speed
[SV12850( ALL)05/95]
q
Driving with your foot on the brake
[SV12900( ALL)05/95]
q
Sudden stops
[SV12950( ALL)05/95]
q
Extended engine idling
[SV13000( ALL)05/95]
q
Using speed control in hilly terrain
[SV13100( ALL)05/95]
q
Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear
window defroster and other accessories
[SV13200( ALL)05/95]
q
Underinflated tires
[SV13300( ALL)05/95]
q
Heavy loads
[SV13400( ALL)05/95]
q
Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or
luggage racks, bug deflectors, etc.
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240
*
[SV13510( ALL)02/95]
Self-Service Pointers
*
[SV13520( ALL)01/95]
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.
*
[SV13530( ALL)01/95]
The following procedures require only a tire
gauge, a rag, an oil can spout and windshield
washer fluid.
*
[SV13540( ALL)01/95]
q
Check the engine oil at every refueling stop
*
[SV13550( ALL)01/95]
q
Clean the windshield, outside mirrors and
headlights
*
[SV13560( ALL)01/95]
q
Check windshield washer fluid
*
[SV13570( ALL)02/95]
q
Check tires for excessive wear or worn edges
*
[SV13580( ALL)01/95]
q
Check the tire pressure at least monthly
%
*
[SV13600( ALL)03/95]
Engine Oil Recommendations
*
[SV13610( ALL)04/95]
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.
*
[SV13650( ALL)03/95]
one third page art:0060021-E
The API Certification Mark
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241
*
[SV13670( ALL)01/95]
Neveruse:
*
[SV13680( ALL)01/95]
q
ªNon-Detergentº oils
*
[SV13690( ALL)04/95]
q
Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
%*
[SV13700( ALL)01/95]
q
Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments
or engine treatments
%*
[SV13702( ALL)03/95]
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).
%*
[SV13703( ALL)03/95]
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.
%*
[SV13775( ALL)01/95]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
*
[SV13800( ALL)03/95]
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.
%*
[SV13900( ALL)04/95]
Checking the engine oil level:
*
[SV14000( ALL)02/95]
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.
*
[SV14025( BCGV)03/95]
2. Set the parking brake, making sure the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
*
[SV14100( ALL)02/95]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
*
[SV14200( ALL)03/95]
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
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242
*
[SV14300( ALL)01/95]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
[SV14350(MBC )03/95]
one inch art:0011218-A
Engine oil dipstick Ð 4.6 liter engines
[SV14450(MBC )03/95]
one inch art:0000970-A
Engine oil dipstick Ð 3.8 liter engines
*
[SV14500( ALL)03/95]
6. Carefully, pull the dipstick out again. If the
oil level is below the ªADD 1 QTº line, add
engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªFº in Full, engine damage
or high oil consumption may occur and
some oil must be removed from the engine.
*
[SV14600( ALL)01/95]
7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
*
[SV14800( ALL)01/95]
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil
changes. Make sure you use a CERTIFIED
engine oil of the preferred viscosity. Your
vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if
engine damage is caused by the use of improper
engine oil.
*
[SV15000( ALL)03/95]
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap
highlighted in yellow. To add oil, remove the
filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil into the
opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine.
Recheck the oil level after you finish adding oil.
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243 %
*
[SV16300( ALL)01/95]
Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
*
[SV16400( ALL)04/95]
Change the engine oil and oil filterper the
following, whichever occurs first.
*
[SV16500( ALL)04/95]
one third page art:0060618-C
*
[SV16800( ALL)04/95]
Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet for additional information.
%*
[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.
*
[SV17275( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil
has caused cancer in laboratory mice.
*
[SV17285( ALL)05/95]
Protect your skin by washing with soap and
water.
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