1996 Mercury Mercury Cougar tow

205
Customer Assistance
%*
[HS00205( ALL)06/94]
Roadside Assistance
*
[HS00210( ALL)04/95]
Ford Motor Company has set up a 24-hour,
seven-day-a-week hotline with trained operators
that put you in touch with the help you need if
you experience a problem with your vehicle.
This complimentary service is provided to you
throughout your warranty period of 3
years/36,000 miles (3 years/60,000 km),
whichever comes first. To purchase Roadside
Assistance coverages beyond this period,
through Ford Auto Club, contact your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer (not available in
Canada).
*
[HS00215( ALL)06/94]
Roadside Assistance will cover the following:
*
[HS00220( ALL)06/94]
q
Mount your spare if you have a flat tire.
*
[HS00225( ALL)06/94]
q
Jump-start your battery if it is dead.
*
[HS00230( ALL)06/94]
q
Unlock your vehicle if you are locked out.
*
[HS00235( ALL)06/94]
q
Bring you fuel if you run out.
*
[HS00240( ALL)06/94]
q
Tow your vehicle if you are stranded. Even
non-warranty related tows, like accidents or
getting stuck in mud or snow, are covered
(some exclusions apply, such as impound
towing and repossession).
File:rchsc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:04 1995

246 [SV19000(MBC )05/95]
RWARNING
Never remove the radiator cap or vent
plug while the engine is running or hot.
[SV19030( ALL)05/95]
Follow these steps to avoid personal injury that
can be caused by escaping steam or engine
coolant.
[SV19040(MBC )03/95]
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine
off and let it cool. Even when the engine is
cool, be careful when you remove the
radiator cap or vent plug.
[SV19145( ALL)03/95]
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick towel
around the cap and turn it slowly
counterclockwise to unscrew.
*
[SV19150( ALL)03/95]
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
[SV19160( ALL)12/94]
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has
been released, use the cloth to press the cap
down, turn it, and remove it.
*
[SV19170(MBC )03/95]
5. Stand away from the radiator opening. Hot
steam may blow out or hot engine coolant
may even splash out.
*
[SV19190( ALL)03/95]
To find out how much engine coolant mixture
your vehicle's coolant system can hold, seeRefill
capacities for fluidsin the Index.
% [SV19200( ALL)12/94]
Add engine coolant only to the recovery
reservoir.If the coolant level is low, add a 50/50
or appropriate mixture of water and the type of
engine coolant that Ford specifies. You may add
water by itself only in an emergency, but you
should replace it with a 50/50 or appropriate
mixture as soon as possible.
*
[SV19300( ALL)01/95]
Have your dealer check the engine cooling
system for leaks if you have to add more than a
quart (liter) of engine coolant more than once a
month.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

283 % [SV48900( BCGV)06/94]
Toremovethe high-mount brakelamp:
[SV49200( BC )01/89]
1. Slide the trim cover toward the front of the
vehicle to disengage the retaining clips.
[SV49500( BC )01/89]
2. Twist the socket counterclockwise and
remove from lamp.
[SV50015( BC )03/91]
3. Pull bulb out of socket.
[SV50100( BC )01/89]
4. Remove the retaining screw.
[SV50200( BC )01/89]
5. Lift the lamp above the carpet and slide
away from the rear window.
[SV50260( BC )05/94]
6. Replace the burned out bulbs.
*
[SV50300( BCGV)02/95]
Toinstallthe high-mount brakelamp:
[SV50400( BC )01/89]
1. Slide the lamp into slots, toward the rear
window.
[SV50700( BC )01/89]
2. Install the screw.
[SV51000( BC )01/89]
3. Push bulb into the socket.
[SV51300( BC )01/89]
4. Install the bulb and socket into the lamp and
twist socket clockwise until it locks.
[SV51500( BC )01/89]
5. Slide the trim cover toward rear of vehicle
to engage the retaining clips.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

Index 317
Coolant (see Engine coolant) (continued)
proper solution............ 246
refill capacities............ 290
refill procedure............ 248
specifications............. 292
temperature gauge........... 66
Cooling fan............... 228
Cruise control (see Speed control)..... 97
Customer Assistance Center,
Ford (U.S.).............. 208
Customer Assistance Centre,
Ford of Canada............ 208
D
Dashboard (see Instrument panel)..... 73
Daytime running light system....... 82
Defrost
rear window.............. 81
windshield............. 75,79
Dipstick, automatic transmission fluid . . . 262
Dispute Settlement Board........ 209
Doors
door ajar warning light......... 71
lubricant specifications........ 292
Driving under special conditions
bad weather............. 177
heavy load.............. 179
high water.............. 178
slippery roads............ 177
towing a trailer............ 181
E
Electrical system
circuit breakers............ 278
fuses................ 269
operating when the engine is off..... 45
Electronic sound system
radio reception............ 161
tuning the radio.........133, 152
warranty and service information . . . 164
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Wed Jun 28 16:52:09 1995

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