1996 Mercury Mercury Cougar check engine

263 [SV30825(MBC )03/93]
one third page art:0011152-A
Detail of the automatic transmission dipstick
%*
[SV31900( ALL)03/95]
Brake Fluid
*
[SV32000( ALL)04/95]
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle
should not use up brake fluid rapidly. However,
expect the level of the brake fluid to slowly fall
as you put more mileage on your vehicle and
the brake lining wears.
[SV32200( BCGV)03/95]
Check the brake fluid at each scheduled engine
oil change or at least once a year. You can do
this by looking at the fluid level in the plastic
reservoir on the master cylinder. Also, see label
on reservoir cap. (To locate the master cylinder,
seeThe Engine Typesin the Index.) The fluid
level should be between the MIN and MAX
marks.
*
[SV32350( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Brake fluid is toxic.
*
[SV32375( ALL)05/95]
If brake fluid contacts eyes, flush eyes with
running water for 15 minutes. Get medical
attention if irritation persists. If taken internally,
drink water and induce vomiting. Get medical
attention immediately.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

265 [SV34725( BC )12/91]
half page art:0010487-B
The anti-lock brake system fluid reservoir
%*
[SV34800( ALL)03/95]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[SV34900( ALL)01/95]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at
least twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
%*
[SV35000( ALL)03/95]
Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid
[SV35050(MBC )03/95]
3.8L SFI engine
*
[SV35100( ALL)02/95]
1. Start the engine and let it run until the
power steering fluid reaches normal
operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when
the engine coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster is near the center of the
NORMAL operating temperature range.
*
[SV35200( ALL)01/95]
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel back and forth several times. Make
sure that the cap assembly is installed at this
time.
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

266
*
[SV35300( ALL)05/95]
3. Turn the engine off.
%*
[SV35400(MBC )03/94]
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick (which
is highlighted in yellow in your vehicle). The
fluid level should be between the arrows in
the FULL HOT range, which is marked on
the side of the dipstick, opposite the side
marked FULL COLD. Do not add fluid if the
level is within the FULL HOT range.
*
[SV35500(MBC )07/94]
5. If the power steering fluid is low, add fluid
in small amounts, continuously checking the
level, until you reach the FULL HOT range.
Do not overfill.
*
[SV35600(MBC )03/95]
6. When you are finished, put the dipstick back
in and make sure that it fits snugly.
[SV35700(MBC )12/94]
half page art:0010485-C
The dipstick for power steering fluid
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

267 [SV35850( BC )05/95]
Use only power steering fluid that meets Ford
Specification ESW-M2C33-F, such as Ford
Premium Power Steering Fluid, E6AZ-19582-AA
or is an equivalent Type F Automatic
Transmission Fluid with a Ford registration
number (an 8-digit number beginning with ª2Pº
printed on the fluid container).
*
[SV35900( ALL)01/95]
If the power steering fluid is low, do not drive
your vehicle for a long period of time before
adding fluid. This can damage the power
steering pump.
*
[SV36100(MBC )02/95]
If you check the power steering fluid when it is
cold, make sure that the fluid reaches the FULL
COLD range on the dipstick. The reading will
only be accurate if the fluid temperature is
approximately 50 to85ÊF (10 to 30ÊC).
[SV36155(MBC )03/95]
4.6L SFI engine
[SV36170(MBC )03/95]
1. Check the fluid level when the system is
COLD (allow at least one half hour after
driving for the power steering fluid to cool).
[SV36176(MBC )03/95]
2. Locate the power steering reservoir mounted
to the front upper left-hand corner of the
engine.
[SV36178(MBC )03/95]
3. Visually verify that the fluid level is above
the MIN line adjacent to the reservoir ªsight
window.º
[SV36182(MBC )03/95]
4. If the power steering fluid is below the MIN
line, remove the cap and add fluid in small
amounts until the level is between the MIN
and MAX lines.
[SV36185(MBC )03/95]
5. Reinstall the reservoir cap.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

286
*
[SV53075( ALL)03/95]
In general, maintenance, replacement, or service
of the emissions control devices or systems in
your new Ford Motor Company vehicle or
engine may be performed at your expense by
any automotive repair establishment or
individual using automotive parts equivalent to
those which your vehicle or engine was
originally equipped.
*
[SV53150( ALL)05/95]
Ford strongly recommends the use of genuine
Ford replacement parts. If other than Ford or
Motorcraft parts or Ford authorized
remanufactured parts are used for maintenance
replacements or for the service of components
affecting emissions control, such non-Ford parts
should be equivalent to genuine Ford Motor
Company parts in performance and durability. It
is the owner's responsibility to determine the
equivalency of such parts. Please consult your
warranty booklet for complete warranty
information.
*
[SV53175( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which
can start a fire.
*
[SV53200( ALL)05/95]
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss
of oil pressure, the charge warning light, the
check engine light, or the temperature warning
light. These sometimes indicate that the emission
system is not working properly.
*
[SV53300( ALL)01/95]
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. Changes that cause more
unburned fuel to reach the exhaust system can
increase the temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

287
*
[SV53400( ALL)01/95]
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs,
services, sells, leases, trades vehicles, or
supervises a fleet of vehicles is not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission control device
or prevent it from working. In some of the
United States and in Canada, vehicle owners
may be liable if their emission control device is
removed or is prevented from working.
*
[SV53500( ALL)02/92]
Never use a metal exhaust collector when you
service your vehicle. If the metal collector
contacts any of your vehicle's plastic trim or
bumper parts they could melt or deform.
*
[SV53600( ALL)01/95]
Do not drive your vehicle if it does not operate
properly. See your dealer if the engine runs on
for more than five seconds after you shut it off
or if it misfires, surges, stalls, or backfires.
%*
[SV53700( ALL)02/95]
Information about your vehicle's emission
control system is on the Vehicle Emission
Control Information decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement
and gives some tune-up specifications.
%*
[SV53702( ALL)05/95]
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance
Testing
*
[SV53715( ALL)05/95]
In some localities it may become a legal
requirement to pass an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the
On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) II system. If the
vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the OBD II system is reset to
a not ready for I/M testing condition. To
prepare for I/M testing, the law specifies a
ªneed for additional mixed city and highway
driving to complete the checkº of the OBD II
system. As soon as all of the OBD II system
checks are successfully completed, the OBD II
system is set to the ready condition. The amount
of driving required to reach the ready condition
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

316 Index
Chime
key in ignition............. 46
safety belt............... 59
Circuit breakers
checking and replacing........ 278
see also fuses............. 269
Cleaning your vehicle
chrome and aluminum parts....... 6
engine compartment.......... 234
exterior................ 5
exterior lamps............. 84
fabric................ 123
headlamps............... 84
instrument panel............ 74
instrument panel lens.......... 90
interior lamps.............. 89
mirrors................ 124
plastic parts.............. 6
polishing................ 6
rustproofing.............. 6
safety belts............... 18
tail lamps............... 84
upholstery and interior trim...... 123
washing................ 5
wheels................ 261
Climate control system
air conditioning........... 74,77
heating............... 74,77
Clock................... 89
Cold engine starting............ 48
Compact disc radio
(see Electronic sound system)..... 132
Console, description........... 127
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
checking and adding......... 244
drain and flush............ 248
preparing for storage......... 295
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