1996 Mercury Mercury Cougar lock

179
%*
[DR17100( ALL)03/95]
Driving With a Heavy Load
*
[DR17200( ALL)01/95]
There are limits to the amount of weight your
vehicle can carry or tow. The total weight of
your vehicle, plus the weight of the passengers
and cargo, should never be more than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight
that your vehicle carries over the front axle and
rear axle should never be more than the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective
axle.
% [DR17300( ALL)05/94]
You can find your vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label on
the left front door lock facing or the door latch
post pillar.
*
[DR17400( ALL)01/95]
The weight limits of your vehicle's tires affect
the GVWR or GAWR limitations. Usage of
replacement tires with higher weight limit than
originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Usage of lower capacity replacement tires may
lower GVWR and GAWR limitations.
*
[DR17500( ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
If the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label
is exceeded, your vehicle may be damaged
or you may lose control and injure
someone.
File:rcdrc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:47:03 1995

196 %
*
[RE07300( ALL)03/95]
Preparing to Change the Tire
*
[RE07525( BCGV)03/95]
1. Make sure that your vehicle will not move
or roll. Put the gearshift in P (Park). Set the
parking brake and block the wheel that is
diagonally opposite the tire that you are
changing.
[RE07550( BCGV)05/95]
When one of the back wheels is off the ground,
the transmission alone will not prevent the
vehicle from moving or slipping off the jack,
even if the vehicle is in P (Park). To prevent the
vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be
sure the parking brake is set, then block the
wheel (both directions) that is diagonally
opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.
*
[RE07560( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or
someone else could be seriously injured.
*
[RE07875( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine
with one wheel off the ground, such as
when changing a tire.
*
[RE07900( ALL)05/95]
2. Get out the spare tire and jack.
[RE08000( BC )11/92]
3. Remove any optional wheel covers or
hubcaps with the tapered end of a wheel nut
wrench. Insert the handle of the wrench and
twist it against the inner wheel cover flange.
For more about removing wheel covers, see
the information later in this chapter.
File:rcrec.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:41 1995

197
*
[RE08100( ALL)01/95]
4. Loosen each wheel lug nut one-half turn
counterclockwise, but do not remove them
until the tire is raised off the ground. You
should pull up on the handle rather than
push to develop maximum force to loosen
wheel lug nuts. SeeAnti-Theft Wheel Lug
Nutslater in this chapter for information on
removing anti-theft lug nuts.
%*
[RE08150( ALL)05/95]
Removing and Replacing the Tire
[RE08250( BC )12/94]
1. Find the underbody notches closest to the
wheel to be removed. Center the jack
between (2) underbody notches and turn the
handle of the jack clockwise until the wheel
is completely off the ground.
*
[RE08400( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To lessen the risk of personal injury, do
not put any part of your body under the
vehicle while changing a tire. Do not start
the engine when your vehicle is on the
jack. The jack is only meant for changing
the tire.
File:rcrec.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:41 1995

199 % [RE08600( BC )02/92]
half page art:0010346-C
The notches for the jack
*
[RE08900( ALL)01/95]
2. Turn the jack handle clockwise until the
wheel clears the ground. Remove the wheel
lug nuts.
*
[RE08920( ALL)01/95]
3. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire,
making sure that the air valve stem is facing
outward.
*
[RE08940( ALL)03/95]
4. Reinstall the lug nuts, tightening until the
wheel is snug against the hub. The beveled
edges on the lug nuts face inward. Do not
fully tighten the lug nuts until you lower the
vehicle. If you do, you could force the
vehicle off the jack.
*
[RE08960( ALL)02/95]
5. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise.
File:rcrec.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:41 1995

200
*
[RE08980( ALL)01/95]
6. Remove the jack and fully tighten the lug
nuts in the order shown in the following
illustration. As soon as possible, have your
dealer or a qualified service technician check
the lug nuts for proper torque specifications.
% [RE09100( ALL)03/93]
quarter page art:0010350-A
The lug nuts on the wheel
[RE09400( ALL)01/95]
7. Place any wheel covers and ornaments in the
trunk.
*
[RE09500( ALL)03/95]
8. Put the tire, jack, and wrench away. Make
sure the jack is securely fastened so it does
not rattle when you drive.
*
[RE09600( ALL)03/95]
9. Unblock the wheels.
% [RE10600(MBC )12/94]
Aluminum Road Wheel Ornaments
(If equipped)
[RE10700(MBC )03/93]
To remove the ornament, stick the tapered end
of the jack handle between the ornament and
wheel and pry off the ornament.
[RE10800(MBC )03/93]
To replace the ornament, stick one side of the
ornament into the center of the wheel and strike
the other side with the palm of your hand.
File:rcrec.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:41 1995

202 [RE11700( BC )03/91]2. Align the legs of the ornament with the slots
on the wheel cover. Strike the ornament with
the palm of your hand.
%*
[RE12700(MBC )03/95]
Anti-Theft Wheel Lug Nuts (If equipped)
*
[RE12800( BC )01/95]
If your vehicle has this option, one of the lug
nuts on each wheel locks and must be unlocked
with a special key. The key and registration card
are attached to the lug wrench and stored with
the spare tire. If you lose the key, send the
registration card to the manufacturer (not the
dealer) to get a replacement key.
*
[RE12850(MBC )03/95]
NOTE: If entire lug wrench/lug nut key
assembly is lost, see your nearest Ford
or Lincoln-Mercury dealer who has
access to a master set of keys.
*
[RE12875(MBC )03/95]
DO NOT USE A POWER IMPACT WRENCH
ON THE LUG NUT KEY.
[RE13000(MBC )03/95]
quarter page art:0010357-B
The anti-theft lug nut and key
*
[RE13100(MBC )03/95]
Removing the anti-theft lug nut
*
[RE13300(MBC )03/95]
Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Make
sure that you hold the key square to the lug nut.
If you hold the key on an angle, you may
damage the key and the lug nut.
*
[RE13400(MBC )03/95]
Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key
and apply pressure on the key with the wrench.
Turn the wrench in a counterclockwise direction
to remove the lug nut.
File:rcrec.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:41 1995

203
*
[RE13500(MBC )03/95]
Replacing the anti-theft lug nut
*
[RE13600(MBC )03/95]
Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Place the
lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and, while
applying pressure on the key, install the lug nut.
*
[RE13800( ALL)02/95]
If the Engine Cranks But Does
Not Start or Does Not Start After
a Collision
*
[RE13810( ALL)04/95]
The Fuel Pump Shut-off Switch
*
[RE13900( ALL)03/95]
If the engine cranks but does not start or if you
have had a collision, the fuel pump shut-off
switch may have been triggered. The shut-off
switch is a device that stops the fuel pump
when your vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
*
[RE14000( ALL)01/95]
For information on how to check and reset the
fuel pump shut-off switch, seeFuel pump shut-off
switchin the Index.
%
*
[RE14100( ALL)05/95]
Towing Your Vehicle
*
[RE14201( ALL)05/95]
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact
a professional towing service or, if you are a
member, your roadside assistance center.
Recommended towing options include wheel lift
towing or flat bed towing.
File:rcrec.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:46:41 1995

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