1996 Mercury Mercury Cougar ESP

1
Introductory Information
*
[IN00300( ALL)04/95]
Ford's Commitment to You
*
[IN00500( ALL)04/95]
Our Guiding Principles
*
[IN00600( ALL)04/95]
q
Quality comes first.For your satisfaction, the
quality of our products and services must be
our number one priority.
*
[IN00700( ALL)04/95]
q
You are the focus of everything we do.Our
work must be done with you in mind,
providing better products and services than
our competition.
*
[IN00750( ALL)04/95]
q
Continuous improvement is essential to our
success.We must strive for excellence in
everything we do: in our products Ð in their
safety and value Ð and in our services, our
human relations, our competitiveness, and
our profitability.
*
[IN00800( ALL)04/95]
q
Employee involvement is our way of life.
We are a team. We must treat one another
with trust and respect.
*
[IN00900( ALL)04/95]
q
Dealers and suppliers are our partners.We
must maintain mutually beneficial
relationships with dealers, suppliers, and our
other business associates.
*
[IN01000( ALL)04/95]
q
Integrity is never compromised.Our conduct
worldwide must be pursued in a manner that
is socially responsible and commands respect
for its integrity and for its positive
contributions to society.
File:rcinc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:51:59 1995

2
*
[IN01100( ALL)04/95]
Things to Know About Using
This Guide
*
[IN01200( ALL)04/95]
Congratulations on the purchase of your new
vehicle. This guide has information about the
equipment and the options for your new vehicle.
You may not have bought all of the options
available to you. If you do not know which
information applies to your vehicle, talk to your
dealer.
*
[IN01300( ALL)04/95]
This guide describes equipment and gives
specifications for equipment that was in effect
when this guide was approved for printing. Ford
may discontinue models or change specifications
or design without any notice and without
incurring obligation.
*
[IN01400( ALL)05/95]
NOTES and WARNINGS
*
[IN01420( ALL)05/95]
NOTESgive you additional information about
the subject matter you are referencing.
*
[IN01440( ALL)05/95]
WARNINGSremind you to be especially careful
in those areas where carelessness can cause
damage to your vehicle or personal injury to
yourself, your passengers or other people. Please
read allWARNINGScarefully.
*
[IN01460( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
*
[IN01500( ALL)04/95]
Finding Information in This Guide
*
[IN01600( ALL)04/95]
After you have read this guide once, you will
probably return to it when you have a specific
question or need additional information. To help
you find specific information quickly, you can
use the Quick Index or the Index.
File:rcinc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:51:59 1995

3
*
[IN01700( ALL)05/95]
TheQuick Indexat the end of the book
provides a page number following each item
which indicates where detailed information can
be found.
*
[IN01900( ALL)04/95]
To use theIndex, turn to the back of the book
and search in the alphabetical listing for the
word that best describes the information you
need. If the word you chose is not listed, think
of other related words and look them up. We
have designed the Index so that you can find
information under a technical term.
%*
[IN02000( ALL)04/95]
Canadian Owners Ð French Version
*
[IN02100( ALL)04/95]
French Owner Guides can be obtained from your
dealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company of
Canada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box
1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3.
*
[IN02400( ALL)04/95]
Your Maintenance Schedule and
Record Booklet
*
[IN02500( ALL)03/95]
TheMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet lists
the services that are most important for keeping
your vehicle in good condition. A record log is
also provided to help you keep track of all
services performed.
%
*
[IN02600( ALL)01/95]
About the Warranties
[IN02700( ALL)12/94]
Your vehicle is covered by three types of
warranties:Basic Vehicle Warranty, Extended
Warrantieson certain parts, andEmissions
Warranties.
%*
[IN03100( ALL)03/95]
Read yourWarranty Information Bookletcarefully
to find out about your vehicle's warranties and
your basic rights and responsibilities.
File:rcinc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:51:59 1995

5
*
[IN06700( ALL)01/95]
The break-in period for new brake linings
lasts for 100 miles (160 km) of city driving or
1,000 miles (1,600 km) of highway driving.
%*
[IN06800( ALL)01/95]
q
Use only the type of engine oil that Ford
recommends.SeeEngine oil recommendations
in the Index. Do not use special ªbreak-inº
oils.
*
[IN07000( ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic
Powertrain Control Module that limits engine
and/or vehicle speeds with a cut-out mode to
promote durability.
%
*
[IN07100( ALL)04/95]
Cleaning the Outside of Your
Vehicle
*
[IN07130( ALL)05/95]
Pollen, bird droppings and tree sap can damage
the paint, especially in hot weather. Wash your
vehicle as often as necessary to keep it clean.
*
[IN07160( ALL)05/95]
Take similar precautions if your vehicle is
exposed to chemical industrial fallout.
*
[IN07190( MVBCG )05/95]
Paint damage resulting from fallout is not
related to a defect in paint materials or
workmanship and therefore is not covered by
warranty. Ford, however, believes that continual
improvement in customer satisfaction is a high
priority. For this reason, Ford has authorized its
dealers to repair, at no charge to the owner, the
surfaces of new vehicles damaged by
environmental fallout within 12 months or 12,000
miles (20,000 km) of purchase, whichever comes
first. Customers may be required to bring their
vehicle in for inspection by a Ford
representative.
File:rcinc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:51:59 1995

20 [SR19240( ALL)06/09]In rear-facing infant seats, the infant's head is
closer to the air bag. The force of the rapidly
inflating air bag could push the top of the
rear-facing seat against the vehicle seatback,
center console (if so equipped), or center
armrests (if so equipped). REAR-FACING
INFANT SEATS MUST ALWAYS BE SECURED
IN THE REAR SEAT, and other child safety
seats and infant seats should be secured in the
rear seat whenever possible.
*
[SR19260( ALL)05/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a right front
passenger air bag. Air bags deploy with great
force, faster than the blink of an eye. Front
passengers, especially children and small adults,
must never sit on the front edge of the seat,
stand near the glove compartment of the
instrument panel, or lean over near the air bag
cover when the vehicle is moving. All occupants
should sit with their backs against the seatback,
move the seat to the most rearward position if
possible and use the safety belts. Children
weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg) always should
use child or infant seats.
%*
[SR19300( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
When using forward-facing child seats
move the passenger seat as far back from
the instrument panel as possible. NEVER
SECURE REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS
IN THE FRONT SEAT.
[SR19350(MBC )05/95]
THE FORCE OF THE RAPIDLY INFLATING
PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD PUSH THE TOP
OF THE REAR-FACING SEAT AGAINST THE
VEHICLE SEATBACK OR CENTER
CONSOLE/ARMRESTS. REAR-FACING
INFANT SEATS MUST ALWAYS BE PLACED
IN THE REAR SEAT.
File:rcsrc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:51:53 1995

21
*
[SR19400( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not place objects or mount equipment
on or near the air bag cover on the
steering wheel or in front seat areas that
may come in contact with a deploying air
bag. Failure to follow this instruction may
increase the risk of personal injury in the
event of a collision.
*
[SR19405( ALL)05/95]
For additional important safety information on
the proper use of seat belts, child seats, and
infant seats, please read the other sections of this
part of the Owner Guide, especially sections
entitledSafety Belts for ChildrenandSafety Seats
for Children.
*
[SR19410( ALL)05/95]
For further information about the proper
mounting of equipment in the front seat of this
vehicle, please refer to Ford's brochure entitled
Some Important Information About Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint Systemwhich can be
obtained by calling Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356.
Ask for brochure FPS-8602.
%*
[SR19500( ALL)01/95]
How the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint
System Operates
[SR19650( ALL)05/95]
The driver air bag is in the center of the steering
wheel. The right front passenger seat air bag is
in the upper right hand section of the
instrument panel ledge above the glove
compartment. Both air bags are designed to stay
out of sight until they are activated.
File:rcsrc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:51:53 1995

50
*
[ST11210( ALL)05/95]
If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, do not allow your vehicle to idle
for more than 10 minutes. Have the vehicle
checked.
*
[ST11225( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Extended idling at high engine speeds can
produce very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system, creating the
risk of fire or other damage.
*
[ST11250( 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.
*
[ST11300( ALL)03/95]
If you consistently start your vehicle in subzero
temperatures, use an engine block heater
(if your vehicle has this option).
%*
[ST11400( ALL)03/95]
Engine Block Heater (If equipped)
*
[ST11500( ALL)03/95]
Engine block heaters are strongly recommended
if you live in a region where temperatures reach
-10ÊF (-23ÊC) orbelow. An engine block heater
warms the engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine faster, and allows
the heater-defrost system to respond quickly.
*
[ST11700( ALL)02/95]
To turn the heater on, simply plug it into a
grounded 110-volt outlet. Ford recommends that
you use a 110-volt circuit that is protected by a
ground fault circuit interrupter.
File:rcstc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:50:31 1995

91
Steering Column Controls
*
[SC00200( ALL)01/95]
The controls on the steering column and wheel
are designed to give you easy access to the
controls while you are driving.
%
*
[SC00300( ALL)01/95]
The Turn Signal Lever
*
[SC00400( ALL)01/95]
You can use the turn signal lever on the left side
of the steering column to:
[SC00500( ALL)03/95]
q
operate the turn signals
*
[SC00600( ALL)01/95]
q
turn the high beams on/off
*
[SC00700( ALL)01/95]
q
flash the lights
*
[SC00800( ALL)01/95]
q
turn the windshield wipers and washer
on/off
[SC01900( ALL)02/95]
one third page art:0011292-A
The turn signal lever
%*
[SC02100( ALL)01/95]
Turn Signals
*
[SC02201( ALL)03/95]
Move the lever up to signal a right turn. Move
it down to signal a left turn. The corresponding
indicator light in the instrument cluster will
flash.
File:rcscc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:48:54 1995