1996 Mercury Mercury Cougar brake

4
*
[IN03250( ALL)03/95]
If you lose yourWarranty Information Booklet,you
can get a new one free of charge. Contact any
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the
addresses and phone numbers on the first page
of this owner guide.
%*
[IN04000( ALL)01/95]
Buying a Ford Extended Service Plan
*
[IN04100( ALL)01/94]
If you bought your vehicle in the U.S., you can
buy a Ford Extended Service Plan for your
vehicle. This optional contract provides service
protection for a longer period of time than the
basic warranty that comes with your vehicle.
*
[IN04200( ALL)01/95]
You do not have to buy this option when you
buy your vehicle. However, your option to
purchase the Ford Extended Service Plan runs
out after 18 months or 18,000 miles. See your
dealer for more details about the Ford Extended
Service Plan.
*
[IN04250( ALL)01/95]
If you purchased a Canadian vehicle and did not
take advantage of the Ford Extended Service
Plan at the time of purchase, you may still be
eligible. See your dealer for the details.
%
*
[IN06000( ALL)01/95]
Breaking Your Vehicle In
*
[IN06100( ALL)03/95]
Your new vehicle goes through an adjustment or
break-in period during the first 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) that you drive it. During the break-in
period, you need to pay careful attention to how
you drive your vehicle.
%*
[IN06300( ALL)01/95]
q
Avoid sudden stops.Because your vehicle
has new brake linings, you should take these
steps:
*
[IN06400( ALL)01/95]
Ð Watch traffic carefully so that you can
anticipate when to stop.
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[IN06500( ALL)01/95]
Ð Begin braking well in advance.
*
[IN06600( ALL)01/95]
Ð Apply the brakes gradually.
File:rcinc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:51:59 1995

5
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[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

9
[SR03700( ALL)05/95]
Combination Lap and Shoulder
Belts
*
[SR03800( ALL)01/95]
While your vehicle is in motion, the combination
lap and shoulder belt adjusts to your movement.
However, if you brake hard, corner hard or if
your vehicle receives an impact of 5 mph
(8 km/h) or more, the lap and shoulder belt
locks and helps reduce your forward movement.
*
[SR04100( ALL)05/95]
After you get into your vehicle, close the door
and lock it. Then adjust the seat to the position
that suits you best.
[SR04400( ALL)06/93]
To fasten the belt,pull the lap/shoulder belt
from the retractor so that the shoulder portion of
the belt crosses your shoulder and chest. Be sure
the belt is not twisted. If it is, remove the twist.
Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle
until you hear a snap and feel it latch. Make
sure the tongue is securely fastened in the
buckle.
*
[SR04550( BCGV)01/95]
quarter page art:0010018-B
Fastening the front seat combination lap and shoulder belt
File:rcsrc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:51:53 1995

14
*
[SR05500( BCGV)03/95]
RWARNING
All front and rear seat outboard
occupants (including pregnant women)
should wear lap and shoulder belts, for
optimum protection in a collision.
*
[SR05600( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Failure to follow these precautions could
increase the risk and/or severity of injury
in a collision. 1) Use the shoulder belt on
the outside shoulder only. Never wear the
shoulder belt under the arm. 2) Never
swing it around your neck over the inside
shoulder. 3) Never use a single belt for
more than one person.
*
[SR05630( BC )03/95]
Due to folding rear seats, sometimes the buckles
and tongues toward the center of the vehicle
may be hidden by the rear edge of the seat
cushion. Pull them out so they will be accessible.
*
[SR05635( BC )03/95]
While you are fastened in the seat belt, the
combination lap/shoulder belt with a cinch
tongue adjusts to your movement. However, if
you brake hard, turn hard, or if your vehicle
receives an impact of 5 mph (8 km/h) or more,
the safety belt will become locked and help
reduce your forward movement.
File:rcsrc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:51:53 1995

45
Starting Your Cougar
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[ST03400( ALL)03/95]
Ignition
%*
[ST03500( ALL)01/95]
Understanding the Positions of the Ignition
[ST03750( ALL)12/94]
quarter page art:0010035-B
The positions of the key in the ignition
%*
[ST03901( BCGV)03/95]
ACCESSORY allows some of your vehicle's
electrical accessories such as the radio and the
windshield wipers to operate while the engine is
not running.
% [ST04001( ALL)12/94]
LOCK locks the steering wheel. It also locks the
automatic transmission gearshift lever.
*
[ST04101( ALL)01/95]
LOCK is the only position that allows you to
remove the key. The LOCK feature helps to
protect your vehicle from theft.
*
[ST04200( ALL)03/95]
OFF allows you to shut off the engine and all
accessories without locking the steering wheel or
the automatic transmission gearshift lever.
*
[ST04300( ALL)03/95]
ON allows you to test your vehicle's warning
lights (except the brake system warning light) to
make sure they work before you start the
engine. The key returns to the ON position once
the engine is started and remains in this position
while the engine runs.
File:rcstc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:50:31 1995

46
*
[ST04400( ALL)03/95]
START cranks the engine. Release the key once
the engine starts so that you do not damage the
starter. The key should return to ON when you
release it. The START position also allows you
to test the brake warning light.
%*
[ST04900( ALL)02/95]
Removing the Key From the Ignition
*
[ST05600( BCGV)03/95]
1. Put the gearshift in P (Park).
*
[ST05800( ALL)01/95]
2. Set the parking brake fully.
*
[ST05900( BCGV)03/95]
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
*
[ST06050( BCGV)03/95]
4. Remove the key.
[ST06660( BCGV)03/95]
NOTE: The automatic transmission gearshift
must be in P (Park) to move the key to
the lock position.
%*
[ST06675( ALL)05/95]
If the key is stuck in the LOCK position, move
the steering wheel left or right until the key
turns freely.
%*
[ST06700( ALL)03/95]
If the driver's door is open while the key is still
in the ignition, a warning chime sounds.
*
[ST06825( BCGV)05/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
*
[ST06875( ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
Do not leave children, unreliable adults,
or pets alone in your vehicle. They could
accidentally injure themselves or others
through inadvertent operation of the
vehicle. Further, on hot, sunny days,
temperatures in a closed vehicle could
quickly become high enough to cause
severe and possibly fatal injuries to
people as well as animals.
File:rcstc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:50:31 1995

47
%*
[ST07000( ALL)03/95]
Fuel-Injected Engines
*
[ST07100( ALL)03/95]
When starting a fuel-injected engine,the most
important thing to remember is to avoid
pressing down on the accelerator before or
during starting. Only use the accelerator when
you have problems getting your vehicle started.
SeeStarting Your Enginein this chapter for
details about when to use the accelerator while
you start your vehicle.
*
[ST07300( ALL)03/95]
Starting Your Vehicle
%*
[ST07400( ALL)05/94]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
*
[ST07500( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or other enclosed area. Never sit in
a stopped vehicle for more than a short
period of time with the engine running.
Exhaust fumes are toxic. SeeGuarding
Against Exhaust Fumesin this chapter for
more instructions.
*
[ST07600( ALL)01/95]
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
*
[ST07700( ALL)01/95]
1. Make sure you and all your passengers
buckle your safety belts. SeeSafety Restraints
in the Index for more details.
*
[ST07800( ALL)03/95]
2. Make sure the headlamps and other
accessories are turned off when starting.
*
[ST08100( BCGV)03/95]
3. Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park)
and the parking brake is set before you turn
the key.
*
[ST08400( ALL)03/95]
Before you start your vehicle, you should test
the warning lights on the instrument panel to
make sure that they work. Refer to theWarning
Lights and Gaugeschapter.
File:rcstc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:50:31 1995

49
*
[ST10473( ALL)04/95]
Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key
as soon as the engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter or flood the engine.
*
[ST10476( ALL)04/95]
After you start the engine, let it idle for a few
seconds. Keep your foot on the brake pedal and
put the gearshift lever in gear. Release the
parking brake. Slowly release the brake pedal
and drive away in the normal manner.
[ST10478( ALL)12/94]
NOTE: Your vehicle has an interlock that
prevents you from shifting out of
P (Park) unless your foot is on the
brake pedal.
%*
[ST10480( ALL)04/95]
If the engine does not start after two attempts:
*
[ST10492( ALL)04/95]
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
*
[ST10494( ALL)04/95]
2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor
and hold it.
*
[ST10496( ALL)04/95]
3. Turn the ignition key to the START position.
*
[ST10497( ALL)04/95]
4. Release the ignition key when the engine
starts.
*
[ST10498( ALL)04/95]
5. Release the accelerator gradually as the
engine speeds up. Then drive away in the
normal manner.
*
[ST10500( ALL)04/95]
If the engine still does not start, the fuel pump
shut-off switch may have been triggered. For
directions on how to reset the switch seeFuel
Pump Shut-Off Switchlater in this chapter.
%*
[ST11100( ALL)04/95]
A computer system controls the engine's idle
speed. When you start your vehicle, the engine's
idle speed normally runs higher than when it's
warmed up. These faster engine speeds will
make your vehicle move slightly faster than its
normal idle speed. It should, however, slow
down after a short time. If it does not, have the
idle speed checked.
File:rcstc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:50:31 1995