1996 Mercury Mercury Cougar coolant reservoir

72 % [LG17230( BC )07/93]Low Coolant Light
[LG17235( BC )07/93]
This light indicates that the level of the engine
coolant is low inside the coolant recovery bottle
and that you should add more coolant. See
Engine Coolantin the Index.
[LG17240( BC )07/93]
one inch art:0011209-A
The low coolant light
%*
[LG17250( BC )07/93]
Low Fuel Light
[LG17255( BC )05/95]
This light comes on when your fuel gauge
indicates approximately 1/16 of a tank. Your car
must be turned to ON for this light to come on.
This light will either flicker or glow steadily.
[LG17260( BC )07/93]
one inch art:0011210-A
The low fuel light
% [LG17265( BC )07/93]
Washer Fluid Low Light
*
[LG17270( BC )02/95]
This light comes on if the reservoir is less than a
quarter full when you turn on the windshield
washers.
[LG17275( BC )07/93]
one inch art:0011211-A
The low washer fluid light
File:rclgc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:50:19 1995

244
%*
[SV17300( ALL)03/95]
Engine Coolant
%*
[SV17400( ALL)03/95]
Checking the Engine Coolant
*
[SV17500( ALL)01/95]
NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
*
[SV17600( BCGV)05/95]
RWARNING
The cooling fan is automatic and may
come on at any time. Always disconnect
the negative terminal of the battery before
working near the fan.
%*
[SV17800( ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle's coolant protects your engine from
overheating in the summer and from freezing in
the winter. Check the level of the coolant at least
once a month. Simply look at the engine coolant
reservoir located in the engine compartment. To
locate the reservoir, see the diagram of your
vehicle's engine underEngine Type, in this
chapter.
*
[SV17850( ALL)05/95]
The coolant additives also protect the entire
cooling system from internal passageway
corrosion and these additives lubricate the water
pump. The coolant should be serviced as noted
in theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

245 [SV18000( BCGV)05/94]
half page art:0010761-C
The engine coolant recovery reservoir
%*
[SV18600( ALL)11/94]
Checking hoses
*
[SV18700( ALL)11/94]
Inspect all engine and heater system hoses and
hose connections for deterioration, leaks, and
loose hose clamps as specified in theMaintenance
Schedule and Recordbooklet. Repair or replace
with Motorcraft hoses or equivalent as necessary.
*
[SV18800( ALL)01/95]
Adding engine coolant
*
[SV18900( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not put engine coolant in the container
for the windshield washer fluid.
*
[SV18950( ALL)05/95]
If sprayed to clean the glass, engine coolant or
antifreeze could make it difficult to see through
the windshield.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 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.
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

249 [SV20500(MBC )03/95]
3.8L engine only
[SV20601(MBC )03/94]
q
Open the vent plug.
[SV20700(MBC )03/93]
q
Remove coolant recovery reservoir cap.
[SV20801(MBC )03/93]
q
Remove radiator pressure cap.
[SV20900(MBC )05/94]
q
With the engine off and cool, add a 50/50
mixture of recommended cooling system fluid
and water to the radiator until full, then add
to the reservoir until the reservoir is at the
FULL-HOT level.
[SV21000(MBC )12/91]
q
Close the vent plug.
[SV21100(MBC )03/93]
q
Reinstall the coolant recovery reservoir cap
by installing the cap to the fully installed
position.
[SV21110(MBC )03/93]
q
Reinstall the pressure cap to the pressure
relief position by installing the cap to the
fully installed position, and then backing off
to the first stop.
[SV21200(MBC )03/93]
q
Start and idle engine until the radiator upper
hose is warm (this indicates the thermostat is
open and coolant is flowing through the
entire system).
[SV21300(MBC )03/93]
q
Immediately shut off engine. Cover cap
completely with a thick cloth and cautiously
remove radiator pressure cap and add a
50/50 mixture of recommended coolant and
water until system is full.
[SV21400(MBC )03/91]
q
Reinstall the radiator cap securely.
[SV21500(MBC )05/94]
q
Remove the cap from the engine coolant
recovery reservoir and add a 50/50 mixture
of recommended cooling system fluid and
water to the FULL-HOT mark on the engine
coolant recovery reservoir. Check that
reservoir hose is not kinked.
[SV21800(MBC )03/93]
q
Reinstall the reservoir cap.
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

250
*
[SV21900(MBC )05/95]
q
Check for leaks at the draincock, block plug
and vent plug.
*
[SV22000(MBC )03/95]
q
Recheck the engine coolant level, using the
recommended procedure, after one or two
occasions of vehicle use.
[SV22010( BC )05/95]
4.6L engine only
*
[SV22014( ALL)03/95]
q
With the engine OFF and cool, remove the
pressure cap, located on the coolant reservoir.
Remove the heater hose and clamp, located
on the rear of the intake manifold.
*
[SV22021( ALL)03/95]
q
Add a 50/50 mixture of specified coolant and
water to the coolant reservoir. Refer toRefill
Capacitieslater in this chapter for the correct
amount. Add coolant to the reservoir until
the coolant continuously flows out of the tube
in the rear of engine. Reattach hose and
secure clamp.
[SV22026( ALL)03/95]
q
Continue to fill the reservoir until the coolant
is at the FULL COLD level.
*
[SV22031( ALL)05/95]
q
Reinstall the pressure cap to the fully
installed position.
*
[SV22036( ALL)05/95]
q
Start and idle the engine until the radiator
upper hose is warm (this indicates the
thermostat is open and coolant is flowing
through the entire system).
*
[SV22041( ALL)03/95]
q
Immediately shut off the engine and let cool.
Cautiously remove the pressure relief cap and
add a 50/50 mixture of specified coolant and
water until the coolant is at the COLD FILL
level in the coolant reservoir.
*
[SV22046( ALL)03/95]
q
Reinstall the pressure cap securely.
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

253
%*
[SV22200( ALL)03/95]
Windshield Washer Fluid and
Wipers
%*
[SV22250( ALL)03/95]
Washer Fluid
[SV22300( ALL)12/94]
Check the level of the windshield washer fluid
periodically, or when the optional lamp indicates
low fluid. The reservoir for washer fluid is
located on the driver's side of the engine
compartment. Visual inspection can determine if
the washer fluid is adequate. Do not operate the
washer when the reservoir is empty.
[SV23000( BC )12/91]
one third page art:0010375-B
The reservoir for the windshield washer fluid
*
[SV23400( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the
container for the engine coolant.
%*
[SV23500( ALL)01/95]
Use specially formulated windshield washer
fluid rather than plain water, because specially
formulated washer fluids contain additives that
dissolve road grime. For safety reasons, washer
fluids containing an appropriate antifreeze such
as methanol should be used in freezing weather
(temperatures below32ÊF [0ÊC]).State or local
regulations on Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOC's) may restrict use of the most common
antifreeze, methanol. Washer fluids containing
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.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995