1996 Mercury Mercury Cougar maintenance schedule

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

185 %
*
[DR22600( ALL)01/95]
Driving While You Tow
*
[DR22650( ALL)01/95]
Be especially careful when driving while you
tow a trailer. Never drive faster than 45 mph
(70 km/h) when you tow in hilly country on
hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can
brake gradually.
[DR22950(MBC )09/93]
If you tow in Overdrive while riding through
hilly country, your vehicle may frequently shift
between Overdrive and Third gears. To prevent
your vehicle from shifting too much, depress the
Transmission Control Switch (TCS). This will
also give the engine more power going up hills
and better engine braking going down hills.
%*
[DR23000( ALL)01/95]
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
*
[DR23100( ALL)01/95]
Servicing your vehicle if you tow
*
[DR23200( ALL)08/93]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and
Recordbooklet for additional information.
File:rcdrc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:47:03 1995

227
Servicing Your Cougar
%*
[SV00300( ALL)03/95]
Service Made Easy
*
[SV00400( ALL)01/95]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
*
[SV00550( ALL)01/95]
1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
*
[SV00600( ALL)01/95]
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
*
[SV00700( ALL)01/95]
q
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
*
[SV00800( ALL)01/95]
q
When possible, we design parts Ð such as
the headlamp bulbs Ð that can be replaced
without tools.
*
[SV00900( ALL)05/94]
q
We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your
vehicle easy. The maintenance schedule is
located in theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet.
*
[SV01000( ALL)01/95]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
*
[SV01100( ALL)02/95]
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

228
*
[SV01250( ALL)03/95]
Ford Motor Company recommends that the
Owner Maintenance Checks listed in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet be
performed for the proper operation of your
vehicle. In addition to the conditions listed in
theOwner Maintenance Checklist, be alert for any
unusual noise, vibration, or other indication that
your vehicle may need service. If you do notice
something unusual, see that your vehicle is
serviced promptly.
*
[SV01275( ALL)03/95]
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids,
and service parts conforming to Ford
specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and
built to provide the best performance in your
vehicle. Using these parts for replacement is
your assurance that Ford-built quality stays in
your vehicle.
%*
[SV01400( ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
%
*
[SV01600( ALL)03/95]
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicle
*
[SV01700( ALL)01/95]
Be especially careful when inspecting or
servicing your vehicle. Here are some general
precautions for your safety:
%*
[SV01800(MBC )03/95]
q
Do not work on a hot engine. The engine
cooling fan may come on unexpectedly.
Always turn the engine off and let it cool.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

239 [SV12100( ALL)05/95]
3. After at least 3-5 tankfuls, fill the fuel tank
and record the final odometer reading.
[SV12200( ALL)05/95]
4. Use these equations to calculate your fuel
economy:
[SV12250( ALL)05/95]
q
English: MPG = (Total miles driven)V
(gallons used)
[SV12275( ALL)05/95]
q
Metric: L/100k = (liters used)V(100
kilometers)
[SV12300( ALL)05/95]
Comparisons With EPA Estimates
[SV12400( ALL)05/95]
EPA fuel economy figures are obtained from
laboratory tests under simulated road conditions
and may not reflect the actual conditions you
experience or your style of driving. The EPA
fuel economy estimate is not a guarantee that
you will achieve the fuel economy shown.
[SV12650( ALL)05/95]
The following decrease fuel economy:
[SV12700( ALL)05/95]
q
Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
[SV12800( ALL)05/95]
q
Rapid acceleration and excessive speed
[SV12850( ALL)05/95]
q
Driving with your foot on the brake
[SV12900( ALL)05/95]
q
Sudden stops
[SV12950( ALL)05/95]
q
Extended engine idling
[SV13000( ALL)05/95]
q
Using speed control in hilly terrain
[SV13100( ALL)05/95]
q
Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear
window defroster and other accessories
[SV13200( ALL)05/95]
q
Underinflated tires
[SV13300( ALL)05/95]
q
Heavy loads
[SV13400( ALL)05/95]
q
Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or
luggage racks, bug deflectors, etc.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

241
*
[SV13670( ALL)01/95]
Neveruse:
*
[SV13680( ALL)01/95]
q
ªNon-Detergentº oils
*
[SV13690( ALL)04/95]
q
Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
%*
[SV13700( ALL)01/95]
q
Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments
or engine treatments
%*
[SV13702( ALL)03/95]
Engine oils with anSAE 5W-30viscosity are
PREFERREDfor your vehicle. They provide the
best engine performance, fuel economy and
engine protection for all climates down to-15ÊF
(-25ÊC).
%*
[SV13703( ALL)03/95]
Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and
of the preferred viscosity may be used in your
engine. The engine oil and oil filter must still be
changed according to the maintenance schedule.
%*
[SV13775( ALL)01/95]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
*
[SV13800( ALL)03/95]
Since the proper amount of engine oil is
important for safe engine operation, check the oil
using the dipstick each time you put fuel in
your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
parked on level ground.
%*
[SV13900( ALL)04/95]
Checking the engine oil level:
*
[SV14000( ALL)02/95]
1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up
and allow a few minutes for the engine oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
*
[SV14025( BCGV)03/95]
2. Set the parking brake, making sure the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
*
[SV14100( ALL)02/95]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
*
[SV14200( ALL)03/95]
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 1995

243 %
*
[SV16300( ALL)01/95]
Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
*
[SV16400( ALL)04/95]
Change the engine oil and oil filterper the
following, whichever occurs first.
*
[SV16500( ALL)04/95]
one third page art:0060618-C
*
[SV16800( ALL)04/95]
Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet for additional information.
%*
[SV16900( ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
*
[SV17275( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil
has caused cancer in laboratory mice.
*
[SV17285( ALL)05/95]
Protect your skin by washing with soap and
water.
File:rcsvc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:45:15 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