Page 21 of 323
![Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 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. Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 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.](/manual-img/33/10906/w960_10906-20.png)
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
Page 45 of 323
![Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 45
Starting Your Cougar
*
[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 Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 45
Starting Your Cougar
*
[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](/manual-img/33/10906/w960_10906-44.png)
45
Starting Your Cougar
*
[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
Page 46 of 323
![Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 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 als Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 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 als](/manual-img/33/10906/w960_10906-45.png)
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
Page 48 of 323
![Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 48 %
*
[ST10300( ALL)02/95]
Starting Your Engine
*
[ST10325( ALL)02/95]
To start your engine:
*
[ST10350( ALL)05/95]
1. Follow the steps underPreparing to Start
Your Vehicleat the beginning of this se Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 48 %
*
[ST10300( ALL)02/95]
Starting Your Engine
*
[ST10325( ALL)02/95]
To start your engine:
*
[ST10350( ALL)05/95]
1. Follow the steps underPreparing to Start
Your Vehicleat the beginning of this se](/manual-img/33/10906/w960_10906-47.png)
48 %
*
[ST10300( ALL)02/95]
Starting Your Engine
*
[ST10325( ALL)02/95]
To start your engine:
*
[ST10350( ALL)05/95]
1. Follow the steps underPreparing to Start
Your Vehicleat the beginning of this section.
*
[ST10353( ALL)03/95]
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
*
[ST10357( ALL)03/95]
3. DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when
starting your engine. DO NOT use the
accelerator while the vehicle is parked.
*
[ST10360( ALL)02/95]
4. Turn the key to the START position
(cranking) until the engine starts. Allow the
key to return to the ON position after the
engine has started.
*
[ST10370( ALL)02/95]
If you have difficulty in turning the key,
rotate the steering wheel slightly because it
may be binding.
%*
[ST10430( ALL)04/95]
For a cold engine:
*
[ST10440( ALL)04/95]
q
At temperatures10ÊF (-12ÊC) andbelow:If
the engine does not start infifteen (15)
secondson the first try, turn the key to OFF,
wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you
do not flood the engine, then try again.
*
[ST10450( ALL)04/95]
q
At temperaturesabove10ÊF(-12ÊC):If the
engine does not start infive (5) secondson
the first try, turn the key to OFF, wait
approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not
flood the engine, then try again.
%*
[ST10460( ALL)04/95]
For a warm engine:
*
[ST10470( ALL)04/95]
q
Do not hold the key in the START position
for more thanfive (5) secondsat a time. If
the engine does not start within five (5)
seconds on the first try, turn the key to the
OFF position. Wait a few seconds after the
starter stops, then try again.
File:rcstc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:50:31 1995
Page 83 of 323
83 %
*
[IP34370( ALL)01/95]
Turning On the Exterior Lights
*
[IP34550( BCGV)05/95]
To turn on the headlamps, parking lamps, side
markers, and tail lamps, use the rotary knob that
is to the left of the steering wheel.
[IP35000( BC )05/95]
half page art:0010195-D
The knob that controls the headlamps and parking lamps
(shown with autolamp feature Ð other models similar)
[IP35200( ALL)12/91]
When you turn on the headlamps, the parking
lamps, tail lamps, and side markers
automatically turn on. But you can turn on the
parking lamps, tail lamps, and side markers
without turning on the headlamps.
*
[IP36100( ALL)01/95]
For more information about how the high beams
work, refer to theSteering Column Controls
chapter.
File:rcipc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:49:31 1995
Page 86 of 323
86 %
*
[IP44500( ALL)01/95]
Lighting Up the Interior and Instrument
Panel
[IP44700( BC )01/89]
Manual operation
*
[IP44810( BC )05/95]
With the light knob in the parking lamps or the
headlamps position, you can brighten or dim the
lights in the instrument panel. To do this, use
the thumbwheel to the left of the steering wheel.
This wheel also turns on the interior lights with
the light knob on or off.
[IP45100( BC )06/93]
half page art:0010206-C
The thumbwheel controls the light on the instrument panel
and the interior light
File:rcipc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:49:31 1995
Page 91 of 323
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
Page 94 of 323
![Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 94
*
[SC05600( ALL)01/95]
Do not try to clean the windshield when the
washer fluid container is empty or activate the
washers at any time for more than 15 seconds
continuously. This could damage the w Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 94
*
[SC05600( ALL)01/95]
Do not try to clean the windshield when the
washer fluid container is empty or activate the
washers at any time for more than 15 seconds
continuously. This could damage the w](/manual-img/33/10906/w960_10906-93.png)
94
*
[SC05600( ALL)01/95]
Do not try to clean the windshield when the
washer fluid container is empty or activate the
washers at any time for more than 15 seconds
continuously. This could damage the washer
pump system.
*
[SC05700( ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
In freezing weather, the washer solution
may freeze on the windshield and obscure
your vision. Always warm up the
windshield with the defroster before you
use the washer fluid. If you cannot see
through the windshield clearly, it can
increase the risk of being involved in a
collision.
*
[SC05800( ALL)04/95]
For information about refilling the washer fluid
or replacing your windshield wiper blades, see
Windshield washer fluid and Wipersin the Index.
%
*
[SC05810( ALL)03/95]
Hazard Flasher
[SC05820( ALL)05/95]
To alert other drivers to hazardous situations,
push in the hazard flasher on the top of the
steering column. The same switch turns the
flashers off.
*
[SC05830( ALL)03/95]
The flashers work whether your vehicle is
running or not. The flashers work for up to two
hours when the battery is fully charged and in
good condition without draining the battery
excessively. If the flashers run for longer than
two hours or if the battery is not fully charged,
the battery can be drained.
File:rcscc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:48:54 1995