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 54 of 323
![Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 54
*
[ST18800( ALL)03/95]
If your engine cranks but does not start after a
collision or substantial jolt:
*
[ST18900( ALL)04/95]
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
*
[ST19000( ALL)03/95]
2. Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 54
*
[ST18800( ALL)03/95]
If your engine cranks but does not start after a
collision or substantial jolt:
*
[ST18900( ALL)04/95]
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
*
[ST19000( ALL)03/95]
2.](/manual-img/33/10906/w960_10906-53.png)
54
*
[ST18800( ALL)03/95]
If your engine cranks but does not start after a
collision or substantial jolt:
*
[ST18900( ALL)04/95]
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
*
[ST19000( ALL)03/95]
2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
*
[ST19100( ALL)03/95]
3. If you do not see or smell fuel, push the red
reset button down. If the button is already
set, you may have a different mechanical
problem.
*
[ST19200( ALL)03/95]
4. Turn the ignition key to the ON position for
a few seconds, then turn it to the OFF
position.
*
[ST19300( ALL)03/95]
5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking
fuel.If you see or smell fuel, do not start
your vehicle again.If you do not see or
smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle
again.
*
[ST19350( ALL)03/95]
6. Check all vehicle warning lights before
driving the vehicle.
*
[ST19400( ALL)01/95]
Pushing
[ST19600( BCGV)03/95]
Vehicles with automatic transmissions cannot be
started by pushing. Follow the directions under
If Your Vehicle Needs a Jump-Start.
File:rcstc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:50:31 1995
Page 61 of 323
61
*
[LG05200( ALL)01/95]
If the light stays on or comes on when the
engine is running, have the electrical system
checked as soon as possible.
%*
[LG05205( BCGV)05/95]
Overdrive Off Indicator
[LG05210( ALL)06/93]
one inch art:0010730-A*
[LG05220( BCGV)01/95]
This light tells you that the Transmission Control
Switch (TCS) on the gearshift lever has been
pushed. When the light is on, the transmission
will not shift into overdrive. Depressing the
button on the shifter will return the vehicle to
ªoverdrive onº mode. The transmission will be
in the ªoverdrive onº mode when the vehicle is
started even if the O/D OFF mode was selected
when the vehicle was last shut off.
*
[LG05230( ALL)04/95]
NOTE: If the light does not come on when the
TCS is depressed or if the light flashes
when you are driving, have your
vehicle serviced at the first
opportunity. If this condition persists,
damage could occur to the
transmission.
File:rclgc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:50:19 1995
Page 68 of 323
![Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 68 %
*
[LG15200( ALL)11/94]
Trip Odometer
*
[LG15300( ALL)03/93]
If you want to track your mileage up to 999.9
miles (kilometers), use the trip odometer. Simply
set the trip odometer to zero by pressi Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 68 %
*
[LG15200( ALL)11/94]
Trip Odometer
*
[LG15300( ALL)03/93]
If you want to track your mileage up to 999.9
miles (kilometers), use the trip odometer. Simply
set the trip odometer to zero by pressi](/manual-img/33/10906/w960_10906-67.png)
68 %
*
[LG15200( ALL)11/94]
Trip Odometer
*
[LG15300( ALL)03/93]
If you want to track your mileage up to 999.9
miles (kilometers), use the trip odometer. Simply
set the trip odometer to zero by pressing the
reset button firmly when beginning the distance
you wish to measure.
*
[LG15350( ALL)01/95]
Since the trip odometer displays distance
independent of the odometer it will not always
advance to the next mile (kilometer) at the same
time as the odometer.
%*
[LG15450(MBC )02/95]
Tachometer
[LG15470( BC )05/95]
one third page art:0011342-A
The tachometer
*
[LG15600(MBC )01/95]
The tachometer displays the approximate engine
revolutions per minute (rpm), or how fast the
engine is running.
*
[LG15900( BC )01/95]
You can drive your vehicle at most rpm points
on the tachometer but you must stay out of the
red zone.
[LG16000( BC )03/90]
Regardless of the type of transmission in your
vehicle, if you drive with the tachometer pointer
in the red zone, you may damage the engine.
File:rclgc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:50:19 1995
Page 97 of 323
![Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 97
%*
[SC08600( ALL)03/91]
Speed Control (If equipped)
*
[SC08800( ALL)03/95]
If your vehicle has speed control, you can
automatically maintain a constant speed at or
above 30 mph (50 km/h).
*
[SC0890 Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 97
%*
[SC08600( ALL)03/91]
Speed Control (If equipped)
*
[SC08800( ALL)03/95]
If your vehicle has speed control, you can
automatically maintain a constant speed at or
above 30 mph (50 km/h).
*
[SC0890](/manual-img/33/10906/w960_10906-96.png)
97
%*
[SC08600( ALL)03/91]
Speed Control (If equipped)
*
[SC08800( ALL)03/95]
If your vehicle has speed control, you can
automatically maintain a constant speed at or
above 30 mph (50 km/h).
*
[SC08900( ALL)05/95]
Use of radio transmitting equipment that is not
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or
in Canada the Canadian Radio and
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
approved may cause the speed control to
malfunction. Therefore, use only properly
installed FCC (CRTC in Canada) approved radio
transmitting equipment in your vehicle.
[SC09150( BCGV)12/94]
NOTE: When driving in hilly terrain, at high
elevations, or when pulling a trailer, it
may be desirable to drive with the
transmission in the Overdrive off
mode. This can be done by depressing
the Transmission Control Switch on
the transmission gear selection lever.
Driving in this mode prevents the
transmission from shifting excessively
when ascending grades, and helps
maintain speed when going down
steep hills.
*
[SC09200( ALL)03/95]
NOTE: Do not shift to N (Neutral) when using
the speed control. This will cause the
engine to overspeed.
[SC09250( ALL)12/94]
When driving uphill, especially with a heavy
load, significant speed drops may occur. If the
speed drops more than 10 mph (16 km/h) the
automatic speed control will, by design, be
suspended. Some vehicles may require
temporary resumption of manual speed control
while ascending steep grades in order to
maintain the selected speed.
File:rcscc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:48:54 1995
Page 99 of 323
![Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 99
*
[SC11030( ALL)03/95]
NOTE: If your speed increases above your set
speed while driving in D (Drive) on a
downhill grade, you may want to
depress the Transmission Control
Switch located on the shif Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 99
*
[SC11030( ALL)03/95]
NOTE: If your speed increases above your set
speed while driving in D (Drive) on a
downhill grade, you may want to
depress the Transmission Control
Switch located on the shif](/manual-img/33/10906/w960_10906-98.png)
99
*
[SC11030( ALL)03/95]
NOTE: If your speed increases above your set
speed while driving in D (Drive) on a
downhill grade, you may want to
depress the Transmission Control
Switch located on the shift lever to
turn off overdrive to reduce vehicle
speed. Speed control cannot reduce the
vehicle speed if it goes above your set
speed on a downhill grade.
*
[SC11100( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not use the speed control in heavy
traffic or on roads that are winding,
slippery, or unpaved.
%*
[SC11200( ALL)03/95]
Accelerating With the Speed Control
Operating
*
[SC11300( ALL)03/95]
You can use the accelerator pedal to speed up
momentarily. When you take your foot off the
accelerator, the vehicle will return to the set
speed.
%*
[SC11400( ALL)01/95]
Resetting the Speed Control
*
[SC11450( ALL)03/95]
To reset the speed control to alower speed, use
one of the following procedures:
[SC11500( ALL)05/94]
q
COAST ÐPress and hold the COAST switch.
Release the switch when the vehicle slows
down to the desired speed.
[SC11550( ALL)05/94]
q
Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the vehicle
attains the desired speed, press the SET
ACCEL switch and release it immediately.
*
[SC11650( ALL)04/95]
If vehicle speed is reduced below 30 mph
(50 km/h) by any of the above methods, then
you must manually accelerate to a speed over
30 mph (50 km/h) and reset the system.
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Update:Mon Jun 12 16:48:54 1995
Page 165 of 323
![Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 165
Driving Your Cougar
%*
[DR00500( ALL)03/93]
Driving with an Automatic
Overdrive Transmission
[DR00510(MBC )05/94]
The gearshift lever is floor mounted.
*
[DR00700( BCGV)01/95]
The automatic overdr Mercury Mercury Cougar 1996 Owners Manuals 165
Driving Your Cougar
%*
[DR00500( ALL)03/93]
Driving with an Automatic
Overdrive Transmission
[DR00510(MBC )05/94]
The gearshift lever is floor mounted.
*
[DR00700( BCGV)01/95]
The automatic overdr](/manual-img/33/10906/w960_10906-164.png)
165
Driving Your Cougar
%*
[DR00500( ALL)03/93]
Driving with an Automatic
Overdrive Transmission
[DR00510(MBC )05/94]
The gearshift lever is floor mounted.
*
[DR00700( BCGV)01/95]
The automatic overdrive transmission operates
very much like a regular automatic transmission,
except it offers the extra overdrive feature.
%*
[DR00800( ALL)01/95]
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
*
[DR00950( ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
Hold the brake pedal down while you
move the gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move
unexpectedly and injure someone.
[DR00965(MBC )03/95]
To move the shifter out of P (Park), the ignition
key must be turned to either the OFF or the ON
position and the thumb button must be pushed
in. This vehicle is also equipped with the brake
shift interlock safety feature which prevents
shifting the transmission out of the P (Park)
position without the brake pedal being
depressed if the key is in the ON position.
*
[DR00975( ALL)03/95]
To operate:
*
[DR00980( ALL)01/95]
1. Start the engine.
*
[DR00985( ALL)01/95]
2. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
*
[DR00990( ALL)01/95]
3. Move the gearshift lever out of P (Park).
File:rcdrc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 12 16:47:03 1995