1996 Mercury Mystique warning

Servicing Your Mystique
219
%*
[SV20500(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Applying too much pressure on the ends when lifting a
battery could cause acid to spill. Lift the battery with a
carrier or with your hands on the opposite corners.
*
[SV20550(ALL)03/95]
Help Us Protect Our Environment
*
[SV20600(ALL)04/95]
Ford Motor Company strongly recommends that used lead-acid
batteries be returned to an authorized recycling facility for
disposal.
[SV20650(ALL)01/95]
6 pica art:0001223-A
Battery recycling symbol
[SV20660(ALL)06/95]
Disconnecting the Battery
[SV20675(ALL)02/95]
Because your vehicle engine is electronically controlled by a
computer, some control conditions are maintained by power
from the battery. If you ever disconnect the battery or install a
new battery, you must allow the computer to ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive properly. To begin this
process, put the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or
Neutral (manual transaxle), set the emergency brake, turn off all
the accessories, and start the vehicle. Bring the engine to normal
operating temperature. Allow the manual transaxle to idle for
one minute in Neutral. Allow the automatic transaxle engine to
idle for one minute in N (Neutral) and one minute in D (Drive).
Perform the previous procedure with the air conditioning (if
equipped) on and off (conditions permitting). The relearning
process will complete automatically as you drive the vehicle.
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220
*
[SV20700(ALL)03/95]
If you do not let the engine relearn its idle, the idle quality of
your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle is
relearned. Your vehicle will eventually relearn its idle while you
drive it, but it takes much longer than if you use the previous
procedure.
*
[SV21700(ALL)03/95]
Windshield Washer Fluid and Wipers
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[SV21800(ALL)03/95]
Washer Fluid
*
[SV22100(ALL)01/95]
Check the level of the windshield washer fluid every time you
stop for fuel. The reservoir for washer fluid is located on the
passenger'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.
[SV22200(ALL)02/94]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001222-A
The windshield washer fluid reservoir
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[SV22300(ALL)03/95]
Adding washer fluid
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[SV22400(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the container for
the engine coolant.
[SV22450(ALL)05/95]
If sprayed to clean the glass, engine coolant or antifreeze could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
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224
[SV23761(ALL)07/94]5.
Slide the filter out of the housing, replace with the new
filter, and slide the housing and passenger compartment air
filter back into place. Reinstall the clips on the housing.
[SV23766(ALL)11/93]6.
Replace the grille and wiper arms.
*
[SV23800(ALL)03/95]
Tires
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[SV23900(ALL)03/95]
Look at your tires each time you fill your fuel tank. If one tire
looks lower than the others, check the pressure in all of them.
Always follow these precautions:
*
[SV24200(ALL)03/95]
n
Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressures.
*
[SV24300(ALL)02/95]
n
Stay within the recommended load limits (seeLoad limitsin
the Index).
*
[SV24500(ALL)02/95]
n
Make sure the weight of your load is evenly distributed.
*
[SV24550(ALL)10/89]
n
Drive at safe speeds.
*
[SV24700(ALL)01/95]
If you do not take these precautions, your tires may fail or go
flat.
*
[SV24750(ALL)06/95]
Ford Motor Company recommends obeying posted speed limits.
*
[SV24800(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Driving too fast for conditions creates the possibility of
loss of vehicle control. Driving at very high speeds for
extended periods of time may result in damage to vehicle
components.
[SV25000(ALL)02/95]
At least once a month, check the pressure in all your vehicle's
tires, including the spare. Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
Check the tire pressure when tires are cold (after the vehicle has
been parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than
3 miles [5 km]). You can find the proper cold pressure and load
limits of recommended size tires on the Tire Pressure Decal on
the left front door lock facing.
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Servicing Your Mystique
225
*
[SV25075(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and
can fail suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle
control.
%*
[SV25100(ALL)02/95]
Tire Rotation
*
[SV25200(ALL)04/95]
Because your vehicle's front and rear tires perform different
jobs, they often wear differently. To make sure your tires wear
evenly and last longer, rotate them as indicated in the following
diagram.
*
[SV25300(ALL)04/95]
Do not include the spare tire as part of your rotation.
[SV25350(ALL)02/95]
If you notice that the tires wear unevely, have them checked.
[SV25400(ALL)02/94]
13-1/2 pica
art:0001224-A
Rotating the tires
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226
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[SV25700(ALL)04/95]
Replacing the Tires
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[SV25900(ALL)05/95]
Replace any tires that show wear bands. When your tire shows
a wear band, it has only 1/16 inch (2 mm) of tread left.
[SV26150(ALL)05/94]
7-1/2 pica art:0001317-A
A worn-out tire
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[SV26175(ALL)01/95]
Because your vehicle's tires may wear unevenly, you may need
to replace them before a wear band appears across the entire
tread. Some spots wear more heavily than others.
*
[SV26300(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial,
bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that
are listed on the tire pressure decal. Make sure that all
tires are the same size, speed rating, and load-carrying
capacity. Use only the tire combinations recommended on
the decal. If you do not follow these precautions, your
vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
*
[SV26400(ALL)01/95]
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires
may also affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
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Servicing Your Mystique
227
%*
[SV27400(ALL)02/95]
Information About Tire Quality Grades
*
[SV27500(ALL)01/95]
New vehicles are fitted with tires that have their Tire Quality
Grade (described below) molded into the tire's sidewall. These
Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the
United States Department of Transportation has set.
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[SV27550(ALL)01/95]
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on
passenger cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production
tires as defined in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part
575.104(c)(2).
*
[SV27600(ALL)01/95]
U.S. Department of Transportation Ð Tire quality grades:The
U.S. Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire grades exactly as the
government has written it.
%*
[SV27799(ALL)01/95]
Treadwear
*
[SV27800(ALL)01/95]
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences
in road characteristics and climate.
*
[SV27999(ALL)01/95]
Traction A B C
*
[SV28000(ALL)01/95]
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and C,
and they represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance. Warning: The traction grade assigned
to this tire is based on braking (straightahead) traction tests and
does not include cornering (turning) traction.
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228
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[SV28299(ALL)01/95]
Temperature A B C
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[SV28300(ALL)01/95]
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level
of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law. Warning: The
temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
%*
[SV28500(ALL)04/95]
Snow Tires and Chains
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[SV28601(ALL)06/93]
During the winter months in some climates, you may need to
use snow tires and occasionally chains for your tires.
*
[SV28700(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires
you currently have on your vehicle.
*
[SV28750(ALL)02/95]
Use chains on the tires only in an emergency or if the law
requires them where you live. If you choose to use chains on
your vehicle's tires, be aware of the following:
*
[SV28801(ALL)11/94]
n
Tire chains may scratch or chip aluminum wheels. IT IS
RECOMMENDED THAT TIRE CHAINS ARE INSTALLED
ON STEEL WHEELS ONLY. Be sure to remove wheel
covers (if equipped) from steel rims before using tire chains
to avoid scratches or damage.
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232
[SV29800(ALL)02/95]
Manual Transaxle Fluid
[SV29900(ALL)05/94]
The lubricant level and quality should not deteriorate under
normal driving conditions. However, you should have the fluid
level checked occasionally. If lubricant is required, seeLubricant
Specificationsin this chapter.
*
[SV30200(ALL)03/95]
Brake Fluid
*
[SV30300(ALL)04/95]
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle should not use up
brake fluid rapidly. However, expect the level of the brake fluid
to slowly fall as you put more mileage on your vehicle and the
brake lining wears.
[SV30401(ALL)02/94]
You should check the brake fluid at every scheduled engine oil
change, but be sure to check it at least once a year. You can do
this by looking at the fluid level in the plastic reservoir on the
master cylinder. (SeeThe Engine Typesin this chapter to locate
the brake fluid reservoir.) The fluid level should be at or near
the MAX mark.
*
[SV30450(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Brake fluid is toxic.
*
[SV30475(ALL)06/95]
If brake fluid contacts eyes, flush eyes with running water for
15 minutes. Get medical attention if irritation persists. If taken
internally, drink water and induce vomiting. Get medical
attention immediately.
*
[SV30500(ALL)03/95]
If the fluid is low, carefully clean and remove the cap from the
reservoir. Fill the reservoir to the MAX line with Ford High
Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid C6AZ-19542-AA or equivalent
DOT 3 fluid meeting Ford specification ESA-M6C25-A.
File:cdsvz.ex
Update:Fri Feb 23 11:01:54 1996