Page 223 of 284
![Mercury Mystique 1996 Owners Manuals 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) m Mercury Mystique 1996 Owners Manuals 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) m](/manual-img/33/11007/w960_11007-222.png)
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.
*
[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.
File:cdsvz.ex
Update:Fri Feb 23 11:01:54 1996
Page 225 of 284
![Mercury Mystique 1996 Owners Manuals Servicing Your Mystique
229
[SV28876(ALL)04/94]
n
Tire chains cannot be fitted with 205/60R tires.
*
[SV28901(ALL)11/94]
n
Local regulations may prohibit or restrict the use of tire
chains. Investigat Mercury Mystique 1996 Owners Manuals Servicing Your Mystique
229
[SV28876(ALL)04/94]
n
Tire chains cannot be fitted with 205/60R tires.
*
[SV28901(ALL)11/94]
n
Local regulations may prohibit or restrict the use of tire
chains. Investigat](/manual-img/33/11007/w960_11007-224.png)
Servicing Your Mystique
229
[SV28876(ALL)04/94]
n
Tire chains cannot be fitted with 205/60R tires.
*
[SV28901(ALL)11/94]
n
Local regulations may prohibit or restrict the use of tire
chains. Investigate the laws and regulations in your area
before installing chains.
*
[SV28950(ALL)05/95]
n
Put the chains on the front tires tightly with the ends held
down securely. Retighten the chains after driving 1/2 mile
(1 km). Follow the chain manufacturer's instructions.
*
[SV29001(ALL)05/95]
n
Do not drive faster than 30 mph (50 km/h) or the chain
manufacturer's recommended speed limit, whichever is
lower. Avoid bumps, holes and sharp turns. If you can hear
the chains rub or bang against your vehicle, remove the
chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
*
[SV29050(ALL)11/94]
n
Tire chains may affect vehicle handling. Drive carefully and
avoid hard braking.
*
[SV29101(ALL)11/94]
n
Do not use chains on temporary spare tires. They may
damage the vehicle and the tire.
*
[SV29151(ALL)05/94]
n
Remove tire chains at the first opportunity after using them
on snow and ice. Do not use the chains on dry roads.
%*
[SV29200(ALL)04/95]
Cleaning the Wheels
*
[SV29225(ALL)05/95]
Wash the wheels with the same detergent you use to wash your
vehicle's body. Do not use acid-based wheel cleaners, steel wool,
abrasives, fuel, or strong detergents. These substances will
damage protective coatings. Use tar and road oil remover to
remove grease and tar.
*
[SV29250(ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if the brushes are
abrasive.
File:cdsvz.ex
Update:Fri Feb 23 11:01:54 1996
Page 279 of 284

287
Seat belts (see Safety restraints).............. 7
Seats
adjusting the seat, manual.............. 100
adjusting the seats, power.............. 102
child safety seats................... 25
head restraints.................... 99
Serial number (VIN)................177, 182
Service concerns.................... 176
Servicing your vehicle
precautions when servicing.............. 196
servicing when you tow............... 171
Shift-lock system................... 138
Shift positions (see Gearshift).............. 143
Shoulder and lap belts (see Safety restraints)........ 9
Shoulder belts (see Safety restraints)...........9,12
Side mirrors, adjusting................. 105
Sliding moon roof (see Moon roof)............ 97
Snow tires and chains................. 228
Spare tire
changing the tire.................. 164
finding the spare.................. 165
removing the spare tire............... 165
temporary spare................... 164
Spark plugs, specifications............... 253
Special driving conditions............... 151
Specification chart, lubricants.............. 254
Speed control
accelerating...................... 88
canceling a set speed................. 89
resetting....................... 88
resuming a set speed................. 89
tap up/tap down................... 88
turning off...................... 89
when towing a trailer................ 158
Speedometer...................... 64
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle............. 44
File:cdixz.ex
Update:Fri Feb 23 10:58:07 1996
Page 280 of 284

288 Starting your vehicle (continued)
starting a cold engine................. 46
starting after a collision................ 50
starting a warm engine................ 47
starting your vehicle if the battery is disabled..... 159
Steering, power.................... 147
Steering wheel
horn......................... 84
locking........................ 41
speed controls.................... 86
Storage compartments
center console................... 108
map pockets.................... 109
Storing your vehicle.................. 255
Sunroof (moon roof)................... 97
Sun visor....................... 107
Supplemental air bag readiness light........... 59
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)........... 17
T
Tachometer....................... 64
Tail lamps, cleaning................... 76
Temperature control (see Climate control)......... 69
Tether anchor installation (see Child restraints)....... 37
Tires
changing...................... 164
checking the pressure................ 224
cleaning...................... 229
replacing...................... 226
rotating...................... 225
snow tires and chains................ 228
spare tire...................... 165
storing your vehicle................. 257
tire grades..................... 227
treadwear..................... 227
wear bands..................... 226
File:cdixz.ex
Update:Fri Feb 23 10:58:07 1996