1996 Mercury Mystique check engine

195
Servicing Your Mystique
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Service Made Easy
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Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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[SV00500(ALL)01/95]1.
When we can, we design parts that do not need to be
serviced.
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[SV00600(ALL)01/95]2.
We want to make servicing your vehicle as easy as possible.
To help you:
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We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in the engine
compartment so that you can find them easily.
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When possible, we design parts Ð such as the headlamp
bulbs Ð that can be replaced without tools.
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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.
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This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you need to
check and service regularly.
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If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your dealership can
provide the parts and service required. Check yourWarranty
Information Bookletto find out which parts and services are
covered. Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this Owner
Guide.
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Ford Motor Company recommends that the Owner Maintenance
Checks listed in theMaintenance 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.
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Servicing Your Mystique
209
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Heavy loads
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Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or luggage racks, bug
deflectors, etc.
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Self-Service Pointers
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If you choose to do your own fueling, you should also perform
a few simple maintenance routines. This extra effort will save
you additional money and contribute to the driving efficiency of
your vehicle.
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The following procedures require only a tire gauge, a rag, an oil
can spout and windshield washer fluid.
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Check the engine oil at every refueling stop
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Clean the windshield, outside mirrors and headlights
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Check windshield washer fluid
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Check tires for excessive wear or worn edges
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Check the tire pressure at least monthly
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Engine Oil Recommendations
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We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an equivalent oil
meeting Ford Specification ESE-M2C153-E and displaying the
American Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on the
front of the container.
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Servicing Your Mystique
211
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Checking and Adding Engine Oil
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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.
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Checking the engine oil level:
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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.
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Set the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift
is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or
1 (First) (manual transaxle).
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Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
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Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in yellow) and
carefully pull it out of the engine.
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[SV14300(ALL)01/95]5.
Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into position, making
sure it is fully seated.
[SV14350(ALL)05/94]
6 pica art:0001305-A
Engine oil dipstick (2.0L engine)
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6 pica art:0001245-A
Engine oil dipstick (2.5L engine)
[SV14450(ALL)05/94]6.
2.0L engine:Carefully, pull the dipstick out again. If the oil
level is below the lower notch, add engine oil as necessary.
If the oil level is beyond the upper notch, engine damage
and/or high oil comsumption may occur and some oil must
be removed from the engine.
[SV14500(ALL)05/95]
2.5L engine:Carefully, pull the dipstick out again. If the oil
level is below the MIN line, add engine oil as necessary. If
the oil level is above the letter M in MAX, engine damage
and/or high oil consumption may occur and some oil must
be removed from the engine.
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[SV14600(ALL)01/95]7.
Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is fully seated.
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It may be necessary to add some oil between oil changes. Make
sure you use a CERTIFIED engine oil of the preferred viscosity.
Your vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if engine
damage is caused by the use of improper engine oil.
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Add engine oil through the oil filler cap highlighted in yellow.
To add oil, remove the filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil
into the opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine. Recheck
the oil level after you finish adding oil.
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Engine Coolant
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Checking the Engine Coolant
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NOTE: Be sure to read and understandPrecautions When
Servicing Your Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
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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.
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13-1/2 pica
art:0000336-D
The engine coolant recovery reservoir (2.5L shown Ð 2.0L similar)
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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 under
Engine Type, in this chapter.
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Servicing Your Mystique
215
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Check the engine coolant level in the engine coolant reservoir at
least once a month using the following guidelines.
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When your vehicle's engine is cool, the coolant level in the
engine coolant recovery reservoir should be at or above the
MIN mark. When the engine is hot, the coolant level should be
at the MAX mark. If the level is below the indicator mark in
either condition, coolant may need to be added.
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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 the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
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Adding engine coolant
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RWARNING
Do not put engine coolant in the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
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RWARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap while the engine
is running or hot.
[SV18500(ALL)01/95]1.
Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off and let it
cool. Even when the engine is cool, be careful when you
remove the coolant recovery cap.
[SV18600(ALL)05/95]2.
When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the cap
and turn it slowly counterclockwise to relieve the pressure.
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Step back while the pressure releases.
[SV18800(ALL)05/95]4.
When you are sure that all the pressure has been released,
use the cloth to turn and remove cap.
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[SV18900(ALL)02/95]5.
Stand away from the reservoir opening. Hot steam may blow
out or hot engine coolant may even splash out.
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216
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RWARNING
Failure to follow these instructions could result in serious
personal injury from hot engine coolant or steam
blowout and/or damage to the engine cooling system or
engine.
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To find out how much engine coolant mixture your vehicle's
coolant system can hold, seeRefill capacities for fluidsin the
Index.
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Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if
you have to add a quart (liter) of engine coolant more than
once a month.
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Add engine coolant only to the recovery reservoir.If the
coolant level is low, add to the reservoir a 50/50 mixture of
water and the type of engine coolant that Ford specifies. You
may add water by itself only in an emergency, but you should
replace it with a 50/50 mixture as soon as possible. Check the
engine coolant again the next few times you drive your vehicle.
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Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid is an optimized formula
that will protect all metals and rubber elastomers used in Ford
engines for four years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km). It is not
necessary and not recommended to use supplemental coolant
additives in your vehicle. These additives may harm your
engine cooling system. Follow the recommended service interval
for changing your engine coolant.
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NOTE: When you change or add engine coolant, it is
important to maintain your engine coolant
concentration between 40%(-11ÊF [-24ÊC]) and 60%
(-62ÊF [-52ÊC]),depending on your local climate
conditions. Below 40% you will lose freeze protection
and above 60% your engine may overheat on a warm
day.
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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.
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Windshield Washer Fluid and Wipers
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Washer Fluid
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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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Adding washer fluid
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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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