Page 225 of 308
![Mercury Mercury Cougar 1997 Owners Manuals 225 [MC22800(MBC )12/95]
one third page art:0011152-A
Detail of the automatic transmission dipstick
%*
[MC23200( ALL)01/96]
Battery
*
[MC23300( ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle may have a Motorcraft
maintenanc Mercury Mercury Cougar 1997 Owners Manuals 225 [MC22800(MBC )12/95]
one third page art:0011152-A
Detail of the automatic transmission dipstick
%*
[MC23200( ALL)01/96]
Battery
*
[MC23300( ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle may have a Motorcraft
maintenanc](/manual-img/33/10905/w960_10905-224.png)
225 [MC22800(MBC )12/95]
one third page art:0011152-A
Detail of the automatic transmission dipstick
%*
[MC23200( ALL)01/96]
Battery
*
[MC23300( ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle may have a Motorcraft
maintenance-free battery. When the original
equipment battery is replaced under warranty, it
may be replaced by a Motorcraft
Low-Maintenance Battery.
*
[MC23400( ALL)01/96]
The Low-Maintenance Battery has removable
vent caps for checking the electrolyte level and
for adding water, if necessary. The electrolyte
level should be checked at least every 24 months
or 24,000 miles (40,000 km) in temperatures up
to 90ÊF (32ÊC) andmore often in temperatures
above90ÊF (32ÊC).Keep the electrolyte level in
each cell up to the level indicator. Do not
overfill.
*
[MC23500( ALL)01/96]
If the level gets low, you can add tap water to
the battery, provided the water isn't hard or
doesn't have a high mineral or alkali content.
However, if possible you should refill the battery
with distilled water. If the battery needs water
quite often, have the charging system checked
for a possible malfunction.
File:11rcmcc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:27:52 1996
Page 288 of 308

296 Index
Anti-theft lug nuts and key........ 189
Anti-theft system
arming the system........... 97
description............... 96
disarming an untriggered system..... 98
disarming a triggered system....... 99
triggering............... 98
warning light.............. 16
Appeals (see Dispute settlement board) . . 266
Assistance (see Customer assistance).... 263
Audio system (see Electronic
sound system)............. 25
Autolamp system (see Headlamps)..... 69
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic overdrive..... 157
fluid, adding............. 224
fluid, checking............ 223
fluid, refill capacities......... 254
fluid, specification........... 255
Axle
lubricant specifications......... 255
refill capacities............ 254
traction lok.............. 154
B
Backing up............... 159
Basic vehicle warranty........... 4
Battery................. 225
acid, treating emergencies....... 192
charging system warning light...... 14
disconnecting............. 226
how to service............ 225
jumping a disabled battery....... 191
maintenance-free........... 225
proper disposal, recycling....... 226
replacement, specifications....... 253
servicing............... 225
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 1996
Page 292 of 308

300 Index
Coolant (see Engine coolant)....... 213
checking and adding......... 215
drain and flush............ 217
preparing for storage......... 258
refill capacities............ 254
specifications............. 255
temperature gauge........... 21
Cooling fan............... 202
Customer Assistance Center, Ford (U.S.) . . 265
Customer Assistance Centre,
Ford of Canada..........265, 271
D
Daytime running light system....... 67
Defrost
rear window.............. 66
windshield............. 59,64
Dipstick................ 208
automatic transmission fluid...... 223
engine oil.............. 208
power steering fluid.......... 221
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)...... 198
Dispute Settlement Board........ 266
Doors.................. 90
door ajar warning light......... 18
lubricant specifications......... 255
Driving under special conditions..... 168
bad weather............. 169
heavy load.............. 162
high water.............. 170
slippery roads............ 169
tips for safe driving.......... 168
towing a trailer............ 164
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 1996
Page 305 of 308

Index 313
Tires (continued)
replacing............... 229
rotating............... 228
snow tires and chains......... 232
spare tire.............. 183
storing your vehicle.......... 258
tire grades.............. 230
treadwear.............. 229
wear bands............. 229
Towing a trailer (see Trailer towing) . . . 164
Towing your vehicle.......... 198
using wheel dollies.......... 198
with a tow truck........... 198
Traction assist............. 155
Traction-lok rear axle.......... 154
Trailer towing............. 164
calculating maximum
trailer weight........... 164
safety chains............. 166
tips................. 167
trailer brakes............. 167
trailer lamps............. 167
Transmission
automatic operation.......... 157
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic)............ 223
fluid, refill capacities......... 254
lubricant specifications........ 255
Transmission control switch....... 160
Transmitter (see Remote entry)....... 99
Trip odometer.............. 23
Trunk
remote release lever........... 72
using the remote entry system to open . 100
Tune-up specifications (VECI)...... 242
Turn signal................ 74
indicator lights............. 17
lever................. 74
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 1996
Page 306 of 308

314 Index
U
Used engine oil, disposal......... 210
V
Vanity mirror............... 89
Variable interval wipers.......... 76
VECI (Vehicle Emission Control Information)
decal................. 242
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . 265
Vehicle loading
automatic transmissions........ 163
calculating the load.......... 163
understanding loading information . . . 162
Vehicle storage............. 256
Ventilating your vehicle
(see Climate control)........ 61,65
Viscosity (see Engine oil)......... 207
Visor (see Sun visor)............ 89
Voltmeter (see Battery voltage gauge).... 14
W
Warm engine, starting.......... 147
Warning chimes
key in ignition............. 74
safety belt............... 12
Warning lights (see Lights)......... 8
Warranties................ 4
basic.................. 4
Canada................. 4
radio.................. 58
Warranty Information Booklet....... 4
Washer fluid............... 76
reservoir............... 212
warning light.............. 20
windshield.............. 212
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 1996