1997 Mercury Mercury Cougar engine

21
*
[IS14800( ALL)01/96]
With ignition switch OFF, the fuel gauge
indicator may drift from the ignition switch ON
position.
%*
[IS15700( ALL)03/96]
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
*
[IS15800( ALL)02/96]
This gauge indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant, not the coolant level. If the
coolant is not at its proper level or mixture, the
gauge indication will not be accurate.
[IS15905( BCGV)04/96]
The pointer moves from the C (cold) mark into
the normal band as your engine coolant warms
up. Under normal driving conditions, the pointer
should stay in the normal band. It is acceptable
for the pointer to fluctuate within the noprmal
band under normal driving conditions, and
under certain driving conditions such as, heavy
stop and go traffic, or driving up hills in hot
weather, for the pointer to indicate at the top of
the normal band.
[IS16005( BCGV)04/96]
If, under any circumstances, the pointer moves
above the normal band, the engine is
overheating and continued operation may cause
engine damage.
% [IS16200( BC )04/96]
one third page art:0011144-D
The engine coolant temperature gauge
File:03rcisc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:56:06 1996

22
*
[IS16400( ALL)03/96]
If your engine overheats:
*
[IS16500( ALL)04/96]
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
*
[IS16600( ALL)01/96]
2. Turn off the engine.
*
[IS16700( ALL)03/96]
3. Let the engine cool.DO NOT REMOVE
COOLANT SYSTEM FILL CAP UNTIL
THE ENGINE IS COOL.
*
[IS16800( ALL)03/96]
4. Check the coolant level following the
instructions on checking and adding coolant
to your engine, seeEngine Coolantin the
Index. If you do not follow these
instructions, you or others could be injured.
*
[IS16900( ALL)03/96]
If the coolant continues to overheat, have the
coolant system serviced.
%*
[IS18100( ALL)03/96]
Speedometer
[IS18200( BC )04/96]
one third page art:0011341-B
The speedometer
*
[IS18350( ALL)03/96]
The speedometer tells you how many miles
(kilometers) per hour your vehicle is moving.
%*
[IS18900( ALL)03/96]
Odometer
*
[IS19000( ALL)01/96]
The odometer tells you the total number of miles
(kilometers) your vehicle has been driven.
File:03rcisc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:56:06 1996

23 %
*
[IS20400( ALL)01/96]
Trip Odometer
*
[IS20500( ALL)04/96]
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 control firmly when beginning the distance
you wish to measure.
[IS20600( ALL)04/96]
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.
%*
[IS20700(MBC )03/96]
Tachometer
[IS20800( BC )04/96]
one third page art:0011342-B
The tachometer
*
[IS21000(MBC )01/96]
The tachometer displays the approximate engine
revolutions per minute (rpm), or how fast the
engine is running.
*
[IS21200( BC )01/96]
You can drive your vehicle at most rpm points
on the tachometer but you must stay out of the
red zone.
[IS21300( BC )01/96]
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:03rcisc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:56:06 1996

64 [CF07300( BC )05/96]If the control is pressed after65ÊF (18ÊC) is
reached, only60ÊF (16ÊC)will be displayed and
the system will provide continuous maximum
cooling.
[CF07400( BC )05/96]
Warm control
[CF07500( BC )05/96]
This control is used to RAISE the temperature
setting. Press the control once to raise the
displayed temperature one degree. Holding the
control in will continuously increase the
temperature setting in one degree increments
until you either release it or85ÊF (29ÊC) is
reached.
[CF07600( BC )05/96]
If the control is pressed after85ÊF (29ÊC) is
reached, only90ÊF (32ÊC)will be displayed and
the system will provide continuous maximum
heating.
[CF07700( BC )12/95]
System Operation
[CF07800( BC )05/96]
To heat the inside of your vehicle, turn the
SELECT control to FLOOR and turn the FAN
control to AUTO. The fan will remain off until
the engine reaches operating temperature or
until 3-1/2 minutes have elapsed. As the interior
of your vehicle warms up, the discharge air
temperature and the fan speed will be
automatically and gradually changed to maintain
the set temperature. If you prefer a fixed fan
speed, turn the fan speed control to the desired
setting.
% [CF07900( BC )05/96]
To defrost the windshield and side windows,
turn the SELECT control to DefrostV, turn the
FAN control to HI and set the temperature as
necessary to clear the windshield.
[CF08000( BC )05/96]
To direct either cooled or heated air to the panel
registers and the floor at the same time, turn the
SELECT control to PANEL & FLOOR, push the
COOL or WARM control for the desired
temperature and set the FAN speed as desired.
File:05rccfc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:58:04 1996

65 [CF08100( BC )05/96]
To cool your vehicle quickly in warm weather,
turn the SELECT control to MAX A/C and turn
the FAN control to AUTO. As the vehicle
interior cools down, the discharge air
temperature and fan speed will automatically
and gradually be changed to maintain the set
temperature with airflow from the instrument
panel registers.
[CF08200( BC )12/95]
If the interior of your vehicle is very warm,
drive for the first few minutes with the windows
open. This will force the hot, stale air out and
allow the air conditioning to work faster.
% [CF08300( BC )05/96]
To cool your vehicle with outside air, turn the
SELECT control to A/C and turn the FAN
control to AUTO or to a fixed speed setting as
you desire. Cooling your vehicle in this manner
provides a quieter system operation, but it will
not cool as efficiently and is not as fuel efficient
as MAX A/C which uses recirculated air.
[CF08400( BC )05/96]
To ventilate your vehicle with outside air, turn
the SELECT control to PANEL and the FAN
control to AUTO. The fan will remain off until
the engine is warm enough to provide heat.
However, if the interior temperature is above the
set temperature, the fan will turn on
immediately. Temperature may be set as desired
and FAN speed can be selected.
[CF08500( BC )12/95]
A/C compressor override
[CF08600( BC )05/96]
The A/C compressor can be disengaged for
more economical driving. This can be done by
turning the SELECT control to PANEL. The A/C
compressor is automatically engaged by the
control in MAX A/C, PANEL & FLOOR, NORM
A/C, FLOOR & DEF, and DEFROST positions if
the outside temperature is above45ÊF (7ÊC).
File:05rccfc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:58:04 1996

66
%*
[CF14400(MBC )03/96]
Rear Window Defroster
(If equipped)
*
[CF14600( ALL)03/96]
The defroster for the rear window clears frost,
fog, or thin ice from both the inside and outside
of the rear window.
[CF14900( BC )05/96]
The control for the rear window defroster is
located on the lower right side of the instrument
panel, just left of the climate control panel.
[CF15000( BC )05/96]
one third page art:0010190-B
The control for the rear window defroster
[CF15300( ALL)12/95]
Clear away any snow that is on the rear
window before using the defroster. With the
engine running, push the defrost button.
[CF15400( ALL)12/95]
After approximately 10 minutes, the defroster
will turn off. If the window is still not clear,
turn the defroster on again.
[CF15500( ALL)12/95]
The defroster will turn off when the ignition key
is turned to the OFF position.
*
[CF15600( ALL)12/95]
The heating elements are bonded to the inside of
the rear window. Do not use sharp objects to
scrape the inside of the rear window or use
abrasive cleaners to clean it. Doing so could
damage the heating elements.
File:05rccfc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:58:04 1996

73
*
[CF24100( ALL)01/96]
Ignition
%*
[CF24200( ALL)01/96]
Understanding the Positions of the Ignition
[CF24300( ALL)12/95]
quarter page art:0010035-B
The positions of the key in the ignition
*
[CF24500( BCGV)04/96]
ACC allows some of your vehicle's electrical
accessories such as the radio and the windshield
wipers to operate while the engine is not
running.
% [CF24600( ALL)12/95]
LOCK locks the steering wheel. It also locks the
automatic transmission gearshift lever.
*
[CF24700( ALL)01/96]
LOCK is the only position that allows you to
remove the key. The LOCK feature helps to
protect your vehicle from theft.
*
[CF24800( ALL)01/96]
OFF allows you to shut off the engine and all
accessories without locking the steering wheel or
the automatic transmission gearshift lever.
*
[CF24900( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[CF25000( ALL)01/96]
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.
File:05rccfc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:58:04 1996

145
Starting
%*
[TO00200( ALL)01/96]
Fuel-Injected Engines
*
[TO00300( ALL)01/96]
When starting a fuel-injected engine,the most
important thing to remember is to avoid
pressing down on the accelerator before or
during starting. Only use the accelerator when
you have problems getting your vehicle started.
SeeStarting Your Enginein this chapter for
details about when to use the accelerator while
you start your vehicle.
*
[TO00400( ALL)01/96]
Starting Your Vehicle
%*
[TO00500( ALL)01/96]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
*
[TO00600( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or in other enclosed areas. Exhaust
fumes can be toxic. Always open the
garage door before you start the engine.
*
[TO00700( ALL)01/96]
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
*
[TO00800( ALL)01/96]
1. Make sure all occupants in the vehicle
buckle their safety belts. SeeSafety Restraints
in the Index for more details.
*
[TO00900( ALL)01/96]
2. Make sure the headlamps and other
accessories are turned off when starting.
*
[TO01200( BCGV)01/96]
3. Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park)
and the parking brake is set before you turn
the key.
File:08rctoc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:28:08 1996