1997 Mercury Mercury Cougar towing

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

Index 301
E
Electrical system
circuit breakers............ 179
fuses................ 171
Electronic sound system
tuning the radio........ 27,37,47
warranty and service information.... 58
Electronic stereo cassette radio
(see Electronic sound system)...... 37
Emergencies, roadside
assistance.............. 263
battery acid spills........... 192
fuel................. 233
jump-starting............. 191
towing................ 198
Emergency brake (parking brake)..... 152
Emission control system......... 239
catalytic converter.......... 239
emissions warranty......... 4,239
Engine
does not start..........147, 180
fuel injected engine, starting...... 145
fuel pump shut-off switch....... 180
preparing to start........... 145
refill capacities............ 254
service points............ 204
starting............... 145
starting after a collision........ 180
storing your vehicle.......... 256
Engine block heater........... 148
Engine coolant............. 213
checking and adding......... 213
checking hoses............ 214
disposal............... 202
drain and flush............ 217
low coolant warning light........ 13
preparing for storage......... 258
proper solution............ 216
recovery reservoir........204, 213
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 1996

Index 307
Lamps (continued)
flashing the lamps........... 76
hazard flashers............. 78
headlamps............... 68
high beams.............. 75
high-mount brakelamp........ 246
illuminated entry system........ 91
illuminated mirrors........... 89
instrument panel, dimming....... 71
interior lamps............. 71
replacing bulbs............ 243
trailer................ 167
Lane change indicator (see Turn signal) . . . 74
Lap belts................ 117
Lights, warning and indicator
airbag................. 13
anti-lock brakes (ABS).......... 11
anti-theft................ 16
brake................. 10
charging system............ 14
door ajar................ 18
engine oil pressure........... 18
hazard warning light.......... 78
high beam............... 16
low coolant.............. 13
low fuel................ 19
low washer fluid............ 20
oil pressure.............. 18
overdrive off.............. 14
safety belt............... 12
service engine soon........... 16
theft system.............. 16
turn signal indicator.......... 17
Load limits............... 162
GAWR................ 162
GVWR................ 162
trailer towing............. 164
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 1996

310 Index
Remote entry system (continued)
panic alarm.............. 100
replacement/additional transmitters . . . 102
replacing the batteries......... 101
Restraints, safety (see Safety restraints)
adult................. 108
child................. 124
head................. 103
infant................ 124
Roadside assistance........... 263
Roadside emergencies.......... 171
Rotating the tires............ 228
S
Safe driving tips............. 168
Safety belts (see Safety restraints)..... 108
Safety chains, when towing a trailer.... 166
Safety information relating to
automotive fuels........... 236
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts....110, 113, 117
automatic locking mode........ 112
automatic locking mode (retractor) . . . 112
center rear lap belt.......... 117
cleaning the safety belts........ 250
extension assembly.......... 118
for adults.............. 108
for children.............. 124
for infants.............. 124
for pregnant women.......... 108
head................. 103
lap and shoulder belts......... 110
maintenance............. 119
proper use.............. 108
replacement............. 119
warning light and chime......... 12
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 1996

312 Index
Spark plugs, specifications........ 253
Special driving conditions........ 168
Specification chart, lubricants....... 255
Speed control
turning off............... 81
when towing a trailer......... 167
Speedometer............... 22
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle..... 145
starting a cold engine......... 146
starting after a collision........ 180
starting a warm engine........ 147
starting your vehicle if the battery
is disabled............. 191
Steering, power............. 156
Steering wheel
horn.................. 79
locking................. 73
tilting................. 80
Storage compartments, center console.... 94
Storing your vehicle........... 256
Sunroof (moon roof)............ 85
Sun visor................. 89
Supplemental air bag readiness light.... 13
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) . . . 119
T
Tachometer................ 23
Tail lamps
bulb replacement.........243, 248
cleaning............... 250
Temperature control (see Climate control) . . 59
Tilt steering wheel............. 80
Tires.................. 227
changing............... 181
checking the pressure......... 227
cleaning............... 252
inspection and maintenance...... 227
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 1996

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

Index 315
Weight limits (GAWR, GVWR)...... 162
Wheel dollies (see Towing)........ 198
Wheels
anti-theft lugnuts........... 190
cleaning............... 252
covers..............184, 188
inspection and maintenance...... 227
lug nuts............... 184
ornaments.............. 188
Windows................. 92
power windows, operating....... 92
rear, defrosting............. 66
Windshield, washing........... 76
Windshield washer fluid and wipers.... 76
checking and adding fluid....... 212
checking and replacing wiper blades . . 226
low washer fluid light.......... 20
operation............... 76
reservoir............... 212
specifications............. 255
variable interval wipers......... 76
Windshield wipers and washer....... 76
Wrecker towing............. 198
File:rcixc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:28:38 1996