1997 Mercury Mercury Cougar Owner's Manuals

184 %
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[ER11500( ALL)03/96]
To remove the spare tire:
*
[ER12000( BC )03/96]
1. Remove the spare tire cover.
*
[ER12100( BC )03/96]
2. Unscrew the wing-nut holding down the
spare tire.
*
[ER12200( BC )03/96]
NOTE: Wing-nut is not removable.
[ER12300( BC )03/96]
3. Lift out the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench.
%*
[ER12700( ALL)03/96]
Preparing to Change the Tire
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[ER12900( BCGV)03/96]
1. Make sure that your vehicle will not move
or roll. Put the gearshift in P (Park). Set the
parking brake and block the wheel that is
diagonally opposite the tire that you are
changing.
*
[ER13100( BCGV)03/96]
When one of the back wheels is off the ground,
the transmission alone will not prevent the
vehicle from moving or slipping off the jack,
even if the vehicle is in P (Park). To prevent the
vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be
sure the parking brake is set, then block the
wheel (both directions) that is diagonally
opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.
*
[ER13200( ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or
someone else could be seriously injured.
*
[ER13600( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine
with one wheel off the ground, such as
when changing a tire.
File:10rcerc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:30:02 1996

185
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[ER13700( ALL)01/96]
2. Get out the spare tire and jack.
[ER13900( BC )12/95]
3. Remove any optional wheel covers or
hubcaps with the tapered end of a wheel nut
wrench. Insert the handle of the wrench and
twist it against the inner wheel cover flange.
For more about removing wheel covers, see
the information later in this chapter.
*
[ER14200(MBC )12/95]
4. Loosen each wheel lug nut one-half turn
counterclockwise, but do not remove them
until the tire is raised off the ground. You
should pull up on the handle rather than
push to develop maximum force to loosen
wheel lug nuts. SeeAnti-Theft Wheel Lug
Nutslater in this chapter for information on
removing anti-theft lug nuts.
%*
[ER14400( ALL)01/96]
Removing and Replacing the Tire
[ER14600( BC )12/95]
1. Find the underbody notches closest to the
wheel to be removed. Center the jack
between (2) underbody notches and turn the
handle of the jack clockwise until the wheel
is completely off the ground.
*
[ER14800( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
To lessen the risk of personal injury, do
not put any part of your body under the
vehicle while changing a tire. Do not start
the engine when your vehicle is on the
jack. The jack is only meant for changing
the tire.
File:10rcerc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:30:02 1996

186 [ER15000( ALL)12/95]
half page art:0010759-AThe improper lift point
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[ER15100( ALL)05/96]
NOTE: Never use the differential housing as a
lift point.
File:10rcerc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:30:02 1996

187 % [ER15200( BC )12/95]
half page art:0010346-C
The notches for the jack
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[ER15600( ALL)12/95]
2. Turn the jack handle clockwise until the
wheel clears the ground. Remove the wheel
lug nuts.
*
[ER15700(MBC )03/96]
3. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire,
making sure that the air valve stem is facing
outward.
*
[ER15800(MBC )03/96]
4. Reinstall the lug nuts, tightening until the
wheel is snug against the hub. The beveled
edges on the lug nuts face inward. Do not
fully tighten the lug nuts until you lower the
vehicle. If you do, you could force the
vehicle off the jack.
*
[ER15900(MBC )03/96]
5. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise.
File:10rcerc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:30:02 1996

188
*
[ER16000(MBC )03/96]
6. Remove the jack and fully tighten the lug
nuts in the order shown in the following
illustration. As soon as possible, have your
dealer or a qualified service technician check
the lug nuts for proper torque specifications.
% [ER16100( ALL)12/95]
quarter page art:0010350-A
The lug nuts on the wheel
*
[ER16200(MBC )03/96]
7. Place any wheel covers and ornaments in the
trunk.
*
[ER16300(MBC )03/96]
8. Put the tire, jack, and wrench away. Make
sure the jack is securely fastened so it does
not rattle when you drive.
*
[ER16400(MBC )03/96]
9. Unblock the wheels.
% [ER16600(MBC )12/95]
Aluminum Road Wheel Ornaments
(If equipped)
[ER16700(MBC )12/95]
To remove the ornament, stick the tapered end
of the jack handle between the ornament and
wheel and pry off the ornament.
[ER16800(MBC )12/95]
To replace the ornament, stick one side of the
ornament into the center of the wheel and strike
the other side with the palm of your hand.
File:10rcerc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:30:02 1996

189 % [ER16900( BC )04/96]
Center Wheel Cover
[ER17000( BC )04/96]
To remove the wheel cover:
[ER17100( BC )12/95]
1. Pry the center ornament from the wheel
cover using the tapered end of the jack
handle. Do not use a screwdriver or any
other tool. If you do, you may damage the
cover. The wheel, with the wheel cover still
attached, may now be removed from the
vehicle by removing the five lug nuts.
[ER17200( BC )12/95]
2. If the tire needs to be removed from the
wheel, remove the five screws, using a
Phillips head screwdriver. Then pull the
wheel cover off the wheel.
[ER17300( BC )12/95]
half page art:0010353-B
The center attachment wheel cover
File:10rcerc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:30:02 1996

190 [ER17400( BC )04/96]To replace the wheel cover:
[ER17500( BC )12/95]
1. Place the tire valve stem hole in the wheel
cover over the tire valve stem. Align the
holes in the wheel cover mounting pad with
the center holes in the metal inserts. Install
and tighten the five screws.
[ER17600( BC )12/95]
2. Align the legs of the ornament with the slots
on the wheel cover. Strike the ornament with
the palm of your hand.
%*
[ER18800(MBC )01/96]
Anti-Theft Wheel Lug Nuts (If equipped)
*
[ER18900( BC )12/95]
If your vehicle has this option, one of the lug
nuts on each wheel locks and must be unlocked
with a special key. The key and registration card
are attached to the lug wrench and stored with
the spare tire. If you lose the key, send the
registration card to the manufacturer (not the
dealer) to get a replacement key.
*
[ER19100(MBC )12/95]
NOTE: If entire lug wrench/lug nut key
assembly is lost, see your nearest Ford
or Lincoln-Mercury dealer who has
access to a master set of keys.
*
[ER19200(MBC )12/95]
NOTE: DO NOT USE A POWER IMPACT
WRENCH ON THE LUG NUT KEY.
[ER19300(MBC )12/95]
quarter page art:0010357-B
The anti-theft lug nut and key
File:10rcerc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:30:02 1996

191
*
[ER19400(MBC )12/95]
Removing the anti-theft lug nut
*
[ER19500(MBC )02/96]
Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Make
sure that you hold the key square to the lug nut.
If you hold the key on an angle, you may
damage the key and the lug nut.
*
[ER19600(MBC )12/95]
Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key
and apply pressure on the key with the wrench.
Turn the wrench in a counterclockwise direction
to remove the lug nut.
*
[ER19700(MBC )12/95]
Reinstalling the anti-theft lug nut
*
[ER19800(MBC )12/95]
Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Place the
lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and, while
applying pressure on the key, install the lug nut.
%
*
[ER19900( ALL)02/96]
Jump-Starting Your Vehicle
*
[ER19950( ALL)02/96]
Your vehicle's battery may die if you leave the
lights on or any electrical equipment on after
you turn the engine off. If this happens, you
may be able to jump-start your vehicle with a
booster battery.
*
[ER20000( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
The gases around the battery can explode
if exposed to flames, sparks, or lit
cigarettes. An explosion could result in
injury or vehicle damage.
*
[ER20100( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
To protect yourself when charging a
battery, always shield your face and eyes.
Make sure that you can breathe fresh air.
File:10rcerc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:30:02 1996