1997 Mercury Mercury Cougar Owner's Manuals

192 %
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[ER20200( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Applying too much pressure on the ends
when lifting a battery could cause acid to
spill. Lift the battery with a carrier or
with your hands on the opposite corners.
%*
[ER20300( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns
skin, eyes, and clothing.
*
[ER20400( ALL)02/96]
If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or
clothing, immediately flush the area with water
for at least 15 minutes. If someone swallows the
acid, have him or her drink lots of milk or water
first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or
vegetable oil. Call a doctor immediately.
*
[ER20500( ALL)02/96]
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery,
and to avoid injury to yourself, follow these
directions for preparing your vehicle to
jump-start and connecting the jumper cables in
the order they are given. If in doubt, call for
road service.
File:10rcerc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:30:02 1996

193 %
*
[ER20600( ALL)02/96]
Preparing Your Vehicle
[ER20700( ALL)02/96]
NOTE: also see label on battery.
*
[ER20800( ALL)02/96]
1. Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so
you need to use a 12-volt jumper system.
You will damage your starting motor,
ignition system, and other electrical parts if
you connect them to a 24-volt power supply
(either two 12-volt batteries in series or a
24-volt generator set).
*
[ER20900( ALL)02/96]
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
*
[ER21000( ALL)02/96]
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of
the disabled vehicle.Make sure the vehicles
do not touch each other.Set the parking
brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
*
[ER21100( ALL)02/96]
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the
jumper cables.
*
[ER21200( ALL)02/96]
5. Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles.
Turning on the fan helps protect the
electrical system from voltage surges. Turn
off all other switches and lights in both
vehicles to prevent possible damage to either
vehicle's electrical systems.
File:10rcerc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:30:02 1996

194 %
*
[ER21300( ALL)02/96]
Connecting the jumper cables
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[ER21400( ALL)02/96]
1. Connect one end of the first jumper cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the discharged
battery. (You can connect either jumper cable
to the positive (+) terminal, as long as you
use the same cable for both positive
terminals.) Most jumper cables have a red
cable and a black cable. The red cable is
generally used for the positive terminals and
the black for the negative ones.
*
[ER21500( ALL)02/96]
2. Connect the other end of the first cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the booster
battery.
*
[ER21600( ALL)02/96]
3. Connect one end of the second cable to the
negative (S) terminal of the booster battery
Ð NOT to the discharged battery.
[ER21700( ALL)02/96]
4. Connect the other end of that cable to a
good metallic surface on the engine or frame
of the disabled vehicle making sure it is
clear of any rotating engine components. The
following illustrations show where you can
find a metallic surface.
*
[ER21800( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Do not connect the end of the second
cable to the negative (S) terminal of the
battery to be jumped. A spark may cause
an explosion of the gases that surround
the battery.
File:10rcerc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:30:02 1996

195 [ER22000( BC )02/96]
full page art:0010334-D
The 3.8L SFI engine
File:10rcerc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:30:02 1996

196 [ER22100(BC )04/96]
full page art:0010666-GThe 4.6L SFI Engine
File:10rcerc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:30:02 1996

197
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[ER22300( ALL)02/96]
Jump-Starting
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[ER22400( ALL)02/96]
1. Make sure that the jumper cables are not in
the way of moving engine parts, then start
the booster vehicle. Run the engine at a
moderate speed.
*
[ER22500( ALL)02/96]
2. Let the discharged battery charge for a few
minutes and then start the disabled vehicle.
It may take a couple of tries before the
vehicle starts. If the vehicle does not start
after several attempts, there may be a
different problem.
*
[ER22600( ALL)02/96]
3. When both vehicles are running, let them
idle for a few minutes to charge the
discharged battery.
%*
[ER22700( ALL)02/96]
Removing jumper cables
*
[ER22800( ALL)02/96]
1.Always remove the jumper cables in the
reverse order.Remove the negative (S) end
of the jumper cable from the metallic surface
on the engine or frame of the disabled
vehicle.
*
[ER22900( ALL)03/96]
2. Remove the negative (S) cable from the
booster battery.
*
[ER23000( ALL)02/96]
3. Remove the positive (+) cable from the
booster battery.
*
[ER23100( ALL)02/96]
4. Remove the other end of the positive (+)
cable from the discharged battery.
*
[ER23200( ALL)02/96]
After the vehicle is started, let it idle for a while
to let the engine ªrelearnº its idle conditions.
Drive it around for a while with all electrical
accessories turned off to let the battery recharge.
Driveability may be deteriorated slightly until all
drive modes are ªrelearned.ºYou may need to
use a battery charger to fully recharge the
battery.
File:10rcerc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:30:02 1996

198
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[ER23500( ALL)04/96]
Towing Your Vehicle
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[ER23600( ALL)01/96]
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact
a professional towing service or, if you are a
member, your roadside assistance center.
[ER23660( BC )03/96]
Do not tow with slingbelt equipment when
towing your Cougar from the rear. Ford Motor
Company has not developed or approved a
T-hook sling-type procedure. When slingbelt
towing from the front, the towbar will deform
the soft fascia (bumper). However, it will return
to an acceptable shape. In both cases, wheel lift
or flatbed equipment is recommended.
File:10rcerc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:30:02 1996

199
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[ER23700( BC )04/96]
three fourths page art:0011391-A
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[ER23800( ALL)01/96]
When calling for a tow truck, tell the operator
what kind of vehicle you have. A towing
manual is available from Ford Motor Company
for all authorized tow truck operators. Have
your tow truck driver refer to this manual for
the proper hook-up and towing procedures for
your vehicle.
File:10rcerc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:30:02 1996