1997 Mercury Mercury Cougar steering

181
*
[ER08100( ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
If you see or smell fuel, do not reset the
switch or try to start your vehicle. Have
all the passengers get out of the vehicle
and call the local fire department or a
towing service.
*
[ER08200( ALL)03/96]
If your engine cranks but does not start after a
collision or substantial jolt:
*
[ER08300( ALL)01/96]
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
*
[ER08400( ALL)03/96]
2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
*
[ER08500( ALL)01/96]
3. If you do not see or smell fuel, push the red
reset button down. If the button is already
set, you may have a different mechanical
problem.
*
[ER08600( ALL)01/96]
4. Turn the ignition key to the ON position for
a few seconds, then turn it to the OFF
position.
*
[ER08700( ALL)03/96]
5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking
fuel.If you see or smell fuel, do not start
your vehicle again.If you do not see or
smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle
again.
*
[ER08800( ALL)01/96]
6. Check all vehicle warning lights before
driving the vehicle.
%
*
[ER09300( ALL)02/96]
Changing a Tire
*
[ER09400( ALL)02/96]
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do
not apply the brake heavily. Instead, gradually
decrease the speed. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the
side of the road. Park on a level spot, turn off
the ignition, set the parking brake, and turn on
the hazard flashers.
File:10rcerc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:30:02 1996

220
*
[MC18000( ALL)12/95]
q
Reinstall the pressure cap securely.
*
[MC18100( ALL)12/95]
q
Check for leaks at the draincock.
*
[MC18200( ALL)12/95]
q
Recheck the engine coolant level, using the
recommended procedure, after one or two
occasions of vehicle use.
%
*
[MC18300( ALL)01/96]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[MC18400( ALL)01/96]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at
least twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
%*
[MC18500( ALL)01/96]
Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid
[MC18600( BC )03/96]
3.8L SFI engine
*
[MC18700( ALL)04/96]
1. Start the engine and let it run until the
power steering fluid reaches normal
operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when
the engine coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster is near the center of the
NORMAL operating temperature range.
*
[MC18800( ALL)01/96]
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel back and forth several times. Make
sure that the cap assembly is installed at this
time.
*
[MC18900( ALL)01/96]
3. Turn the engine off.
%*
[MC19000(MBC )01/96]
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick (which
is highlighted in yellow in your vehicle). The
fluid level should be between the arrows in
the FULL HOT range, which is marked on
the side of the dipstick, opposite the side
marked FULL COLD. Do not add fluid if the
level is within the FULL HOT range.
*
[MC19200(MBC )01/96]
5. If the power steering fluid is low, add fluid
in small amounts, continuously checking the
level, until you reach the FULL HOT range.
Do not overfill.
File:11rcmcc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:27:52 1996

221
*
[MC19400(MBC )03/96]
6. When you are finished, put the dipstick back
in and make sure that it fits snugly.
[MC19600(MBC )12/95]
half page art:0010485-C
The dipstick for power steering fluid
[MC19900( ALL)05/96]
Use only power steering fluid that meets Ford
Specification MerconHATF XT-2-QDX or an
equivalent.
*
[MC20000( ALL)01/96]
If the power steering fluid is low, do not drive
your vehicle for a long period of time before
adding fluid. This can damage the power
steering pump.
*
[MC20100(MBC )03/96]
If you check the power steering fluid when it is
cold, make sure that the fluid reaches the FULL
COLD range on the dipstick. The reading will
only be accurate if the fluid temperature is
approximately 50 to85ÊF (10 to 30ÊC).
File:11rcmcc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:27:52 1996

222 [MC20300( BC )03/96]4.6L SFI engine
[MC20400(MBC )12/95]
1. Check the fluid level when the system is
COLD (allow at least one half hour after
driving for the power steering fluid to cool).
[MC20500(MBC )04/96]
2. Locate the power steering reservoir mounted
to the front upper left-hand corner of the
engine.
[MC20600(MBC )12/95]
3. Visually verify that the fluid level is above
the MIN line adjacent to the reservoir ªsight
window.º
[MC20700(MBC )12/95]
4. If the power steering fluid is below the MIN
line, remove the cap and add fluid in small
amounts until the level is between the MIN
and MAX lines.
[MC20800(MBC )12/95]
5. Reinstall the reservoir cap.
[MC20900( BC )04/96]
half page art:0011153-A
Fluid level for power steering
File:11rcmcc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:27:52 1996

223 [MC21100(MBC )05/96]
Use only power steering fluid that meets Ford
Specification MerconHATF XT-2-QDX or an
equivalent.
*
[MC21200(MBC )01/96]
NOTE: If the power steering fluid is low, do
not drive your vehicle for a long
period of time before adding fluid.
This can damage the power steering
pump.
%
*
[MC21300( ALL)01/96]
Automatic Transmission Fluid
*
[MC21400( ALL)03/96]
Under normal circumstances, you do not need to
check the fluid level of the transmission, since
your vehicle does not use up transmission fluid.
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for
replacement intervals. However, if the
transmission is not working properly Ð for
instance, the transmission may slip or shift
slowly, or you may notice some sign of fluid
leakage Ð the fluid level should be checked.
%*
[MC21500( ALL)01/96]
Checking the Automatic Transmission
Fluid
*
[MC21600( ALL)01/96]
It is preferable to check the transmission fluid
level at normal operating temperature
150ÊF-170ÊF (66ÊC-77ÊC),after approximately 20
miles (30 km) of driving. However, if necessary,
you can check the fluid level without having to
drive 20 miles (30 km) to obtain a normal
operating temperature if outside temperatures
are above50ÊF (10ÊC).
[MC21700( ALL)12/95]
With the vehicle on a level surface, start the
engine and, while fully applying the brake
pedal, move the transmission shift selector
through all of the gear ranges allowing sufficient
time for each position to engage.Securely latch
the transmission shift selector in the P (Park)
position, fully set the parking brake and leave
the engine running.
File:11rcmcc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:27:52 1996

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 309
P
Panic alarm feature, remote entry system . 100
Parking brake.............. 152
operation.............. 152
warning light.............. 10
Parts (see Motorcraft Parts)....... 253
PCV valve, specifications........ 253
Power distribution box (see Fuses).... 171
Power door locks............. 90
Power features
door locks............... 90
mirrors................ 93
moon roof............... 85
seats................. 106
windows................ 92
Power steering
dipstick............... 220
driving with power steering...... 156
fluid, checking and adding...... 220
fluid, refill capacity.......... 254
fluid, specifications.......... 255
servicing............... 156
R
Radio (see Electronic sound systems).... 25
Rear axle
lubricant specification......... 255
refill capacity............. 254
Rearview mirror............. 88
Rear window............... 92
defroster................ 66
washer reservoir........... 212
Refill capacities for fluids........ 254
Relays................. 171
Remote control, trunk........... 72
Remote entry system........... 99
locking/unlocking doors....... 100
opening the trunk.......... 100
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