1997 Mercury Mercury Cougar Owner's Manuals

249
%*
[MC48700( ALL)04/96]
Cleaning Your Vehicle
*
[MC48800( ALL)01/96]
Pollen, bird droppings and tree sap can damage
the paint, especially in hot weather. Wash your
vehicle as often as necessary to keep it clean.
*
[MC48900( ALL)01/96]
Take similar precautions if your vehicle is
exposed to chemical industrial fallout.
*
[MC49000( ALL)01/96]
Paint damage resulting from fallout is not
related to a defect in paint materials or
workmanship and therefore is not covered by
warranty. Ford, however, believes that continual
improvement in customer satisfaction is a high
priority. For this reason, Ford has authorized its
dealers to repair, at no charge to the owner, the
surfaces of new vehicles damaged by
environmental fallout within 12 months or 12,000
miles (20,000 km) of purchase, whichever comes
first. Customers may be required to bring their
vehicle in for inspection by a Ford
representative.
%*
[MC49100( ALL)01/96]
Washing and Polishing Your Vehicle
*
[MC49200( ALL)01/96]
Wash the outside of your vehicle, including the
underside, with a mild detergent.
*
[MC49300( ALL)01/96]
DO NOT:
*
[MC49400( ALL)01/96]
q
Wash your vehicle with hot water
*
[MC49500( ALL)01/96]
q
Wash your vehicle while it sits in direct
sunlight
*
[MC49600( ALL)01/96]
q
Wash your vehicle while the body is hot
*
[MC49700( ALL)01/96]
Polish your vehicle to remove harmful deposits
and protect the finish.
File:11rcmcc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:27:52 1996

250 %
*
[MC49800( ALL)01/96]
Cleaning Chrome and Aluminum Parts
*
[MC49900( ALL)12/95]
Wash chrome and aluminum parts with a mild
detergent. Do not use steel wool, abrasive
cleaners, fuel, or strong detergents.
%*
[MC50000( ALL)01/96]
Cleaning Plastic Parts
*
[MC50100( ALL)01/96]
Some of your vehicle's exterior trim parts are
plastic. Clean with a tar and road oil remover if
necessary. Use a vinyl cleaner for routine
cleaning.
*
[MC50200( ALL)01/96]
Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents
or petroleum-based cleaners.
%*
[MC50300( ALL)01/96]
If you have your vehicle rustproofed, remove
oversprayed rustproofing with a tar and road oil
remover. If rustproofing is not removed from
plastic and rubber parts, it can cause
deterioration.
%*
[MC50400( ALL)02/96]
Cleaning the Safety Belts
*
[MC50500( ALL)02/96]
Clean the safety belts with any mild soap
solution that is recommended for cleaning
upholstery or carpets. Do not bleach or dye the
belt webbing because this may weaken it.
%*
[MC50600( ALL)01/96]
Cleaning the Exterior Lamps
*
[MC50700( ALL)01/96]
Do not use dry paper towel, chemical solvents
or abrasive cleaners to clean the lamps, as these
may cause scratches or crack the lamps.
File:11rcmcc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:27:52 1996

251 %
*
[MC50900( ALL)02/96]
Cleaning the Interior Lamps
*
[MC51000( ALL)02/96]
Your interior dome lamps and map lamps are
plastic and should be cleaned with a mild
detergent diluted in water. Rinse them with clear
water.
*
[MC51100( ALL)02/96]
Cleaning the Instrument Panel Lens
*
[MC51200( ALL)01/96]
Clean the instrument panel lens with a soft cloth
and a glass cleaner, such as Ford Ultra-Clear
Spray Glass Cleaner, or equivalent. Do not use
paper towel or any abrasive cleaner to clean the
lens as these may cause scratches.
%*
[MC51250( ALL)03/96]
Cleaning the Seats
*
[MC51300( ALL)01/96]
Leather and vinyl
*
[MC51400( ALL)01/96]
For routine cleaning, wipe the surface with a
soft, damp cloth. For more thorough cleaning,
wipe the surface with a leather and vinyl cleaner
or a mild soap.
%*
[MC51500( ALL)05/96]
Fabric
*
[MC51600( ALL)05/96]
Remove dust and loose dirt with a whisk broom
or a vacuum cleaner. Remove fresh spots
immediately. Follow the directions that come
with the cleaner.
*
[MC51700( ALL)05/96]
NOTE: Before using any cleaner, test it on a
small, hidden area of fabric. If the
fabric's color or texture is adversely
affected by a particular cleaner, do not
use it.
File:11rcmcc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:27:52 1996

252
*
[MC51800( ALL)01/96]
Cleaning the Engine
*
[MC51900( ALL)01/96]
A clean engine is more efficient because a
buildup of grease and dirt acts as an insulator,
keeping the engine warmer than usual.
*
[MC52000( ALL)01/96]
q
Extreme care must be used if a power washer
is used to clean the engine. The high pressure
fluid could penetrate sealed parts and
assemblies causing damage or malfunctions.
*
[MC52100( BCGV)04/96]
q
In order to avoid possible cracking of the
engine block or fuel injection pump, do not
spray a hot engine or injection pump with
cold water.
*
[MC52200( BCGV)04/96]
q
The alternator, distributor and air intake must
be covered. Covering these components will
help prevent water damage.
*
[MC52300( ALL)01/96]
q
Never wash or rinse the engine while it is
running. Water getting into the engine may
cause internal damage.
%*
[MC52400( ALL)03/96]
Cleaning the Wheels
*
[MC52500( ALL)03/96]
Wash the wheels with the same detergent you
use to wash your vehicle's body. Do not use
acid-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, abrasives,
fuel, or strong detergents. These substances will
damage protective coatings. Use tar and road oil
remover to remove grease and tar.
*
[MC52600( ALL)03/96]
NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if
the brushes are abrasive.
File:11rcmcc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:27:52 1996

253
Capacities and
Specifications
*
[CS00200( ALL)01/96]
Refill Capacities, Motorcraft Parts,
and Lubricant Specifications
%*
[CS00300( ALL)01/96]
Motorcraft Parts
% [CS00500( BC )05/96]
fourteen pica chart:0010452-N[CS00700( ALL)12/95]
If a spark plug is removed for examination, it
must be reinstalled in the same cylinder.
[CS00800(MBC )12/95]
For 3.8L engines:
[CS00900(MBC )12/95]
Cylinders #1, #2, #3 have an EG suffix.
[CS01000(MBC )12/95]
Cylinders #4, #5, #6 have an E suffix.
[CS01100( ALL)12/95]
For 4.6L (2V) engines:
[CS01200( ALL)12/95]
Cylinders #1, #2, #3, #4 have a PG suffix.
[CS01300( ALL)12/95]
Cylinders #5, #6, #7, #8 have a P suffix.
[CS01700( ALL)12/95]
If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use only
spark plugs with the service number suffix letter
as shown on the engine decal.
File:12rccsc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:31:57 1996

254 %
*
[CS01800( ALL)02/96]
Fluid Specifications and Capacities
[CS02000( BC )05/96]
twenty-two pica chart:0010447-P*
[CS02200( ALL)05/96]
NOTE: Rear axle lube quantities must be
replaced every 100,000 miles
(160,000 km) or if the axle has been
submerged in water. Otherwise, the
lube should not be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair
required.
File:12rccsc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:31:57 1996

255
File:12rccsc.ex

256
%*
[CS03000( ALL)01/96]
Vehicle Storage
*
[CS03100( ALL)01/96]
Maintenance Tips
*
[CS03200( ALL)01/96]
If you plan on storing your vehicle for an
extended period of time (60 days or more), refer
to the following maintenance recommendations
to ensure your vehicle stays in good operating
condition.
*
[CS03300( ALL)01/96]
General
*
[CS03400( ALL)01/96]
q
Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated place.
*
[CS03500( ALL)01/96]
q
Protect from sunlight, if possible.
*
[CS03600( ALL)01/96]
q
If vehicles are stored outside, they require
regular maintenance to protect against rust
and damage.
*
[CS03700( ALL)01/96]
Body
*
[CS03800( ALL)01/96]
q
Wash vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt,
grease, oil, tar or mud from exterior surfaces,
rear wheel housing and underside of front
fenders.
*
[CS03900( ALL)01/96]
q
Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed
locations.
*
[CS04000( ALL)01/96]
q
Touch-up raw or primed metal to prevent
rust.
*
[CS04100( ALL)01/96]
q
Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a
thick coat of auto wax to prevent
discoloration. Re-wax as necessary when the
vehicle is washed.
File:12rccsc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:31:57 1996