1997 Mercury Mercury Cougar Owner's Manuals

257
*
[CS04200( ALL)01/96]
q
Lubricate all hood, door and trunk lid hinges
and latches with a light grade oil.
*
[CS04300( ALL)01/96]
q
Cover interior soft trim to prevent fading.
*
[CS04400( ALL)01/96]
q
Keep all rubber parts free from oil and
solvents.
%*
[CS04500( ALL)01/96]
Engine
*
[CS04600( ALL)01/96]
q
Start engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle
until it reaches normal operating temperature.
*
[CS04700( ALL)01/96]
q
With your foot on the brake, shift through all
the gears while the engine is running.
%*
[CS04800( ALL)01/96]
Fuel system
%*
[CS04900( ALL)01/96]
q
Fill fuel tank with high-quality unleaded fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the fuel
pump nozzle.
*
[CS05000( ALL)01/96]
NOTE: During extended periods of vehicle
storage (60 days or more), fuel may
deteriorate due to oxidation. This can
damage rubber and other polymers in
the fuel system and may also clog
small orifices.
*
[CS05100( ALL)01/96]
Ford Gas Stabilizer should be added whenever
actual or expected storage periods exceed 60
days. Follow the instructions on the label. The
vehicle should then be operated at idle speed to
circulate the additive throughout the fuel system.
File:12rccsc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:31:57 1996

258 %
*
[CS05200( ALL)01/96]
Cooling system
*
[CS05300( ALL)01/96]
q
Protect against freezing temperatures.
%*
[CS05400( ALL)01/96]
Battery
*
[CS05500( ALL)01/96]
q
Check and recharge as necessary.
*
[CS05600( ALL)01/96]
q
Keep connections clean and covered with a
light coat of grease.
*
[CS05700( ALL)12/95]
q
If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days
without recharging the battery, it may be
advisable to disconnect the battery cables to
ensure battery charge is maintained for quick
starting.
[CS05800( ALL)12/95]
NOTE: If battery cables are disconnected, it
will be necessary to reset memory
features.
%*
[CS05900( ALL)01/96]
Brakes
*
[CS06000( ALL)01/96]
q
Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully
released.
%*
[CS06100( ALL)01/96]
Tires
*
[CS06200( ALL)01/96]
q
Maintain recommended air pressure.
*
[CS06300( ALL)01/96]
Miscellaneous
*
[CS06400( ALL)01/96]
q
Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and
clevis pins under vehicle are covered with
grease to prevent rust.
*
[CS06500( ALL)01/96]
q
Move vehicles at least 25 feet (8 m) every 15
days to lubricate working parts and prevent
corrosion.
File:12rccsc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:31:57 1996

259
*
[CS06700( CG )12/95]
thirty-six pica chart:MERCADPLN
File:12rccsc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:31:57 1996

261
Reporting Safety Defects
(U.S. Only)
*
[RD00300( ALL)03/96]
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect
which could cause a crash or could cause injury
or death, you should immediately inform the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) in addition to notifying Ford Motor
Company.
*
[RD00400( ALL)04/96]
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may
open an investigation, and if it finds that a
safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may
order a recall and remedy campaign. However,
NHTSA cannot become involved in individual
problems between you, your dealer, or Ford
Motor Company.
*
[RD00500( ALL)02/96]
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto
Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or
366-0123 in the Washington, D.C. area) or write
to: NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation,
400 Seventh Street, Washington D.C. 20590. You
can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the Hotline.
File:13rcrdc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:31:59 1996

263
Customer Assistance
%*
[HS00205( ALL)05/96]
Roadside Assistance
*
[HS00210( ALL)11/95]
Ford Motor Company has set up a 24-hour,
seven-day-a-week hotline with trained operators
who put you in touch with the help you need if
you experience a problem with your vehicle.
This complimentary service is provided to you
throughout your warranty period of 3 years or
36,000 miles (60,000 km), whichever comes first.
To purchase Roadside Assistance coverages
beyond this period (available through Ford Auto
Club in the United States or Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealers in Canada), contact
your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. Additional
Roadside Assistance coverage is unavailable in
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
*
[HS00215( ALL)06/94]
Roadside Assistance will cover the following:
*
[HS00220( ALL)06/94]
q
Mount your spare if you have a flat tire.
*
[HS00225( ALL)06/94]
q
Jump-start your battery if it is dead.
*
[HS00230( ALL)06/94]
q
Unlock your vehicle if you are locked out.
*
[HS00235( ALL)06/94]
q
Bring you fuel if you run out.
*
[HS00240( ALL)06/94]
q
Tow your vehicle if you are stranded. Even
non-warranty related tows, like accidents or
getting stuck in mud or snow, are covered
(some exclusions apply, such as impound
towing and repossession).
File:14rchsc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:32:19 1996

264
*
[HS00245( ALL)06/94]
How to use Roadside Assistance
*
[HS00250( ALL)06/94]
Your Roadside Assistance identification card can
be found in the Owner Guide portfolio in your
glove compartment. Complete the card and place
it in your wallet for quick reference.
*
[HS00255( ALL)04/95]
To receive roadside assistance in the United
States call 1-800-241-FORD (in Canada call
1-800-665-2006).
*
[HS00260( ALL)04/95]
Should you need to arrange for roadside
assistance yourself, Ford Motor Company will
reimburse the reasonable cost. To obtain
information about reimbursement call
1-800-241-FORD (in Canada call 1-800-665-2006).
*
[HS00300( ALL)01/95]
If You Have a Service Problem
*
[HS00400( ALL)01/95]
Ford Motor Company has authorized Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealerships that can service
your vehicle for you. This chapter tells you how
to get service or maintenance for your vehicle.
%*
[HS00500( ALL)02/95]
Service/Maintenance Concerns
(U.S. or Canada)
*
[HS00600( ALL)04/95]
Ford recommends taking your vehicle to your
selling dealer who wants to ensure your
continued satisfaction. You may, however, take
your vehicle to any authorized Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer. In most cases, your
dealer will be able to resolve your concern.
*
[HS00700( ALL)04/95]
If you are not satisfied with the service you
received from your dealership's service
department, talk to the service manager at the
dealership, or if you still are not satisfied, talk to
the owner or general manager of the dealership.
In most cases, you will have your concern
resolved at this level.
File:14rchsc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:32:19 1996

265
*
[HS01000( ALL)03/95]
If you are away from home when your vehicle
needs to be serviced, or if you need more help
than the dealer gave you, contact the Ford
Customer Assistance Center to find an
authorized dealership that may be able to help.
*
[HS01025( ALL)04/95]
In the U.S., contact:
%*
[HS01050( ALL)03/95]
one inch art:0060100-E
*
[HS01100( ALL)03/95]
If you live in Canada and have any questions or
concerns that the dealership cannot answer,
contact the Customer Assistance Centre.
%*
[HS01150( ALL)04/95]
one inch art:0060101-C
*
[HS01200( ALL)04/95]
Please have the following information available
when contacting Ford Customer Assistance:
*
[HS01300( ALL)04/95]
q
your telephone number (both business and
home)
*
[HS01400( ALL)04/95]
q
the name of the dealer and the city where the
dealership is located
*
[HS01500( ALL)03/95]
q
the year and make of your vehicle
*
[HS01550( ALL)03/95]
q
the date purchased
*
[HS01600( ALL)03/95]
q
the current mileage on your vehicle
%*
[HS01700( ALL)04/96]
q
your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
listed on your vehicle ownership license
File:14rchsc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:32:19 1996

266 [HS01800( ALL)05/95]
one inch art:0010630-AVehicle Identification Number (VIN/Serial Number)
*
[HS02200( ALL)05/96]
If you still have a complaint involving a
warranty dispute, you may wish to contact the
Dispute Settlement Board (U.S. only) or the
Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan
(CAMVAP) in Canada.
*
[HS02250( ALL)05/96]
A warranty dispute must be submitted to the
Dispute Settlement Board before taking action
under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, or to
the extent allowed by state law, before pursuing
replacement or repurchase remedies provided by
certain state laws. This dispute handling
procedure is not required prior to enforcing state
created rights or other rights which are
independent of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty
Act or state replacement or repurchase laws.
%
*
[HS02300( ALL)04/96]
The Dispute Settlement Board
(U.S. Only)
*
[HS02400( ALL)05/96]
The Dispute Settlement Board is:
*
[HS02430( ALL)05/96]
q
an independent, third party arbitration
program for warranty disputes
*
[HS02460( ALL)05/96]
q
available free to owners and lessees of
qualifying Ford Motor Company vehicles
*
[HS02500( ALL)05/96]
The Dispute Settlement Board may not be
available in all states. Ford Motor Company
reserves the right to change eligibility
limitations, modify procedures and/or to
discontinue this service without notice and
without incurring obligations.
File:14rchsc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:32:19 1996