1997 Mercury Mercury Cougar ECU

208 %
*
[MC06500( ALL)01/96]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
*
[MC06600( ALL)01/96]
Since the proper amount of engine oil is
important for safe engine operation, check the oil
using the dipstick each time you put fuel in
your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
parked on level ground.
%*
[MC06700( ALL)01/96]
Checking the engine oil level:
*
[MC06800( ALL)01/96]
1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up
and allow a few minutes for the engine oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
*
[MC06900( BCGV)01/96]
2. Set the parking brake, making sure the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
*
[MC07100( ALL)01/96]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
*
[MC07200( ALL)01/96]
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
*
[MC07300( ALL)01/96]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
[MC07400( BC )03/96]
one inch art:0011218-A
Engine oil dipstick Ð 4.6 liter engines
[MC07600(MBC )12/95]
one inch art:0000970-A
Engine oil dipstick Ð 3.8 liter engines
File:11rcmcc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:27:52 1996

218 [MC15700(MBC )12/95]3.8L engine only
[MC15800(MBC )12/95]
q
Open the vent plug.
[MC15900(MBC )12/95]
q
Remove coolant recovery reservoir cap.
[MC16000(MBC )12/95]
q
Remove radiator pressure cap.
[MC16100(MBC )12/95]
q
With the engine off and cool, add a 50/50
mixture of recommended cooling system fluid
and water to the radiator until full, then add
to the reservoir until the reservoir is at the
FULL-HOT level.
[MC16200(MBC )12/95]
q
Close the vent plug.
[MC16300(MBC )12/95]
q
Reinstall the coolant recovery reservoir cap
by installing the cap to the fully installed
position.
[MC16400(MBC )12/95]
q
Reinstall the pressure cap to the pressure
relief position by installing the cap to the
fully installed position, and then backing off
to the first stop.
[MC16500(MBC )12/95]
q
Start and idle engine until the radiator upper
hose is warm (this indicates the thermostat is
open and coolant is flowing through the
entire system).
[MC16600(MBC )12/95]
q
Immediately shut off engine. Cover cap
completely with a thick cloth and cautiously
remove radiator pressure cap and add a
50/50 mixture of recommended coolant and
water until system is full.
[MC16700(MBC )12/95]
q
Reinstall the radiator cap securely.
[MC16800(MBC )12/95]
q
Remove the cap from the engine coolant
recovery reservoir and add a 50/50 mixture
of recommended cooling system fluid and
water to the FULL-HOT mark on the engine
coolant recovery reservoir. Check that
reservoir hose is not kinked.
[MC16900(MBC )12/95]
q
Reinstall the reservoir cap.
File:11rcmcc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:27:52 1996

219
*
[MC17000(MBC )12/95]
q
Check for leaks at the draincock, block plug
and vent plug.
*
[MC17100(MBC )12/95]
q
Recheck the engine coolant level, using the
recommended procedure, after one or two
occasions of vehicle use.
[MC17200( BC )12/95]
4.6L engine only
*
[MC17400( ALL)12/95]
q
With the engine OFF and cool, remove the
pressure cap, located on the coolant reservoir.
Remove the heater hose and clamp, located
on the rear of the intake manifold.
*
[MC17500( ALL)12/95]
q
Add a 50/50 mixture of specified coolant and
water to the coolant reservoir. Refer toRefill
Capacitieslater in this chapter for the correct
amount. Add coolant to the reservoir until
the coolant continuously flows out of the tube
in the rear of engine. Reattach hose and
secure clamp.
[MC17600( ALL)12/95]
q
Continue to fill the reservoir until the coolant
is at the FULL COLD level.
*
[MC17700( ALL)12/95]
q
Reinstall the pressure cap to the fully
installed position.
*
[MC17800( ALL)12/95]
q
Start and idle the engine until the radiator
upper hose is warm (this indicates the
thermostat is open and coolant is flowing
through the entire system).
*
[MC17900( ALL)12/95]
q
Immediately shut off the engine and let cool.
Cautiously remove the pressure relief cap and
add a 50/50 mixture of specified coolant and
water until the coolant is at the COLD FILL
level in the coolant reservoir.
File:11rcmcc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:27:52 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

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

233
*
[MC28900( ALL)01/96]
Use chains on the tires only in an emergency or
if the law requires them where you live. If you
choose to use chains on your vehicle's tires, be
aware of the following:
*
[MC29000( ALL)01/96]
q
Make sure the chains are the right size for
your tires. Use only SAE Class ªSº chains.
Other types may damage your vehicle.
*
[MC29200( ALL)01/96]
q
Put the chains on tightly with the ends held
down securely. Verify that no chain touches
any wiring, brake lines, or fuel lines. Follow
the chain manufacturer's instructions.
*
[MC29300( ALL)01/96]
q
Drive slowly. If you can hear the chains rub
or bang against your vehicle, stop the vehicle
and tighten the chains. If you continue to
hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, remove the chains to prevent damage
to your vehicle.
*
[MC29400( ALL)01/96]
q
Avoid fully loading your vehicle if possible.
*
[MC29500( ALL)01/96]
q
Remove tire chains at the first opportunity
after using them on snow and ice. Do not use
the chains on dry roads.
%
*
[MC29600( ALL)01/96]
Filling the Fuel Tank
*
[MC29800(MBC )12/95]
The fuel door is outside the car on the passenger
side near the back. To fill the fuel tank:
*
[MC29900( ALL)01/96]
1. After opening the fuel filler door, remove
the cap carefully and slowly by turning it
counterclockwise 1/2 to 3/4 turn.
*
[MC30000( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
The fuel system may be under pressure. If
the fuel cap is venting vapor or if you
hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the cap.
File:11rcmcc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 09:27:52 1996