1997 Mercury Mercury Cougar fuel

19 [IS13550( BC )04/96]
3. Check the engine's oil level, following the
instructions on checking and adding engine
oil, seeEngine Oilin the Index. If you do
not follow these instructions, you or others
could be injured. To assure an accurate
reading, your vehicle should be on level
ground.
[IS13600( BC )03/96]
4. If the level is low, add only as much oil as
necessary before you start the engine again.
Do not overfill. Do not operate the engine if
the light is on, regardless of the oil level.
Contact your nearest dealer for service as
soon as possible.
*
[IS13700( BC )03/96]
For more information about adding oil, see
Adding engine oilin theMaintenance and Care
chapter of this guide.
%*
[IS13750( BC )04/96]
Low Fuel Light
[IS13800( BC )04/96]
This light comes on when your fuel gauge
indicates approximately 1/8 to 1/16 of a tank.
Your vehicle must be turned to ON for this light
to come on. This light will either flicker or glow
steadily.
[IS13850( BC )04/96]
one inch art:0000116-C
The low fuel light
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Update:Fri Jun 7 13:56:06 1996

20 % [IS13900( BC )04/96]Washer Fluid Low Light
*
[IS13950( BC )04/96]
This light comes on if the reservoir is less than a
quarter full when you turn on the windshield
washers.
[IS14000( BC )05/96]
one inch art:0000118-B
The washer fluid low light
%*
[IS14200( ALL)03/96]
Fuel Gauge
[IS14300( BC )04/96]
one third page art:0011340-B
The fuel gauge
[IS14600( ALL)12/95]
The fuel gauge displays approximately how
much fuel is in the fuel tank only when the
ignition switch is ON. For proper fuel gauge
indication after adding fuel, turn the ignition
switch OFF while refueling the vehicle.
[IS14700( ALL)12/95]
The fuel gauge indicator may vary slightly when
the vehicle is in motion. The most accurate
reading is obtained with the vehicle on level
ground.
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Update:Fri Jun 7 13:56:06 1996

21
*
[IS14800( ALL)01/96]
With ignition switch OFF, the fuel gauge
indicator may drift from the ignition switch ON
position.
%*
[IS15700( ALL)03/96]
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
*
[IS15800( ALL)02/96]
This gauge indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant, not the coolant level. If the
coolant is not at its proper level or mixture, the
gauge indication will not be accurate.
[IS15905( BCGV)04/96]
The pointer moves from the C (cold) mark into
the normal band as your engine coolant warms
up. Under normal driving conditions, the pointer
should stay in the normal band. It is acceptable
for the pointer to fluctuate within the noprmal
band under normal driving conditions, and
under certain driving conditions such as, heavy
stop and go traffic, or driving up hills in hot
weather, for the pointer to indicate at the top of
the normal band.
[IS16005( BCGV)04/96]
If, under any circumstances, the pointer moves
above the normal band, the engine is
overheating and continued operation may cause
engine damage.
% [IS16200( BC )04/96]
one third page art:0011144-D
The engine coolant temperature gauge
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61 [CF05100( BC )04/96]
To cool your vehicle using outside air, turn the
SELECT control to A/C, turn the TEMP control
all the way to the end of the blue range (full
left) and turn the FAN control to the desired
speed between LO and HI. A/C provides quieter
system operation than MAX A/C, but it is not
as efficient as MAX A/C which uses recirculated
air.
% [CF05300( BC )04/96]
To ventilate your vehicle with outside air,
during mild weather, turn the SELECT control to
PANEL, turn the TEMP control for the
temperature desired and set the FAN control to
the speed desired.
[CF05500( BC )04/96]
Under normal conditions, the SELECT control
should be left in any position other than MAX
A/C or OFF when the vehicle is parked. This
allows the vehicle to ªbreatheº through the
outside air inlet duct.
[CF05700( BC )05/96]
To cool your vehicle quickly in warm weather,
turn the SELECT control to MAX A/C, turn the
TEMP control all the way to the end of the blue
range (full left) and turn the FAN control to HI.
MAX A/C uses recirculated air and is the most
fuel efficient way to cool your vehicle and can
also be used in heavy traffic to prevent exhaust
fumes from entering the vehicle. MAX A/C can
also be used in high humidity areas for more
efficient operation.
[CF05900( BC )12/95]
If the interior of your vehicle is very warm,
drive for the first few minutes with the windows
open. This forces most of the hot, stale air out of
the vehicle and allows the air conditioning to
work faster.
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Update:Fri Jun 7 13:58:04 1996

65 [CF08100( BC )05/96]
To cool your vehicle quickly in warm weather,
turn the SELECT control to MAX A/C and turn
the FAN control to AUTO. As the vehicle
interior cools down, the discharge air
temperature and fan speed will automatically
and gradually be changed to maintain the set
temperature with airflow from the instrument
panel registers.
[CF08200( BC )12/95]
If the interior of your vehicle is very warm,
drive for the first few minutes with the windows
open. This will force the hot, stale air out and
allow the air conditioning to work faster.
% [CF08300( BC )05/96]
To cool your vehicle with outside air, turn the
SELECT control to A/C and turn the FAN
control to AUTO or to a fixed speed setting as
you desire. Cooling your vehicle in this manner
provides a quieter system operation, but it will
not cool as efficiently and is not as fuel efficient
as MAX A/C which uses recirculated air.
[CF08400( BC )05/96]
To ventilate your vehicle with outside air, turn
the SELECT control to PANEL and the FAN
control to AUTO. The fan will remain off until
the engine is warm enough to provide heat.
However, if the interior temperature is above the
set temperature, the fan will turn on
immediately. Temperature may be set as desired
and FAN speed can be selected.
[CF08500( BC )12/95]
A/C compressor override
[CF08600( BC )05/96]
The A/C compressor can be disengaged for
more economical driving. This can be done by
turning the SELECT control to PANEL. The A/C
compressor is automatically engaged by the
control in MAX A/C, PANEL & FLOOR, NORM
A/C, FLOOR & DEF, and DEFROST positions if
the outside temperature is above45ÊF (7ÊC).
File:05rccfc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:58:04 1996

93
% [CF43600( BCGV)03/96]
Adjusting the Dual Electric
Remote Control Mirrors
[CF43800(MBC )05/96]
The switch for controlling the dual electric
remote control mirrors is located on the driver's
door.
%*
[CF44000( ALL)12/95]
Do not clean the housing or glass of any mirror
with harsh abrasives, fuel or other
petroleum-based cleaning products.
[CF44200( BC )05/96]
half page art:0010269-E
The mirror controls on the driver's door
*
[CF44400( ALL)01/96]
To adjust the side mirrors:
*
[CF44500( ALL)05/96]
1. Find the control switch in the driver's door
panel.
*
[CF44600( ALL)05/96]
2. Select the right or left mirror by moving the
selector switch to R or L.
[CF44750( BC )05/96]
3. Move the knob in the direction you want to
move the mirror.
*
[CF44800( ALL)05/96]
4. Return the selector switch to the middle
position to keep the mirror in place.
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145
Starting
%*
[TO00200( ALL)01/96]
Fuel-Injected Engines
*
[TO00300( ALL)01/96]
When starting a fuel-injected engine,the most
important thing to remember is to avoid
pressing down on the accelerator before or
during starting. Only use the accelerator when
you have problems getting your vehicle started.
SeeStarting Your Enginein this chapter for
details about when to use the accelerator while
you start your vehicle.
*
[TO00400( ALL)01/96]
Starting Your Vehicle
%*
[TO00500( ALL)01/96]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
*
[TO00600( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or in other enclosed areas. Exhaust
fumes can be toxic. Always open the
garage door before you start the engine.
*
[TO00700( ALL)01/96]
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
*
[TO00800( ALL)01/96]
1. Make sure all occupants in the vehicle
buckle their safety belts. SeeSafety Restraints
in the Index for more details.
*
[TO00900( ALL)01/96]
2. Make sure the headlamps and other
accessories are turned off when starting.
*
[TO01200( BCGV)01/96]
3. Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park)
and the parking brake is set before you turn
the key.
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Update:Thu May 30 10:28:08 1996

147 %
*
[TO02400( ALL)01/96]
For a warm engine:
*
[TO02500( ALL)01/96]
q
Do not hold the key in the START position
for more thanfive (5) secondsat a time. If
the engine does not start within five (5)
seconds on the first try, turn the key to the
OFF position. Wait a few seconds after the
starter stops, then try again.
*
[TO02600( ALL)01/96]
Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key
as soon as the engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
*
[TO02700( ALL)01/96]
After you start the engine, let it idle for a few
seconds. Keep your foot on the brake pedal and
put the gearshift lever in gear. Release the
parking brake. Slowly release the brake pedal
and drive away in the normal manner.
*
[TO02800( ALL)12/95]
NOTE: Your vehicle has an interlock that
prevents you from shifting out of P
(Park) unless your foot is on the brake
pedal.
%*
[TO02900( ALL)01/96]
If the engine does not start after two attempts:
*
[TO03000( ALL)01/96]
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
*
[TO03100( ALL)01/96]
2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor
and hold it.
*
[TO03200( ALL)01/96]
3. Turn the ignition key to the START position.
*
[TO03300( ALL)01/96]
4. Release the ignition key when the engine
starts.
*
[TO03400( ALL)03/96]
5. Release the accelerator gradually as the
engine speeds up.
[TO03500( ALL)03/96]
If the engine still does not start, the fuel pump
shut-off switch may have been triggered. For
directions on how to reset the switch seeFuel
Pump Shut-Off Switchin the Index.
File:08rctoc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:28:08 1996