1998 Mercury Mystique Owner's Manuals

Driving
89 The console-mounted gearshift will
lock when you turn the key to the
lock position. When the gearshift is
in any position except P (Park),
the ignition key cannot be turned
to lock or removed from the
steering column. To remove the
key, the gearshift lever must be in
P (Park).
Once the gearshift is secure in the
desired position, release the brake
pedal and use the accelerator as
necessary.
Driving
Never leave a vehicle
unattended while it is
running.
•P(Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). This
locks the transaxle and prevents
the front wheels from rotating.
•R(Reverse)
The vehicle only moves backward.
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting in or out of R
(Reverse).P=Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
R=Reverse. . . . . . . . . . .
N=Neutral. . . . . . . . . . . .
D=Drive: Gear 1 to 4
with overdrive. . . . . .
Gear 1 to 3
with overdrive
cancelled. . . . . . . . . .
2=Gear 2. . . . . . . . . . . .
1=Gear 1. . . . . . . . . . . .
CDW IVB1-10Driving en MM 5/15/97 7:51 PM Page 89

Driving
90
•D (Overdrive)
Note that the vehicle’s gearshift is
console-mounted on the floor. The
transaxle control switch (TCS) is
located on the gearshift handle.
The transaxle control indicator
light (O/D light) is located on the
instrument panel.
Overdrive is not shown on the
display, but is the default mode for
the D gearshift position. This is the
normal driving mode for the best
fuel economy. The transaxle
operates in gears one through four.
The O/D light is off (not
illuminated) during normal vehicle
operation.
Overdrive can be deactivated by
pressing the transaxle control
switch (TCS) located on the
gearshift handle. The O/D OFF
indicator light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster.
•N(Neutral)
The wheels of the transaxle are not
locked. Your vehicle will roll freely,
even on the slightest incline, unless
the parking brake or brakes are on.
CDW IVB1-10Driving en MM 5/15/97 7:51 PM Page 90

Driving
91
TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
•D (Drive)
D (Drive) provides more engine
braking than overdrive and is
useful when driving through hilly
terrain or if your vehicle requires
additional power for climbing hills.
Activate by pressing the transaxle
control switch (TCS) located on
the gearshift handle. The O/DOFF
indicator light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster. Transaxle
operates in gears one through
three.
To return to overdrive mode, press
the transaxle control switch.The
O/DOFF indicator light will
extinguish.
When starting your vehicle, the
transaxle will automatically return
to normal overdrive mode when the
D (Drive) gearshift position is
selected.
CDW IVB1-10Driving en MM 5/15/97 7:51 PM Page 91

Driving
92
•1 (First)
Use the 1 (First) position to
provide maximum engine braking
on steep downgrades. Upshifts will
not occur while the gearshift lever
remains in the 1 (First) position.
Upshifts may be made by shifting
to the 2 (second) position or to D
(Drive). Selecting the 1 (First)
position at high speeds causes the
transaxle to downshift through the
gears and will shift to 1 (First)
after the vehicle decelerates to the
transaxle first gear designed speed.
Do not go faster then 60 km/h
(38 mph) in this gear.
•2 (Second)
Use the 2 (Second) position to
start up on slippery roads or to
provide additional braking on
downgrades. When your vehicle is
in 2 (Second), it automatically
starts off in second gear. Do not go
faster than 90 km/h (55 mph) in
this gear.
CDW IVB1-10Driving en MM 5/15/97 7:51 PM Page 92

Driving
93 Manual transaxle (if equipped)
Vehicles equipped with a manual
transaxle have a starter interlock
that prevents cranking the engine
unless the clutch pedal is fully
depressed.
Using the clutch
When starting a vehicle with a
manual transaxle:
1. Hold down the brake pedal.
2. Depress the clutch pedal.
3. Put the gearshift lever in neutral.
4. Start the vehicle.
5. Put the gearshift in 1 (First) or R
(Reverse).
6. Release the clutch slowly while
pressing gradually down on the
accelerator pedal.
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the clutch pedal. Do not use the
clutch to hold your vehicle at a
standstill while waiting on a hill.
These actions may reduce the
clutch life.
CDW IVB1-10Driving en MM 5/15/97 7:51 PM Page 93

Driving
94
*The vehicle can be shifted at lower speeds to improve fuel economy.
22
Recommended shift speeds
2.0 litre engine 5-speed transaxle
shift speed schedules
Recommended
upshifts:
Shift fromkm/hmph
14
25
33
48
40
53
77mph
12
20
2940
km/h
19
32
64
First to second
Second to third
Third to fourth
Fourth to fifthDuring acceleration:During cruise*:
46
2.5 litre engine 5-speed transaxle
shift speed schedules
km/h
mphkm/hmph
10
20
31
40
16
32
50
64
14
25
33
45
22
40
53
73
Shift from
First to second
Second to third
Third to fourth
Fourth to fifthRecommended
upshifts:During acceleration:
During cruise*:
CDW IVB1-10Driving en MM 5/15/97 7:51 PM Page 94

Driving
95
Parking
1. Apply the brake and the clutch
and shift into neutral.
2. Engage the parking brake.
3. Shift into 1 (First) or R
(Reverse).
4. Turn the ignition off.
Do not park your vehicle in
Neutral, it may move
unexpectedly and injure someone.
Use 1 (first) gear and set the
parking brake.
Reverse
To shift into R (Reverse):
1. Completely stop your vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal to the
floor and place the gearshift lever
in the neutral position. Do not
release the clutch pedal.
3. If the following direction is not
followed, a grinding noise may
occur.
Wait a miminum of three seconds
before attempting to shift into R
(Reverse) gear.
4. Push the gearshift lever
completely to the right, pull up the
ring on the stalk of the gearshift
lever, and then pull rearward on
the gearshift lever to engage the R
(Reverse) gear.
5. If the R (Reverse) gear is
engaged, slowly release the clutch
pedal from the floor.
1
2
CDW IVB1-10Driving en MM 5/15/97 7:51 PM Page 95

Driving
96LOADING YOUR VEHICLE
Before loading your vehicle,
familiarize yourself with these
terms.
GVW(Gross Vehicle Weight)
Base curb weight plus the payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a
specification. Payload
Combined maximum allowable
weight of passengers, cargo and
optional equipment. Base curb weight
Weight of the vehicle including any
standard equipment, fluids and
lubricants. It does not include
passengers or aftermarket
equipment.
CDW IVB1-10Driving en MM 5/15/97 7:51 PM Page 96