1998 Mercury Mystique Owner's Manuals

Maintenance and care
137
When adding engine coolant
Ford recommends Ford Premium
Cooling System Fluid, which is an
optimized formula that will protect
all metals and rubber elastomers
used in Ford engines for four years
or 80000 km(50000 miles).
It is neither necessary nor
recommended to use supplemental
coolant additives in your gasoline-
powered vehicle. These additives
may harm your engine coolant
system.
When you change or add engine
coolant, it is important to maintain
engine coolant concentration
between 40% (-24°C [-11°F]) and
60% (-52°C [-62°F]), depending on
your local climate conditions.
A coolant concentration below 40%
will result in a loss of freeze
protection. A concentration above
60% may cause the engine to
overheat on a warm day.
Refer to Lubricant specifications
in theCapacities and
specifications chapter. Use only a
premium nationally-recognized
brand name engine coolant or
equivalent.
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Maintenance and care
138Always dispose of used
automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your
community’s standards for
recycling and disposing of
automotive fluids.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends
that Ford and Lincoln-Mercury
dealers use recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved
processes. Not all coolant recycling
processes produce coolant which
meets Ford specifications ESE-
M97B44-A, and use of such coolant
may harm engine and cooling
system components.
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Maintenance and care
139
MAX
MIN
Adding engine coolant
1. Before removing the engine
coolant recovery cap, turn the
engine off and allow it to cool.
2. When the engine is cool, turn
and remove the cap.
•Step back for a moment while the
pressure in the reservoir is
released.
•Stand away from the reservoir
opening. Hot steam or coolant
spray may be released.
3. Add engine coolant until the
fluid level in the reservoir is
between the MAX and MIN lines on
the reservoir.
Follow the recommended service
interval for changing engine
coolant as outlined in the “Service
Guide”. Refer to Capacities and
specifications for more
information on engine coolant
specifications.
Have your dealer or a qualified
service technician check the engine
coolant system for leaks if you have
to add more than a litre (quart) of
engine coolant per month.
Never remove the coolant
recovery cap while the
engine is running or hot.
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Maintenance and care
140
Checking and adding power
steering fluid
Switch off the engine. With the
steering system at normal
operating temperature, the fluid
level should come up to the MAX
mark.
If the fluid level drops below the
MIN mark, add the specified fluid.
Refer to the Capacities and
specificationschapter.
Severe winter climate
If you drive in extremely cold
climates (less than -36°C [-34°F]),
it may be necessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.
Refer to the chart on the coolant
container to ensure the coolant
concentration in your vehicle is
such that the coolant will not
freeze at the temperature level in
which you drive during the winter
months. Never increase the engine
coolant concentration above 60%.
Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine
coolant and water in your vehicle
year-round in non-extreme
climates.
MAX
MIN
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Maintenance and care
141 Automatic transaxle fluid
Check the automatic transaxle fluid
according to the scheduled
intervals in the “Service Guide”.
However, if the transaxle is not
working properly (slipping, shifting
slowly or fluid leakage) the fluid
level should be checked.
Adding automatic transaxle
fluid
Before adding any fluid, make sure
the correct type will be used. This
information is stamped on the
dipstick.
Check the fluid after your vehicle
has reached normal operating
temperature, which is reached
after driving approximately 32 km
(20 miles).
Add fluid in 0.25 litre (0.5 pint)
increments through the filler tube
until the fluid is at the correct level
on the dipstick. If an overfill
occurs, excess fluid should be
removed by your dealer or a
qualified service technician.
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Maintenance and care
142
Checking the automatic
transaxle fluid
With the vehicle on a level surface
and the brake fully applied, start
the engine and move the gearshift
lever through all of the gears.
Securely latch the lever in P
(Park). Set parking brake and leave
the engine running.
Wipe off the dipstick cap and pull
the dipstick out. Wipe indicator
clean. Put dipstick back into filler
tube and make sure it is fully
seated. Pull the dipstick out and
read the fluid level.
Note that your vehicle should not
be driven until some fluid has been
added if the fluid level is below the
bottom dimple on the dipstick and
the outside temperature is above
10°C (50°F). Add only enough fluid
to bring the level above the bottom
hole.
If the vehicle has not been driven
and the fluid level is above the
bottom dimple on the dipstick,
don’t add fluid. Recheck the level
after driving your vehicle
approximately 30 km (20 miles)
when the engine has reached
normal operating temperature. The
fluid level should be within the
crosshatched area on the dipstick.
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Maintenance and care
143
MotorcraftSUPERSTART
Pb
Battery
Your vehicle may be equipped with
a Motorcraft maintenance-free
battery. The Motorcraft
maintenance-free battery normally
does not require additional water
during its life of service. However,
for severe service usage or in high
temperature climates, check your
battery electrolyte level, at least
every 24 months or 40 000 km
(24 000 miles). Keep the
electrolyte in each cell up to the
“level” indicator. Do not overfill the
battery cell.
For longer, trouble-free operation,
keep the top of the battery clean
and dry. Also, make certain the
battery cables are always tightly
fastened to the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the
battery cables or terminals, remove
the cables from the terminal(s) and
clean with a wire brush. You can
neutralize the acid with a solution
of baking soda and water. Reinstall
the cables when you are done
cleaning them, and apply a small
quantity of grease to the top of
each battery terminal to help
prevent corrosion.
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Maintenance and care
144Battery replacement
If your original equipment battery
requires replacement while under
warranty, it will be replaced with a
Motorcraft service battery,
identical in design technology. Like
the original equipment battery, it
should not require water addition
during its normal life of service;
however, for severe service usage
or in high temperature climates,
check your battery electrolyte
level, at least every 24 months or
40 000 km (24 000 miles). Do not
overfill the battery cell.
If the electrolyte level in your
battery gets low, you can add plain
tap water to the battery, as long as
you do not use hard water (water
with a high mineral or alkali
content). If possible, however, try
to only fill the battery cell with
distilled water. If the battery needs
water often, have the charging
system checked.
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