Page 24 of 196
Controls and features
24STEERING COLUMN
CONTROLS
Ignition
1. Ignition off, steering wheel
locked.
On vehicles with automatic
transaxles, the ignition key can
return to this position only if the
gearshift lever is in P (Park).
2. The accessory position. Steering
unlocked, radio operational.
Ignition and all main electrical
circuits are disabled.
The ignition key should not be left
in this position for too long to avoid
discharging the battery
unnecessarily.
3. Ignition switched on, all
electrical circuits operational.
Warning and indicator lights
illuminate. This key position is for
normal driving.
4. Starter motor activated. Release
the key as soon as the engine
starts.
3
4
21
MIRRORS
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
100
110
120
130MPH20 406055
80120 100
140
160
180
200EF 1
/
2UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
12
03x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
NORMALBRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
Off
Res
Set
AccCoast
On
CDW IIIC3Cont en MM 5/15/97 7:45 PM Page 24
Page 25 of 196
Controls and features
25
POWERAUDIOAM/FM
SCAN
SEEK 312645ANSSIDE1-2EJECTVOLUME
MIRRORSDEF
LO
HIOFFPNL/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
FLR
DEF
MAX
A/C
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
100
110
120
130MPH20 406055
80120 100
140
160
180
200EF 1
/
2UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
12
03x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
NORMALBRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
:
I0 20
Off
Res
Set
AccCoast
On
Tilt steering
Pull the locking lever on the
steering column cover up to adjust
the steering column position.
Secure the wheel by pushing the
locking lever down.
Never adjust the steering
wheel while the vehicle is
moving.
CDW IIIC3Cont en MM 5/15/97 7:45 PM Page 25
Page 27 of 196
Controls and features
27
POWERAUDIOAM/FM
SCAN
SEEK 312645ANSSIDE1-2EJECTVOLUME
MIRRORSDEF
LO
HIOFFPNL/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
FLR
DEF
MAX
A/C
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
100
110
120
130MPH20 406055
80120 100
140
160
180
200EF 1
/
2UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
12
03x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
NORMALBRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
:
I0 20
Off
Res
Set
AccCoast
On
Multi-function switch
The turn signal functions are
available only with the ignition
switch on.
Right turn signal
Move the lever up.
Left turn signal
Move the lever down.
Flash-to-pass
Pull the lever toward you and
release quickly for “flash-to-pass”
operation.
High beam Headlamps
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel.
CDW IIIC3Cont en MM 5/15/97 7:45 PM Page 27
Page 29 of 196
Controls and features
29
Do not use the speed control
in heavy traffic or on roads
that are winding, slippery, or
unpaved.
Off
On
Speed control (if equipped)
To turn speed control off
•Press Off or
•turn off the vehicle ignition.
Once speed control is switched off,
the previously programmed set
speed will be erased.
To turn speed control on
•Press On.
POWERAUDIOAM/FM
SCAN
SEEK 312645ANSSIDE1-2EJECTVOLUME
MIRRORSDEF
LO
HIOFFPNL/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
FLR
DEF
MAX
A/C
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
100
110
120
130MPH20 406055
80120 100
140
160
180
200EF 1
/
2UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
12
03x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
NORMALBRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
:
I0 20
Off
Res
Set
AccCoast
On
CDW IIIC3Cont en MM 5/15/97 7:45 PM Page 29
Page 55 of 196
Seating and safety restraints
55 Important supplemental
restraint system (SRS)
precautions
The supplemental restraint system
is designed to:
•work with the safety belt to
protect the driver and right front
passenger.
•reduce certain upper body
injuries.
AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)
POWERAUDIOAM/FM
SCAN
SEEK 312645ANSSIDE1-2EJECTVOLUME
MIRRORSDEFLO
HIOFFPNL/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
FLR
DEF
MAX
A/C
T/C OFF
000123000010 20 3040506070
80
90
100
110
120
130MPH20 406055
80120 100
140
160
180
200EF 1
/
2UNLEADED FUEL ONLY12
03x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
NORMALBRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
Off
ResSet
AccCoast
On
:
I0 20
CDW IIID Seat en MM 5/15/97 7:48 PM Page 55
Page 91 of 196
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
Page 129 of 196
Maintenance and care
129 Opening the hood
•Pull the handle (1) located under
the instrument panel.
MIRRORS
000123000010 20 3040506070
80
90
100
110
120
130MPH20 406055
80120 100
140
160
180
200EF 1
/
2UNLEADED FUEL ONLY12
03x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
NORMALBRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
1
Off
ResSet
AccCoast
On
•Release the safety catch by
reaching under the hood (2)
(adjacent to the Mercury
emblem) and pushing it up.
2
3
•Raise the hood and support it
with the strut (3) in the yellow
colored retainer, ensuring it is
secure. Hold the support at the
yellow colored insulation section.
To close, replace the support strut
in its retaining clip, lower the hood
and allow it to drop into the catch
for the last 20 – 30 cm
(8 – 12 inches).
Always check to ensure that the
hood lock is fully engaged.
CDW VA1-19Maint en MM 5/15/97 7:55 PM Page 129
Page 150 of 196

Maintenance and care
150Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire grade of 150
would wear one and one-half
(11/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire grade
100. The relative performance of
tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices,
and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction ABC
The traction grades, from highest
to lowest are A, B, and C, and they
represent the tire’s ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured
under test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
braking (straightahead) traction
tests and does not include
cornering (turning) traction.
CDW VA1-19Maint en MM 5/15/97 7:56 PM Page 150