1998 Mercury Mystique warning

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

Maintenance and care
164
BRAKE
TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
If you notice one or more of the
following, the emission system may
not be functioning properly; have
the vehicle serviced as soon as
possible:
•Fluid leaks.
•The charging system, engine oil
pressure or low coolant warning
lights illuminate in the
instrument cluster and remain lit.
•Strange odors.
•Engine runs for more than five
seconds after shut off or engine
misfires, surges, stalls or
backfires.
•Loss of oil pressure.
CDW VA1-19Maint en MM 5/15/97 7:56 PM Page 164

190
Index
APage
Accessory position on
the ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Additives, engine oil . . . . . . . . .132
Air bag supplemental
restraint system
and child safety seats . . . . . . . .56
description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . . .8, 59
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
wearing safety belts . . . . . . . . .55
Air conditioning
(see Climate control system)
Alarm, activating panic . . . . . . . .39
Antenna, radio
(see Audio sytem) . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) . .84
Anti-theft system (see Passive
Anti-Theft System) . . . . . . . . . . .41
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)
Audio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Automatic transaxle
driving with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
fluid, adding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
fluid, checking . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .184
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .185
B
Backing up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89, 95
Battery
charging system warning light . .6
jumping a disabled battery . . .121
proper disposal, recycling . . . .145
replacement, specifications . .183
servicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143BPage
Brake fluid
checking and adding . . . . . . . .135
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Brake-shift interlock . . . . . . . . . .88
Brakelamps
(see Bulb replacement)
Brakes
anti-lock brake system (ABS) .84
brake warning light . . . . . . . . . . .9
fluid, checking and adding . . .135
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .184
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .185
parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Built-in child seat
folding up the seat . . . . . . . . . .70
inspection after a collision . . . .70
interlock safety feature . . . . . . .66
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
retractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Break-in period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Bulbs, replacing
foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
high-mounted brake lamp . . . .171
license plate lamp . . . . . . . . . .170
rear lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
C
Cabin air filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
Capacities for refilling fluids . . .184
Carbon monoxyde in exhaust . .163
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . .163
Chains, tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
Changing a tire . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Charging system warning light . . .6
CDW_Index_en _MM 5/15/97 8:00 PM Page 190

Index
191 CPage
Child safety restraints
built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .65
child safety seats . . . . . . . . . . . .71
children and safety belts . . .61, 63
Child safety seats
and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
attaching with tether straps . . .74
automatic locking mode . . . . . .49
Childproof safety locks . . . . . . . .35
Chimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Circuit breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment . . . . . . . .179
exterior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .181
plastic exterior parts . . . . . . . .180
safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
Climate control system
air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
controlling airflow . . . . . . . . . . .20
defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Clutch
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
recommended shift speeds . . . .94
Cold engine starting . . . . . . . . . .82
Controls
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . .14
mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
power seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
steering column . . . . . . . . . . . . .24DPage
Daytime running lights . . . . . . . .15
Defects, reporting . . . . . . . . . . .189
Defrost
rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Dipstick, engine oil . . . . . . . . . .130
Door mounted controls . . . . . . . .34
Driving under special conditions
heavy load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . .100
E
Electrical system
fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Emergencies, roadside
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .107
jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
Emergency brake (see Parking
brake)
Emission control system . . . . . .163
Engine
check engine warning light . . . . .8
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .107
lubricant specifications . . . . . .185
preparing to start . . . . . . . . . . .79
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .184
starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Engine block heater . . . . . . . . . .83
Engine coolant
checking and adding . . . . . . . .136
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
low coolant warning light . . . . . .7
refilll capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .184
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Engine fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
CDW_Index_en _MM 5/15/97 8:00 PM Page 191

Index
192EPage
Engine oil
changing oil and filter . . . . . . .133
checking and adding . . . . . . . .132
dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
engine oil pressure
warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
filter specifications . . . . . . . . .183
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .184
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Exhaust fumes . . . . . . . . . . .78, 163
F
Fan (see Engine fan)
Flasher, hazard . . . . . . . . . .26, 107
Flashing the lights . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Fluid refill capacities . . . . . . . . .184
Foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15, 169
Fuel
calculating fuel economy . . . .162
capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
choosing the right fuel . . . . . .159
consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
low fuel warning light . . . . . . . . .8
octane rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
running out of fuel . . . . . . . . .163
safety information relating
to automotive fuels . . . . . . . . .157
Fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .107
Fuse panels
engine compartment . . . . . . . .110
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .113FPage
Fuses
charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111, 114
checking and replacing . . . . . .109
G
Gas mileage (see Fuel economy)
Gauges
engine coolant temperature . . .12
fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) . . . .97
Gearshift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87, 93
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) . .97
H
Hazard flashers . . . . . . . . . .26, 107
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Headlamps
aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
bulb specifications . . . . . . . . .172
daytime running light . . . . . . . .15
flashing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . .167
turning on and off . . . . . . . . . . .14
warning chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
High beams
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
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Index
193 HPage
High-mount brakelamp . . . . . . .171
Hood
latch location . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
I
Identification Number, Vehicle
(VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Idle, relearning . . . . . . . . . . . . .146
Idle, speed . . . . . . . . . . . . .146, 186
Ignition
chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
positions on the ignition . . . . . .24
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Instrument panel
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
lighting up the panel . . . . . . . . .16
Integrated child seat (see Built-in
child seat)
Intermittent wipers . . . . . . . . . . .28
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
J
Jack
positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Jump starting your vehicle
attaching cables . . . . . . . . . . . .122
disconnecting cables . . . . . . . .123
K
Keys
key in ignition warning chime .11
positions of the ignition . . . . . .24LPage
Lamps
bulb replacement specification
chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
daytime running light system . .15
flashing the lamps . . . . . . . . . . .27
foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15, 169
hazard flashers . . . . . . . . .26, 107
headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
high beams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
high-mounted brake lamp . . . .171
instrument panel, dimming . . .16
interior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
reading lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . .167
rear lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) . . . . . . . .9
brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
charging system . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
check engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
engine oil pressure . . . . . . . . . . .9
high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
low coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
low fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
overdrive off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
testing the warning lights . . . . .10
turn signal indicator . . . . . . . . . .6
Load limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Lubricant specifications . . . . . .187
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . .36
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Index
195 SPage
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints)
Safety chains, when towing
a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Safety Compliance Certification
Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
Safety defects, reporting . . . . . .189
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts . .47, 51
automatic locking mode
(retractors) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
cleaning the safety belts . . . . .182
extention assembly . . . . . . . . . .53
for children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
lap and shoulder belts . . . . . . . .48
maintenance . . . . . . . . . . .54, 182
vehicle sensitive locking mode .49
warning light and chime . . . .7, 11
Safety seats for children
and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . . .56, 72
attaching with tether straps . . .74
automatic locking mode
(retractors) . . . . . . . . . . . . .49, 71
built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .65
in front seat . . . . . . . . . . . . .56, 72
tether anchorage hardware . . .75
Seats
adjusting the seats, manual . . .44
adjusting the seats, power . . . .45
folding rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . .46
head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Servicing your vehicle . . . . . . . .125
Shift-lock system . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Shift positions (see Gearshift)
Snow tires and chains . . . . . . . .155SPage
Spare tire
changing the tire . . . . . . . . . . .116
removing the spare tire . . . . . .118
temporary spare tire . . . . . . . .117
Spark plugs, certifications . . . .183
Specification charts, lubricants185
Speed control
disengaging speed control . . . .32
return to a set speed . . . . . . . . .32
set a speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
set a higher speed . . . . . . . . . . .31
set a lower speed . . . . . . . . . . . .31
turn speed control off . . . . . . . .29
turn speed control on . . . . . . . .29
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start the vehicle . .79
starting the engine . . . . . . . . . .82
Steering column controls . . . . . .24
Steering wheel
horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
speed control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
tilting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Supplemental restraint
system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11, 53
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Tail lamps (see Rear lamps)
Temperature control
(see Climate control)
Testing the warning lights . . . . . .10
Tether anchor installation
(see Child safety restraints)
Tilt steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . .25
CDW_Index_en _MM 5/15/97 8:00 PM Page 195

Index
196TPage
Tires
changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
checking tire pressure . . . . . .152
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
inspection and maintenance . .152
replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
rotating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
snow tires and chains . . . . . . .155
spare tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
tire grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
treadwear . . . . . . . . . . . . .150, 153
wearbands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153
Towing your vehicle . . . . . . . . .124
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
Transaxle
automatic, operation . . . . . . . . .87
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .184
lubricant specifications . . . . . .185
manual, operation . . . . . . . . . . .93
Transmitter (see Remote entry)
Trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Trunk (see Luggage compartment)
remote release lever . . . . . . . . .36
using the remote entry system .39
Turn signal
indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
U
Used engine oil, disposal . . . . . .134VPage
Variable interval wipers . . . . . . . .28
Vehicle care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Vehicle Emission Control
Information(VECI) . . . . . . . . . .163
Vehicle loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Ventilating your vehicle . . . . . . .77
Viscosity (see Engne oil)
W
Warning chimes
headlamps on . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
key in ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Warning lights (seeLights)
Washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . .130
Weight limits (GAWR, GVWR) . .96
Wheels
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
inspection and maintenance . .152
Windows
one-touch down . . . . . . . . . . . .34
power windows, operating . . . .34
rear, defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Windshield washer fluid and wipers
checking and adding fluid . . . .135
checking and replacing
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .185
variable interval wipers . . . . . . .28
Wrecker towing . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
CDW_Index_en _MM 5/15/97 8:00 PM Page 196