1998 Mercury Mystique engine

Starting
83 USING THE ENGINE BLOCK
HEATER (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the
engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine
faster and allows the heater-
defroster system to respond
quickly. It is strongly recommended
if you live in a region where
temperatures reach –23°C (–10°F)
or below.
For best results, plug the heater in
at least three hours before starting
the vehicle. Using the heater for
more than three hours will not
harm the engine, so the heater can
be plugged in the night before
starting the vehicle.
To prevent electrical shock,
do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or
two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
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Driving
87 Automatic transaxle
(if equipped)
Vehicles equipped with an
automatic transaxle are equipped
with a brake-shift interlock feature
that prevents the gearshift lever
from being moved from the P
(Park) position unless the brake
pedal is depressed.
TRANSAXLE OPERATION
Putting your vehicle in gear
You must push the thumb button to
move the gearshift to the position
you choose.
To operate:
1. Start the engine.
2. Depress and hold the brake
pedal.
3. Move the gearshift lever out of P
(Park).
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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.
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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.
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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
98
-9%
-6%
-3% 900 m
(3000 ft)
600 m
(2000 ft)
300 m
(1000 ft)
0 Payload = GVWRminus Base
curb weight
To obtain the correct weight for
your vehicle, try taking your
vehicle to a shipping company or
an inspection station for trucks.
Do not use replacement tires with
lower weight capacities than the
originals because they might lower
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR.
(Replacement tires with a higher
weight limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR
limitations.)
In high altitudes, engines will lose
power at a rate of 3% power per
300 m (1000 ft) increase in
elevation. A reduction in GVW and
GCW is recommended for
maximum vehicle performance.
Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label.
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Driving
100TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is capable of towing a
trailer of up to a maximum of
454kg (1000 lbs) gross trailer
weight with a maximum tongue
load of 45kg (100 lbs). It should
also have 2.3sq. meters (25sq.
feet) or less frontal area. Do not
drive faster than 72km/h (45mph)
while towing a 454kg (1000lb)
trailer.
Your vehicle does not come from
the factory fully equipped to tow.
No towing packages are available
through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury
dealers.
Trailer towing puts additional loads
on your vehicle’s engine, transaxle,
axle, brakes, tires, and suspension.
For your safety and to maximize
vehicle performance, be sure to use
the proper equipment while
towing.
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